Bobby Moynihan caught impersonating Lorne Michaels

Saturday Night Live alumni are pondering a timeless question: do Lorne Michaels enjoy Lorne Michaels impressions?

SNL Cast Members Reflect on Lorne Michaels

Mikey Day, Ana Gasteyer, Chris Kattan, Jon Lovitz, Bobby Moynihan, Kevin Nealon, and Laraine Newman made special appearances on Thursday’s episode of SiriusXM’s SNL on Stern Roundtable, leading up to SNL 50: The Anniversary Special. In an exclusive preview from the show, the group of past and present cast members share amusing stories about the famously poker-faced SNL head honcho.

“I’m curious: Does anyone know when Lorne started finding humor in people impersonating him?” Kattan inquires to the group.

Moynihan recounts a story that sheds light on the matter. “Have any of you accidentally done it in front of him? I have,” he reveals. “During a host dinner, while explaining something, I unintentionally slipped into an impression of Lorne saying, ‘Well, you know, Bobby.'”

The performer, part of the show from 2008 to 2017, describes a moment of awkward silence at the table, followed by Michaels’ subtle acceptance of the jest. “There was a brief silence, and then he simply said, ‘Continue,'” Moynihan recalls.

Gasteyer recalls witnessing only one former cast member daring to mock Michaels to such an extent. “I once sat next to Mark McKinney as he pretended to fall asleep quite obviously while Lorne was discussing Toronto architecture,” she remembers. “During dinner, McKinney even went as far as to snore. I had never seen anyone challenge the boss so boldly.”

Lovitz reminisces about Dana Carvey creating a sketch solely to tease Michaels. “During the read-through, Lorne went through all the instructions,” Lovitz explains. “Dana wrote a sketch that had no chance of making it to air. The whole premise of the sketch, titled ‘Funny Little Poopy Head,’ was to make Lorne repeatedly say ‘Funny Little Poopy Head.’ While no one else found it funny, I was in stitches because that was the whole point.”

Tune in to the SNL on Stern Roundtable special, hosted by Gary Dell’Abate and Jon Hein, on SiriusXM at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET/4 p.m. and 7 p.m. PT. Watch the full clip from the episode above.

FAQs

Q: What is the SNL on Stern Roundtable special?

A: The SNL on Stern Roundtable is a special episode featuring SNL cast members sharing stories and anecdotes about Lorne Michaels.

Q: Who are some of the SNL alumni that appeared on the special?

A: Mikey Day, Ana Gasteyer, Chris Kattan, Jon Lovitz, Bobby Moynihan, Kevin Nealon, and Laraine Newman were among the former cast members who made guest appearances on the show.

Q: What was the reaction to the impressions of Lorne Michaels?

A: While some moments were met with awkward silence, Michaels ultimately embraced the humor in his own way.

Credit: ew.com