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The title of HBO Max’s new comedy sketch series, “That Damn Michael Che,” implies that we should already have an idea of what we’re about to receive: on-brand humor from “Saturday Night Live’s” co-head writer and “Weekend Update” co-anchor, marking an expansion of his trademark material into series streaming. But what, exactly, is Che’s comedy all about?
It’s hard to glean from his recent run on the flagging “SNL,” which Che has called home in multiple capacities, including guest writer and staff writer, since 2013. Eight years later, even he appears bored by the lack of innovation and occasionally outright offense in his and fellow anchor/co-writer Colin Jost’s approach to the venerable newscast parody. One example: When President Biden reversed predecessor Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military, Che sardonically joked: “It’s good news, except Biden is calling the policy, ‘Don’t ask, don’t tuck.’” The audie