Lorne Michaels Reflects on Ashlee Simpson's 2004 SNL Incident

Nearly 20 years after Ashlee Simpson's notorious lip-sync incident on 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL), newly surfaced audio reveals Lorne Michaels' calm reaction to the chaos. During a 2004 interview on '60 Minutes,' Michaels noted that live television is unpredictable, stating, 'I think accidents happen,' and compared the situation to a rain-out in sports. The incident occurred when a technical error caused Simpson to lip-sync her earlier performance, leading her to panic and leave the stage prematurely. Michaels dismissed concerns over SNL's reputation, asserting that such incidents are part of live performance and that the show would move on. Simpson later reflected on the experience, mentioning the pressure she felt to perform despite voice issues, which ultimately taught her humility. The podcast provides a deeper insight into the behind-the-scenes reactions during this infamous moment in television history.