It looks like Lorne Michaels won’t be enjoying a quiet weekend at home anytime soon.
Yes, the SNL creator is rumored to be stepping down at the end of the show’s upcoming 50th season.
But in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter , Michaels revealed that he plans to stay at the helm of SNL for the foreseeable future.
“[SNL is] It’s always described in the same way, that it’s ‘unbalanced,’ but people somehow think it’s important,” Michaels said.
“So as long as it’s important and I can make a difference, I’m going to stay.”
Yes, it sounds like Michaels plans to be here for quite some time.
If you’re a fan of recent seasons of SNL, we think this is great news.
But for those of us who’d like to see Tina Fey inherit her gruff mentor and fulfill her Liz Lemon destiny as NBC’s next sketch showrunner, it’s a bit of a bummer. People are disappointed.
Michaels first hinted he might stay during an interview with The New York Times in June.
“As long as I feel like I can do it, I’ll do it. But I’ve always relied on other people,” he said at the time.
This isn’t the first surprising news about the iconic sketch show’s landmark season.
Earlier this month, fans were shocked by some unexpected casting changes, including the news that beloved Season 49 protagonist Chloe Troast would not be returning.
But such personnel changes are an annual tradition at Studio 8H.
The long-time “Saturday Night Live” host not retiring is another story entirely.
News of Michaels’ decision is sure to elicit mixed reactions.
After all, “unbalanced” is a generous assessment of SNL’s output in recent years, and it’s widely believed that the show would benefit from some new leadership.
But as the NBC stalwart prepares for another wild election season, it appears Michaels plans to stay on as boss for the foreseeable future.
TV fans, do you have any thoughts? Are you happy Michaels is staying? Or do you think it’s time for the TV legend to name a successor?
Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!
