Seth Meyers exits 'Saturday Night Live,' headed for 'Late Night' host chair

Seth Meyers seen at the NBC/Universal Winter 2014 TCA in this January. 19, 2014 file photo. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP)

NEW YORK -- Seth Meyers has departed "Saturday Night Live," just weeks before he begins his new job as host of "Late Night."

Meyers co-anchored "Weekend Update" on the NBC sketch-comedy series for eight seasons and was joined for his farewell newscast by "SNL" alumni Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader and Fred Armisen.

They told Meyers they had come to take him "to the other side."

Meyers called his "SNL" tenure "the job I always wanted." He joined the cast in 2001.

He'll take over at NBC's "Late Night" on Feb. 24.

"SNL" head writer Colin Jost will replace Meyers at the "Weekend Update" anchor desk alongside Cecily Strong. He signs on March 1.