Lorne Michaels

"The moment you think you've figured it out, you're done."

"Great comedy is a conversation between performer and audience."

"You have to know the rules to break them effectively."

"A sketch should build, not just exist."

"The best show is the one where people forget they're watching a show."

"Comedy is a serious business."

"You need courage to be vulnerable on stage."

"The network doesn't make the show; the cast and crew do."

"Never compromise the joke for the politics."

"A good premise can carry a bad sketch; bad premises carry nothing."

"You have to create an environment where people feel safe to fail."

"The best comedy mirrors society back to itself."

"Discipline and spontaneity must coexist in live performance."

"You can't fake emotional connection with an audience."

"The show is a reflection of its moment in time."

"Great comedy comes from great writing."

"You have to be willing to kill your darlings."

"The audience is smarter than you think."

"A good host can elevate mediocre material."

"Comedy is about finding humanity in absurdity."

"You need a diverse team to make great television."

"The job never gets easier; you just get better at it."

"Laughter is the most honest reaction a human can have."

"You have to understand your audience without pandering to them."

"The best moments are the ones nobody planned."

"Comedy requires empathy."

"You can't let success make you lazy."

"A show needs a point of view."

"The work is in the rewriting."

"You have to be present in the moment to create magic."