'SNL' creator Lorne Michaels entrusts UT Austin's Harry Ransom Center with historic collection
AUSTIN, Texas - Lorne Michaels, the creator of NBC's long-running variety show "Saturday Night Live", has donated his archive to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin.
What is in"Saturday Night Live" Lorne Michaels' collection?
What we know:
The collection documents Michaels' career in television, starting with "Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In" and "The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show" up through and including the nearly 50-year history of "Saturday Night Live," the most Emmy Award-nominated show in television history.
The collection also provides insight into the creative and production processes of "SNL". The show, which made its debut in 1975, has launched the careers of many comedic actors, including Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Bill Murray.
The Center says that the collection is expected to be fully available for research in Jan. 2026.
"SNL" archive donated to University of Texas Harry Ransom Center
What they're saying:
"Lorne Michaels has kept us up late and laughing for 50 years," said Ransom Center Director Stephen Enniss, "and I’m confident for years to come his archive will be studied by students and researchers looking for insight into the social, political and cultural history of our time. We are deeply grateful to him for entrusting this rich legacy to us."
When cataloging is complete, researchers, students and anyone interested in learning more about Michaels’ career will have access to a wealth of materials documenting the production and cultural impact of "SNL" and his other works, says the Center.
"Live from New York and now home in Austin has a great ring to it," said UT President Jay Hartzell. "Lorne Michaels changed entertainment and shaped generations of American culture, and we could not be more grateful and excited that he has selected UT and the Harry Ransom Center as the home to much of his life’s work. Having five decades of "Saturday Night Live" on our campus creates unique learning and research opportunities for future generations, and especially our students. It also enhances UT as a destination for the arts, consistent with our vision and goals. We welcome Lorne and ‘SNL’ to Texas."
"Live from New York! The Making of Lorne Michaels" exhibition
What's next:
In the fall, the Center plans to open a major exhibition "Live from New York! The Making of Lorne Michaels", to offer the public a preview of the collection.
The exhibition will highlight key moments from "SNL"'s history and its role in reflecting and shaping societal discourse on politics, culture and identity.
The public will be able to get a closer look at "SNL"'s production process through drafts, correspondence, audiovisual materials, photographs, artifacts and more.
The exhibition will be on view from Sept. 20 through March 14, 2026.
The Source: Information in this report comes from the Harry Ransom Center.