Don't Expect To Hear Lorne Michaels' Thoughts On The 'SNL' Movie Anytime Soon

By Andrew Sanford | Film | September 10, 2024 |

By Andrew Sanford | Film | September 10, 2024 |

There are mythic figures in the entertainment world. Actors, writers, directors, or producers (or whoever, honestly), who work in the film, television, and theater industries with stories and personalities that are bigger than the art they create. We lost such a figure yesterday. These people are larger than life and some maintain a carefully curated public appearance. They keep their cards close to their chest, not letting people in and remaining mysterious to friends and the public. Lorne Michaels is one of those people.

Michaels has had a phenomenal career as a producer. He is responsible for generations of popular comedic actors. Becoming a cast member on SNL is a huge opportunity that many dream of. It doesn’t always pan out the way people would want, but Michaels’ stamp of approval goes a long way in an industry dominated by “who you know.” You join the ranks of numerous actors “knighted” by Michaels on his legendary show. Michaels is such a comedian kingmaker that many of his actors have become mythic figures all their own, especially the original cast.

The Not Ready For Primetime Players consisted of Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, George Coe, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Michael O’Donoghue and Gilda Radner. They were a smash success and their legends have (mostly) only grown since. Some enjoyed healthy careers. Others faced unfortunate ends. Chevy Chase is somewhere in the middle. The cast made such an impact that writer/director Jason Reitman is bringing their origin story to the big screen this fall.

Saturday Night will tell the story of SNL’s first broadcast. The film will focus specifically on the 90 minutes leading up to the big show. The movie looks to mix fact and fiction to give the feel of what it was like that first night. They interviewed many people who were actually there for an authentic feel, but will also be taking some liberties, like most films “based on a true story.” Gabriel Labelle, who had his big breakout moment playing a fictionalized Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans, will play a fictionalized version of Lorne Michaels. However, the man who inspired it all has yet to watch the film.

While Lorne has been helpful in the production, Reitman claims he hasn’t watched the film. “Lorne has not seen the movie yet,” the director told Deadline. “I don’t know if he’ll ever tell me his reaction because he’s a cryptic person. Obviously, he was the first person I ever reached out to. I’ve been speaking to him throughout this process.” Reitman had nothing but praise for the producer, saying “If you think about the fact that he created this show three, four times over before Lonely Island arrived, or Please Don’t Destroy shows up. He reinvents what is comedy every five to ten years and it’s because he’s never looking in the rearview mirror.”

Michaels’ opinion will carry a lot of weight, so Reitman is likely anxious to learn what it is. Still, he acknowledges that may take time to hear. “We’ll all be honored when he watches it, but that will be on Lorne’s time,” the director explained. Regardless of how the film turns out (and I am very excited to see it), Reitman has a good understanding of the man and myth that is Lorne Michaels.