It looks like the issue of what to do with Jay Pharoah on Saturday Night Live might’ve been figured out. In an interview with the NY Times, Lorne Michaels revealed that Jay will be taking over the character of our president, Barack Obama this upcoming season of the show.

“Jay has been doing Obama in his act this summer, and Jay is coming into his own,” Michaels said. “I just thought it might be time to shake it up.”

This is great news all around as we’re sure Fred Armisen who formerly played Obama will be featured more often since he’s the most seasoned member of the cast at this point (besides Seth Meyers who has one year on him).

We’ve known since he first appeared on the show that Pharaoh was great at impressions, but the sketches he appeared in weren’t really slam dunks at showcasing his talent. Taking over the role of the president during an election year will definitely elevate his presence on the show. It probably also means that Pharoah will be bumped up to cast regular. Boosh.

As for the opposing political party. The much ballyhooed departure of Jason Sudeikis who impersonates Mitt Romney looks like it’s not going to happen this year, well at least until after the elections are over.