Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live

This chapter offers an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes chaos, precision, and decision-making that power a typical Saturday at Saturday Night Live. Focusing on the Jonah Hill-hosted episode during the lead-up to the 2018 midterms, the narrative details every aspect of the show’s production—from last-minute rewrites and rehearsals to Michaels’s micro-adjustments and live decision-making during the broadcast. The chapter also chronicles the fallout from Pete Davidson’s controversial joke about Dan Crenshaw, including internal discussions, public backlash, and the resolution that followed when Crenshaw appeared on the next episode. Michaels’s balancing act between creative vision, political sensitivity, and live broadcast logistics is central. The chapter concludes with the after-party, where Michaels reflects on the show’s strengths and shortcomings while dispensing career advice and industry wisdom. Through it all, Michaels’s unique leadership style, rooted in both gut instinct and institutional memory, shapes the week’s outcome.

The Epilogue centers on Michaels receiving a Kennedy Center Honor in 2021, a milestone that prompts reflection on his enduring influence in American culture. Despite nearing 80, Michaels remains deeply embedded in the machinery of Saturday Night Live and its spinoff ventures, including reboots, musicals, and new creative projects.