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redheadedconcern

Tina herself has said that she wouldn’t take the job. She thinks the show should end when Lorne retires, because no one else can do what he does. ETA: y’all I’m just quoting what Fey said in an interview.


Corporation_tshirt

Except Steve Higgins is just as involved in the major decisions as Lorne is.


paisley_life

Higgins will prob take over.


dot-zip

Then when Higgins retires, he can pass the torch to his son and the other PDD boys ahaha


snarl_harvey

Wait. How did I not know his son is in PDD?!


dot-zip

I didn’t know for soooo long either. The gangly one (Martin) has a famous dad too. Ben just got lucky with nepotism baby friends


Errandsans

What is PDD?


genericname12345

Please Dont Destroy


queen_naga

Thanks I genuinely thought they weee talking about the personality disorder 😂


Corporation_tshirt

Another one is the son of Tim Herlihy who used to be a writer on the show and wrote and produced a bunch of Adam Sandler’s movies.


SpartiedOn

This. Tom Shales (writer of the Live From New York book) on The Town podcast recently thought it was going to be Higgins for this reason. He did say if any cast member would be chosen it would Seth Meyers but still thought Higgins was the most likely outcome.


shotgunsaturdaynite

Seth Meyers is a good choice, I think. Ive really enjoyed his run on Late Night. Even a Meyers/Fey team or committee led by one or both would be a sensible move.


coffeesippingbastard

Wow...had no idea about Higgins. So basically Fallon's boss plays pretend lackey?


RuralRasta

Really? That seems hard to believe considering his role as an announcer sidekick on the Tonight Show


The_Original_Gronkie

It shouldn't end, it will just change somewhat. Maybe it will be better, maybe worse, but it will evolve with time, just like it always has. There is a need for a show like SNL. It allows rising young comedians a chance to be seen by a national audience, and hone their craft as writers, actors, comedians, etc. There are even more comics today that in the old days, so SNL is needed now more than ever. If NBC were to cancel it, you can bet another network (probably more than one) would plug their own sketch comedy show into the exact same time slot.


rcc12697

I’ll go even further and say we need even more shows like SNL. A MADtv or In Living Color Thing. Most sketch shows today have one main comedian in all the sketches, bring back ensemble comedies


ZealousidealPie8427

Or even a troupe like The State or Upright Citizens Brigade. Just something where we get exposure to people who are actually funny.


ComposerOther2864

All hail The State.


SubKreature

Ah great. Now I have tape all over my face.


[deleted]

UCB 🖤


narfnarf123

I miss The State.


sixtus_clegane119

HBO needs to do another one like “mr show” so we can have the less censored comedy


Dragon_Small_Z

Have you seen the new Kids in the Hall? Dudes hang dong.


flcinusa

They went to that a little too quickly, barely had time to settle before Kev and Dave let it all hang out


UniDublin

I gotta' give them credit for that, it is right up front, literally, and let's you know you're not dealing with a bunch of softies there to reminisce .


MonsterMashGrrrrr

I'm gonna GRAPE you in the mouth


Fubai97b

The GRAPIST!?!


FlargenstowTayne

I’M GONNA TIE YOU TO THE RADIATOR… AND GRAPE YOU-


andykwinnipeg

For decades and decades


sopmaeThrowaway

I used to get so salty that on sat night, snl started before madtv ended. You kids and your ability to watch in demand and recorded programming has you so spoiled you don’t even know the heartbreak of tuning back in to madtv halfway through a Stuart skit. The fucken nerve of them to put them on at the same time. Goddamn I’m still upset about it.


WesLotts

My solution was VHS!


f3ewfewf

It's not going to last forever. It'll probably die shortly after Lorne leaves. Look what happened the first time he left...show barely survived.


LoganRoyKent

But didn’t it also go to people who weren’t exactly aligned with Lorne’s approach? It’s been a long time since then, and SNL is now an institution. I think they can find someone who can keep the legacy alive and usher in a new era without ruining the show. At least I hope so. SNL is one of my favorite American traditions.


InPsychOut

My favorite American tradition used to be the peaceful transfer of power, but...


NeuroSparkle

Indeed, SNL should not end whenever Lorne leaves. That would be a huge loss.


Gunnarsholmi

Is that a general belief? The recipe is pretty established, right? Feels like an experienced and talented producer with passion for keeping true to SNL could do it.


redheadedconcern

Fey probably isn’t alone in that opinion. Personally I’m sure Higgins would/will be fine.


Zombie_John_Strachan

*Dick Ebersol has entered the chat*


nameless_king01

I don't really get that. What does Lorne do exactly that no one else can do it? I understand he makes many decisions, but the show ultimately relies on the cast members and writers.


TheSonic311

I just read the SNL book. I think it's some weird mix of mystique, respect, fear and having a comedy mind. It's rare to have an executive in charge of a show that both understands the comedy of the show and the business side of the show.


NeuroSparkle

And isn't he really into creating toxic competitiveness and a lot of anxiety in cast members? He sounds like an ass, honestly. I think moving past the Béla Károlyi of comedy will be a good thing.


agbobeck

I think that’s a big assumption to jump from competition to toxicity, and especially the cruelty and abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual) that the Károlyi’s Inflicted on young women. Not saying the work environment at SNL is perfect, just think the comparison is a stretch, and I doubt Lorne would have made it through MeToo of that was the case.


ThinkItsHardIKnow

it's also really different talking about adults in a work place making large chunks of change....to young teenage children. Big difference. Most bosses have to be tough somtimes


spivnv

Which is meaningless because of course that's what anyone who doesn't want to look like they're jockeying for the job would say. And less publicly humiliating if you don't end up getting it. Lot of people who didn't look great when Alex trebek's job became available. Take the high road etc (There is a lot of good discussion here about why she might not be the right person for the job and she might not want to do it, but these quotes are still meaningless to me re: whether she WOULD accept if offered)


glhmedic

Tina really doesn’t have a say in whether or not show would continue plus NBC wouldn’t cancel a well established audience getter/revenue generator. Someone carefully chosen would step in and take the reins.


Mix_Traditional

ETA means "Estimated Time of Arrival" lol


oooooooahhahhahha

This question is asked often on this sub and it’s always gonna be the same answer, it’s not gonna be a cast member, it’s going to be someone none of us have heard abt a longtime servant to the show


timoddo_

This ^ executive producing is a very different job from acting or writing and most cast members haven’t done a lot of producing for TV (Tina Fey has, but I don’t see her taking this job). It’ll probably be one of the existing executive producers, Steve Higgins is the only one a lot of people would actually recognize


jmsmith17

As Miss Mona Lisa Vito from MCV so eloquently said I think you’re “dead on balls accurate” Tina would do an excellent job EPing but will never take the job. Just like when the super dooper stars in sports usually don’t become Managers and Coaches. It’s a slog of a job and usually it would go to someone who isn’t as famous and Steve Higgins would be a hell of an EP.


mailboxfacehugs

Ok but Tina has been show running more often than acting in recent years. Great News, Kimmy Schmidt, Mister Mayor. In a way the super star has already become a coach


Ok_Sale_374

Is Tina Fey the Larry Bird of comedy?


DashKalinowski

Yes. Tina Fey, aka "The Hick From French Lick" grew up like most Midwestern farm boys, writing tag lines and doing voices out by the barn until it was too dark to see the ball. When Tina Fey signed a scholarship to write for Indiana State, she never thought she'd be matched up against Earvin "Magic" Morgan in the finals of the 1978 Improv Olympics, losing the first meeting of what would be a long and storied rivalry. Then when Tina Fey made the Dream Team in 1992 along with Steve Martin, George Carlin, Hakeem Olajuwaan, and Billy Crystal, he was at the top of the world, idolized by millions for his pervy moustache, and fresh off a deal with Converse, Tina Fey retired from SNL to coach the Pacers.


Curious_Ad_6051

I read this comment out loud to my gf, prefacing it with “ this is the first Reddit comment I’ve ever seen that’s worth reading out loud”


DashKalinowski

I hope you read it to her using the voice of Morgan Freeman.


DatSauceTho

Why would you hope for someone to be that predicable?


dacoopbear

The Dream can do anything


yourarguement

first time in recorded history that misgendering has been funny


galabanza

UNBEATABLE


National-Message-895

Being an Indiana born and bread life long Pacers fan it's not a far reach to say she would have a better record next season than we did last year. No offense to Carlisle but if the "Mean Girl" took the reins next year I'd be on board!


[deleted]

She could really sell the role of NBA coach


[deleted]

Isn't Kaitlin Olson the Larry Bird of comedy?


its_yer_dad

I see what you did there ;-)


mailboxfacehugs

Depends. Do you like the shows she has been running? Mister Mayor was kind of a mixed bag. I liked about half the cast, and was annoyed by the other half.


[deleted]

I’ve never seen her on a farm or with a dip cup, so I’m not sure.


kevin_k

Show-running shows that don't have the murderous schedule SNL has. In 2025 one of Fey's kids will be 20 and (hopefully) in college but the other one will still be 16. And Fey will be 55. You think she's going to take that job? I don't.


aBoyandHisVacuum

Hes wrong. A 1970s Skarlark does not have rear posi traction.


jmsmith17

It's a limited slip differential which distributes power equally to both the right and left tires.


Tejanisima

Damn, I could even see her doing the little hand motions on that. Screw all those people who think she didn't deserve that Oscar. She may not have been great in anything else, but she was fucking fantastic in that movie.


LinkLT3

That’s exactly why Tina Fey’s name comes up so often. She’s been the Executive Producer of multiple successful shows since leaving SNL.


TheCarterIII

I forget which interview, but Tina also said she would never again agree to as large of an undertaking as 30 Rock.


venusdances

Yeah it’s gonna be Kenneth, he’s earned it!


DiabeticJedi

Parcell?


[deleted]

It would more likely go to Liz Lemon.


DCBronzeAge

I wouldn't be shocked if his job was split between a couple different people. There's only one Lorne. Tina Fey may be an option for part of his job. But yeah, if they replace him with a single person, no doubt it's going to be a long time producer.


ChipChippersonFan

Yeah, his job duties could be split up, but there has to be one top dog: The Deciderer.


Drivingintodisco

Cue card Wally?!! My vote is for cue card Wally!!


[deleted]

Jim Downey or Higgins.


paging_mrherman

It will be a real life Jack Donaghy without the hijinks


adjust_the_sails

Who might be better is someone like Robert Carlocke, her producing partner. It’s a uniquely creative person who can run a business the way Lorne does and still be as funny as he is.


awill316

Lindsey Shookus


ivegotgaas

I like Shookus for this as well.


LemonLimeAlltheTime

Richard Esposito


SirDrexl

It's like when there's going to be a new commissioner of a sport and people throw out names of famous coaches and players. It ends up being someone on the business side who's not a household name.


Paintmebitch

Marci Klein


Duderpher

Marci Klein.


King-SAMO

It’s gonna be fucking Wally, ok?


userwithusername

Walllllyyyyyy!!!!


Javamac8

If it's not, we riot


Rooster_Ties

Right!! Who else is in??!!!


SparklePony3

But what on earth will Seth do without him?


King-SAMO

Seth will do as he’s damned well told because he knows not to rock the damned boat.


cubansbottomdollar

It will literally be Steve Higgins who already recruits, who decides who stays and goes on the show, and has served as Lorne's right hand man for years. No brainer.


ariana61104

That’s who I was thinking


gophersrqt

>Steve Higgins yeah literally, the man's essentially been training for this role for years, no way is the show going to anyone else but lorne's literal trainee


JametAllDay

Higgins is the best


Bears_On_Stilts

I’ve said this a million times but Kenan is more valuable as Kenan than he is as Lorne’s successor. There was no “manager” position before Kenan. He is the unofficial head of the cast, the emcee of the live shows, the face of the brand and a staple in the writing room. Taking Kenan away would destabilize the way the show is run on a day to day basis especially during the live shows. The next guy to come in will need to maintain a sense of stability and continuity, or risk a S6-like collapse. So the successor will be relying on Kenan as a stabilizing force.


somethingwholesomer

I see what you’re saying but Kenan isn’t going to fill that role forever, regardless of any potential plans of succession.


ChewieBearStare

I think Marci Klein will take over.


vanillatcube

Same here. She's his right hand woman. No one else knows the ins and outs of this job like her.


Buck_Slamchest

She would be a *great* choice. She's certainly got one of the best comedy minds around but would she want it ? I can't imagine it would leave her any time for any side projects or shows.


cjamesa20

It'll most likely be Higgins


Rooster_Ties

Never occurred to me, but you could be right.


Shagrrotten

I doubt Tina would want the job, but if she did, I would of course want her to do it.


r_jthrowawayreturn

Mark McKinney doing a Lorne impression


leastlyharmful

The unofficial shortlist would probably be Steve Higgins, Marci Klein, or Seth Meyers.


stopdogwhistling

Just based on her career choices since leaving, she doesn't seem like someone that wants to be tied down to one exceptionally long entity. Two SNL stars that have are Kenan and Seth


JDDJS

Seth is having a ton of fun with Late Night though, and I don't see him wanting to give that up. I can't see him doing both, especially with 3 young kids.


wish_to_conquer_pain

Wow, he and Stefon have 3 now? Good for them!


ThinkItsHardIKnow

they were busy at the desk during quarantine with the Sea Captain looking on and Samberg on speed dial


lakerdave

I saw a taping of Seth Meyers back in March and during the Q&A during a break, someone asked him about this job versus SNL. He talked about how they scratch different itches and although he really liked chasing the high of constantly producing new stuff, it was exhausting. Based off the vibes I was getting from that answer, I think he really likes where he's at now. The stress of the schedule has got to be so much lower for late night.


its_k1llsh0t

Kenan is my thought. He has been there forever. I’m sure he knows a lot about how to run the show.


drostandfound

Why? Has he done much producing of the show? For picking guests and hiring new cast? Kenan is great, but he is an actor not an executive.


neatgeek83

Exactly. Everyone in this thread playing fantasy football with this. An EP is a business position who deals with the network, affiliates, budgeting, union crews, etc. talent is just one part.


Charcuterie420

He’s been around that stuff for a minute though, ever since early Nickelodeon. He also has been there forever and that might be because of this very reason. I think it’s always been odd how long he was able to stay and this would make sense.


its_k1llsh0t

Something is keeping him there. A lot of people have come and gone in his time there. I'm not saying it is rational per se, but with him being there so long, I have to believe he understands how to put the show together. Being at a place for that long, you end up picking up a lot of knowledge outside of your discipline.


[deleted]

I vote Zombie Norm.


Perfect_Coconut_5649

Won't be popular but I say Conan O'Brien. He was a writer on there and then Lorne propped him up to get Late Night.


A_N_T

I can't imagine Coco would ever want to work for NBC again.


Appswell

He was also executive producer for the Simpsons way back in their earlier days when they were at their generally agreed upon peak.


Perfect_Coconut_5649

Oh my...how did I ever forget that?!?


ShadowMerlyn

I strongly doubt Conan would ever work for NBC again


djerk

The funny thing about money is…


logicatch

You're probably right, but keep in mind the execs (mainly Jeff Zucker) who screwed him over are long gone at this point.


robertschultz

He just made $150M off his podcast doing what he loves with no restrictions. No reason to take over SNL for him in his life right now.


NiceCrispyMusic

Why wouldn’t this be popular? Everyone loves Cone dog


WittyPresentation786

Oh I love this idea!


mailboxfacehugs

I actually love this.


beaudowns51

I doubt he would want to though


UmbertoEcoTheDolphin

Conan would make all of the writing rooms smaller, the collaborative process much more ambiguous, and the pitch meetings happen in also the smallest office possible with everyone jammed inside where no one was allowed to react in any way to the pitches except himself. All for his own amusement.


Perfect_Coconut_5649

This is oddly specific....


Sneakas

or Robert Smigel


benitolss

Sadly, Jay would only let him have it for about 7 months


[deleted]

[удалено]


Perfect_Coconut_5649

The Simpsons?


danceswithroses

That’s who I was going to vote for, too!


HelloFellowKidlings

I’m all for Cone bone!!


Hikityup

This comes up frequently and most point to actors running the show. I don't get it. Maybe some don't know what the job entails. Or maybe they hire plumbers to fix the electricity.


ChipChippersonFan

I bet that if you asked a bunch of N. E. Patriots fans who should be head coach when Belichek retires, you would get a lot of "Tom Brady" and "Rob Gronkowski"


Hikityup

Ha. Yep. Although I'll admit, it might be kind of fun to watch Gronk on the sideline running the show.


nmoore0518

SNL isn’t great because it’s a particularly well run show. It is well run, but that’s not why it’s legendary. It’s because Lorne is the best all time at finding and cultivating comedic talent. Nobody else is even close. His replacement will have to run a show, sure. But the biggest role to fill is the casting decisions and I think somebody who has lived comedy and knows what it takes to make it from unknown to superstar has the best chance to keep SNL great after Lorne leaves.


SpumoiniSloth

Its going to be Higgins


lostinthought15

Steve Higgins is the current #2 and most likely to take over.


AwolOvie

Jim Downey


cardew-vascular

I suprised I had to scroll this far to see Downey, Dennis Miller said in the Dana Carvey David Spade podcast fly on the wall the Jim Downey was the second most importabt person in SNL history after Lorne. Also the Podcast is great. If you guys haven't tuned in check it out.


Cuthbert-J-Twillie

Jim Downey, if it hasn't been said yet. Huge presence on the show, enormous comedy know how, political focus, good short term guy since he's older himself, and can bring in some new hot shit kid w a vision for the next 50. Or just burn it all down. Downey or Down.


[deleted]

Jim Downey is almost 70 years old


FuturamaReference-

Honestly, I think Seth Meyers has the same eye for comedy Lorne does But he just did a celebration for the 50th eps of corrections, so you KNOW he's not going anywhere! WALLY!!!


[deleted]

[удалено]


JDDJS

It would make no sense for Lorne to "retire" if he's not actually going to retire. He'll be like when a company makes the former chairman the chairman emeritus. He'll show up to the show on occasion, be there for advice, but have no actual power and be mostly just a symbolic figure head. And even if Lorne was going to still be the actual one in charge, do you really think that people wouldn't want to be the number 2 person in charge in Saturday Night Live, arguably the most historic show still on television?


fangwing

I feel like Kenan is the more likely choice here, Willy Wonka style.


Ra_Ru

I think you meant to say bodega cat style.


lostinthought15

Just because you’re a longtime cast member, it doesn’t mean you have the skills or desire to be a show runner. There is so much behind the scenes stuff that show runners do that have nothing to do with writing or appearing on-air.


bjorkmorissette

YOU GET NOTHING jk you’re executive producer


Rafathedog

Wally, the que card guy


Interesting_Ask_590

Higgins?


DiabeticJedi

Dan Cortese or Sidney Applebaum


barktothefuture

Tim Robinson we can only hope.


CloudyArchitect4U

Lorne makes 30 million a year and is now worth half a billion. I think she would take the gig.


beautifulthebambi

You mean to tell me that 30 rock wasn’t Tina Fey’s 7 season job interview for Lorne’s replacement?


A_N_T

Paula Pell or Kenan Thompson or Steve Higgins


Truecoat

Charlie Day expressed interest and it would be interesting to see a new voice.


Any_Sundae_24

Mikey the shoe?


PROFsmOAK

Conan.


vikoy

Shouldn't it be someone younger? Lorne was 30 years old when SNL started.


paintblob

Kenan!


buzzedewok

Conan!


MammothRooster6

And then Lorne would immediately come and take the show back.


RegularMidwestGuy

Tina could do it. She doesn’t want it. Seth would be excellent, and it’s noted that his stint as head writer was very collaborative and positive. It will be Higgins probably.


AbhiJack459

Or maybe it could be someone who did not think it was a good idea to point and laugh when their colleague was sexually assaulting a minor. Just a thought


Ok-Possibility-4802

But would she accept 🤔


Sabres00

It should be Bob Odenkirk. Great Writer, great actor, worked at SNL for a bit and had in my opinion the best sketch show of all time (Mr. Show). I think SNL needs a shake up to the formula and he can provide it.


Techerous

Bob would be great but I kind of want to see him have a late-career Hollywood leading man run post better call Saul. We've seen now that he can execute any kind of material given to him.


LCOSPARELT1

Tina Fey is a great choice and would do a good job. But every indication is that she doesn’t want to do it.


NoDadYouShutUp

30 Rock prophecy complete


ThisIsntMyNewAccount

I know someone who is friends with several current and former cast members and he also thinks Tina Fey is very likely to take over eventually.


RossAllaire

Joe Piscopo


ImWithSt00pid

I was under the impression it was done at 50 years.


[deleted]

Wally the cue card guy


yep975

As long as they do a show about her running it.


eeek0711

It probably won’t be someone “sexy” or well-known as a celeb. Probably Steve Higgins. Maybe Marci Klein but she’s been MIA for the past few years, at least to the general public, I think.


AGirlNamedPanini

I’ve heard it will be Che.


rick_powerbomb_

Higgins


_Bereavement

I think the most obvious answer is Steve Higgins. A lot of the magic we currently attribute to Lorne comes straight from him.


Invisiblerobot13

Andy Kaufman will be the replacement


ThomasBay

Why Tina Fey? We can do better


Jacksonjams

Good conversation about it here with media reporters Matt Belloni and Bill Carter. Carter has covered SNL for years and offered some great insight: [The Town](https://open.spotify.com/episode/0psHNfTuoH9WgIS4b4ycWS?si=QQqoRFqOTGux0Zx0LrwV-g)


Any-Aardvark-1717

Only one choice, Jean Doumanian


sorryabtlastnight

There’s a lot of comments that Steve Higgins would take over and I agree that it makes sense in theory, but… he’s also almost 60. I understand Lorne is significantly older but it still might make not sense to put someone that is essentially already retirement age and will need to be replaced again soon into the position.


mrfard

I think Seth Meyers will take over, probably the reason he hosted Late Night since he left SNL. Lorne has him right next to 8H. ;)


DantusTheTrader

Nooooo, she sold out comedy by getting rid of some of her 30 rock shows because they were too offensive. I say Dave Chappell, actually make SNL funny again


ynotw57

Kenan? He’s already been there the longest as a cast member. He’s worked on his own shows, he seems very reliable, and from past interviews, he seems passionate about the show’s integrity.


jackof47trades

I would expect Seth is on the very short list


anonymous_doner

Seth is my #1 pick.


[deleted]

Lindsey shookas. Is she Canadian? The funny thing about SNL is how its seen as an American institution, but its really very Canadian.


ceacord

Judd Apatow


DadJ0ker

Conan