LORNE MICHAELS RENEWS CONTRACT WITH NBC

'Saturday Night Live' Creator and Executive Producer to Remain at Network Through 2012

BURBANK, Calif. -- January 21, 2005 -- NBC has extended the contract of Lorne Michaels � creator and executive producer of NBC's top-rated "Saturday Night Live" -- through 2012, effective immediately. The announcement was made today by Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group.

Michaels has been affiliated with NBC since the creation of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975. The contract renewal puts Michaels' tenure at NBC as one of the longest (and most successful) in network television. The deal extends his exclusive involvement with NBC Universal Television Studios in television, including "SNL" and development for future primetime projects.

"The network has benefited immeasurably from our long relationship with Lorne," said Zucker. "'SNL' is in its 30th season and is as fresh as ever. We look forward to marking many more milestones with Lorne who will help NBC to maintain our tradition as television's late-night leader."

"Simply put, Lorne Michaels is a comedic genius," said Bob Wright, vice chairman of GE and chairman & CEO of NBC Universal. "Through his stewardship of SNL, Lorne has generated more laughs in more people for more years than almost anyone in show business, and I am thrilled that he will be with us for many years to come."

Added Michaels: "NBC has been my professional home for almost all of my career. The truth is, there's no place I'd rather be."

In its nearly 30 years, "SNL" has won countless Emmy Awards and was honored with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and cited as "truly a national institution." Most recently, Michaels and the show were honored with a 2002 Emmy for Best Writing in a Variety/Comedy Series. Michaels has personally won 10 Emmys as a writer and producer in television.