This weekend’s <em>Saturday Night Live</em> featured a star-studded lineup for host Amy Poehler’s return, reuniting three iconic “Weekend Update” hosts for a new segment that should be included in the show’s regular programming. Following SNL‘s record-breaking season 50, expectations have soared for season 51. Lorne Michaels promised a transformation, and the SNL season 51 cast has certainly experienced that, with several surprising cast departures.

Despite the SNL season 51 cast changes, some steadfast veteran presences remained, including Colin Jost and Michael Che, whose “Weekend Update” segment consistently shines, even in uneven seasons and episodes. This week, however, Amy Poehler was the host, and where Amy Poehler is, Tina Fey is not far behind. Indeed, Fey joined Poehler in the cold open, portraying Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi, respectively.

But the duo also interrupted the “Weekend Update” segment, challenging Jost and Che to a joke-off, and they had another surprise in store: Seth Meyers, who joined Team Fey & Poehler in the SNL joke-off against the current “Weekend Update” hosts.

Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves, and it was fantastic to see three legends return to the anchor desk. This also established a new joke format that should become a regular feature on SNL.

Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, & Seth Meyers Were All Legendary Weekend Update Hosts

It’s not just that Poehler, Fey, and Meyers were beloved former SNL cast members; they were also among the best SNL “Weekend Update” hosts to ever occupy the anchor desk. Before Jost and Che took over, Seth Meyers was the longest-tenured “Weekend Update” anchor, serving from 2008 to 2013; prior to that, he co-hosted with Poehler from 2006 to 2008.

Meyers is particularly remembered for his instant chemistry with Bill Hader’s iconic character Stefon. After leaving SNL, he brought his quirky and slightly absurdist humor as a comedy writer to his current role on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

As for Fey and Poehler, they are widely regarded as one of the greatest “Weekend Update” host pairings of all time, despite only holding the position for two years from 2004 to 2006. It was arguably “Weekend Update” that solidified Poehler and Fey as a duo since it highlighted why they complement each other so well, with Fey embodying the straightforward journalist role while Poehler took on the fluffier gossip anchor persona.

It’s unsurprising that there was an unbroken connection from Fey and Poehler to Poehler and Meyers to Meyers at the anchor desk since they all greatly influenced one another. This is why they played off each other so well this week – but this isn’t their first time doing so.

Jimmy Fallon, Poehler, & Fey Once Crashed Meyers’ Weekend Update 14 Years Ago

The joke-off with former hosts may be something new to recent SNL audiences, but longtime fans will recall that it was Meyers himself who fell victim to this very setup 14 years ago. During season 37 in 2011 when Meyers was still anchoring “Weekend Update,” Jimmy Fallon crashed his segment and insisted he could deliver a better toy drive joke.

A moment later, Amy Poehler appeared as well, joining Seth Meyers’ team while Tina Fey rolled behind the desk to join Fallon. The two teams went through a rapid-fire round of punchlines for the toy drive joke setup just like last night’s Poehler-Fey-Meyers versus Jost-Che segment – it was delightful chaos.

In the Che and Jost era of “Weekend Update,” their biannual joke swap segment has defined their time at the anchor desk as audiences eagerly anticipate their hilariously offensive jokes for each other. However, last night’s segment along with the one from 2011 suggests that SNL should consider making these joke-offs with former anchors a regular occurrence even if it’s just once per season.

SNL50 focused on honoring the show’s legacy while season 51 aims to connect old and new elements. Inviting back former hosts once a season for a joke-off is an excellent way to continue respecting that rich comedy legacy while also introducing fan favorites alongside fresh ideas and new cast members. Saturday Night Live is currently in a transitional phase which presents an opportunity for experimentation – and reviving something old may be an ideal way to innovate.