Lorne Michaels Denies SNL Ever Banned Musical Guests

Lorne Michaels, the creator of Saturday Night Live, has stated that no musical guest has ever been banned from the show, a claim he made in the new documentary 'Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music.' He emphasized that rumors of bans are unfounded, noting, "We're way too crass and opportunistic. If something's hot, we're going to go for it and have it on." This statement comes amidst a history of controversial performances by artists like Sinéad O'Connor, who tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II, and Rage Against the Machine, who were locked in their dressing room after a politically charged stunt. Michaels highlighted that while some acts have not returned, it doesn't equate to a formal ban. The documentary, co-directed by Questlove, explores various musical moments and controversies from SNL's past. It is currently available for streaming on Peacock.