Summer Author Series | Susan Morrison, Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live

Since 1993, the Summer Author Series has brought award-winning authors to The Mount. This year’s theme is trailblazers. The eight-week series will highlight the stories of groundbreaking visionaries—scientists, activists, thought leaders, and artists who have broken barriers and reshaped the world. 

On July 21 & 22, author Susan Morrison presents Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live (Random House, 2025). Lorne takes readers behind the scenes of Lorne Michaels’ relentless, 50-year journey to build and sustain Saturday Night Live—a cultural institution that has come to define American comedy. Through never-before-shared accounts, Morrison details the fascinating challenges Michaels has faced putting the show together every week, balancing the excesses of creative genius while keeping the team functioning under immense pressure. Lorne overflows with unforgettable, intimate, never-before-seen moments: Michaels testifying in Keith Richards’ heroin trial in Toronto, persuading world-class musicians and actors to grace the SNL stage, handling performers’ meltdowns and arrests, and managing the endless chaos and drama that unfolds in the hours before every show. Lorne is more than a biography; it’s a how-to guide to writing sketch comedy, an intellectual history of the past sixty years and an all-access, backstage pass to the genius and grit that turned Saturday Night Live into a comedy powerhouse and cemented Michaels’ status as one of the most influential figures in entertainment history

Susan Morrison is the articles editor of The New Yorker. She is the former editor–in–chief of the New York Observer and an original editor of SPY magazine.  

*New to 2025 – an exclusive opportunity for Mount Members!*
The new Rain or Shine Club Pass guarantees a seat at all eight Summer Author Series talks, regardless of weather. Information can be found here. The Rain or Shine Club pass is only available during Members’ pre-sale, through May 11, so pick yours up soon!

TICKETS ON SALE:

General Admission:
$27 – Mount Members
$32 – Non-Members

*New* Rain or Shine Ticket:
$37 – Mount Members
$42 – Non-Members

Individual Rain or Shine Tickets guarantee admission to a program regardless of weather conditions. For a modest increase in the ticket cost, you are guaranteed a seat at events that need to be moved indoors to The Mount’s Stable Auditorium. General Admission tickets are available for each event as well; however, in the event of inclement weather — excessive heat or severe thunderstorms — you are not guaranteed a seat. General Admission tickets will be canceled and refunded if weather conditions prohibit us from hosting an event outside.

Interested in becoming a Member? Join today.

• This one-hour talk takes place in The Mount’s Event Tent, an open-air, two-pole tent adjacent to the parking lot. Please be mindful of the weather and plan accordingly!
• In the event of extreme weather — excessive heat or severe thunderstorms — In Conversation talks may be moved indoors to The Mount’s Stable Auditorium. *New to 2025* The Mount is offering Rain or Shine Tickets, which guarantee admission to this program regardless of location! All ticketholders will be notified via email of a venue change at 2:00 pm the day of the program. Those with standard admission tickets will have their orders automatically canceled and receive full refunds within seven business days.
• Seating for all programs at The Mount is first come, first served. If you have seating preferences, we recommend arriving fifteen minutes early.
• Accessible seating is available! Please phone us in advance to discuss arrangements: 413-551-5111; ext. #2
• A book signing will follow this talk. Books can be purchased from The Mount Bookstore at the event or online from Bookshop.org.

Questions? Email: programs@edithwharton.org

This program is sponsored by:

What accessibility accommodations does The Mount offer? The Mount is a Massachusetts Cultural Council UP designated organization welcoming participants of all disabilities. Please contact us by phone: 413-551-5100 or by email: info@edithwharton.org to discuss accommodations needed to participate fully in this event. Golf carts will be available to shuttle those with mobility concerns between the parking lot and event venue. View The Mount’s Health and Safety Guidelines.