Lorne is a thorough, 650-page look at Michaels's creation of and steering of SNL. What I found most fascinating were the behind-the-scenes peeks at assembling a cast; the show's evolving vision, sketches, and position in society; and the incredibly hectic manner in which a weekly show is put together and performed live.
Lorne Michaels has been at the head of Saturday Night Live for the vast majority of its 50 years on air (he stepped away for a few years; this is detailed in the book).
He comes across to observers as dry, but he is exceptional at identifying funny talent and shaping casts for the entertaining, silly, sometimes outrageous, and often subversive live weekly performances that have captured the attention of audiences since 1975.
Susan Morrison was given unfettered access to Lorne as well as SNL and its past and present players, and in Lorne, she shares the deeply researched story of how Lorne Michaels developed SNL, his ups and downs, his vision, and how he created the institution that would change comedy forever.
Despite having been the one who requested a copy of this title, I (possibly unfairly) at times wondered, do I really need this much information about Lorne Michaels? His youth and background are thoroughly explored, and these illustrate how Michaels was shaped, but the Saturday Night Live-focused elements were far and away the most intriguing parts of the book for me.
I was intrigued by Michaels's role in creating SNL, growing it, and adapting it, as well as his taste-making, often inspired casting, hands-on production--and hands-off avoidance of many interpersonal conflicts. But Lorne's fascination with his celebrity friends came off as somewhat insufferable, then kind of tiresome, and ultimately so intertwined with his manner and lifestyle that I became resigned to the incessant name-dropping as just how Michaels is.
The fascinating behind-the-scenes peek at a week shaping a show (Jonah Hill is the host for the featured episode) are interspersed with past evolutions of the show, its cast, and Lorne's personal life. The structure works well to tell this story.
The adoration of Lorne by so many former SNL cast members is a tribute to what a formative figure he is; when he believes in someone, he supports their projects and creative efforts even against logic and financial responsibility. His loyalty to not just the show but his cast and writers is powerful. (But his bristly breaks with those he feels haven't left in the right way or paid the proper respect to Lorne are chilling.)
After five decades, it feels surprising that the hectic schedule and method by which the show's sketches are discussed, tinkered with, tried out, shortened (or abandoned) in dress rehearsal, then finalized just before air continue to occur so seemingly haphazardly and last-minute, yet a show always comes out of the mayhem.
More memoir love
I received a prepublication edition of the 656-page Lorne courtesy of Random House and NetGalley.
For more memoirs you may like, please check out the reviews of various titles at this link.
Comments