Lorne Michaels Reveals If He Would’ve Invited Sinéad O’Connor to the ‘SNL 50’ Celebration Had She Been Alive

Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels maintains a famously disciplined environment, expecting every musical guest and cast member to follow the planned script without deviation.

When Sinead O’Connor delivered a haunting a cappella version of Bob Marley’s “War” on SNL on October 3, 1992—culminating in her ripping up a photo of Pope John Paul II and declaring “Fight the real enemy”—she was reportedly banned from NBC. O’Connor passed away from natural causes in July 2023 at age 56.

In a rare sit-down with Puck, Michaels was asked whether he hesitated to revisit that explosive moment by featuring Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard’s rendition of O’Connor’s signature rendition of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” during the SNL50: The Anniversary Special. Michaels said it was a clear-cut decision.

“Not at all,” he explained. “Had Sinead been with us today, I would’ve invited her to perform. But Miley gave it such raw power that it felt right.”

The usually stoic executive admitted he felt emotional at times during the 50th-anniversary festivities—particularly when Paul McCartney brought the house down with the Beatles’ “Carry That Weight.” While he didn’t shed tears himself, many in the audience did.

Reflecting on the opener—Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter’s duet of “Homeward Bound”—Michaels confessed he was anxious about blending legends with contemporary stars. Unlike previous anniversaries, he conceived a pre-show concert at Radio City Music Hall. After approaching Simon, Carpenter’s own outreach helped finalize the collaboration.

For the finale, Michaels was adamant about closing with McCartney. “There’s something profoundly moving about ‘Golden Slumbers’ to end the evening,” he said. “And Simon paired with Carpenter for the opener perfectly encapsulated SNL’s dual identity: honoring its history while embracing the present.”

On the subject of Taylor Swift—who’s graced the show six times, including a cameo on the 40th anniversary—Michaels noted that she and Travis Kelce attended Pete Davidson’s season opener. They discussed a possible appearance, but given the enormity of her Eras Tour schedule, he understood that she would join if her commitments allowed.

Saturday Night Live returns for its 51st season on October 4, 2025.

Source