Tina Fey Will Not Replace Lorne Michaels On SNL

What will Upper Darby homegirl Tina Fey do now that 30 Rock is done? Lots! She’s got a new movie coming out with Paul Rudd, and is preparing to co-star with The Muppets in their next cinematic outing. What she won’t do: Try to take over for legendary producter Lorne Michaels when he finally leaves the helm of  Saturday Night Live, a role he’s held so long we had actually forgotten it was possible for anybody else to hold it.

Here’s the relevant segment of her interview with Huffington Post:

So you’re a very successful actor and you’re doing big movies. But the day that Lorne Michaels decides that he doesn’t want to do the show any longer, is that something that would interest you at all?
Oh, “SNL”? I mean, I feel like “SNL” is so defined by Lorne’s taste and his sensibility. That’s why any time people have tried to imitate the format and make their own version of it, you’ll notice it never really quite happens. And I think that’s because he is the center of that show, and I think it should just — when he wants to stop, it should just stop.

What do you think about the Dick Ebersol era at “SNL”? I mean, it’s been done before without Michaels.
It’s off. Like, Eddie Murphy is amazing. But the voice of the show is off. No, you have to have Lorne there.

I don’t disagree with you, but if anyone were going to do it, I think a lot of people would have you at the top of their lists.
Well, thank you. That’s very flattering.

She’d better get prepared. It’s doubtful NBC will let SNL just go away, at this point. And doesn’t it feel like she’s the heir apparent?