UT’s Harry Ransom Center Debuts Lorne Michaels Exhibit

By Henry Hipschman

Reporting Texas

Lorne Michaels Exhibit at the Harry Ransom Center, Henry Hipschman/Reporting Texas

The University of Texas at Austin’s Harry Ransom Center debuted its Lorne Michaels collection last September, bringing more than 50 years of television to the Forty Acres.

Michaels is the longstanding, widely recognized producer of Saturday Night Live, a sketch show that has provided comedic commentary for 51 seasons. Having acquired a large portion of memorabilia from the show and other Michaels projects, the Ransom Center is now home to many iconic pieces.

“We had over 500 banker’s boxes of archive items,” said Ashley Park, the center’s head of marketing and communications. “It was definitely an uphill battle to plan side-by-side, but [Michaels] did a brilliant job in the end.”

The show, which began airing in 1975, has since become a staple of live television, providing fresh commentary on pop culture.

The exhibit includes props such as Will Ferrell’s cowbell, old scripts, photos from past casts and shows and materials from movies produced by Michaels, made by SNL alumni. 

The exhibit, donated to UT and the Ransom Center by Michaels himself, offers attendees a glimpse into the show’s history and the intricate planning and execution that goes into its production. 

“So many people are like ‘why Texas,’” said Cindy McCreery, chair of the radio-television-film department. “They can’t wrap their head around it because he’s such a New York person…The Harry Ransom Center isn’t just a building where they just store stuff so it doesn’t rot…I think that’s why they chose to do it [at UT].”

UT is the only campus in the country with Michaels’ exhibit on display, offering students and Austin residents a unique glimpse into the creation and continuation of SNL. 

“It just says a lot about UT,” McCreery said. “I think sometimes people think about [UT] as one thing, like ‘oh, it’s just football’…then they find out about the Harry Ransom Center.”

The exhibit will remain on display at the Ransom Center until March 20th, with free admission to the public.