What Happened To Lorne Michaels After Saturday Night: Complete SNL Career Explained

Although Lorne Michaels is most often credited with creating Saturday Night Live, whose origins are explored in the new film, Saturday Night, the television producer is responsible for other projects beyond the beloved sketch show. Released in October 2024, Saturday Night is a comedy that follows the lead up to the premiere of the first episode of Saturday Night Live. Directed by Jason Reitman, the film is a deep dive into the origins of SNL, and also the iconic performers who made it happen. Understandably, there is an abundance of history that comes with a movie like this.

Lorne Michaels created SNL, originally titled NBC’s Saturday Night, alongside his colleagues Dick Ebersol and Herb Schlosser in 1975. Michaels is not only the series’ creator but, over the years, has served as a writer and producer for the show. He even appears on-screen occasionally, showing off his deadpan personality. Initially, Saturday Night Live was designed to attract young audiences with hilarious sketch comedy, political commentary, and musical performances. Though the original SNL cast was considered to be “not ready for prime time” upon the show’s premiere, they eventually won the hearts of viewers.

SNL’s Success Made Lorne Michaels An Incredibly Powerful Producer

What Michaels Did After SNL

In the years after Saturday Night Live found its footing, Lorne Michaels’ career saw a boost. In 1979, Michaels founded his own production company, Broadway Video, which produces SNL and other shows. Soon after, Michaels produced two other sketch comedy series, Kids in the Hall and The New Show, though neither were as popular as SNL. Eventually, Michaels rose from the role of producer to executive producer. He not only holds this role for SNL, but also held it for Late Night, 30 Rock, Up All Night, and The Tonight Show. Michaels continues to produce some of these series today.

A big part of Michaels’ success is his dedication. At first glance, Lorne doesn’t seem to have a very long resume, but it is not the quantity of shows that is important, but the quantity of years. Michaels has been at the head of SNL for decades and held the same position for other successful shows. It is also important to note that the series Michaels has worked on are pillars of their genre. Saturday Night Live is one of the most popular sketch shows of all time, and The Tonight Show is a major player in late night television.

Lorne Michaels Left SNL In 1980 To Pursue Other Opportunities

What Did Michaels Do During His SNL Hiatus

Though Lorne Michaels could be considered the core of SNL, he did end up briefly leaving the show in 1980. Originally, Michaels requested that the show be put on hiatus iso that he could pursue other projects, as SNL was a massive undertaking. Lorne suggested a number of writers to take his place. However, without reaching a compromise with NBC, Michaels eventually left and was replaced by Jean Doumanian, and later, Dick Ebersol. Ironically, most of SNL’s writers and performers left at the same time that Michaels did, hinting at his inherent importance to the show.

Michaels may have wanted to put distance between himself and SNL, but unfortunately, not all of his other projects were particularly successful. During his hiatus, Michaels created another sketch show entitled The New Show. The series premiered on NBC in January 1984, but it was poorly received enough that it was canceled after nine episodes. Fortunately, Michaels’ break wasn’t a complete loss. In 1981, he created Broadway Video, which was at the helm of various successful movies and shows, such as Wayne’s World, Documentary Now!, and Mean Girls. His company continues producing projects by significant comedians.

Lorne Michaels Returned To SNL In 1985 & Is Still Involved

What Is Michaels Doing In The Present Day

Luckily, Lorne Michaels didn’t stay away from SNL for too long. In 1985, five years after he left, he returned as executive producer. He has remained in this role ever since. There have been 50 seasons of SNL, and Michaels has been at the heart of 45 of them. Michaels has not only kept the sketch show running, but he also plays a massive part in creating the series’ iconic casts. By giving unknowns a chance to shine, Michaels has boosted some truly amazing comedians to fame, like Conan O’Brien, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, and Adam Sandler.

It’s impressive that Michaels has been able to keep SNL popular for so long. His ability to choose hilarious actors and writers plays a major role in this, yet it also has to do with the show’s general premise. SNL is not simply meant to be funny. The series intends to poke fun at current events and discuss important topics that are affecting society at the moment. SNL is deeply embedded in popular culture, and this makes it easy for audiences to connect to. Each year and each cast presents new opportunities to communicate with viewers on a unique level.

Is Lorne Michaels Retiring From SNL?

What Will Happen After Michaels Retires

Today, Lorne Michaels is 79 years old, making it natural to wonder when he will finally step down from SNL and his other ventures. Because SNL has reached its 50th season, countless viewers have theorized that Michaels would retire after that season. However, Michaels told Rolling Stone that he has no plans to leave SNL. In this way, there is no telling when Michaels will hand the show over to another producer. He has definitely aged, but the show continues to be popular with him in the driver’s seat. So, there’s really no reason for him to retire until he’s ready.

There is the question of what will happen to SNL when Michaels does eventually retire. The most obvious next step would be to find another executive producer to take his place. Perhaps, like in 1980, Michaels already has a successor in mind that, hopefully, NBC will agree with. A much more disappointing scenario is that Saturday Night Live will end once Michaels retires. Hopefully, this won’t be the case. The release of Saturday Night and SNL’s new 50th season hints that the show is still going strong.

As the clock ticks down to the first-ever broadcast of “Saturday Night Live” on October 11, 1975, a group of young comedians and writers hustle behind the scenes, navigating chaos and creative pressures. Set in NBC Studios, the film offers a dramatic and comedic look at the birth of an iconic television show.

Director

Jason Reitman

Release Date

October 11, 2024

Writers

Gil Kenan , Jason Reitman

Cast

Finn Wolfhard , Willem Dafoe , Dylan O’Brien , J.K. Simmons , Ella Hunt , Rachel Sennott , Matthew Rhys , Lamorne Morris

Character(s)

NBC Page , David Tebet , Dan Aykroyd , Milton Berle , Gilda Radner , Rosie Shuster