In a recently uncovered clip from a 2004 interview with 60 Minutes, Lorne Michaels, the creator of Saturday Night Live, candidly discussed the challenges faced by the show’s original cast members, who debuted in 1975.
Michaels noted that each of the cast members—among them comedy icons Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, and John Belushi—shared a common thread: personal upheaval during their formative years. “Everybody that I chose had gone through some screw up in adolescence,” he remarked, referencing experiences such as parental loss or divorce.
This revealing comment was part of an off-the-cuff exchange during a break in the interview with CBS News’ Lesley Stahl. Michaels, now 79, described the original cast as being “stuck in adolescence,” suggesting that their early life struggles shaped their comedic styles and professional trajectories.
Stahl prompted Michaels to reflect on his own adolescence, reminding him of the loss of his father at the age of 14. She inquired whether this personal tragedy had left him feeling stuck in a similar way. Michaels acknowledged the impact, saying, “I know that there was a long period of time in which I thought it was all right to challenge authority.” He added that becoming a father helped him mature significantly.
The conversation also touched on the issue of drug use within the original cast during the mid-1970s. Michaels maintained that their experiences were not unusual for the time, asserting, “I think we were no different than anybody else that was working [at the time]. There were parties afterwards, as there still are.” He noted that the adrenaline of live performances often led to late-night celebrations that involved both alcohol and drugs.
The dynamics shifted dramatically for Michaels after the tragic death of John Belushi in 1982 from a drug overdose, a pivotal moment that altered his perspective on the cast’s lifestyle. “There was a period which ended abruptly for me when John Belushi died,” he revealed. Michaels expressed that the fraternal bonds and casual attitudes towards substance use that had previously existed were no longer sustainable, recognizing it as a “bogus value system” that ultimately failed to protect the individuals involved.
This poignant reflection sheds light on the complex interplay between personal struggles and professional creativity, offering a deeper understanding of the legendary figures behind one of television’s most iconic shows.
Related topics: