Lorne Michaels, the creator and executive producer of “Saturday Night Live,” has donated his archive to the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin. The Lorne Michaels Collection documents his career in television from his earliest writing for “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” and “The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show” up through and including the nearly 50-year history of “Saturday Night Live,” the most Emmy Award-nominated show in television history.
The collection provides insight into the creative and production processes behind “Saturday Night Live,” which, since its debut in 1975, has made a lasting imprint on American culture through its satiric comedy sketches and memorable performances. The show has launched the careers of many prominent comedic performers, including Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Bill Murray.
“Lorne Michaels has kept us up late and laughing for 50 years,” said Ransom Center Director Stephen Enniss. “And I’m confident for years to come his archive will be studied by students and researchers looking for insight into the social, political and cultural history of our time. We are deeply grateful to him for entrusting this rich legacy to us.”
