Lorne Michaels Shares Thoughts on SNL’s Unique Role and Compares It to the UK Version
Focus Features hosted a screening of Morgan Neville’s latest documentary, Lorne, on Tuesday night at the Steven Spielberg Theater on the Universal Pictures lot. The event attracted notable attendees, including the film’s subject, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, and namesake Spielberg. They were joined by celebrities such as Owen Wilson, Seth Rogen, Steven Weber, and several SNL alumni, including John Mulaney, who presented the screening, and Chris Parnell, who lent his voice to the documentary. Other attendees included Laraine Newman, Jon Hamm, Vanessa Bayer, Kyle Mooney, and Kevin Nealon.
After the screening, Lorne Michaels engaged in a conversation with Donna Langley, Chairman of NBCUniversal, which oversees both Focus Features and NBC. Michaels has been associated with the network for over 51 years, aside from a brief hiatus.
“I think SNL brings culture, it brings politics, it brings a way to make sense in the world,” Langley remarked during their discussion.
Michaels commented on the show’s distinct political edge, noting its tradition of starting episodes with sharp satire on current events. “I like being around funny people – there’s not that many of them. When you recognize them, and when you see them come into their own and they realize that there’s this group of people who understand them, it’s an exciting place to be,” he said. He went on to emphasize that after 51 years, SNL feels integral to the national discourse. “At this point, I think we’re almost a branch of government. We’re allowed to say things; somehow we earned it.”
Michaels also addressed the reactions to the most recent segment of Weekend Update, in which anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che provided incisive commentary on President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Jost humorously highlighted Trump’s assertion about Iran, while Che addressed Melania’s surprising press statement regarding her past with Jeffrey Epstein.
Discussing the role of comedy in serious times, Michaels remarked, “In the face of totalitarian government, comedy doesn’t do much good; the totalitarians win every time. But there is something as a safety valve in a culture where comedy plays an important part.” He acknowledged the recent tumultuous events, stating that Jost and Che’s commentary was reflective of the societal mood.
Michaels also touched upon the recent launch of Saturday Night Live UK. “The mandate there is, it had to be British,” he explained. “My design for it was that it would be the cooler of the two shows, smarter, funnier, and more original. It had to be its own thing.”
He noted that the UK team’s approach included a Prince Andrew sketch that differed from his vision. “The way I would have done it is in an austere room with the right sort of people in an MI5 meeting,” Michaels said, suggesting a more structured approach. “But they found a way that works for them.”
Michaels revealed that the recent pairing of host Jack Black and musician Jack White took two years to assemble because he believed they would complement each other well—both as musicians and comedians.
Reflecting on a recent viral sketch featuring host Colman Domingo, Michaels shared insights into their collaborative process. “We were doing that astronaut sketch, and Colman said, ‘Tell me what to do.’ I explained that he needed to play it straight while comedic elements unfolded around him. The humor came from the contrast of his serious delivery and the absurdity around him.”
