Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live
4.6 | 696 ratings
Price: 23.63
Last update: 12-28-2025
Top reviews from the United States
- John RieberAn Insightful, Hilarious And Candid Look At SNL!You know why this is such a terrific biography? Because EVERYONE, including Michaels himself, participated with candor, honesty and humor...it's hilarious, insightful and beautifully written as well! Not only did I see the genesis for the show, and the toll it took on everyone who has been part of it, I learned so much more about Lorne as a person, warts and all. I work in the entertainment industry so it was equally illuminating to read about what takes place every day leading up to and including the day of the live show...fascinating, insightful and truly a joy to read.
- Michael WalterIncredible BiographyI heard some good things about this book so I looked it up and was surprised to see it was over 600 pages. Is anyone’s life interesting enough to warrant a 600 page biography? That length gave me pause but I eventually gave in and bought the book. I’ve been an SNL since it came on the air (I was 10 at the time and my parents would let me stay up and watch the opening and first few sketches.)
To answer the question I posed in the opening, yes, Lorne Michaels’ life is interesting enough to justify a 600 page biography. I never felt like this book meandered off course or was bogged down in minutiae. Author Susan Morison was granted unprecedented access to an entire week at SNL and she weaves that contemporary experience into her history of Michaels fascinating career. I’ve often spoken about Lorne Michaels in seminars. As someone who is proud of their record of finding talent for their DJ company, I marvel at Michaels’ success at finding comedians and improv actors to constantly replenish the roster at SNL. In a world where TV shows are lucky to survive a decade, SNL just celebrated its golden anniversary. And most of that success and longevity is owed to Lorne Michaels.
If you’re a fan of Saturday Night Live and would like to know how the sausage is made, I highly recommend this book. Don’t let the length scare you away. I’m glad I didn’t. - Patti Jo RosenthalBehind-the-scenes JackpotAs my next book, I chose Susan Morrison’s biography, “Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live.” It sheds light on Lorne Michaels, a Canadian-American television writer and film producer. Michaels is the mastermind behind iconic comedy shows like Saturday Night Live, Late Night, and The Tonight Show.
Morrison had unprecedented access to Michaels and the SNL team, providing a unique perspective on his life and the creation of a groundbreaking comedy institution. The book is filled with so many amazing behind-the-scenes stories that offer vivid snapshots of Michaels’ life and the making of these legendary shows. Morrison’s meticulous research and crisp writing make the book informative, funny, and very entertaining.
While the last 20% of the book feels rushed, the overall enjoyment and richness of the content outweigh this minor flaw. And as a bonus for those who prefer listening, the amazing Kristen DiMercurio, from Hagerstown, narrates the audiobook.
If you’re a fan of Saturday Night Live or just curious about all the amazing inside stories, “Lorne” is a captivating and entertaining read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️????
“We don’t go on because we’re ready, we go on because it’s eleven-thirty.”
Lorne Michaels - Michael D MooreTerrific Read!Really well written and researched biography of Lorne Michaels. Author Morrison does a great job of profiling Lorne Michael’s beginnings in Canada, his transition to the U.s. and his start with American television. Great annecdotes about the various stars he found & nurtured (Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Dan Ackroyd)and so
many others we now take for granted in tv and film. Also of interest was the conflict Michael felt between television and film, but in the end he became accomplished at both. A terrific read, highly recommend! - John EmmerlingIf you grew up with SNL—have another lookMost of us have some good—and some less-than-good—memories of SNL sketches throughout the years. But in the early seasons who knew that a genius named Lorne Michaels was behind it all? Later, of course, Lorne was highlighted often on camera, rivaling the fame of his cast members. Susan Morrison’s engaging biography will take you on a celebrity-filled ride through Michaels’ long career. Lots of fascinating detail (and some leadership principles) sprinkled with LOL gags. Recommend it to all SNL fans.
- BelafanGreat BookI have watched SNL pretty religiously since the beginning, so reading this book is a combination of nostalgia, reading tales about old friends, and learning lots of new things about a show you thought you knew a lot about. There is so much about the relationships between cast members, the inner-workings of making the show each week, and a look into the formation of Lorne Michaels and his empire. it was a great read!
- JimAn easy, fun read.The author has used a single week of SNL as a through line,weaving it around Lorne’s life, before and during SNL. If you’ve ever been a fan of the show, you’ll really appreciate this comprehensive look behind the curtain. It’s a fast and informative read.
I know some folks will say I’m being petty, but I’d just like to point out that the author is very much a person of the Left. This should be irrelevant in her book, but she never misses an opportunity to take a smarmy, elitist shot at President Trump and revels in those times when the cast revolted against Lorne because they just couldn’t tolerate the politics of a host. We Conservatives are of course used to this (aren’t we all Hitler by now?), but it’s nonetheless tiresome, and completely unnecessary in this book. She just can’t help wearing her politics on her sleeve. It’s not pervasive enough to make someone stop reading the otherwise terrific book, but it’s there.