In August 2016, writing duo Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider were promoted to co-head writers. In addition, eight new writers were hired for the upcoming season: Kristen Bartlett, Zack Bornstein, Joanna Bradley, Anna Drezen, Julio Torres, Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney, and Drew Michael. After tweeting a controversial joke about Barron Trump, writer Katie Rich was suspended indefinitely. In January 2017, writer Kent Sublette was elevated to head writer bringing the head writing team to four.
