The Man Who Built SNL: Susan Morrison on Lorne Michaels’ Legacy | Beyond the Mic with Sean Dillon
0"I work at the New Yorker, and one of my illustrious former colleagues, John Updike, used to say that the reason he liked books and not e-books is because of the ‘thinginess’ of a book." Welcome Susan Morrison: We’re joined on the Starline by the articles editor of The New Yorker, former editor in chief at the New York Observer and an original editor of SPY magazine. Her book is “Lorne: The Man Who Invented SNL” we welcome Susan Morrison.
Susan, let’s go Beyond the Mic. You cover in this biography more than just the show but challenges, egos, meddling executives who want to tinker with perfection and the man who under pressure balancing it all Lorne Michaels. You did hundreds of interviews with Lorne and others. What’s the one fact that amazed you about Lorne?
In writing this, you were able showing readers the man behind the curtain. How did those five years away from SNL in the 80’s change him propelling him to what is SNL today?
SNL has 84 prime time Emmy Awards, multiple Writers Guild of America Awards and 3 Peabody Awards. How has Lorne been able to balance comedy, talent development and egos of future stars?
The Rockin' 8: It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.
1. You watched the 50thAnniversary special with some of the SNL writers. Favorite SNL sketch from the special?
2. Best thing about your nephew Pat?
3. What were you emotions when you opened the 1st box of hardbacks of Lorne?
4. Best thing about your late cat Timmy?
5. Who is the one person you want to interview but haven’t yet?
6. Favorite Beatles song of all time?
7. Cesar Romero or Alan Hale?
8. Best movie that isn’t “Meet me in St. Louis”
Sneaking in Couple More: Is the mass reply-all e-mail disaster still going on for another week?
Has the success and failure of SNL been not only on Lorne but in who he hired as writers?
What was the important interview for this book?
Who is on your Mount Rushmore of SNL?
One Big Question: How will Saturday Night Live move on when Lorne is no longer at the helm?
The Wrap: She loves her brilliant sculptor nephew, still wants to interview Andy Samberg and wants you to read “Lorne: The Man Who Invented SNL”. Susan Morrison, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.
And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.
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