What YouTubers Can Learn From SNL’s “Weekend Update”

“Weekend Update” is Saturday Night Live’s longest running recurring series. It comments on current events, creates satire of them, and features various characters from other sketches as well as celebrity guests. There are reasons that “Weekend Update” has been so successful on SNL; it is consistently funny, often surprising, and always relevant.

Here are a few tips that YouTubers can take from the series.

1. Use current events.

The series uses parody and farce, but it also incorporates actual recent news and current events; for example, the two current hosts, Colin Jost and Michael Che, covered both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention in 2016’s election season. The video below shows the Cubs, recent World Series champions, celebrating their win in a comedic way.

Using current events is a great way to connect to your audience and create relatable content.

2. Collaborate.

“Weekend Update” features many different recurring characters and celebrity guests. The constant collaboration makes the series unpredictable and always entertaining. Never underestimate the impact that collaboration can have on your channel; if you can collaborate, do it.

3. Create something unforgettable.

Each “Weekend Update” is unique; they follow the same general format, but their use of collaboration, improvisation, and general creativity always helps create something that viewers have never seen before. When making videos, always try to create something that won’t blend in with every other video. Try to create something new and unforgettable.

“Weekend Update” uses comedy to comment on current events in an entertaining way; viewers respond well to their clever satires and featured characters.

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Jana DeGuzman is a Communication Studies major and French Studies minor at the University of San Francisco. She loves Mac DeMarco, Beyonce, and the ocean.

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