Garrett Morris, an original member of Saturday Night Live, has shared some pointed critiques about the show’s current direction.
In a candid interview with The Guardian, the only Black writer hired by SNL creator Lorne Michaels in the show’s debut season, expressed that he feels the show has strayed from its original theme.
“I don’t see the courage, the experimental impulses,” the member of the group known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players told the outlet. “That was the whole core of what happened the first 10 years. I keep expecting it to attack in a funny way and bring out the foibles not only of individuals, but of the government and all that.”
In addition, he also noted how the show has become more accessible and crowded, saying, “Nowadays, although people still check it out, I think they’re catering to too many people too much of the time.”
Initially hired as a writer, Morris was later promoted to a cast member alongside SNL‘s original ensemble, including Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, and John Belushi.
Looking back on his experience, Morris opened up about the racial tensions within the SNL writing staff, “I will say to the end of my days: Lorne’s writers had a lot of racism going on.”
“Lorne himself? Zero racism,” Morris emphasized Michaels himself was not part of the problem. “Because, remember, when I was hired, I was the only Black writer. Lorne wanted to have somebody Black on TV at nighttime. People didn’t want that. They were clamouring to make it all white. He didn’t.”
Morris remained with SNL through its fifth season, contributing to the show’s groundbreaking success.
