Lorne Michaels Isn’t Leaving Saturday Night Live After Season 50, After All
Saturday Night Live doesn’t need to find a behind-the-scenes successor just yet.
Lorne Michaels, who created SNL and has overseen its creative trajectory since the show’s 1975 debut, has confirmed he plans to stay at the sketch series beyond its upcoming 50th season — a milestone he previously said would be his swan song.
“[SNL is] always going to be described the same way, which is ‘uneven,’ and yet people have decided somehow that it’s important,” Michaels said in a new Hollywood Reporter interview. “And so as long as it’s important and I can be useful, I’ll stay.”
Back in October 2020, Michaels seemed more certain that Season 50 would be his last, telling Willie Geist on Sunday Today, “My plan is to be here for the 50th. By that point, I really deserve to wander off.”
In the years since, there’s been quite a bit of speculation as to who might replace Michaels as SNL boss, with series vets like Seth Meyers and Tina Fey among those suggested for the role. But Michaels’ new comments on Thursday aren’t the first time he’s indicated he might stick around beyond Season 50: In a slightly less definitive interview with the New York Times in June of this year, he said, “I’m going to do it as long as I feel I can do it. But I rely on other people and always have.”
Ahead of the NBC institution’s 50th anniversary, Michaels hinted to THR that Season 50 will include “people coming back who’ve been part of the show and who love the show — not so much as hosts but just making appearances.”
On the hosting front, though, Hacks star and recent Emmy winner Jean Smart will emcee the Sept. 28 season premiere, with musical guest Jelly Roll. (See who else is on tap for the first five shows.) Three of SNL‘s featured players — Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker — have been promoted to main cast members for Season 50, while Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline have joined as new featured players for the upcoming episodes.
A different trio will be missing from the milestone season, though, with Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney and Chloe Troast all departing the show.
Lorne is running SNL all the way to his last dying breath!
He should if he still enjoys it.
Its his show, wouldn’t feel right if anyone else was running it
he’s really pulling a jay leno, isn’t he?
Leno was moreorless forced out–twice–even though he was still #1 in the ratings. As long as SNL is still bringing home the bacon, why should Lorne leave as long as he’s in good health and is getting the job done?
“Lorne Michaels, who created SNL and has overseen its creative trajectory since the show’s 1975 debut”. WRONG.
Lorne Michaels quit the show after season 5. Jean Doumanian took over in season 6 (1980). She was fired in 1981 and Dick Ebersol took over, staying until 1985. Then Lorne Michaels returned.