Lorne

Grade: B-

Lorne Michaels has been the producer of Saturday Night Live for 46 of the 51 years it has been on the air. 41 of those years have been consecutive. He started this sketch comedy show in 1975, at age 30. You’ve heard his voice, even if you don’t realize it, through both the myriad impressions from colleagues, and from it creeping into movies and shows as a character voice. Dr. Evil is the most famous example. It’s Mike Myers doing Lorne. I wasn’t aware that it was also used in Brain Candy, the 1996 Kids in the Hall film.

Michaels has been notorious for his enigmatic, reclusive, elusive vibe. He’s almost as hard to pin down as Tommy Wiseau, when it comes to where he’s from and what makes him tick. Director Morgan Neville has previously taken on Paul McCartney in Man on the Run, Pharrell Williams in Piece by Piece, and Mr. Rogers in Won’t You Be My Neighbor? In his documentary entitled Lorne, Michaels is portrayed as a creature of habit. He sleeps from 4am until noon. He eats at the same three restaurants, all in close proximity. He is never too far away from popcorn while at the office. Whenever we are shown pictures of his wife and kids, their faces are blacked out.

Numerous SNL cast members, close friends, and hosts – past and present – provide interview footage. Neighbor Paul Simon, 17-time host Alec Baldwin, and even Chevy Chase – whose history with the show is a rocky one – are among the faces who show up. Maybe one day we will get a “tell all” doc that sheds some light on the less pleasant aspects of the show and Lorne, the man. Neville’s Lorne doesn’t dig that deep. However, if we can believe what we do see, the fact remains that Lorne is a fierce protector of the show and the cast/crew who are good to work with. He will go to bat for them. That’s why he came back in 1985, and why he’s still doing it now.

Like many documentaries (I’m looking at you, Beatles Anthology – as much as I like it), Lorne ends safely and easily, with the talking heads waxing sentimental about the subject, as sweet music plays underneath. I’ve grown to accept that; it’s par for the course. After all, he is still alive, and remains the active SNL producer – not to mention, he agreed to participate in this documentary. I get it – you don’t want to rock the boat too much. I didn’t dislike this film. I’m glad I saw it. See it for the talking heads. It was nice to catch up with them.

Grade: B-