It’s difficult to imagine a world without Lorne Michaels serving asSaturday Night Live’s showrunner, but it’s inevitable (and could come sooner rather than later), meaning the TV series would need to find his replacement.Michaels created the NBC late-night live sketch comedy variety show in 1975,and 50 years later, he’s still the boss. The producer/writer extraordinaire has achieved many accomplishments over the course of his time onSaturday Night Live, including106 Emmy nominations (with 21 wins) for the comedy legendand launching many actors' careers. However, all good things must end eventually.
Lorne Michaels' 106 Primetime Emmy Award nominations holds the record for the most nominations for an individual in the show’s history.
Rumors concerningMichaels' retirement fromSaturday Night Livehave been brewing for years, brought on by his comments suggesting season 50 would be his last. With the series in the midst of airing its 50th season, though, many wonder if now is the time for Michaels to step down. Meanwhile, some viewers believethe showrunner will continue withSNLfor another season or two.Michaels himself said in an interview, “As long as it’s important, and I can be useful, I’ll stay,” perThe Hollywood Reporter. Nevertheless, someone will have to replace Michaels one way or another once he inevitably retires.
5Tina Fey
Cast Member & Writer From 1997 To 2006
Tina Fey is probably the most obvious choice to replace Lorne MichaelsasSaturday Night Live’s showrunner, seeing as he has already advocated for her to take over his role. While on the 2024 Emmys red carpet, an interviewer withEntertainment Tonightasked Michaels if Fey would be considered to replace him if he were to ever step away fromSNL. He replied:
“It could easily be Tina Fey. Tina is brilliant and great at everything. She’s a very important person in my life.”
However, Michaels made it a point to confirm there would be many people in the running to becomeSNL’s new showrunner. Still, Fey would be an excellent choice. She joined the variety series' writing staff in 1997, and in 1999,she became the show’s first female head writer.Fey officially joined the cast as a featured player in 2000. By the following year, she was promoted to the main cast.Fey ultimately leftSNLin 2006 to work on30 Rock, but to this day, she is considered one of the best and most important cast members/writers in the show’s history.
4Seth Meyers
Cast Member & Writer From 2001 To 2014
Aside from Tina Fey, Seth Meyers' name is the one that is brought up the most when pondering who will take over Lorne Michaels' job once he retires. Meyers joined theSaturday Night Livecast in 2001, and later became the writing supervisor in 2005. One year later, Meyers became the co-head writer alongside Fey and Harper Steele. Then,he became the sole head writer for the 2006-2007 season.
Dan Aykroyd’s Absence From SNL 50 Explained: Why He Was Missing & Why It Wasn’t The Same Without Him
Many Saturday Night Live legends graced the 50th Anniversary Special with the presence, but original star Dan Aykroyd was noticeably missing.
Meyers’lastSNLepisodecame in 2014 as he left the series tosucceed Jimmy Fallon as theLate Nighthost on NBC.More than a decade has passed and Meyers remains theLate Nighthost and executive producer. So, it’s safe to say that Meyers is more than qualified to beSNL’s new showrunner.
3John Mulaney
Writer From 2008 To 2013
John Mulaney would be a great pick to step into Lorne Michaels' shoes — he has prominent experience onSaturday Night Live, received several Emmy nominations for his work on the variety series, and is simply hilarious. Mulaney auditioned forSNLin 2008 and secured a place on the writing staff. Over his years with the show,Mulaney wrote many acclaimed sketches and created various memorable characters(likeBill Hader’s Stefon).
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
Himself
After leavingSaturday Night Livein 2013, Mulaney performed a lot of standup. He has also written and produced for other TV shows, includingDocumentary Now!Most recently,Mulaney returned to Studio 8H to write for and appear inSaturday Night Live’s “SNL50: The Anniversary Special"in February 2025.Consequently, it won’t be a surprise if Mulaney is chosen to replace Michaels.
2Steve Higgins
Producer & Writer From 1995 To Present
Out of everyone,Steve Higgins is the most qualified person to succeed Lorne Michaels asSaturday Night Live’s showrunner.Higgins has served as a producer and writer on NBC’s sketch comedy variety series since 1995, giving him more than three decades of experience within the walls of Studio 8H. In addition toSNL, Higgins has also worked with Jimmy Fallon since 2009. He was the announcer forLate Night with Jimmy Fallonand continued the position when Fallon took overThe Tonight Show. It’s easy to see how Higgins is one of the (if notthe) best candidates for the job.
1Conan O’Brien
Writer From 1988 To 1991
Last, but certainly not least, Conan O’Brien should, without a doubt, be considered to take overLorne Michaels' job atSaturday Night Liveonce he retires.Michaels hired O’Brien as anSNLwriter in 1988.He remained on the writing staff until he chose to leave in 1991.
Over the years, O’Brien has continued producing and hosting several TV series and performed standup, making him a great candidate to replace Michaels asSaturday Night Live’s showrunner.
Two years later,Michaels chose O’Brien to succeed David Letterman as the host ofLate Night.He stayed there for 16 years, and to this day, remains the show’s longest-serving host. Over the years, O’Brien has continued producing and hosting several TV series and performed standup, making him a great candidate to replace Michaels asSaturday Night Live’s showrunner.
