Lorne Michaels

"Comedy is about specificity. The more specific you are, the more universal it becomes."

"I've learned that the best ideas often come from the people nobody's paying attention to."

"Television is a democracy of sorts. If the audience doesn't like it, it doesn't matter what you think."

"The greatest moments come when you trust your instincts and your team."

"I've never shied away from controversy. The moment you do, you've compromised your integrity."

"Comedy requires vulnerability. You have to be willing to look foolish."

"The stage is the great equalizer. No matter who you are, if you're not good, it shows."

"I believe in the power of live performance to change minds and hearts."

"The best comedians are the ones who understand that they're serving the audience, not the other way around."

"Television teaches you that nothing is permanent. Everything changes, everything evolves."

"I've learned that the people who last in this business are the ones who remember why they started."

"Comedy is a conversation between the performer and the audience. If nobody's listening, there's no comedy."

"The pressure is what makes it real. Without pressure, you're just rehearsing."

"I don't care about being liked. I care about being respected."

"Television has the power to shape culture, and that's a responsibility I've always taken seriously."

"The best sketches end before the joke wears out. Know when to get off the stage."

"I believe that comedy should challenge people, not comfort them."

"The stage is a sacred space. You have to treat it with respect."

"I've learned that the best work comes from the people who are most afraid of failing."