New York, NY – After nearly 50 years as the creator and producer of “Saturday Night Live,” Lorne Michaels is starting to think about who could take over the iconic variety show. In an interview on the Emmy Awards carpet, Michaels mentioned Tina Fey, the creator of “30 Rock” and a former “SNL” cast member, as a potential successor.
While acknowledging that there are many qualified individuals at “SNL” who could step into the role, Michaels praised Fey’s talent and importance in his life. Fey, who joined “SNL” as a writer in 1997 and became head writer two years later, left the show in 2006 to focus on her own projects.
Michaels also confirmed that he has no immediate plans to leave “SNL.” At 79 years old, he intends to stay with the show until its 50th anniversary, which will be celebrated with a special in February 2025. However, he mentioned that plans for the future will be discussed before then.
As for Fey, she has long been speculated as a potential successor to Michaels. Her successful transition from “SNL” to “30 Rock,” where she served as showrunner and star, solidified her status as a comedic powerhouse in the industry.
“Saturday Night Live” is set to return from its year-end break, with Jacob Elordi hosting and Reneé Rapp as the musical guest. The show continues to be a cultural phenomenon, launching the careers of numerous comedians and serving as a platform for political satire and social commentary.
While there is no official announcement regarding Michaels’ successor, the speculation surrounding Tina Fey’s potential ascent brings excitement and anticipation to the future of “Saturday Night Live.”