Lorne Michaels

"Great television comes from people who care more about the work than the credit."

"You have to be willing to fail spectacularly in front of millions."

"Comedy is the most honest form of expression because we can't lie and be funny."

"Give talented people the freedom to do their best work."

"The schedule is brutal, but that's when you discover who you really are."

"A live show creates a bond between performer and audience that's irreplaceable."

"Never forget that behind every joke is someone pouring their heart into it."

"The best show is the one the audience doesn't realize is impossible."

"Comedy writers are philosophers in disguise."

"You can teach technique, but you can't teach the instinct to be funny."

"The moment you start playing it safe is the moment you betray your audience."

"Great comedy comes from understanding what makes people tick."

"Television is the most immediate feedback system ever created."

"You learn more from failure than you ever will from success."

"The show must go on, no matter what happens backstage."

"Comedy is about celebrating the human experience in all its messiness."

"Keep people around you who will tell you the truth, even when it hurts."

"The best moments on live television are the ones nobody planned."

"You have to love what you do, or the audiences will see right through you."

"Comedy requires both intelligence and the willingness to look foolish."

"The legacy of Saturday Night Live is the people, not the sketches."

"Every generation needs a space to express itself freely."

"You can't force chemistry between people, but you can recognize it."

"The best comedy comes from a place of genuine observation and love."

"Television is a living thing that changes every week."

"Great writers make great shows, period."

"The pressure of live performance brings out the best in people."

"Comedy is about connecting with people you've never met before."

"Never lose sight of why you started doing this in the first place."

"The audience is always smarter than you give them credit for."