Carol Burnett has questioned whether Lorne Michaels has a “misogynistic” reason for never inviting her to host Saturday Night Live. The 92-year-old comedian was one of the biggest television stars when SNL launched in 1975, with her own variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, running from 1967 to 1978.
Speaking to The New Yorker, Burnett quipped: “I don’t know what I did to upset that man.” She then asked her interviewer, Rachel Syme: “Do you think it’s misogynistic?” Burnett did briefly appear on SNL during a 1985 episode hosted by Night Court star Harry Anderson.
The 2014 book Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live reported that Michaels would often refer to the comedian by name to indicate an idea was too old fashioned for his show, saying: “That’s Carol Burnett.” In an interview with The New Yorker earlier this year, Michaels confirmed that he wanted to distance his show from hers, saying: “Carol Burnett was Broadway, we were rock and roll. Their sketches were about alcoholism, divorce, life in the suburbs — middle-aged stuff. I wanted us writing about our stuff.”
Burnett has continued to be a television star in recent years, with appearances in shows such as Better Call Saul, Palm Royale and Hacks. Saturday Night Live returns for its 51st season this weekend, with Bad Bunny hosting the October 4 premiere and Doja Cat as musical guest.
