Lorne Michaels, the man behind America’s longest-running sketch variety show, “Saturday Night Live,” is one of entertainment’s most influential figures. He has produced almost all of “SNL’s” 51 seasons, holds the record for the individual with the most Emmy nominations and helped launch the careers of nearly every modern comedy titan.
He is also incredibly elusive. “Lorne,” released in theaters Friday, was marketed as “the first, last and only documentary Lorne Michaels will ever do,” by the film’s official trailer. Director, writer and producer Morgan Neville was given one chance to immortalize a man who has shaped pop culture for half a century.
It’s no surprise that “Lorne” is extremely entertaining: A slew of comedians and “SNL” alums, from Steve Martin to Bowen Yang, drive the documentary’s narrative. I laughed out loud so many times that by the end, I almost forgot I had barely learned anything about Michaels.
It is clear from the start how little people know about the “SNL” creator, besides his being from Toronto. “SNL” cast member and NU alum Sarah Sherman (Communication ’15) said that Michaels’ favorite band is Nirvana, before quickly adding that might actually be false.
“If you told me he made maple syrup, I would believe you,” former cast member Mike Myers said.
To make Neville’s job even harder, Michaels is visibly begrudging about doing the documentary overall. Though his dry humor suggests he’s more comfortable with the process than he lets on, he seldom opens up about his life beyond “SNL.”
Instead of personal anecdotes, the documentary often illustrates Michaels’ history through cartoons. These animations take some very funny artistic liberties. I especially enjoyed them paying homage to New York City with a rat wielding a knife and a man defecating on the street.
There are only brief insights into Michaels’ career before “SNL.” He wrote for and starred in a few Canadian comedy television shows, and wrote for “The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour” in the U.S. in 1973. Through the latter, he met comedian Lily Tomlin and began producing her specials.
Tomlin joked that she wanted to fire Michaels many times, but didn’t because working with her gave him the confidence he needed to succeed as a producer.
It’s not until around halfway through the film that we get any real information about Michaels’ early life, such as his father’s death when Michaels was 14. Evidently, the goal of “Lorne” is not to uncover his origins.
The most compelling portion of the documentary focuses on Michaels’ role leading “SNL.”
It’s no secret “SNL” is a haphazardly constructed show. “Lorne” documents how sketches are written the week leading up to the episodes, the dress rehearsals mere hours before the live show and the last-second rearrangements and cuts of segments.
Watching Michaels captain this ship, it becomes clear why he has retained his position for over four decades since his five-year hiatus in the 1980s. His composure and decisiveness when the show appears on the verge of collapse is the glue that holds it together.
Michaels’ close relationship with the cast is also a highlight. At the start of each week, the entire cast and the host gather in his office just to share jokes. Michaels also narrates the stage directions for every sketch during table read — an unusual level of participation for producers.
This hands-on approach allows him to ensure each episode will ultimately air despite the chaos.
When the dress rehearsal for Emma Stone’s 2023 episode goes poorly, Michaels gathers the cast for a pep talk. He reminds them they are there because they are the best at what they do. Given that this is my favorite “SNL” episode in recent memory, I believe what he said must have worked.
The cast looks up to Michaels, and he is also fiercely loyal to them, even after they leave the show. “SNL” legend Tina Fey said he constantly supported her when she created the show “30 Rock.” Fey also said her and Alec Baldwin’s mentor-mentee relationship in the show was a tribute to her actual relationship with Michaels.
Still, even the most prominent “SNL” alums are generally distanced from Michaels’ personal life. Only a few have been invited to his home in Maine, a fact that is hilariously riffed on by several interviewees.
Conan O’Brien, who Michaels picked to host “Late Night” after David Letterman’s tenure, said he has never been in Michaels’ Maine home. He joked that he feared Michaels would only invite him there to hunt him for sport.
“Lorne” does not make its subject less mysterious. If anything, it emphasizes his enigma. Even so, I wasn’t disappointed by the documentary, and not just because it was so entertaining.
Every interviewee had trouble explaining Michaels in a way that someone who doesn’t know him could understand. But I think O’Brien’s description best captured what the film conveyed: Michaels is “the ultimate show business survivor.”
“Lorne” did not give me a greater understanding of “who” Michaels is, but the film left no doubt as to the “how” and “why” of his success. No one else could have made “SNL” what it is today.
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