The correspondents understand the purpose of the show much more so than the outside hosts.

They work there, so they have seen the best and the worst–they know what works, and what doesn’t. I am sure each of the correspondents has plenty of “I’ve always wanted to do a segment on…” Whereas the outside hosts fly in for a one-off gig, thinking they can write the day’s show in a single pitch meeting. The correspondents have been involved in hundreds of pitch meetings, and have seen hundreds or even thousands of their suggestions die on the table–they have tougher skin. With a guest host–who has much more pull in what makes it to final script–they have the capacity to push lines that aren’t as great as they could be into what makes its way to the teleprompter.

The correspondents aspired to be there, and competed to get the job. And because it is their fulltime gig, they are bringing their best everyday.

You think Leslie Jones is watching every episode this week? No.

Ronny Chieng’s AI boyfriend bit was brilliant.

The new permanent host simply has to be one of the correspondents. Anyone who works in an office where the ethos is “We promote from within”, knows what I am talking about.