Lorne Michaels leaves the Harry Ransom Center with the historic ‘SNL’ collection

AUSTIN, Texas – Lorne Michaels, the creator and executive producer of “Saturday Night Live,” has donated his archive to Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. The Lorne Michaels Collection documents Michael’s career in television from his earliest writing for “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” and “The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show” through the nearly 50-year history of “Saturday Night Live,” the most Emmy Award-nominated show in television history.

The Lorne Michaels Collection offers insight into the creative and production processes behind “Saturday Night Live,” which, since its debut in 1975, has left a lasting mark on American culture through its satirical, comedy sketches and memorable performances. The show has launched the careers of many of the most talented comedic artists of their generation, including Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Bill Murray, and has left an indelible impact on our cultural landscape. .

“Lorne Michaels has kept us up late and laughing for 50 years,” said Ransom Center Director Stephen Enniss, “and I’m sure his archive will be studied for years to come by students and researchers looking for insights into the social, political and cultural history of our time. We are deeply grateful to him for entrusting us with this rich heritage.”