On March 14, 2017, NBC ordered a three-episode fourth iteration to be hosted by Michael Che and Colin Jost, premiering August 10, 2017, and going by the title Weekend Update: Summer Edition.

[2] The format consists of a topical cold open sketch similar to most episodes of SNL, followed by an extended Weekend Update for the remaining time.

The series is essentially a continuation of the short-form "primetime extra" specials which have aired intermittently since the 2000–2001 season, when NBC needed to fill time following "supersized" 40-minute episodes of Friends.

[citation needed] Darrell Hammond made guest appearances in the first three episodes, despite no longer being an SNL cast member.

[3] This time, the program takes on the title of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update: Summer Edition and, with the exception of the third episode, completely does away with the cold open sketch and goes right into the news.