With just four days before somebody will have to play Mitt Romney on NBC's “Saturday Night Live,†Lorne Michaels cleared up any lingering doubts.
“Jason is in,†Mr. Michaels, the show's executive producer, said in an interview Tuesday night.
He was referring, of course, to Jason Sudeikis, the longtime cast member who, since the show's finale last May, has been the subject of many rumors that he would be departing after seven seasons. Mr. Michaels said he was relieved to have the comedian back in the cast this season.
Losing Mr. Sudeikis would have been a blow because the almost four-decade-old program has already lost two of its biggest recent stars, Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg, who departed at the end of last season. Also, Mr. Sudeikis had nailed down the Romney impression. “S.N.L.†will be delving heavily in the presidential race in its seven shows between Saturday and Election Day.
“Right n ow the idea is that Jason will go through at least until January,†Mr. Michaels said. But he did not foreclose the possibility that Mr. Sudeikis would be around for the full season. “He's a fiercely loyal guy, both to the show and to me,†Mr. Michaels said.
Bill Carter writes about the television industry. Follow @wjcarter on Twitter.
