Longtime ‘Saturday Night Live’ producer and co-founder Lorne Michaels is promising a major overhaul of the show’s cast. Michaels wants to reinvent the sketch comedy series as it approaches its 100th season on the air.
Michaels had initially planned to maintain the status quo for the 50th anniversary celebration, but he now feels pressure to shake things up. He has confirmed that James Austin Johnson will continue to play President Donald Trump, but several current cast members are expected to exit.
Auditions took place earlier this month, and Michaels says more people are involved in the decision-making process than before. However, he remains the final authority on critical decisions. When asked about the impact of artificial intelligence on the entertainment industry, Michaels expressed confidence that A.I. cannot replace human creativity.
“I’m not worried about A.I. because I have no idea what I’m gonna do between 10 and 11 (on show nights),” Michaels joked.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/08/22/lorne-michaels-snl-cast-changes-2025/85778157007