For the past few years, Lorne Michaels has hinted that his time at Saturday Night Live may not extend past the show’s 50th anniversary in 2024.
“Well my plan,” Michaels first said in 2020, “And I’m not sure that I’ll see it through, but my plan is to be here for the 50th. The 40th was great. I like them 10 years apart. And we really did the 25th and waited 15 years for that one. But I don’t have those 15 years. So I think it’ll be the 50th, and then by that point, I really deserve to uh wander off.”
Who all has been considered to take over Saturday Night Live?
Over the years, multiple names have been hinted at by many, including us. It would’ve been easy to imagine Seth Meyers, Kenan Thompson, or John Mulaney stepping into that role. It has to be someone who knows the inner workings very well, and has experienced what it takes to put on a show of its caliber.
One such name was Tina Fey, who is reportedly being courted with the prospect of taking over.
What others have said about Tina Fey taking over Saturday Night Live.
“I would be surprised if it wasn’t her,” a source said. “Seth Meyers has his own show. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg won’t come here. Judd Apatow passed [on the job] years ago. Amy Poehler has her own stuff. Bill Hader is directing a movie. Kate McKinnon is too hot.”
Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, nor NBC has commented on this report yet. So it’s very possible that it’s all just hearsay. That being said, we wouldn’t be surprised, either, since the show is going to (hopefully) be entering its 49th season in the coming months. It’s closer than you might think, so they should probably be prepared!