SNL page 3

 SNL page 3 by ric gustafson

After a successful pitch to NBC by Dick Ebersol. Michaels started forming a creative team to help him with the show's creation. Michaels hired writer Anne Beatts. She was the first female editor of ' National Lampoon'. Along with Rosie Shuster, they created many characters for the show. Al Franken and Tom Davis were hired as writers. The two writers met at a prep school in Minneapolis. They performed as a comedy duo before being hired by Michaels. As production and costume designers, Eugene Lee and Franne Lee were hired. They were a husband and wife design team who did work on Broadway. Marilyn Suzanne Miller was hired as a writer. She helped with certain kinds of sketches. As head writer, Michaels hired Michael O'Donoghue. He was one of the founding members of ' National Lampoon' magazine. 

To be the announcer of the show, Michaels hired Don Pardo. Prior to SNL, Pardo was an announcer on several game shows including the original Jeopardy from 1964 to 1975. Another veteran writer hired by Michaels was Herb Sargent. He was hired to write and be a script consultant.

Tom Schiller, Rosie Shuster and Alan Zweibel were hired as writers. For musical director, Howard Shore was hired. For director, Dave Wilson was hired.

Now with a creative team put together, Michaels concentrated on finding the Not Ready For Prime Time Players.

research help: ' The SNL Companion' by Stephen Tropiano and Steven Ginsberg

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric