What would you say about Tina Fey taking over as head of “Saturday Night Live?” Thus far, series creator and longstanding EP Lorne Michaels isn’t stepping down anytime soon, let alone appointing someone else in the position. A dubious source (seriously, you can look it up on your own) claims another source says the heir apparent *could* be “SNL” alum Fey.
“I think I’m committed to doing this show until its 50th anniversary,” Michaels said in 2021 about possible retirement plans. “I’d like to see that through, and I have a feeling that’d be a really good time to leave. But here’s the point: I won’t want the show ever to be bad. I care too deeply about it. It’s been my life’s work. So, I’m gonna do everything I can to see it carry on and carry on well.”
The show is planning to kick off the 50th anniversary celebration in the summer of 2024, with a night of festivities at Radio City Music Hall. “You’ll see bands that have left a mark on the show, and stand-ups that were part of it from the beginning or relatively recent,” Michaels said at the Cannes Lions Festival in June. “There are some documentaries being made. We’re going to be part of the French Olympics, so that will be the official start of our celebration.”
Fey is a good candidate to take up Michaels’ position. She certainly has the chops to take up the mantle. Fey created, wrote, and executive produced a number of comedy staples, including “Mean Girls” (both the film and award-winning musical),”30 Rock,” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” among other projects. (Not to mention, she was head writer and cast member on “SNL” from 1997 to 2006.)
An NBC spokesperson has since commented, saying “there is no truth” to the rumor. While Michaels’ made reference to possibly stepping away around the show’s 50th anniversary, there are currently no set plans for that to happen.
