From Saturday Night Live to Sunday with 60 Minutes | A Second Look Podcast
25 Sep 2024 (2 months ago)
Early SNL Cast Members
Lorne Michaels' Background and Early Career
The Creation of Saturday Night Live
- Michaels had been pitching a show concept for years, but networks were initially uninterested, believing it wouldn't work in prime time. (10m14s)
- In 1975, NBC gave Michaels a late-night time slot, allowing him to experiment without risking prime-time viewers. (11m5s)
- The show quickly gained popularity, especially after Watergate, as it resonated with the cultural examination of the 1970s. (11m27s)
- Michaels aimed to gather the most talented people he could find, leading to the creation of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players." (12m0s)
The First Cast of Saturday Night Live
The Impact of Personal Difficulties on the Original Cast
- The original cast members of Saturday Night Live (SNL) had all experienced personal difficulties, such as the death of a parent or divorce, during their adolescence. (13m34s)
- John Belushi, an SNL cast member, died of a drug overdose in 1982. (15m16s)
- Chris Farley, another SNL cast member, died of a drug overdose in 1997 after Lauren Michaels, the show's creator and producer, sent him to rehab. (16m9s)
Lorne Michaels' Management Style
- The way people feel about authority figures like Lorne Michaels often reflects their feelings about their own fathers. (19m27s)
- Amy Poehler's voice is recognized, and she discusses the dynamics among the cast members of Saturday Night Live (SNL). (19m46s)
- During Leslie Stahl's visit to the SNL set in its 30th season, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Darrell Hammond were interviewed. (20m19s)
- The cast members found it difficult to give serious answers, especially when asked about their boss, Lorne Michaels. (20m37s)
- Darrell Hammond described his relationship with Lorne Michaels as a good boss-employee relationship, noting a unique handshake before performances. (20m53s)
- The cast members acknowledged Lorne Michaels' intimidating reputation but defended his approach, emphasizing his loyalty, intelligence, and honesty. (21m25s)
- Michaels' method of keeping cast members off balance creates a sense of insecurity, but he knows how to motivate each person individually. (22m10s)
- Leslie Stahl and producer Denise Schrier Cheda attended a table read, noting Michaels' stoic demeanor and high standards for humor. (22m31s)
- Despite his aloofness, Michaels' rare but genuine laughter is highly valued by the cast. (23m26s)
- Michaels maintains a balance between fairness and emotional distance to make objective decisions about sketches. (23m47s)
- Michaels acknowledges being aloof but denies being tyrannical, suggesting his aloofness is an effective management style. (24m4s)
- Michaels' aloofness allows cast members to take full responsibility for their success, ensuring only the funniest skits make it to the show. (24m31s)
Conan O'Brien's Experience on Saturday Night Live
- Conan O'Brien, previously a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons," was chosen by Lorne Michaels to replace David Letterman as the host of his own NBC late-night show. (25m25s)
- O'Brien described the experience as nerve-wracking and challenging, noting that "Saturday Night Live" is a place where funny ideas can be aired but is not suitable for everyone. (25m38s)
- Producing a live, funny hour-and-a-half show 20 times a year is inherently difficult, leading some to leave and find happiness in other writing roles. (26m11s)
- An interview with O'Brien was never broadcast due to an unexpected event at "Saturday Night Live" that disrupted the planned story. (26m38s)
The Legacy of Saturday Night Live
- (6m58s) The setting provides a restorative escape from the city.
- (7m5s) Michaels and Stall had a conversation lasting over three hours throughout the week.
- (7m10s) Michaels created one of the funniest shows on television, though he finds it awkward to describe himself as funny.
- (7m36s) Michaels tends to have a dry sense of humor and is very measured and serious in his responses.
- Harry Shearer impersonated Mike Wallace on "Saturday Night Live," highlighting the show's history of parodying "60 Minutes." (27m41s)
- "60 Minutes" and "Saturday Night Live" share similarities and have both remained relevant and vital in American television since their premieres in 1968 and 1975, respectively. (27m50s)
- Both shows continue to provide humor and reporting, tapping into important national issues and public sentiment. (28m43s)
- "Saturday Night Live" is known for its political satire, regularly featuring every president since Nixon. (29m15s)
- Lorne Michaels stated that the show aims to speak truth to power without being partisan, maintaining a critical stance towards whoever is in power. (29m54s)
- Michaels believes that "Saturday Night Live" influences people in Washington and Hollywood, with some politicians, like Al Gore, using the show's caricatures for self-reflection. (30m44s)
- Michaels noted that Republicans seem less bothered by the show's satire compared to Democrats. (31m11s)
- A politically themed "Saturday Night Live" episode in 2024 included a Halloween commercial parodying a future scenario. (31m22s)
The Ashlee Simpson Incident
- During a 2004 episode of Saturday Night Live featuring musical guest Ashlee Simpson, producers debated cutting Simpson's second song due to concerns about her voice. (32m54s)
- When Simpson's pre-recorded track played the wrong song, she did a short dance and left the stage. (33m20s)
- Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels stated that while the show occasionally used pre-recordings for complex dance routines, Simpson lip-syncing an entire song was an anomaly and that he was unaware of her plans. (34m40s)
Criticism and Success of Saturday Night Live
- Michael Myers has received criticism throughout his career on Saturday Night Live, particularly during periods when the show underwent changes or faced comparisons to its "Golden Age". (38m19s)
- The longevity and success of Saturday Night Live are attributed to the collaborative efforts of the cast and crew, creating a dynamic environment where humor thrives. (38m59s)
- Lauren Michaels, the long-time producer of Saturday Night Live, prioritizes humor that avoids being overly vicious or mean-spirited, aiming for a balance that appeals to a broad audience. (40m32s)