lorne michaels. ved new book, lorne the man who invented saturday night live. it is one of those masterful pieces of writing that doesn't require an interest in the subject. if you've never seen saturday night live. the book is still relentlessly fascinating. if you've ever worked in an office, for example. there is much for you to learn from. one of the greatest practitioners of office politics in the world, lorne michaels. there are surprises about your favorite cast members, and there is the young man named lorne, struggling and often considering himself a failure in show business before he created saturday night live. it is the best biography i have ever read of a living person, because lorne michaels, so willingly and often self-critically, turns over his cards in discussions with susan morrison that are more revealing than any interview he's ever given. the book is a cultural history of the last 70 years of north american entertainment, very much including canada, where lorne michaels grew up. m

one of the greatest practitioners of office politics in the world, lorne michaels. nd often considering himself a failure in show business. before he created saturday night live. it is the best biography i have ever read of a living person, because lorne michaels, so willingly and often self-critically, turns over his cards in discussions with susan morrison that are more revealing than any interview he's ever given. the book is a cultural history of the last 70 years of north american entertainment, very much including canada, where lorne michaels grew up. my best friend jim downey, who i have known since the first week of college, went to work at saturday night live in the second season, and by hanging around with jim and our friend, saturday night live writer al franken, at their workplace during my unemployed years, and frequently lunging for the free food at the saturday night live after parties, i met lorne michaels, who gracefully accepted me into the extended entourage of saturday night live. in those days, i never expected to work in this building, certainly

after lorne michaels had originally left. but i also love, i mean, bill hader, you know, a thousand impressions that were really, really funny. uh, tina fey, who amped up female performers on the show and provided a showcase for, you know, talents like maya rudolph and amy poehler, who were also amazing. kate mckinnon, who seemed like she could play anyone on that. >> show, a man or a woman, anything. right? >> new york mayor rudy giuliani, to some woman who saw a ufo in her backyard. right on down to thompson, the longest running cast member, and bowen yang, who's a breakout star in modern times. >> wow. i mean, and it is not just about comedy. like, you know, eddie murphy, like gilda radner. funny. you know, roseanne, roseanne. i mean, that was the funniest thing. but, you know, poking fun at political figures and politics from the clintons to trump. i mean, how did snl go from, you know, taking a stab at politics to now? the expectation is that snl will parody politicians? >> well, i think that expectation has been there f

lorne michaels! where is he? [ cheers and applause ] >> to the cast and crew of season 50.tudded weekend that put the bay area and basketball culture in focus. today's game highlighted bay area music history and of course, 11 time all-star steph curry. nbc bay area's alyssa goard breaks it all down. this weekend was a highly anticipated chance to boost the bay area's economy and image on a global stage. and for those in town, it was impossible to miss all of the nods to bay area culture. chaminade college preparatory the golden state warriors. steph curry was the clear star of this weekend. his team, which included oakland's own damian lillard and former teammate kevin durant, won the tournament. as for steph, it's only fitting the all-star mvp on this floor go to steph curry. it's really cool. all my favorite players are here. it's awesome. fans who've been to warriors games would recognize the warriors dance teams and hype man franco finn, who did what they do best. this is huge for our region in san francisco and the bay area beyond. i'm telling you, thehe world i watchi

there are many more hilarious stories there, including will's aborted attempt to bribe lorne michaelsan find that conversation wherever you get your podcasts or just scan the qr code on the screen. >>> speaking of "saturday night live," as the iconic show celebrates its 50th anniversary next sunday, we'll hear from a collection of famous cast members about everything from their terrifying auditions to their favorite moments. the best of our "snl" sunday sit-down, next week on sunday "today." >>> this week, we highlight another life well lived. the tuskegee airman and all black unit of the airplane air force has played a pivotal role in america's victory during world war ii. hundreds of brave, black men suited up to fly and to defend their country. one of those heroes was lieutenant colonel harry stewart jr., a man who just kept finding a way to overcome obstacles. >> reporter: in the weeks after the attack on pearl harbor, harry stewart jr. tried to join the army air corps, but he was only 17 at the time, and couldn't apply. so the moment he turned 18, he dropped out of high school an

>> look at. >> just some of the jokes about lorne michaels at snl's 50th anniversary show on sunday atst half century, lorne has become a comedic institution unto himself, earning more than 100 emmy nominations and creating a cultural touchstone now spanning several generations. joining us now the articles editor at the new yorker, susan morrison. she's the author of the new biography entitled lorne the man who invented saturday night live. and it's great to have you on the show to talk about this. tell us about some of the things we learn in this book, including what is born name is, but also how the book is divided into six parts monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday and saturday. >> lorne was born lorne liebowitz in toronto and made his way to new york after a dozen years bouncing around kind of cruddy variety shows up in la. and after the 40th anniversary ten years ago, i started thinking about how there's no one who has had a bigger impact on what makes americans laugh, what we think is funny over the last four decades. and people don't know anything about him, you know, to

maybe shoe, maybe -- >> jimmy: yeah, a couple producers and lorne michaels.e careful. if he doesn't laugh, don't let it throw you." i go, "okay, great." so then they go, "okay, jimmy -- who's jimmy fallon?" i go, "that's me." they go, "why don't you go get hair and make-up?" i've never gotten hair and make-up. oh, my god. [ light laughter ] so i go to hair and make-up, and they're doing my hair and my make-up. and they go, "just to let you know, jimmy, that lorne doesn't laugh" -- [ laughter ] >> paul: again. they say it again. >> jimmy: "-- when you do this audition, so don't let it throw you if lorne doesn't laugh." i go -- >> paul: i see. in the make-up room they're telling you. >> jimmy: totally. "yeah, understood, yeah." and then i go out, and they go, "we have to get a microphone on you." i go, "great." so the audio guy comes up to me, puts the mic on. he goes, "hey, you jimmy? you jimmy?" he goes, "just between us, lorne doesn't really laugh." [ laughter ] >> paul: he's telling you. >> jimmy: why is it -- what's this guy -- >> paul: audio guy. >> jimmy

"snl" creator lorne michaels was 30 years old when his variety show went on the air with a cast thatjohn belushi and gilda rad nor. 50 years old the 80-year-old is still at it putting together a chaotic 90 minutes of sketch and music that make it on the air at 11:30 on saturday night. tonight "snl" celebrates those 50 years with a must watch star-studded live special. we thought we would take a look back too in a collection of our sit downs with the famous cast members of "saturday night live." >> live from new york, it's saturday night. >> october 11th, 1975, when i say that to you sitting here still years later what do you think? >> i didn't sign up for this. it worked out that way. >> reporter: 50 years after the premier of "saturday night live," the house that lorne michaels built is an american institution. >> it's kind of where everything started for me. >> all this stuff is so familiar. >> isn't that special. >> reporter: only 167 have landed the dream job as cast members in that elite comedy club inside studio 8-h. >> how does it feel to be back in the studio? >> my goodness,

he took to x to offer praise for the special and its creator, lorne michaels but didn't offer explanationttend. he is the only living member of the original cast who did not appear on sunday. this had a lot of people worried and wondering and questioning why he wasn't there. but of course he gave all the praise to the special. >> yeah, classy guy. >>> when we come back, 7-eleven wants to help you close out february on a happy note. and first of its kind robot prototype that can move like a human. eerie. >> i don't like that. eerie. >> i don't like that. the thousands of real people who go undiagnosed. people whose psoriasis can look very different depending on their skin tone. as the makers of tremfya®, we understand that everybody's moderate to severe plaque psoriasis doesn't look the same. so, we undertook a first-of-its-kind study of plaque psoriasis in every skin tone. like hers and his and yours. serious allergic reactions and increased risk of infections may occur. before treatment, your doctor should check you for infections and tb. tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-li

and before i even said it, lorne michaels said, "i got an idea for you." and it was the same idea. light laughter ] and so it was kind of a fun thing to do. >> seth: here's just a clip of the beginning of you apologizing to the audience for the work you've been doing on the show. [ applause ] >> hello, i'm bill murray. you can call me billy, but around here everybody just calls me the new guy. i want to thank the producer lorne michaels for urging me to speak with you directly. you see, i'm a little bit concerned. i don't think i'm making it on the show. [ laughter ] i'm a funny guy, but i haven't been so funny on the show. my friends say, "how come they're giving you all those parts thatren't funny?" well, it's not the material. it's me. >> seth: and that was sort of known -- [ cheers and applause ] yeah, it was amazing. >> yeah. >> seth: did you feel -- did you feel a difference after that sketch? >> well, i felt like i was really being myself. >> seth: right. >> you know? so i felt like they got to see who -- people got to see who i really was. i really meant all that. you know,

. >> reporter: all because lorne michaels rolled the dice on something new. >> this man and this group>> reporter: and even ten years ago, there was anticipation for snl 50. >> do you think you'll be around for the 50th. >> i think so. >> reporter: a confidence that was well placed. mark barger, nbc news. >> and it has definitely changed comedy as we know it. and the countdown continues on "today". all week we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of "saturday night live." today, amy poeerhl >>> three-peat denied. the philadelphia eagles dominate patric

adam sandler bringing out his guitar performance and doing a tribute to longtime snl producer lorne michaels. it was a touching yet very funny tribute to the 50 years of the show, with lyrics about past cast members, cue cards, and the drunken after parties. it's a great show, and that's going to do it for us at 430. jessica aguirre is workiking on the 5:00 newscast. she'll join you in two minutes. across the bay area and the nation. people fill the streets for a presidents day protest message sent by demonstrators outside san francisco city hall and a tesla store. also, we're following developing news out of toronto, canada. a delta plane from minneapolis flips over on the runway after landing. the new details just coming into the newsroom and fresh off taking part in all star weekend festivities, an nba player spends the day at sonoma state trying to help save the sports programs at that school. the news at five starts right now. thanks for joining me. i'm jessica aguirre. this presidents day saw protests throughout the bay area andationwide. two protests in san francisco, both aimed at pr

he took to x to offer praise for the special and lorne michaels but did not offer an explanation ford. he is the only member of the original cast who did not appear on sunday. i watched this and i couldn't help but wonder where he was, why he wasn't there, along with bill hader. question marks all around. >> sounds like he's okay, and it was a great celebration for sure. and the signs are still around the building. >>> when we come back, amazon earning a prime new spot. and if you bought and if you bought people whose psoriasis can look very different depending on their skin tone. as the makers of tremfya®, we understand that everybody's moderate to severe plaque psoriasis doesn't look the same. so, we undertook a first-of-its-kind study of plaque psoriasis in every skin tone. like hers and his and yours. serious allergic reactions and increased risk of infections may occur. before treatment, your doctor should check you for infections and tb. tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms or if you need a vaccine. ask your dermatologist about tremfya®. ♪ the wildlife s

applause ] >> thank you to the incredible sabrina carpenter, the incomparable jon hamm, and your lorne michaels, the entire cast and crew of "saturday night live." it is always an honor. congratulations on the end of an incredible season. thank you so much. have a wonderful night. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ our. we are live in martinez after a massive fire broke out at the city's refinery. the concerns from neighbors about air quality and the trade war ignites. president trump slaps tariffs on america's neighbors and they're firing back. so what does that mean for the price you pay at the store? we'll break it down. and the big protest in the south bay against ice that turned into a boycott of a major retailer. why? people gathered outside target to protest the new administration. good evening. it is safe to go outside. that is the message from leaders in martinez. nearly nine hours after flames erupted from the refinery. now people who live nearby have seen flare ups there before, but they knew right away this was something different. flames erupted at the refinery this afternoon, forcing neighbors to spend

i mean, most everyone is here, all because snl visionary lorne michaels rolled the dice on something new. this man and this group of people has ceded the comedy landscape for 40 years, you know, and they've just given us such an incredible gift. and even ten years ago, there was anticipation for snl 50. so i think it will be around for a 50th. i think so. i definitely think so. a confidence that was well placed. mark barger, nbc news. the saturday night live 50th anniversary special airs one week from today, sunday, february 16th at 5 p.m. our time with red carpet coverage starting at four and the show's very first episode will re-air next saturday two. the host for that first show was comedian george carlin. lots to look forward to. all right. rob mayeda here now. and rob, can we look forward to maybe warmer nights? we'll get there. okay. it's going to involve some rain, but eventually we'll get those temperatures up. but tonight that is the big story. once again, we've got temperatures cold enough to reach the freeze warning criteria over a larger area. tonight we'll show you that

morrison writes that lorne michaels directed the staff to do it in sunshine. >> do it in sunshine meanssels writers to avoid writing anger. people don't put on the television to see people yelling at each other. fred armisen said lorne said people huddle around the television to huddle around a fire. >> reporter: try to keep it, you know -- >> even with dictators i have played, even approached them with, like, i can't believe i'm saying this, love and kindness. >> thank you very much. what's up? >> reporter: fred armisen played labbian dictator muammar qaddafi i would spend the money on teachers. that's just me. >> for gaddafi i am going to love this character. i am going to love him and imagine him as an eccentric. and his very worst. >> reporter: he spent 12 seasons on "saturday night live." to hear him tell it, it wasn't nearly enough. >> get back there! i'm telling you! have a nice time. >> i loved it. it was just the best existence. and if you are sitting out three sketches in a row, i am not in these -- >> you don't know that you look like beavis and butt-head? >> it is awesome to

. >> lorne michaels puts his hand on my shoulder and goes "are you sure this is what you want?"get out of my way. >> then, we spent a arbil estate in new orleans with anthony mackie. the data four shows us his favorite spots and reveals what his kids think about his captain america status. >> he looked at me like i had three heads! >> closed captions provided by... ♪ ♪ >> welcome back to "et." the new era of marvel is here and if led by the new cap, anthony mackie. i caught up with the new orleans native at one of his favorite spots, superior seafood, to talk all about his mcu journey and his connection to kendrick lamar. it's another "et" exclusive buried him ♪ ♪ >> kendrick did the title song for my movie. i hope that's not supposed to be a surprise. i'm breaking it here first. i'm so excited, man. i feel like this movie is set up in every way. i remember the day kevin called me and goes we got harrison ford. i just fell over. >> the wait is nearly over. friday, fans will see him face off against red hulk and captain america brave new world. and -- his four sons are keeping hi

and we also want to congratulate lorne michaels himself. >> half the hollywood box. >> office receiptsn the last 50 years and 50 years, how many generations is that that with me, it's belushi and murray, and that's what i. yeah, i know some of the you know me through dana carvey, but know me through dana carvey, but but today i don't know any o [ car engine revving ] >> and. ♪ ("born to be wild" by steppenwolf) ♪ ♪ get your motor runnin'! ♪ (car horns blare) come on! ♪ head out on the highway! ♪ crowd: hey! hey! hey! b-12. bingo! (buttons snap) (inhaling furiously) (explosion) (car revs) (cheering and laughter) (♪♪) don't worry, girls! i've got weathertech. all together: ♪ born to be wild! ♪ for whatever comes your way, there's weathertech. a long weekend. >> savor the. moment or savor. >> the details. earn points for free nights with ihg one. >> rewards get vested. join the. >> club the value you're. >> going to get. >> from making better investments more than outweighs whatever the cost of the membership is. >> join the club. new members save with a special off send ine details. phys

i mean, most everyone is here, all because snl visionary lorne michaels rolled the dice on something new. this man and this group of people has ceded the comedy landscape for 40 years, you know, and they've just given us such an incredible gift. and even ten years ago, there was anticipation for snl 50. so i think it will be around for a 50th. i think so. i definitely think so. a confidence that was well placed. mark barger, nbc news. the saturday night live 50th anniversary special airs one week from today, sunday, february 16th at 5 p.m. our time with red carpet coverage starting at 4:00, and the show's very first episode will air next saturday two. the host for that first show was comedian george carlin. all right. rob mayeda here. now we're starting the week. cold. cold. so we have the weekend started, so it's ending. and yes, the workweek will start off with the freeze warnings, but eventually the rain that's coming back and the clouds will help us out in terms of the temperatures. but it could be high impact once again with heavy rain potential. a little bit later this week. le

lorne michaels has been a genius.ca together that we need to remember, and we will celebrate that tonight. that does it for me. thanks for watching. i'll see you back here next weekend at 5 p.m. eastern time. but first, i'll be on morning joe monday morning on msnbc. i'll be there starting at 7 a.m. the sunday show with jonathan capehart starts right jonathan capehart starts right after a short break. (man) got one more antoine. (vo) with usps ground advantage, it's like you're with us every step of the way. ♪ (man) cooool. ♪ (man) right on time! (vo) stay in the know. from your dock... to their door. want a next level clean? swish with the whoa of listerine. it kills 99.9% of bad breath germs for five times more cleaning power than brushing and flossing alone. get a next level clean... ahhhhh with listerine. feel the whoa! here's to getting better with age. here's to beating these two every thursday. help fuel today with boost high protein, complete nutrition you need, and the flavor you love. so, here's to now... no

. >> just reading susan morrison's wonderful new book, lorne, about lorne michaels 50 years of runningpisode when the rolling stones were on the show, and i learned something on page 302 that i did not know that night. and it's why keith richards was not in any of the sketches. and it says here richards was scheduled to be in two pieces, but his parts were cut when in rehearsal, he didn't appear to know where he was. that's just one gem in this book full of gems. lorne by susan morrison. it's worth reading more than just during the commercial breaks of this show. that is tonight's last word. the 11th hour with stephanie ruhle starts now. >> tonight we're tracking fast moving developments on

. >> i went to a very fancy dinner with our friend, lorne michaels. he's still alive, right?n restaurant, and there is a lamp in the trash. and it's such a dilemma. it's like -- am i classier than this? i did not get the lamp. i regret it. i can still describe the lamp. [ light laughter ] that lamp got away from me. >> seth: the thing i remember about it is not the night you saw the lamp. it was the next day you coming into my office and just so upset that you didn't get the lamp. [ laughter ] we were head writers at the same time. >> yeah we were. >> seth: we each ran rewrite tables. >> yeah. >> seth: how -- what was your philo -- the rewrite table is, these are the sketches that have been picked on wednesday night. >> yes. >> seth: we're going to punch them up. >> yes, we are. >> seth: what was your philosophy on running a table? >> get the hell out of there as fast as you can. >> seth: yeah. [ laughter ] >> yeah. so, like, seth is a workaholic. i don't know what the opposite of that is. it's lazy? [ laughter ] and so, like, when i ran the table, we had different floors. he

the insurgent comedy show lorne michaels created against the odds.lly just like the redheaded stepchild of nbc has grown and evolved. get off the shed into a touchstone of american humor. super size. i just want to honor lorne and all he's done. even a man known for his wisecracks. i love this guy. is humbled by snl's impact. it's really a landmark television program, one that is ready to celebrate. timothy. charlemagne. and the concert will be going on streaming on peacock tonight in radio city. and then sunday night, the main event, the three hour special. you'll see it live right here on nbc. rehearsals for that started on wednesday, but as we all know, over 50 years of snl, that show changes up to the start of the show. adjustments, changes straight on through. they'll probably even be adjustments once the show starts on sunday night. i'm mark barger, live in new york. lauren marcus, back to you. you got it. live in new york, mark vargas. all right. big celebration there. thanks, mark. so here's a look at the entire slate of snl 50 events. as mar

it was created by lorne michaels, who still at the helm of the show after all these years. nt, are taking part in the celebration. i just want to honor lorne and all he's done. if the 14 year old version of me knew that i would be celebrating snl, my head wants to explode. there's a look at the entire slate of snl events coming up. homecoming concert airs live tonight on peacock at five. and tomorrow, you can catch a re-airing of the very first episode. then on sunday, get ready for the three hour special. it's live on nbc bay area starting at 5 p.m. it includes a red carpet event that starts at four. so big snl weekend. all right, now let's get a look at that forecast for you today. a big weekend because we don't have rain in our forecast and there's so much going on. we are seeing the rain clearing out. here's a live look at the golden gate bridge. it was raining earlier this morning, but now those showers are tapering off. it will be a breezy day ande'll still have the dangerous surf near the coastline this weekend. watching for a spotty chance of showers on sunday. right

so this show was created all the way back in 1975 by the legendary lorne michaels, who pitched an idea this form a late night variety show with musical guests that would be live 50 years later. it's been dubbed the bar for modern comedy, the kind of rare institution that gets to reinvent itself every year. >> anybody could do comedy. i can teach all of y'all in here how to tell jokes and be comedy. but are you funny? >> snl was the biggest show ever. >> there was nothing. >> like it. >> wow. they got in a. >> van down by. >> the river. it's an. >> american institution. >> superstars. i got a fever. and the only prescription is more cowbell. >> it's a real dream come true. >> it was everything. >> i loved. >> that show. >> i was. >> on it. >> live from new york. >> live from new york. >> live from new york. >> live from. new york. >> live from new york. kind of watch it every week. because, as mentioned, it's become such an institution, a staple for not only comic legends, but new voices and artists who come up and sometimes seem to reflect what's happening in our country at that moment

james miller co-wrote the book on snl, and the show's longtime executive producer, lorne michaels. >> from in. >> 50 years, but what. >> stands. >> out to you. >> the most? >> oh my gosh. >> i mean, it has these. iconic sketches and these characters that when people see. >> it. >> they just can't help but laugh and they. >> want to see it over. >> and over and over again. >> like some of the show's most memorable moments. >> still as funny today. >> as they were. years ago. >> welcome to wayne's world. here's your host. >> wayne campbell. >> party! >> what is it that makes snl ageless? >> i mean, i think. >> part of it is the writers. >> room, and part of it is what. lorne is trying to do. >> with the writers and the. >> cast. >> which is. >> to be culturally relevant and also very politically astute. >> and i can see russia. from my house. >> snl influence dominating pop culture. >> the truth. >> is that. >> snl gets. >> the biggest stars and the most prominent people on the cultural and political landscape. >> stick around. we'll be right back. >> all from its. home base, the leg

said they would pay for four eggs, but not under any circumstances six. [ laughter ] meanwhile, lorne michaels not to freak out at everything trump does, but what if everyday he does multiple things that are freak-out worthy? what do we do then? for real, what do we do? does anyone know? anyone? how about you wally? >> well, seth, i believe we have to start by addressing the root causes of america's slide into autocracy, beginning with our culture of elite impunity and a veracious greed of moneyed interest who over the course of the mid to late 20th century captured our political establishment -- >> seth: not [ bleep ] now, wally. jesus. [ laughter ] it's rhetorical bro! we don't have your time for treatise on american decline. >> well, fine. if anyone at home would like to hear more, you can purchase a copy of my new pamphlet, "the cue-munist manifesto." [ laughter ] [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: wally, you're a communist? >> what can i say, communism sells, baby. [ laughter ] >> seth: okay, well, i actually then think you're doing it wrong. [ laughter ] but seriously, though. trump is bar

so this show was created all the way back in 1975 by the legendary lorne michaels, who pitched an idea with musical guests that would be live. 50 years later, it's been dubbed the bar for modern comedy, the kind of rare institution that gets to reinvent itself every year. >> anybody can do comedy. i can teach all of y'all in here how to tell. >> jokes and be comedy. >> but are you funny? >> this was the biggest show ever. >> there was nothing like it. >> and that is. >> a guy in. >> a van down by. >> the river. >> it's an. >> american institution. >> superstars. >> i got. >> a fever. >> and the only. >> prescription is more cowbell. >> it's a real dream come true. >> it was everything. i loved that show. i was on it. >> live from. >> new york. >> live from new york. >> live from. >> new york. >> live from new york. >> the america continues to mark what i mentioned. saturday night live's 50th anniversary. we are joined by a legend, the comedian and actor chris kattan, who was on snl for eight seasons. that's basically 20% of the lifetime of this long running show. and you probably remem

the author of that new book on snl, creator lorne michaels, will be a guest later on morning joe. that one's going to be good. and one viewer says he hasn't gone to sleep because he's in hawaii. aloha. i love when our friends in hawaii always weigh in. they are watching. we got it. we got to be aware the time difference works for them. coming up next hours from now, the senate will vote on president trump's commerce secretary pick. that's howard lutnick will break down what to expect as he's poised to be confirmed along party lines. and coming up on morning joe live reporting from saudi arabia, where top russian and american officials are holding a high stakes meeting about ending the war in ukraine. but they're doing so without representatives from kyiv or european allies present. plus, the latest on the delta plane that flipped upside down on the runway in toronto, injuring at least 18 people. also ahead this morning, planned parenthood president alexis mcgill johnson will be a guest. mcgill johnson will be a guest. morning joe some people have minor joint pain plus certain stom

>> just reading susan morrison's wonderful new book, lorne, about lorne michaels 50 years of running saturday night live. there's something, there's something you learn on every page. i was actually at the saturday night live episode when the rolling stones were on the show, and i learned something on page 302 that i did not know that night. and it's why keith richards was not in any of the sketches. and it says here richards was scheduled to be in two pieces, but his parts were cut when in rehearsal, he didn't appear to know where he was. that's just one gem in this book full of gems. lorne by susan morrison. it's worth reading more than just during the commercial breaks of this show. that is tonight's last word. the 11th hour with stephanie ruhle starts now. >> tonight we're tracking fast moving developments on everything from another high profile resignation at the department of justice to peace talks with russia that leave out ukraine. then money, power, politics. how a new executive order could impact the banks you do business with. plus the government workers fighting waste, fr

lorne michaels. and you guys too were also there. >> we had so much fun.e night, i just start kind of going along with whatever the chorus is. even if we don't know the words. >> that moment was so fun. that was when snoop dogg was performing and he sang "gin and juice" but the smoke behind him told a different story. it was crazy. just so many superstars in one place and i have never experienced anything like it. >> just the beginning of a weekend. a big weekend. all right. >>> the theme of music, madonna who needs chocolate or flowers on valentine's day when you can get new music from the queen of pop? the superstar took to instagram recently to tease concessions part ii. a follow-up to her hit 2005 album "confessions on the dance floor." she went on to write that i'm putting my heart and soul into my new music and i can't wait the share it with you. there's no release date yet. but we cannot wait to see what she has up her sleeve. now i have hung up stuck in my head. that's the whole day. >>> of course "bridgerton" how's this for a perfect valentine's d

lorne lorne michaels is like the buffett of culture.e ability to. >> ride it out, cycle after cycle, reinvent, find new talent, invest. >> in what you know. >> yes. take chances. yeah. we're i mean, obviously we're. >> homers, but. we're we're proud of the show and can't wait for sunday. as for the open here, mike, i'm just thinking of the themes that ran us through the week. one was dovish takes on inflation data. the other was taking some solace in the delayed tariff implementation. and then powell didn't spook anybody really. >> this week. >> he didn't. definitely no alarm. sounded about that. >> cpi number. >> on the second day of his testimony. the bond market. i mean, you have to pay attention to the fact, as rick was just saying, that it has actually come in in. yield and meaning. >> it's sort of. looking at the. >> softer retail sales. it's looking at the pretty much as expected indications of cpi and ppi for the fed. >> and saying. >> nothing to. >> be too worried. >> about at this point. >> on the. >> on the inflation front. s

i'm fascinated with lorne michaels and his ability to recreate. right?er that's the tone of the show ride through various cultural eras, find new talent. do you have answers to how he does it? >> i think he has an amazing team that he works with that is always keeping their ear to the ground and the comedy theaters and going and seeing shows. even now they go see shows and see what new talent is out there. so between him and them, they they find some of the best of the best. i'm honored to be among them. >> yeah. you got thoughts on that, heidi? and what was your audition process like? do you remember? >> it was like a dream nightmare of sorts, where you do it on that stage. that was the first time i'd ever seen that iconic stage up close. and then suddenly you're auditioning for it for, like, the dream job. so i barely, barely remember it. lucky to get it, but lauren's very smart and very funny. and to what i said, you know, he he's got the talent, and then he puts a lot of talent around him. and so i do. i say all the time, i'm like, i'm working with t

and there's no one like lorne michaels and all you guys. >> that's right. >> that's right. >> yeah. >> that movie itself? >> no. >> anybody i happened. >> to see it. >> i just. >> saw it on. >> the plane. >> lamorne did, i think a. >> wonderful job, right. >> you got a beautiful, handsome guy? of course. yeah. >> he's great. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> i thought they needed more time. to do. >> what they were trying to do. >> i thought it should be a television thing, but it got about four. >> hours to do. >> what they tried. >> to do in two hours, right? >> of course, i thought lemon. lemon was brilliant in what he. >> did. but i. >> cannot say that. >> yeah, yeah, yeah. >> sounds like i'm. >> not panning this thing at all. >> no, it's like a. >> beautiful dramatization. >> it's. i think for anybody who's actually experienced. the show, it's a little far. you have to suspend a lot of. disbelief in terms of like, i don't think that much was happening. the 90 minutes in the lead. >> up to the first episode, belushi. >> stuff and. yeah. >> yeah, but but but very much you could tell that jason

. >> in 1995, after a pair of nerve wracking auditions, lorne michaels offered ferrell a coveted spot >> of this. >> he was. >> an overnight. >> fan favorite will ferrell and a star on the show for seven seasons. >> as you. >> stand here now, given the success you've. >> had, what do you think the 1995 version. >> of you. >> walking in these doors for the first time would think. >> impossible. >> oh yeah. a little. >> fun fact. >> about that new cast. >> i'm the. >> first cast member to have a line in. >> our first show. is that right? i'm in the cold open. >> i flubbed. >> my first line. >> good afternoon. >> it's been a. >> busy day in court. the trial. >> which. ended yesterday with the. >> prosecution's prosecution. >> on live tv. >> in my. >> dream. >> job. >> you recovered nicely, though. >> am i sweating? >> you know, sometimes. >> you. >> can be addicted to. >> something that's not a drug. >> i like big butts, and i. >> cannot lie. >> so when you. >> decide to leave after. >> seven seasons. >> is that a hard decision? >> if someone had said. >> to me. >> you only. >> get to. >

. >> lorne michaels, bill. >> hader. >> julia louis-dreyfus. >> tracy morgan, john. >> mulaney. >> fred thompson, kate mckinnon, andy samberg, the list goes on and on. >> amy poehler right there. >> so you're going. >> to. >> see the. >> best of all the. >> interviews we've done. >> over about nine years with. snl cast. members talking about their. >> auditions. >> which were all. >> terrifying. >> and their experiences with the show. >> mike meyers. >> right there as well. >> so a celebration of. >> snl 50 this sunday on sunday. today, we'll be right back. >> i've always been an active person biking, running. >> but yoga, it's really special to me. it's definitely a big. >> part of who i am. >> and i love the. way it makes me feel. >> but there was a time not long ago when i felt i had to accept the idea of hanging up this old yoga mat. you see, i have symptomatic. obstructive hcm which. >> left me. >> so short of breath i just couldn't get out here making me. >> feel like a bystander. >> in my own life. so i talked to. >> my cardiologist. >> and he told. >> me about cam. he said cam w

but the lorne michaels is a genius, and you see a lot of people.ted. he was just a kid then, and eddie murphy and i have known each other for 30 years. so it was a it was a good night. but to see the superstars and to get a cameo, you couldn't ask for a better night. >> we just saw some. >> of the pictures. >> of the celebrities. >> you ran into. >> there, and that's now take a look at your moment from last night. >> it kind. >> of feels like. >> this whole question. >> and answer thing is just a way for you guys to give some airtime to. celebrities who aren't. in other parts of the show. >> oh really? >> it doesn't seem that way to me. >> and what do you think, reverend. >> al sharpton and ray romano? >> it seems it seems very natural to us. >> really. >> don't don't. >> don't be. >> so cynical, seth. >> we're having a nice time here. >> yeah. >> you well. >> done, sir. >> star turn. >> i practiced. >> yeah. no, you're you're spot. line delivery is spot on, and i. i'll admit, i stayed up a little bit too late watching last night. we'll catch the r