Entertainment TV 'SNL' Creator Lorne Michaels Reveals When He Plans to Retire from Show: 'It's Been My Life's Work' "I'm going to do everything I can to see it carry on and carry on well," Lorne Michaels said By Glenn Garner Glenn Garner Instagram Twitter Glenn Garner is a Writer/Reporter who works heavily with PEOPLE's Movies and TV verticals. Since graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual major in journalism and photography, he got his professional start at OUT Magazine, The Advocate and Teen Vogue, and he's since consistently kept his finger on the pulse of the LGBTQ community. His first book The Guncle Guide was released in 2020 and was featured on Katie Couric's list of 100 recommended books of the year. People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 20, 2021 06:05 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Lorne Michaels still has a few more years before retirement. Speaking with CBS Mornings, in an interview which aired Monday, the Saturday Night Live creator, 77, revealed that he potentially plans to retire from his role as executive producer after the NBC sketch comedy show's 50th anniversary. "Well, I think I'm committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years. I'd like to see that through," Michaels said. "And I feel like that would be a really good time to leave." The Kennedy Center honoree said "of course" the show could exist without him, and he said he has "a sense of where we're headed." Although he didn't mention any names for a possible replacement, he did say he has ideas for who could take over for him after his retirement. President Joe Biden Attends Kennedy Center Honors as Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell & More Are Awarded "Here's the point, I won't want the show ever to be bad. I care too deeply about it, it's been my life's work. So, I'm going to do everything I can to see it carry on and carry on well," Michaels added. Michaels, who was recognized with a 2021 Kennedy Center Honor this month, created SNL in 1975. Over the decades, SNL has gone on to produce a number of unforgettable TV moments, while launching the careers of several comedians who were cast members. RELATED VIDEO: Watch Highlights from Kim Kardashian's SNL Hosting Debut, from Kris and Khloé Cameos to SKIMS for Dogs During the CBS Mornings interview, Michaels spoke about the show's legacy, the impact of which hit him on the 40th anniversary in 2015. "Just seeing all the generations of the show. You can't put anyone in the cast that you don't have complete faith in. You may not know how it'll turn out, but you want that decision to have been pure of heart," he said. Michaels also produces Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC, and Michaels has won 20 Emmys over the years.