Deep Thoughts: SNL Without Lorne Michaels

From The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective by Two Pints Productions, Inc.

March 19, 2026 · 46 min

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with biographer Susan Morrison about Lorne Michaels' perspective during the transition of SNL after its original era.

A companion to our discussion about the end of the original era of SNL, we talk with biographer Susan Morrison about Lorne Michaels’ side of things. Susan joins us to discuss Lorne’s mindset going into Season Five, how much he (like everyone else) was looking towards life beyond Saturday Night Live, and where NBC’s decision - made behind his back - to move on without him left him. Susan helps explain the thinking behind Lorne’s need to put the show on an extended break, his (naïve) belief tha...

People in this episode

Guest: Susan Morrison

Topics covered

SNL history
Lorne Michaels
biography
television production
comedy

Keywords

Lorne Michaels
SNL
Susan Morrison
Season Five
NBC
comedy history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NBC

Books & works: Saturday Night Live