Lorne Michaels Addresses ‘SNL’ Retirement Rumors: “I’m Going to Do It as Long as I Feel I Can Do It”

Lorne Michaels

Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Lorne Michaels this week addressed discussion of his rumored retirement from Saturday Night Live ahead of the show’s 50th anniversary.

“I’m going to do it as long as I feel I can do it,” the SNL creator told the New York Times. “But I rely on other people and always have.”

Michaels, 79, has not announced any plans to retire, but speculation that his departure is imminent has grown in recent months as the show prepares to celebrate its half century birthday. In May, the network announced plans for a three-hour primetime special set for next February.

Michaels said in 2023 that his replacement “could easily be Tina Fey,” but that “there are a lot of people who are there now who are also, you know [could be good].”

Elsewhere in the profile, Michaels also shared his words of wisdom from 50 years of observing comedy’s greatest stars build their careers.

“No one can handle the fame,” Michaels said. “Generally, we’re more tolerant of it, but you know people are going to turn into assholes. Because it’s just part of that process, because no one grew up that way.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Michael’s job also includes mentoring younger members of SNL‘s cast.

“If you were the funniest kid in the class, or your school, and then you’re working professionally and everyone else in the room is that,” he said. “It can be upsetting or can be really stimulating.”