Andy Samberg reacts to Lorne Michaels 'SNL' retirement rumors
Former 'Saturday Night Live' star Andy Samberg is weighing in about the rumors that his former boss, Lorne Michaels, 80, may retire.
'He's going to do it when he decides to do it, and we're all just sort of like – no one wants him to [retire],' Samberg, 46, exclusively told The Post while promoting his Comedy Central show 'Digman!' (airing Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m.).
7 Andy Samberg and Lorne Michaels at the premiere of 'Hot Rod' at the Chinese Theater on July 26, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.
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7 Andy Samberg talking to the New York Post in a video interview about 'Digman.'
The New York Post
'He'll just do it until he decides he absolutely can't anymore,' Samberg added. 'And then, the show either will end or he'll ask someone else.'
When asked if he would want the job, Samberg said, 'No. I could never do that. That job is very specific. But I loved working there, and I loved going back.'
The actor returned for the show's 50th anniversary special, 'SNL50,' which aired in February.
Other names such as Tina Fey have been suggested as Michael's replacement.
In September, 'Weekend Update' hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che told Howard Stern: 'Could you imagine having to do that? I don't know that any – I don't know how – you do that job and not be Lorne.'
Che quipped: 'To me, it's like, imagine being the stepfather of a 50-year-old! It's just impossible.'
7 Bowen Yang and Andy Samberg in the 'Andy's Song' sketch on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Holland Rainwater/NBC via Getty Images
7 Keenan Thompson, Darrell Hammond, Lorne Michaels, Andy Samberg, and Bill Hader at the NBC Univesal Cable portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 16, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California.
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7 Lorne Michaels at the 2025 Met Gala.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Samberg's 'Digman' co-creator, Neil Campbell, went on to joke who should takeover for Michaels. 'Weren't you telling me you thought A.I. should do it?' he asked Samberg.
The actor replied: 'I don't remember saying that – but now that you've brought it up, it is a really good idea.'
Samberg was on 'SNL' from 2005 to 2012, and became popular for his iconic 'Digital Short' sketches such as 'Dick in a Box' with Justin Timberlake, and 'Lazy Sunday,' his rap about his quest to see the 'Chronicles of Narnia' movies.
His career after 'SNL' has been successful, with cult hit movies such as 2016's comedy 'Popstar: Never Stop Stopping,' the 2020 sci-fi rom com 'Palm Springs' with Cristin Milioti and his hit police sitcom 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' which ran for eight seasons, from 2013 to 2021.
7 Seth Meyers Andy Samberg, Lorne Michaels, and Colin Jost at the New York premiere of 'Staten Island Summer'l on July 21, 2015 in New York City.
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7 Andy Samberg during the 'Finest Girl' sketch on May 21, 2016.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Michaels created 'SNL' in 1975 and has helmed it ever since – save for a brief departure from 1980 to 1985 – and his comeback Season 11 nearly got the show axed.
Although Michaels hasn't announced retirement plans, he told Gayle King on 'CBS Mornings' in 2021 that he thinks he's 'committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years… I'd like to see that through, and I have a feeling that would be a really good time to leave.'
The show is currently airing its landmark 50th season, and he hasn't made a retirement announcement.
Michaels told the New York Times in a June 2024 interview, 'I'm going to do it as long as I feel I can do it. But I rely on other people and always have.'
'SNL' vet Dan Aykroyd, 73, meanwhile, told The Post in November: 'That ain't happening No. Lorne is not retiring.'
'He's got the greatest gig in New York City. He has influence and power,' the 'Ghostbusters' star went on. 'And he works in a job that keeps him laughing every day. So why would he want to leave that?'
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