Molly Shannon Reveals Her Surprising Pick to Replace Lorne Michaels on SNL

The 50th anniversary celebration of Saturday Night Live has passed, yet Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, remains at its helm. This legendary figure has stood by SNL through good times and bad, consistently finding success with the late-night sketch series. Former cast members like Seth Meyers have shared their belief that no one could replace Michaels, but speculation about potential future leaders persists. Now, a former cast member, Molly Shannon, has added her thoughts to the discussion.

Colin Jost, Tina Fey, and Seth Meyers are being mentioned as possible replacements for Lorne Michaels according to gossip, but Molly Shannon didn’t mention any of them when she talked about it with People. When asked if Kenan Thompson could take over, her response left me surprised yet not completely taken aback, as she agreed that he might be able to do it.

As a film enthusiast, let me express my profound admiration for the brilliant concept here. Kenan, without a doubt, is a marvel to watch. His exceptional acting talent truly shines in this piece. Indeed, it’s a fantastic idea well executed!

It seems there’s a growing trend among fans of Saturday Night Live to ask past cast members for their thoughts on who could succeed Lorne Michaels as producer. However, it’s worth noting that Michaels himself has made it clear he has no intention of discussing retirement at this time. Given Michaels’ strong association with the iconic NBC late-night program, his biographer predicts that he will remain in Studio 8H on Saturday nights for as long as his health allows.

Among SNL’s notable figures, Lorne Michaels included, only a handful of key players and writers have been with the show for over a decade. However, Kenan Thompson stands out as the longest-serving cast member of Saturday Night Live, having joined in 2003. Since then, he has become an integral part of the show that fans adore. As a staple repertory player, his affection for the sketch series is unwavering, and he aims to remain a permanent member. Given Shannon’s choice, it comes as no surprise, considering that someone who has experienced the show’s inner workings for 22 years would have a deep understanding of its processes.

What truly astonished me was discovering Shannon’s choice of Thompson as her response. There’s no denying that Thompson has rightfully earned their SNL stripes with iconic characters like Steve Harvey and Willie. Yet, when it comes to a complex question, Thompson seems like a predictable yet valid answer.

It’s worth noting that unlike Colin Jost or Tina Fey, who have been head writers for Saturday Night Live, the former Nickelodeon star has not held that position. Given their close work with Michaels and extensive experience behind the scenes, they might be better suited to run SNL as a whole. Additionally, Thompson identifies more as an actor rather than a comedian, which could make him a less predictable choice for the role.

Subscription to Peacock TV gives you access to all 50 seasons of Saturday Night Live, starting at just $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year. If you’d prefer an ad-free experience and the ability to download titles for later viewing, consider upgrading to Peacock Premium. Check out this deal now!

At SNL, there seems to be a hint of change in the air. Thompson suggests that next year could see significant transformations after the 50th Anniversary season. Bowen Yang’s farewell at the end of the last season might indicate his departure, and speculations surround Heidi Gardner and Mikey Day’s possible exit as well. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding these changes yet.

As a devoted fan, I can’t foresee any shift when Saturday Night Live graces our screens again in fall 2025. One constant that remains, etched in the credits, is the name of Lorne Michaels. Though whispers about his successor may continue to swirl, unraveling this enigma might take longer than the Season 51 cast announcement. In the interim, dive into SNL’s hilarity with a Peacock subscription!

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2025-07-07 01:37