NEED TO KNOW
Lorne Michaels is pulling back the curtain on his life in the new trailer for Lorne
The documentary from Morgan Neville and Focus Features offers an exclusive look at the Saturday Night Live creator’s story, featuring insight from some of the comedians who helped him along the way
“Lorne is the ultimate show-business survivor,” Conan O’Brien says in the footage
Lorne Michaels has been making magic happen in Studio 8H for over five decades, and now it’s time for fans to get a closer look at his career in what’s being billed as the “only” documentary he’ll ever do.
On Thursday, March 5, Focus Features unveiled the official trailer for Lorne, the forthcoming exploration into the man behind SNL featuring insight from show greats including Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock and more.
Directed by Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom, Won’t You Be My Neighbor), the film offers “an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the man who built the inimitable empire of comedy, shaping television and culture for generations,” per a synopsis. It’ll feature interviews with some of the show’s notable alumni, insight from the 81-year-old series creator himself and some exclusive archival footage.
Lorne Michaels in ‘Lorne’
Credit: Focus Features/YouTube
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The trailer opens with shots of Michaels from over five decades of his career, as he describes what “funny” means to him. “It’s like pornography,” he says. “You know it when you see it.”
The footage then cuts to Michaels’ pal Paul Simon, who says he wouldn’t “advise” filmmakers to “try and capture” Michaels. “You wouldn’t be happy with that and then you’ll capture a guy who’s not happy,” he says.
Michaels then details how SNL was his “vehicle” to be “a voice in the culture,” as Kristen Wiig says he has a “man-behind-the-curtain mystique” and Seth Meyers jokes that the SNL boss has “notes that are impossible to understand.”
“Lorne is the ultimate show-business survivor,” O’Brien says. “He’s still here and a hundred executives are not.”
Toward the end of the trailer, Steve Martin asks Michaels directly if he has any plans for retirement, as he apparently plays it off and munches on his dinner. “Hey, that was mine,” Martin says.
The footage bills the doc as the “untold story of the legend” and the “first,” “last” and “only” documentary Michaels will “ever do.” The film is produced by Neville and Lauren Belfer and arrives in theaters this spring.
Key art for ‘Lorne’
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features
Michaels, who was previously recognized with a 2021 Kennedy Center Honor, created the sketch-comedy series back in 1975. He also produces Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC and has won 24 Primetime Emmys.
Back in 2021, he told CBS Mornings that he was “committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary.” Of course, he’s still going as SNL reached its 51st season and aired its 1,000th episode in January 2026.
Lorne will arrive in theaters on April 17.
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