'Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update' specials to start airing this summer

March 14 (UPI) -- The four-episode, prime-time series Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update is to begin airing on NBC Aug. 10.

The half-hour telecast -- which will feature jokes on topical issues of the day -- will star Colin Jost and Michael Che, the usual hosts of the long-running, sketch-comedy show's "Weekend Update" segment.

Additional SNL cast members are also expected to make appearances on the spinoff.

"SNL is having its best season in a quarter of a century -- how many shows can say that?! -- so we didn't want them to take the summer off," Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement Tuesday. "We're thrilled to have Colin Jost and Michael Che continuing their unique brand of news with fresh 'Weekend Update' shows in prime-time this August."