SNL Creator Lorne Michaels Donates Historic Collection to Austin’s Harry Ransom Center
This remarkable collection documents Michaels's nearly 50-year career in television, from his early work on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show to SNL, the most Emmy-nominated show in television history.
The archive offers a deep dive into the creative and production processes behind SNL, which has shaped American culture since its debut in 1975.Known for its biting satire and iconic comedy sketches, the show launched the careers of comedy greats such as Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Will Ferrell.
“Lorne Michaels has kept us up late and laughing for 50 years,” said Ransom Center Director Stephen Enniss. “His archive will be studied by generations of students and researchers seeking insight into the social, political, and cultural history of our time. We are deeply grateful to him for entrusting this rich legacy to us.
“Live from New York and now home in Austin has a great ring to it,” said UT President Jay Hartzell. “Lorne Michaels changed entertainment and shaped generations of American culture. Having five decades of Saturday Night Live on our campus creates unparalleled opportunities for learning and research.
The collection will be fully available for research in January 2026, ensuring that Michaels’s legacy and contributions to comedy and culture will continue to inspire and educate future generations.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'SNL' show creator Lorne Michaels donates archive to University of Texas“Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels has donated his career archive to the Harry Ransom Center cultural archive at the University of Texas.
Read more »
SNL Writer on Lorne Michaels: 'He Was Mind-F***ed'A former Saturday Night Live writer revealed his experience working under Lorne Michaels in the 1980s, describing Michaels' leadership style as both challenging and unorthodox. The writer recounted instances of Michaels' harsh critiques and unpredictable behavior, leaving him feeling both pressured and confused.
Read more »
Heidi Gardner Begged Lorne Michaels to Let Travis Kelce Host SNLSaturday Night Live cast member Heidi Gardner revealed her years-long campaign to get Travis Kelce on the show. She explained that executive producer Lorne Michaels only agreed after Kelce won the Super Bowl.
Read more »
How Taylor Swift Pressured Lorne Michaels to Get Travis Kelce on SNLTaylor Swift revealed on a recent podcast that she persistently lobbied Lorne Michaels to have Travis Kelce on Saturday Night Live. Swift, a Kansas City native and Chiefs fan, saw Kelce's potential as a comedic talent and championed his inclusion on the show for several years. Michaels eventually agreed, but only if Kelce won the Super Bowl, which he did in 2020. Swift and Kelce later hosted SNL together in March 2023, six months before their relationship became public.
Read more »
David Spade Shocked by SNL Newbie’s Lack of Respect for Lorne MichaelsComedian David Spade expressed surprise at how casually the newest cast members of Saturday Night Live address Lorne Michaels, the show's legendary creator and executive producer. He contrasted their approach with the more deferential attitude during his tenure on the show from 1990 to 1996.
Read more »
Spade and Carvey Shocked by Lorne Michaels' Friendly DemeanorFormer 'Saturday Night Live' stars David Spade and Dan Aykroyd expressed surprise at Lorne Michaels' current, approachable attitude towards the show's cast, contrasting it with their experiences during their tenures.
Read more »