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“Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live,” written by New Yorker articles editor Susan Morrison and set to be released on February 18 by Random House, delves into the life of late-night comedy producer Lorne Michaels. For over five decades, Michaels has steered the ship of “Saturday Night Live,” an institution that has been a breeding ground for remarkable comedic talents, revolutionized live television, and consistently captured the essence of the times.
Read a sneak peek of the book’s prologue below, and mark your calendars for Mo Rocca’s interview with Susan Morrison on “CBS Sunday Morning” airing on February 16.
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Prologue
Every week at Saturday Night Live is a whirlwind of intensity, hard work, victories, mishaps, and behind-the-scenes chaos. Each episode revolves around a guest host – be it Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo, or Elon Musk – often navigating unfamiliar territory. Since its inception in 1975, Lorne Michaels has been the maestro orchestrating this unique blend of personalities and talents to deliver a live show that captivates audiences. While the show has evolved over the years to reflect changing cultural landscapes, its fundamental essence remains unchanged. Michaels likens it to a Snickers bar – a familiar combination of ingredients that viewers expect. The show, like any long-standing institution, has had its highs and lows, but it has carved out a special place in the hearts of its audience.
The mystery behind Michaels’s enduring success has long intrigued the show’s cast and crew. Some attribute it to his unparalleled brilliance as a producer, while others see him as an enigmatic figure onto which dreams, anxieties, and humor are projected. This dichotomy underscores the enigma that is Lorne Michaels, a figure who has steered the course of one of the country’s most beloved comedy shows.
Excerpt from “Lorne” by Susan Morrison. Copyright © 2025 by Susan Morrison. Reprinted by permission of Random House, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.
To purchase “Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live,” visit:
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For more information on “Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live” by Susan Morrison (Random House), available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio formats starting February 18, click here.
Representative Crenshaw criticized the Department of Justice for making what he referred to as a “deeply corrupt bargain” in its decision to drop charges against the Mayor of New York City. He made this statement during his appearance on Face the Nation alongside Senators Shaheen and Raskin.
