This was my first non-fiction book of the year and what a way to start! I have always loved SNL and have watched it with my family for years. When the movie Saturday Night came out I was so excited and I got to learn about the shows birth which was very stressful to watch to say the least but very good. This book is like that movie 10x. It dives deep into Lorne’s life from his roots in Toronto all the way until he ended up starting SNL. It was so motivating to see his drive for the craft and to see what happens behind the scenes in the writers room with different celebrities every week.

Take any and all books/materials on SNL and inject them directly into my veins. I started watching about three years ago at the encouragement of a former coworker (Hi, Cara!) and haven't looked back since. Nothing gets me hyped more for my Sunday morning long run than watching the previous night's SNL.

However, most deep-dives into SNL leave out the mastermind himself: Lorne Michaels. It's always interesting to me to see how certain key events in a person's life shapes who they become (revisionist history novel on if HRC hadn't gotten back together with Bill, anyone?). I've always wondered how Lorne has the stamina to handle running SNL for nearly 50 years (Yeah, I won't talk about the years he wasn't there), and now I have it.

I also liked how it talked about how he got to have his fingers in the pies of various projects his former cast members have done. Probably my favorite part was how each section of the book was titled after a day of the week, and outlined what that day would look like in the 30 Rock offices, centered around the real life experiences of the show introducing Jonah Hill to the 5 Timers Club. Do I wish they had chosen a different show to model in 2025 given all the crap with Jonah Hill? Yes. C'est la vie.

I’ve wished for this book for so many years. Lorne Michaels has always fascinated me and my expectations were very high. I wasn’t disappointed.

Lorne goes deep. This book covers him from his childhood to now and it really covers everything. That made the book a little longer than necessary. It also name drops as much as Lorne does. That’s my only issue with it.

The research and writing are so well done. I really recommend this one!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

Just finished this enjoyable and fascinating biography of Lorne Michaels and SNL by New Yorker editor Susan Morrison. I was impressed by how much detail was provided given the 50-year span it covers, but it was still easy to read and kept the momentum going. It gave an interesting perspective on a cultural institution that has changed over multiple generations of people at SNL and provided interesting context for old and new SNL watchers. As someone who has watched SNL since the 90s I thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched and well-crafted history.

Lorne Michaels is the founder and executive producer of Saturday Night Live. After fifty years on the show, he is famous for his quiet power, but his backstory is not really talked about. This authorized biography tells of Michaels' Canadian roots, his Hollywood and early NY years, how SNL started, and it's ups and downs thru the years with Michaels as its main constant.

If you are an SNL fan, you need to read this book. I have loved SNL all of my life and still watch it with my family and learning all the behind the scenes was very interesting. The author talked a lot about the weekly process on writing and producing the show and also tied it into events in Lorne's past. I loved the behind the scenes of the actors that got famous on the show, for better or worse, and where the show is today. I loved reading about the process in which they write and choose the skits and the timeline of the week and how close it all comes to right before it goes to air. I love biography, process books, and behind the scenes of things I like, and this book is all three. It is long (650+ pages), but well worth the read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Lorne, written by New Yorker editor Susan Morrison, offers a revelatory exploration of one of television’s most influential figures. With unparalleled access to Michaels himself, as well as candid interviews with SNL alumni like Tina Fey, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell, and John Mulaney, Morrison paints a multifaceted portrait of a man whose brilliance and contradictions have baffled, frustrated, and awed generations of writers and performers. Over the past fifty years, Lorne Michaels has shaped comedy and pop culture in ways few could have predicted when Saturday Night Live first graced the airwaves in 1975. Morrison’s thorough research and in-depth reporting shine throughout the book, filled with captivating anecdotes, sharp analysis, and fascinating trivia. Whether you’re a diehard SNL fan or simply interested in the evolution of comedy as a cultural force, Lorne is an essential read. This is not just the biography of Lorne Michaels; it’s the story of a man who forever changed the course of television and comedy.
Described by many as both an “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and a “distant, strange comedy god,” Michaels is simultaneously a genius and an enigma. The mastermind behind one of the most successful, unpredictable, and long-running institutions in television history, he remains elusive and private. Morrison unpacks the contradictions and complexities of his personality, revealing the tension between his cold, calculating side and his undeniable artistry. He is both an exceptionally shrewd businessman and a deeply committed artist, with an uncanny ability to spot and nurture talent while keeping his personal life largely hidden. Through anecdotes and insights from a wide array of SNL stars and collaborators, it’s clear that working with Michaels could be both exhilarating and exasperating. But no one can deny his genius. From the legendary early years with Chevy Chase, John Belushi, and Dan Aykroyd, to the rise of modern stars like Kristen Wiig, Amy Poehler, and Pete Davidson, Lorne provides a unique insight into the inner workings of the show that redefined television sketch comedy. It’s a wild, eye-opening, and utterly entertaining account of a man whose influence is still felt in every corner of comedy today. Morrison has delivered a deeply humanizing story that will resonate with readers long after they finish it. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review Lorne.

As a fan of Saturday Night Live, I enjoyed reading this account of Lorne Michaels. It was interesting to see the origin story of how he became the king of television. Love SNL or hate it, it is an iconic show and Lorne is synonymous with it. I really liked how the book was laid out. Getting a peak behind the curtain of life during the week of a taping was fascinating. It was great to read the back and forth through the years. Highly recommend if you're interested in an larger than life persona and the show that is known everywhere.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. I grew up watching SNL and seeing Lorne Michaels in the credits and sometimes on screen so this book appealed to me as a part of shared cultural history. It's a very long book, but the writing keeps you going with all of the anecdotes and behind the scenes dirt both on Lorne personally and all of the SNL characters that we grew to love or hate. The pacing is good and the amount of drug use makes me surprised that we didn't lose more actors to overdose during the 1970s. If you still have a soft spot for SNL from your teen years, then you may find this interesting as I did.

If somebody were to have asked me prior to reading this book what I knew about Lorne Michaels, I’d have responded, “The SNL guy? Seems kind of inscrutable, but I’ve never actually given him that much thought.”

And you know what? He still seems like he’s probably kind of inscrutable to me. And maybe a little unpleasant to be around, in that “auteur aura” sort of way.

I enjoyed the book’s dual narrative of switching between Michaels’s personal story - of his early years and influences, career beginnings, and wading through the phases of what SNL should and would be over the course of fifty years - and the narrative of one week spent following the creation of one SNL episode from start to finish. I never considered what Michaels might have gotten up to prior to SNL - writing and performing in his own sketch show on the CBC, writing for Laugh-In and Lily Tomlin in California - or where he actually picked up so many of the Not Ready For Prime Time Players and writers that would originate SNL with him, so it was interesting to me learning about the different mediums, people, and experiences that breathed into Michaels all that would eventually influence his creation. It was interesting trying to see SNL through the eyes of the people making it, not just Michaels.

If you are somebody who has kept up closely with SNL over the years and reads cast interviews, and you’ve seen the recent “Saturday Night” Reitman film, I’m not sure how much of what’s in this book will feel like new information to you. The author clearly spent a lot of time speaking firsthand with as many Michaels associates as possible, but a lot is also pulled from previously published interviews. As someone coming in cold, everything was fresh information to me, and the narrative felt like it worked well. I never felt like the author was poking me to either like or dislike Michaels, maintaining a neutral voice even in recounting moments that made me think, “Wow, he seems … unpleasant to be around.” Basically, I came out of this book under the impression that Lorne Michaels is the most quietly extra 80 year old in North America, for better or worse, and if that’s what it takes to create a Saturday Night Live, well, so be it.

As a huge SNL fan this was obviously a treat to read! Lorne has always been a mythical icon in the comedy world - and it's always been difficult for me as a fan to reconcile his WASPy demeanor with a man who loves comedy so much he created an institution. But this book helped fill in so many of those blanks and really rounded out who Lorne is - for better, or for worse. The only thing holding me back from giving it 5 stars is that so many of the quotes and anecdotes seemed to have been ripped from 'Live From New York', the oral history of the show. I've read that book several times so i recognized many of the lines immediately. It felt a bit lazy, in my opinion, and it happened so often it felt like huge chunks of the book weren't original enough to be necessary!

Saturday Night Live will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and has cemented itself as a pioneer of television. It is responsible for hundreds of comedian's careers and numerous sketches that people quote on a daily basis. From the 70's Rosanna Danna to 90's Wayne's World to 2010's Target Lady. The man responsible for this institution is Lorne Michaels. This book is a deep dive into his early life in Canada to his current position live from New York. It was evident that this book was heavily researched, but at times it read like a term paper. I was inundated by information overload. I had to constantly Google the names of people I was unfamiliar with while reading. I would have been fine with a few summations rather than an in depth analysis of the schisms happening behind the scenes of SNL. My favorite era of the show was the late 80's and early 90's, which featured players like Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Molly Shannon, and Will Ferrell. This would have been better with at least 100 fewer pages, but it was a great tribute to Lorne Michaels. He is responsible for a television staple and the father of many future stars. It's a shame the current state of the show isn't up to par as its previous seasons, but who else can say their show has been on the air for 50 years?

Great behind the scenes story of the SNL creator and prevailing spirit. 5 stars. Appears to have been impeccably researched.

Lorne is such an inscrutable individual and this biography both challenges and confirms any preconceived notions you may have of this iconic producer. It's well researched, chock full of interviews and extends beyond tired oft-repeated anecdote and rarely veers into hagiography. Exhaustive, and at times exhausting, this is everything I crave when it comes to show-biz non-fiction..

This was really interesting book about Lorne Michaels, who I admit I knew little about, apart from being the creator of SNL. I highly recommend this book about a truly fascinating character.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for an advance copy of this book is a biography of a man many now from his satirical appearances in different mediums, but a man who has changed television, movies, how we laugh, or don't laugh, and most importantly changed himself over the last 50 years.

There is one thing that united people, doesn't matter their age, their politics, even their views on sexuality; Saturday Night Live isn't funny. Many say this, citing the the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players, the Eddie Murphy years, the mid-nineties as the prime example of a show that was funny. Much has changed in America in 50 years, and comedy has changed too. Sometimes grudgingly, sometimes dragging its heels, sometimes returning to ugly humor, but the one constant in all this, from rotating casts, to movies, to digital snippets is the creator of Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels. From the beginning, with a short time away from the monitor, Lorne has shepherded SNL through wars, political upheavals, break-ups, Pope ripping episodes, curses on air, and more. Lorne, as he is best known has changed how television was viewed, what it was capable of, and how people laughed. Your results might vary. Lorne has appeared on TV, been parodied on the Simpsons, used as a model for Dr. Evil, but to the general public not much is known about this man from the North, who seems to have his finger on the pulse of entertainment. Until now. Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live by Susan Morrison is a magisterial study of a man, with a plan, and a unique ability to work without a net, live for almost 50 years, and the comedic world he has given us.

Lorne Lipowitz was born in Canada with a love of television, and a passion to entertain. Lorne's interest in entertainment served him well, becoming friendly with one part of comedy duo who appeared on Ed Sullivan, who shared stories about timing, jokes, and entertainment gossip. Something Lorne has never become tired of. Lorne began to work as a writer and performer, but soon found he was better at getting things to work. The lights, the scenery, setting the comedic mood, and finding the jokes inside a lot of words. This gift earned him an Emmy, and a job offer. To take over late night on Saturday night, and fill it with something, anything. Lorne had an idea. A live variety show, with different hosts, music guests, but repertory players. And Saturday Night was born. There were some hiccups, some budget issues, but soon the show was doing well, and Lorne was on his way.

I love books on entertainment, and this has to be one of the best I have read. This is a warts, warts and more warts and all study of a man, who for better or for worse, has controlled the destiny of comedy for the last fifty years, and considering the amount of people he has mentored, probably for much longer. This book is a mix of biography of Lorne, which is quite good and a bit of Julie Salamon's The Devil's Candy about the making of one SNL show from 2018. Either one of these would be interesting, together, one gets a one of a kind look of a complicated man, who comes across as a bit braggadocious with a celebrity obsession, but with a unique skill to make a show out of nothing, fix it on the fly, and keep the players safe and want to do it all over again. Lorne loves his celebrity friends, and the high-life, which like I said is a little annoying, but then as Morrision shows Lorne doing what he does, one gets a different appraisal of the man. Lorne is the only one who could make a show like SNL work. The writing is great, the fly on the wall aspect is really good. The research on the man and his past, unbelievable. One of the best entertainment books I have ever read.

One ends this book with a lot of thoughts. One gets why humor seems a little stagnant. One also does not ever want to hear a story about Paul Simon or Paul McCartney ever, ever again. Yet when reading about making the show work, putting things together, harnessing talent, and stroking egos, one gets a great appreciation for the man. I can't recommend this book enough, for fans of comedy, entertainment, or just people who like good writing.

I would like to thank Random House and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. So a few things about my interest in Saturday Night Live. I did not watch the premeire episode on 10/11/75 for 2 reasons. One, my local NBC affiliate in Pittsburgh did not show, opting instead to show
horror movies with its host- "Chilly" Billy Cardille. ( and after a few weeks, we were able to see it on a local channel).The second reason was it was my wedding night. So we have been married as long as SNL has been on TV. As a child who watched a lot of TV growing up, and saw a lot of shows cancelled ,it's a milestone:)
I do not watch it now, I do not seem to the the target audience any more. However I have long been fascinated by the show, its stars and Lorne Michaels. I have read a number of books about the show , and its creators over the years. This was a well thought out and well written story. It has 2 main threads, which are presented in alternating chapters. One is a "week in the life", where the author gets access to the show and the cast during a week in 2018, and presents each chapter in terms of what happens on that day. ( Monday, Tuesday, etc). The other chapters are biographical, of Lorne's life, upbringing, family and friends. The show of 2018, is interesting, but I could not help but wonder about the delay. There is no clue in any of the notes, but I am guessing the covid lockdown was at least partially responsible. It is a bit jarring, because a lot of the people on the show are not on any more. I would have liked a note somewhere about the delay. The biographical information is fascinating and the author clearly got access to all of Lorne's friends( and foes).It is a good book and one I would recommend.

Susan Morrison, an editor from The New Yorker, expertly tells the story of Lorne Michaels and the institution he created in Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live, which releases on February 18. Thanks to Random House for offering me an advanced eBook copy in exchange for an honest review.

The expansive book – 656 pages, which was intimidating at first – is broken up into six parts, Monday through Saturday. Monday begins on October 29, 2018, as Michaels and his troops begin preparing for an episode hosted by Jonah Hill. Before they get down to business, though, he checks in with Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon (Michaels, of course, executive produces the show), who’d just received a death threat and some justifiable criticism for a decades-old blackface performance on an episode of SNL. Then we get an introduction to the intense preparation process for Hill’s episode.

We soon travel back in time to Michaels’s time in Canada. We’re introduced to his family and given insight into his first experience in broadcasting. Each section has several chapters that alternate between that era, the early days of SNL, and the aforementioned prep work for Hill’s episode. Insight is also given into Lorne’s relationship with the network, Conan vs. Leno, and easing Fallon into becoming a late-night host.

Morrison spoke with many SNL luminaries and spent a good deal of time with Lorne himself. I applaud her for her unbiased depiction of her subject. You hear good things, bad things, and everything in between. This is one of the most honest, insightful and riveting biographies I’ve read. Now I feel like I should watch Jason Rietmen’s Saturday Night again.

***Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this upcoming book***
This was a truly fascinating and endlessly readable book that gives you 2 biographies for the price of one: Lorne Michaels and his seemingly never ending pop culture sensation, Saturday Night Live. Reading about titans of their respective industries always makes for an incredible reading experience, and this is a 5 star entry into that genre. How does someone create something like Saturday Night Live? It has launched untold careers of the most famous comedy stars of all time and has stayed relevant for 50 years.

The book has 2 intertwining narratives. The first focuses on Lorne Michaels getting set to have Jonah Hill host a SNL episode (2019, I think) which gives you a look at the insanity that goes into making the world famous sketch show on a weekly basis. The second follows Lorne from his upbringing to becoming the grand poo bah of NBC and SNL which essentially acts as a history of the show. Some of the stories I have heard before, but there are lots of great ones that I read about for the first time in this book.

This book was amazing! It is a must read for all fans of SNL or anyone interested in how someone creates a show that will seemingly live forever. Give it a read!

Lorne Michaels is an interesting guy, isn't he? I've never really gotten a feel for who he is as a person, so this bio was super cool, and perfect timing, as SNL 50 is gloriously upon us. The format made it compulsively readable, each section starting with individual days of an SNL production week (week in the life?) leading up to Jonah Hill's five-timers episode. Then the actual chapters start chronologically from Lorne's upbringing and goes through his Canadian comedy roots, how hard he had to fight for SNL to even be on the air, to the present day. And of course, all the excitement and drama in between.

This one is definitely for the deep-dive nerd fans. (So, me.)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley!

Being a big fan of Saturday night live for years it was a pleasure to read this extensive book about Lorne Michaels. The man is a genius and a vision 50 years ago to create probably one of the best and most important shows in the history of television.
The writing was excellent and very detailed and it told the story so well, I highly recommend this book to everyone who is fascinated with Lorne as I am.