Will Lorne Michaels Retire After SNL’s 50th Season?

Lorne Michaels changed TV for the better when he created Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1975.

Thanks to the legendary producer and its talented alumni, SNL has received 21 awards out of 106 Primetime Emmy nominations, making it the most nominated show in the event’s history.

However, rumor has it that Michaels might finally hang up his hat as showrunner now that SNL has entered its 50^th season.

So, will Lorne Michaels retire after SNL’s 50^th season? Keep reading for all the details.

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Lorne Michael’s Potential Plans to Retire

Many media outlets have started speculating if Lorne Michaels will bow out of SNL after its three-hour 50th anniversary special in February 2025.

When asked about his plans for retirement on the red carpet in January 2025, the SNL creator and showrunner stated he would decide what he would do closer to the show’s 50^th milestone in 2025.

When interviewed by Entertainment Tonight, he said, “We’re doing the 50^th anniversary show in February of 2025, so I’ll be there for that, and definitely be there until that, and sometime before that we’ll figure out what we’re gonna do.”

A year later, he reiterated that the 50^th season might be an ideal time to close the door on SNL.

During an interview with CBS Mornings in 2021, he stated he was “committed to doing it until its 50^th anniversary, which is in three years. I’d like to see that through, and I have a feeling that’d be a really good time to leave.”

As the veteran producer will be approaching 80 years old in November 2024, he might view the 50^th season as the right time to retire from the internationally loved sketch show.

Could Tina Fey Replace Lorne Michaels?

If Lorne Michaels does retire after season 50, rumor has it that SNL alumni Tina Fey will replace him.

When asked if the 30 Rock actress could be a possible successor to run the late-night sketch show, Michaels replied, “It could easily be Tina Fey but, you know, there are a lot of people who are there now who are also, you know [capable of the job]… Tina’s brilliant and great at everything. She’s a very important person in my life.”

Other alumni are in contention to take charge of the show, such as Seth Meyers.

Has Lorne Michaels Decided to Stay at SNL?

Despite claiming in the past that he would hand over the baton at the end of SNL’s 50^th season, it appears Lorne Michaels might have had a change of heart.

The 79-year-old showrunner recently told the New York Times, “I’m going to do it as long as I feel I can do it, but I rely on other people and always have.”

Also, he recently told the Hollywood Reporter, “It’s always going to be described the same way, which is uneven, and yet people have decided that it’s important. And as long it’s important, and I can be useful, I’ll stay.”

Despite shutting down rumors, media outlets continue to suggest he will walk away from the role, opening the door for another talented showrunner to take the helm.

However, if Tina Fey or Seth Meyers are waiting to step into the role, they might need to wait a little longer for Lorne Michaels to retire. SNL fans won’t know his decision for sure until the show’s 51^st season.

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