List of Saturday Night Live writers

The following is a list of Saturday Night Live writers. The show, created by Lorne Michaels is an American live sketch comedy and variety show. The show, which has aired since 1975, has employed a large and changing staff of writers.

Seasons: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Season 1 (1975–76)

Michael O'Donoghue, the first SNL head writer.
Head writer(s)
Lorne Michaels & Michael O'Donoghue
Writing staff

Season 2 (1976–77)

Head writer(s)
Michael O'Donoghue
Writing staff

Season 3 (1977–78)

Head writer(s)
Michael O'Donoghue
Writing staff

Season 4 (1978–79)

Head writer(s)
Herb Sargent
Writing staff

Season 5 (1979–80)

Writer Tom Gammill in 2011
Head writer(s)
Herb Sargent
Writing staff

Season 6 (1980–81)

Head writer(s)
Mason Williams (episodes 1–5), Jeremy Stevens & Tom Moore (episodes 6-13), Michael O'Donoghue (episode 13)
Writing staff
  • Larry Arnstein (episodes 1-12)
  • Barry W. Blaustein
  • Billy Brown
  • Ferris Butler (episodes 1-12)
  • John DeBellis (episodes 1-12)
  • Jean Doumanian (episodes 1-12)
  • Nancy Dowd (episodes 1-2)
  • Brian Doyle-Murray (episodes 1-12)
  • Leslie Fisher (episodes 1-12)
  • Mel Green
  • David Hurwitz (episodes 1-12)
  • Judy Jacklin (episode 13)
  • Sean Kelly (episodes 1-2)
  • Mitchell Kriegman (episodes 1-5)
  • Patricia Marx
  • Douglas McGrath
  • Tom Moore
  • Matt Neuman (episode 13)
  • Pamela Norris
  • Michael O'Donoghue (episode 13)
  • Mark Reisman (episodes 11-13)
  • David Sheffield
  • Jeremy Stevens
  • Terry Sweeney
  • Bob Tischler (episode 13)
  • Mason Williams (episodes 1-5)
  • Dirk Wittenborn (episode 13)

Season 7 (1981–82)

Head writer(s)
Michael O'Donoghue (episodes 1–8), Bob Tischler (episodes 9–20)
Writing staff

Season 8 (1982–83)

Joe Piscopo in 2009
Head writer(s)
Bob Tischler & Andrew Smith
Writing staff

Season 9 (1983–84)

Jim Belushi in 1982
Head writer(s)
Bob Tischler & Andrew Smith
Writing staff

Season 10 (1984–85)

Writer Larry David in 2009
Head writer
Bob Tischler
Writing staff

Season 11 (1985–86)

Writer John Swartzwelder in 1992
Head writer(s)
James Downey
Writing staff

Season 12 (1986–87)

Writer E. Jean Carroll in 2006
Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff

Season 13 (1987–88)

Conan O'Brien, who would later achieve large success on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.
Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff
  • A. Whitney Brown
  • Greg Daniels
  • Tom Davis[3]
  • Jim Downey
  • Al Franken
  • Jack Handey
  • Phil Hartman
  • George Meyer
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Conan O'Brien
  • Bob Odenkirk
  • Herb Sargent
  • Rosie Shuster
  • Robert Smigel
  • Bonnie Turner
  • Terry Turner
  • Christine Zander

Season 14 (1988–89)

Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff
  • John Bowman
  • A. Whitney Brown
  • Tom Davis[3]
  • Greg Daniels
  • Jim Downey
  • Al Franken
  • Shannon Gaughan
  • Jack Handey
  • Phil Hartman
  • George Meyer
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Mike Myers
  • Conan O'Brien
  • Bob Odenkirk
  • Herb Sargent
  • Tom Schiller
  • Marc Shaiman
  • Robert Smigel
  • Bonnie Turner
  • Terry Turner
  • Christine Zander

Season 15 (1989–90)

Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff
  • A. Whitney Brown
  • Tom Davis[3]
  • Greg Daniels
  • Jim Downey
  • Al Franken
  • Jack Handey
  • Tom Hymes
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Mike Myers
  • Conan O'Brien
  • Bob Odenkirk
  • Adam Sandler
  • Herb Sargent
  • Tom Schiller
  • Rob Schneider
  • Robert Smigel
  • David Spade
  • Bonnie Turner
  • Terry Turner
  • Jon Vitti
  • Christine Zander

Season 16 (1990–91)

Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff
  • A. Whitney Brown
  • Tom Davis[3]
  • Jim Downey
  • Al Franken
  • Jack Handey
  • Daniel McGrath
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Conan O'Brien
  • Bob Odenkirk
  • Andrew Robin
  • Adam Sandler
  • Herb Sargent
  • Rob Schneider
  • Robert Smigel
  • David Spade
  • Bonnie Turner
  • Terry Turner
  • Christine Zander

Season 17 (1991–92)

Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff

Season 18 (1992–93)

Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff
  • Tom Davis[3]
  • Jim Downey
  • Al Franken
  • Jack Handey
  • Bruce Handy
  • Warren Hutcherson
  • Dawna Kaufmann
  • Steven Koren
  • David Mandel
  • Ian Maxtone-Graham
  • Tim Meadows
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Vanessa Middleton
  • Marilyn Suzanne Miller
  • Bob Odenkirk
  • Glenn Rockowitz
  • Adam Sandler
  • Herb Sargent
  • Robert Smigel
  • David Spade
  • Christine Zander

Season 19 (1993–94)

Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff

Season 20 (1994–95)

Head writer(s)
Jim Downey
Writing staff

Season 21 (1995–96)

Head writer(s)
Steve Higgins & Fred Wolf
Writing staff
  • Ross Abrash
  • Cindy Caponera
  • Jim Downey
  • Hugh Fink
  • Tom Gianas
  • Peter Gaulke
  • Jack Handey
  • Tim Herlihy
  • Steve Higgins
  • Norm Hiscock
  • Steven Koren
  • Erin Maroney
  • Adam McKay
  • Dennis McNicholas
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Lori Nasso
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Colin Quinn
  • Frank Sebastiano
  • Robert Smigel
  • Andrew Steele
  • Fred Wolf

Season 22 (1996–97)

Head writer(s)
Steve Higgins & Tim Herlihy
Writing staff
  • Ross Abrash
  • David Breckman
  • Cindy Caponera
  • Robert Carlock
  • Stephen Colbert
  • Jim Downey
  • Hugh Fink
  • Tom Gianas
  • Steve Higgins
  • Norm Hiscock
  • Tim Herlihy
  • Adam McKay
  • Dennis McNicholas
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Lori Nasso
  • Matt Piedmont
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Colin Quinn
  • Frank Sebastiano
  • Robert Smigel
  • Andrew Steele
  • Scott Wainio

Season 23 (1997–98)

Head writer(s)
Tim Herlihy & Adam McKay
Writing staff
  • Ross Abrash
  • Cindy Caponera
  • Robert Carlock
  • Jim Downey
  • Tina Fey
  • Hugh Fink
  • Tom Gianas
  • Steve Higgins
  • Tim Herlihy
  • Steven Koren
  • Adam McKay
  • Michael McCullers
  • Dennis McNicholas
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Lori Nasso
  • Matt Piedmont
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Michael Schur
  • Frank Sebastiano
  • Robert Smigel
  • Andrew Steele
  • Scott Wainio

Season 24 (1998–99)

Head writer(s)
Adam McKay[10]
Writing staff
  • Robert Carlock
  • Jerry Collins
  • Steven Cragg
  • Tony Daro
  • Tina Fey
  • Hugh Fink
  • Richard Francese
  • Matt Graham
  • Steve Higgins
  • Tim Herlihy
  • Ray James
  • Adam McKay
  • Dennis McNicholas
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Lori Nasso
  • Matt Piedmont
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Michael Schur
  • T. Sean Shannon
  • Robert Smigel
  • Andrew Steele
  • Scott Wainio

Season 25 (1999–2000)

Tina Fey, the head writer from 1999–06.
Head writer(s)
Tina Fey[10]
Writing staff
  • Kevin Brennan
  • Robert Carlock
  • Jerry Collins
  • Steven Cragg
  • Tony Daro
  • Ali Farahnakian
  • Tina Fey
  • Hugh Fink
  • Richard Francese
  • Steve Higgins
  • Tim Herlihy
  • Adam McKay
  • Dennis McNicholas
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Matt Piedmont
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • J. J. Philbin
  • Michael Schur
  • T. Sean Shannon
  • Andrew Steele
  • Scott Wainio

Season 26 (2000–01)

Head writer(s)
Tina Fey & Dennis McNicholas[10]
Writing staff
  • James Anderson
  • Robert Carlock
  • Tony Daro
  • Jim Downey
  • Tina Fey
  • Hugh Fink
  • Melanie Graham
  • Steve Higgins
  • Erik Kenward
  • Adam McKay
  • Dennis McNicholas
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Jerry Minor
  • Matt Piedmont
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Jon Rosenfeld
  • Michael Schur
  • Frank Sebastiano
  • T. Sean Shannon
  • Robert Smigel
  • Barry Sobel
  • Andrew Steele
  • Scott Wainio

Season 27 (2001–02)

Head writer(s)
Tina Fey & Dennis McNicholas
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • James Anderson
  • Max Brooks
  • Jim Downey
  • Tina Fey
  • Hugh Fink
  • Charlie Grandy
  • Jack Handey
  • Steve Higgins
  • Erik Kenward
  • Dennis McNicholas
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Matt Piedmont
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Ken Scarborough
  • Michael Schur
  • Frank Sebastiano
  • T. Sean Shannon
  • Robert Smigel
  • Barry Sobel
  • Andrew Steele
  • Scott Wainio

Season 28 (2002–03)

Head writer(s)
Tina Fey & Dennis McNicholas
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • Leo Allen
  • James Anderson
  • Max Brooks
  • Tom Davis[3]
  • Jim Downey
  • James Eagan
  • Tina Fey
  • Charlie Grandy
  • Steve Higgins
  • Erik Kenward
  • Dennis McNicholas
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Corwin Moore
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Ken Scarborough
  • Michael Schur
  • Frank Sebastiano
  • T. Sean Shannon
  • Eric Slovin
  • Robert Smigel
  • Emily Spivey
  • Andrew Steele
  • Scott Wainio

Season 29 (2003–04)

Head writer(s)
Tina Fey & Dennis McNicholas
Writing staff

Season 30 (2004–05)

Head writer(s)
Tina Fey & Andrew Steele
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • Leo Allen
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze[11]
  • Liz Cackowski
  • Jim Downey
  • Tina Fey
  • Charlie Grandy
  • Steve Higgins
  • Joe Kelly
  • Erik Kenward
  • John Lutz
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Matt Murray
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Lauren Pomerantz
  • Frank Sebastiano
  • T. Sean Shannon
  • Eric Slovin
  • Robert Smigel
  • J. B. Smoove
  • Emily Spivey
  • Andrew Steele
  • Jason Sudeikis
  • Rich Talarico

Season 31 (2005–06)

Head writer(s)
Tina Fey, Seth Meyers[12] & Andrew Steele[13]
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze
  • Liz Cackowski
  • Tina Fey
  • Charlie Grandy
  • Steve Higgins
  • Colin Jost
  • Erik Kenward
  • John Lutz
  • Seth Meyers
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Matt Murray
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Akiva Schaffer
  • Frank Sebastiano
  • T. Sean Shannon
  • Robert Smigel
  • J. B. Smoove
  • Emily Spivey
  • Andrew Steele
  • Jorma Taccone
  • Bryan Tucker

Season 32 (2006–07)

Seth Meyers, the head writer from 2006–2014
Head writer(s)
Seth Meyers, Paula Pell & Andrew Steele[14]
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze
  • Jim Downey
  • Charlie Grandy
  • Steve Higgins
  • Colin Jost
  • Erik Kenward
  • John Lutz
  • Seth Meyers
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Matt Murray
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Marika Sawyer
  • Akiva Schaffer
  • Robert Smigel
  • John Solomon
  • Emily Spivey
  • Andrew Steele
  • Jorma Taccone
  • Bryan Tucker

Season 33 (2007–08)

Head writer(s)
Seth Meyers, Paula Pell, Andrew Steele
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze
  • Jim Downey
  • Charlie Grandy
  • Steve Higgins
  • Colin Jost
  • Erik Kenward
  • Rob Klein
  • John Lutz
  • Seth Meyers
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Simon Rich
  • Marika Sawyer
  • Akiva Schaffer
  • Robert Smigel
  • John Solomon
  • Emily Spivey
  • Andrew Steele
  • Kent Sublette
  • Jorma Taccone
  • Bryan Tucker

Season 34 (2008–09)

Head writer(s)
Seth Meyers
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze
  • Jessica Conrad
  • Jim Downey
  • Steve Higgins
  • Colin Jost
  • Erik Kenward
  • Rob Klein
  • John Lutz
  • Seth Meyers
  • Lorne Michaels
  • John Mulaney
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Simon Rich
  • Marika Sawyer
  • Akiva Schaffer
  • John Solomon
  • Emily Spivey
  • Kent Sublette
  • Jorma Taccone
  • Bryan Tucker

Season 35 (2009–10)

Head writer(s)
Seth Meyers
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze
  • Jillian Bell
  • Hannibal Buress
  • Jessica Conrad
  • Jim Downey
  • Steve Higgins
  • Colin Jost
  • Erik Kenward
  • Jessi Klein
  • Rob Klein
  • John Lutz
  • Seth Meyers
  • Lorne Michaels
  • John Mulaney
  • Christine Nangle
  • Michael Patrick O'Brien
  • Ryan Perez
  • Simon Rich
  • Marika Sawyer
  • Akiva Schaffer
  • John Solomon
  • Emily Spivey
  • Kent Sublette
  • Jorma Taccone
  • Bryan Tucker

Season 36 (2010–11)

Writer Heather Anne Campbell
Head writer(s)
Seth Meyers
Writing staff
  • Doug Abeles
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze
  • Heather Anne Campbell
  • Jessica Conrad
  • Matt Craig
  • Jim Downey
  • Tom Flanigan
  • Shelly Gossman
  • Steve Higgins
  • Colin Jost
  • Erik Kenward
  • Rob Klein
  • Jonathan Krisel
  • Seth Meyers
  • Lorne Michaels
  • John Mulaney
  • Christine Nangle
  • Michael Patrick O'Brien
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Simon Rich
  • Marika Sawyer
  • Akiva Schaffer
  • Sarah Schneider (episodes 18–22)
  • John Solomon
  • Kent Sublette
  • Jorma Taccone (select SNL Digital Shorts, uncredited)
  • Bryan Tucker

Season 37 (2011–12)

Head writer(s)[15]
Seth Meyers
Writing staff[15]
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze (Weekend Update)
  • Jessica Conrad
  • Jim Downey
  • Shelly Gossman
  • Steve Higgins
  • Colin Jost
  • Zach Kanin[16]
  • Chris Kelly[17]
  • Erik Kenward
  • Rob Klein
  • Seth Meyers
  • Lorne Michaels
  • John Mulaney
  • Christine Nangle
  • Michael Patrick O'Brien
  • Paula Pell[9]
  • Marika Sawyer
  • Sarah Schneider
  • Pete Schultz[16]
  • John Solomon
  • Kent Sublette
  • Bryan Tucker

Season 38 (2012–13)

Head writer(s)[18]
Seth Meyers & Colin Jost
Writing staff[18]
  • James Anderson
  • Alex Baze (Weekend Update)
  • Neil Casey[19]
  • Jim Downey (Political)
  • Steve Higgins
  • Colin Jost (Head Writer)
  • Zach Kanin
  • Chris Kelly
  • Joe Kelly
  • Erik Kenward
  • Rob Klein
  • Seth Meyers (Head Writer)
  • Lorne Michaels
  • John Mulaney
  • Michael O'Brien
  • Josh Patten (Weekend Update)[20]
  • Paula Pell
  • Marika Sawyer
  • Sarah Schneider
  • Pete Schultz (Weekend Update)
  • John Solomon
  • Kent Sublette
  • Bryan Tucker

Season 39 (2013–14)

Head writer(s)[21][22]
Seth Meyers (episodes 1–13), Colin Jost, Rob Klein, Bryan Tucker (episodes 14–21)[22]
Writing staff
  • James Anderson[22]
  • Alex Baze (Weekend Update)
  • Michael Che[23]
  • Mikey Day[24]
  • James Downey
  • Steve Higgins
  • Leslie Jones[25]
  • Colin Jost (Head Writer)
  • Zach Kanin
  • Chris Kelly
  • Erik Kenward[22]
  • Rob Klein (Head Writer)
  • Seth Meyers (Head Writer, episodes 1–13)
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Claire Mulaney[26]
  • Josh Patten (Weekend Update)
  • Paula Pell
  • Katie Rich (Weekend Update)[27]
  • Tim Robinson[21]
  • Marika Sawyer (Writing Supervisor)
  • Sarah Schneider[22]
  • Pete Schultz (Weekend Update - producer, episodes 14–21)
  • John Solomon (Writing Supervisor)
  • Kent Sublette[22]
  • LaKendra Tookes[25]
  • Bryan Tucker (Writing Supervisor, episodes 1–13; Head Writer, episodes 14–21)

Season 40 (2014–15)

Head writer(s)
Colin Jost, Rob Klein, and Bryan Tucker
Writing staff[18]

Season 41 (2015–16)

Head writer(s)
Rob Klein and Bryan Tucker
Writing staff[18]

Season 42 (2016-17)

Head writer(s)
Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider, and Bryan Tucker
Writing staff [18]

Timeline of writers

For clarity, this chart only presents those writers credited on 5 or more consecutive episodes.

References

  1. ↑ Shales & Miller 2002, p. 26.
  2. ↑ Shales & Miller 2002, p. 23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Stewart, Sara (September 23, 2010). "SNL Backstage". Saturday Night Live. NBC. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Shales & Miller 2002, p. 30.
  5. 1 2 Shales & Miller 2002, p. 53.
  6. ↑ Shales & Miller 2002, p. 38.
  7. ↑ Shales & Miller 2002, p. 29.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Itzkoff, Dave (March 3, 2008). "Can 'SNL' be sexy again?". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2008.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Longwell, Todd (December 2, 2006). "Pell : 'SNL' scribe plays for bigscreen laughs". Variety (magazine). Reed Business Information. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 Gay, Jason (May 3, 2001). "Meet Four-Eyed New Sex Symbol, 'Weekend Update' Anchor Tina Fey". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  11. ↑ "SNL Backstage". Saturday Night Live. NBC. December 17, 2011. Archived from the original on December 18, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
  12. ↑ Coyle, Jake (February 4, 2006). "Venerable 'SNL' undergoing another generational shift". The Arizona Republic. Gannett Company. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  13. ↑ "SNL undergoing another generational shift". The Arizona Republic. Gannett Company. February 4, 2006. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Seth Meyers will coanchor Weekend Update". tv.com). September 22, 2006. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  15. 1 2 "NBC.com > Saturday Night Live (About)". NBC. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  16. 1 2 "SNL Rounds Out Its New Season Hires with Writers Zach Kanin and Peter Schultz". Splitsider. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  17. ↑ Friar, Christine (September 15, 2011). "Chris Kelly Joins 'SNL': Funny Or Die And Onion News Network Writer Hired For Upcoming Season (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "Saturday Night Live". NBC.com. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  19. ↑ Frucci, Adam (September 6, 2012). "UCB's Neil Casey Hired as a Writer at 'SNL'". Splitsider. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  20. ↑ Frucci, Adam (August 21, 2012). "UCB's Josh Patten Hired as a Writer at 'SNL'". Splitsider. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  21. 1 2 Carter, Bill (September 15, 2013). "New Course for 'Update,' and All of 'SNL'". The New York Times. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Watch Saturday Night Live Online - Tina Fey". Hulu. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  23. ↑ Evans, Bradford (September 3, 2013). "Michael Che Is Writing for 'SNL' Full-Time This Season". Splitsider. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  24. ↑ "'Wild N Out's Mikey Day Hired to Write for 'SNL'". Splitsider. August 23, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  25. 1 2 "Brooks Wheelan Not Returning to Saturday Night Live". The Wrap. July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014. Following several under-wraps audition processes, Sasheer Zamata was hired. Leslie Jones and LaKendra Tookes — also black woman from the auditions — were brought on as writers.
  26. ↑ "Chicago comic Claire Mulaney picked for 'Saturday Night Live'". Chicago Tribune. July 17, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  27. ↑ Jones, Chris (November 26, 2013). "Katie Rich headed to 'SNL'". Chicago Tribune.
Bibliography
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/18/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.