At 80 years old, Lorne Michaels isn't getting any younger. The Saturday Night Live boss' age has led to more and more speculation about who could replace him, even if Michaels hasn't set a retirement date. Former SNL cast member Molly Shannon recently shared her take on the topic.
The 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live seemed like the perfect time for Michaels to ride off into the sunset, leaving behind an impressive legacy as the creator and visionary behind the iconic show. But he never definitiely said he was leaving, nor has he given any concrete evidence to suggest he has an exit plan. And if he does, he's not sharing it with the world.
So, that means SNL fans and alumni are free to speculate. That includes Molly Shannon, who spoke with People about Lorne Michaels' replacement.
Shannon admitted that anyone attempting to fill Michaels' shoes would face an uphill battle. “There’s no one who could replace him. It would not be the same show. He’s just a one-of-a-kind genius. Brilliant. Smart," she said.
When People suggested Kenan Thompson as the next SNL boss, Shannon sounded like she approved. “I love this idea. He’s the greatest — I adore Kenan," she said, calling him talented.
Shannon's reaction was kind and surely to be appreciated by Thompson. But it wasn't Shannon who suggested Thompson get the gig, meaning she was effectively put on the spot. It's hard to imagine Shannon of all people dismissing the idea and risking the story framed as her taking a shot at Thompson.
Shannon and Thompson never overlapped as Saturday Night Live cast members; Shannon left in 2001, and Thompson arrived in 2003. But Shannon has returned to host since then, seeing Thompson's talent for sketch comedy up close.
But could Thompson really shift from the cast to behind the scenes? It's not the first time the idea has been floated. Fans have suggested it for years based on Thompson's longevity and familiarity with the show.
However, a lot more goes into it than just being around SNL for decades. Would Thompson want to give up collaborating with comedians and writers to be on the corporate side? He'd have to wine and dine potential hosts, deal with NBC and advertisers, and do a lot more than just pick the sketches every week.
Other alumni, like Tina Fey and Seth Meyers, have been mentioned as possible replacements. But like Thompson, they are too good in front of the camera to ever give it up. Fey constantly has multiple projects in the works, so focusing solely on SNL doesn't sound feasible. And Meyers recently revealed he hopes to host Late Night for as long as possible.
It's much more likely that an existing Saturday Night Live producer will take over the job whenever Lorne Michaels decides to call it quits. It won't be as splashy as bringing back a beloved cast member, but it's probably what's best for the show.
Kenan Thompson deserves to be in the conversation just because he's contributed so much to Saturday Night Live over the years. Molly Shannon's comments are generous, but they sound more like a fancast than reality.