Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Don’t Exactly Deny Fey Could Take the Reins at ‘SNL’

Could Fey succeed Lorne Michaels? Definitely maybe
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Don’t Exactly Deny Fey Could Take the Reins at ‘SNL’

Whose fault is it that old SNL pals Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have to deal with rumors about Fey taking over for Lorne Michaels? Blame their old boss, who only a year ago was intimating that he’d stick around through the SNL50 party and then ride off into the sunset. While he didn’t officially anoint Fey as his heir apparent, he might as well have, gushing, “Tina’s brilliant and great at everything.” Without mentioning any other candidate by name, he proclaimed, “It could easily be Tina Fey.” 

The problem? Michaels now says he isn’t going anywhere, leaving everyone else to answer succession questions as vaguely as possible. Answer “Yes, I’m interested,” and you look like an overambitious climber trying to push Michaels out. Answer “No, it’s not for me,” and you’ve eliminated yourself from consideration before the dream job is even posted. 

And that’s why we get answers like the ones featured in a new profile of Fey in Hollywood Reporter. What does Poehler think about Michaels’ “It could easily be Tina Fey” remarks? “Me on that would be so clickbaity,” she replied. “I will say that I feel like there are very few things that Tina wouldn’t do well in this world.”

That’s a “Tina is the perfect candidate” answer dressed up as a “no comment.” 

Fey executed a similar evasive maneuver when pressed for her reaction. “It was nice of him to say that,” she admitted, “and I love him very much.” 

But does Fey want to take over for Michaels? “He’s irreplaceable. His set of gifts and skills are entirely unique,” she says. “His eye for talent! He’s one of the last three people in show business who actually understand everything. I’ll leave it at that.”

Except Fey doesn’t exactly leave it at that. She praises Michaels for helping her get the Mean Girls movie musical made. She sought Michaels’ advice before hiring Jon Hamm for an extended run on 30 Rock. She calls herself “boots on the ground” and Michaels “the general.” 

On the one hand, it’s all the stuff a grateful student would say about an influential mentor. On the other, it’s the kind of praise one might throw around to butter up Michaels for a recommendation letter.  

Fey doesn’t need to do that. She and Seth Meyers are the only two SNL alums who make sense as Michaels successors. Kenan Thompson’s name is occasionally thrown into the hat, but he’s never had experience running a show like Fey with 30 Rock or Meyers with Late Night. Both Fey and Meyers have served as SNL’s head writer. Both Fey and Meyers had successful runs as cast members and anchors of Weekend Update. Both would be respected by current cast members.

The real question: Will NBC continue to pony up four million bucks an episode for the show once King Lorne abdicates the throne? Or will Saturday Night Live retire along with him?

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