I do love the lively repartee- except when Alec's interjections annihilate the guest's finishing thoughts.

Almost 40 years after Lorne did a satirical radio program for the Canadian Broadcasting I find myself in the same boat. I found his interview inspiring, educational and incredibly articulate about comedy. The tradition of satire on radio in Canada continues, if interested check out www.cbc.ca/thisisthat

Got the RSS feed. Cool. I first heard Alec Baldwin as an interview guest host on Studio 360, and he was exceptionally good.

This was the 3rd "There's the Thing" I listened to and now I'm convinced you are really *good* at this. Getting one interview to go right is a fluke, getting two right is long odds, but getting three consistently interesting and even captivating interviews, well that's has got to be talent, and you (and your team) have got it.

And the length is just perfect --- not too long, not to short. I look forward to each new episode.

I have recently discovered this podcast and thoroughly enjoy it! This particular interview with Lorne Michaels was especially fascinating because I am a huge fan of Saturday Night Live and some of his other production work, such as 30 Rock and Wayne's World. The conversation in this interview felt so personal and made me feel like I was sitting in room alongside these prestigious men. I especially enjoyed the discussions about the operations of SNL and Lorne's management of the creative process. It was a pleasure listening to Alec's interview and Lorne's story.

This was such a good interview. I hope Lorne Michaels writes his autobiography someday.

Wow...just discovered this podcast. Thank you Alec, great stuff.

I just got around to listening to the Lorne Michaels interview this morning and loved it. I wanted to mention how impressed I am with not only Alec Baldwin's talented questioning, but also the great editing of these shows. For example, in this podcast a judgment was made to include Lorne Michaels' reference to Shakespeare and his character, Falstaff. Other shows would have it buried in an hour long conversation or snipped it out in the final edit. It was terrific and gave me yet another interesting angle to understand his career. These sorts of choices separate this high quality production from not only almost every other podcast, but pretty much everything else we listen to these days.

Please hang in there and keep the show going. It's wonderful and it keeps me coming back for more!

I found this to be one of the most interviews on this show so far in that Mr. Michaels' career is so long and rich, that practically everything he told about in the interview was fascinating in some way. Really enjoyed this one.

This was really great, BUT isn't Lorne kind of Alec's boss at 30 Rock? If so, it's the kind of disclosure that a host might want to make about his relationship to the guest at the top of the program. Obviously HTT isn't 60 Minutes, but still. Otherwise, a compelling & entertaining program.

This is, simply put, brilliant!I produced a similarly formatted show at Audible.com from 2000 to 2003, when there was scarcely such thing as a podcast. I know that it is not nearly as easy as you make it sound and I applaud your success. Is it entertaining, educational and sometimes hilarious. Thank you

You are the best laugher, ever.

Prior to my first podcast I wasn't sure what I'd be listening to - would it be a lot of Hollywood types patting each other on the back?
Well I was pleasantly surprised that the conversation was quite interesting and free flowing - bouncing from serious to comedy and lingering a bit there but never staying away from the topic for too long. The discussions opened a door into the lives or careers of people I respect ( Michael Douglas, Lorn Michaela, Chris Rock - so far) and gave me a fresh appreciation of them as individuals and what they are about.

Nice job Alec! Keep it up!

Really enjoyed this interview and like the conversational style, but yes, do try to be mindful of your interlocutor and let them finish their thought.

I have heard from interviews of both you and Tina Fey that JacK Donaghy is based on Lorne, so it was such a great juxtaposition to hear you as yourself with the "What am I, a farmer?" mentality coming from Lorne. So engaging, can't wait to hear from more guests!

I really enjoyed the interviews. I have listened to a few of them and will subscribe to it as I do my other favorites like The Moth, and This American Life, etc etc...

Alec, I love you. I am so thrilled you are doing this new show. You are are my dream man. Just be mindful to let your guests finish their sentences. At least give them a chance. I've only listened to the Lorne and Chris interviews so maybe you're getting better about this. Your stories and your input and your contributions to the conversation are excellent. You are insightful and have experience in so many aspects of the Business. I know you'll grow into this role. It was terrific when you sat in for Kurt Andersen, it was clear you have a passion and a gift for this medium. I can't wait to hear what's next.

Very interesting and fun to listen to. From Thomas the Tank Engine to 30 Rock to Ghosts of MI to guest appearances on NPR's "Wait...Wait," you've got a built-in fan base AB! Don't stop.

I loved the show with Lorne Michaels. It is so eye opening to here him talk about his career and what goes into making SNL. Thank you for being such a great host with the ability to carry a conversation so gracefully with such important and influential figures. I really appreciate it!

Nice show. Very benig. Inteligence is rare. Keep up the work. It'll get better.
Lorne and Cavitt were worth listening to. How bout getting some other, more interesting/famous folk on?
McCartney, Yoko, DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Rickles.
Alec,
Good Job!
John
jfa3@comcast.net

jen- i agree, it[SNL] is a crap show today,for the most part. it had flirtations with greatness, once upon a.......

I think SNL sucks. It's too bad that Alec didn't ask Lorne why SNL and NBC's staff hassle fans and what's with the ridiculous standby line policy changes. Mr. 1% trying to make life as miserable as possible for 99%. There is no diversity in the musical guests on the show.

Why this show is still on the air after all these years is mystifying.

I'm so glad you brought this up on Letterman. I don't watch him anymore but made an exception because you were on and I am glad I did or I might never have found these podcasts. I'm looking forward to hearing the rest. It is also great that my teenagers hear an enjoyable, entertaining interview that isn't shallow or conducted solely to address some agenda. I hope you enjoy doing these as much as it sounds like you do. Thanks again.

I was born in Toronto and now live in Meaford Ontario. I remember going to the CBC studio on Yonge St. in Toronto to see a programme called "Night Cap" and I have always felt "Laugh IN" was a take off of this show. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Alec Baldwin's interview with Lorne Michaels. Thank you for opportunity.

Enjoyed the interview tremendously. I was a freshman in college when a professor mentioned a performer named Chevy Chase and this new show. I tuned in and was hooked. At parties in the mid 70's things would come to a complete stop as everyone gathered around the tv to watch SNL. Since that time SNL has, to varying degrees, been a part of my life. Fascinating to hear Lorne talk about the creative process. Alec did a great job of getting him to open up, but I agree with Betsy, it is little frustrating when Alec talks over the interviewee.

This was the first podcast I ever listened to and It was AWESOME!Lorne and Alec are two people who I admire and am a fan of,so this was just amazing.Also,it was a good interview-nice to hear about Lorne´s earlier days before SNL etc.

Alec,
Great interview. You captured a Lorne that not too many people could have.
He was at ease and candid. Loved it!
Would love to get YOU on my show , a video podcast where we interview the greatest creative minds of the nation.
Mostly on marketing, but this year we are reaching beyond those boundaries.
Please let me know how to reach someone on your support team & and keep up the awesome interviews!!

Kevin Kelly
Chief Creative Operative
The buzzbubble
Thebuzzbubble.com

This is the 3rd or 4th interview I've listened to - I'm a big fan of A.B. - I like the people being interviewed - but I get frustrated and annoyed when A.B. talks over the interviewee. I've noticed it a lot but... I don't see any other listeners commenting on this. maybe it's me.

This is the third or fourth of Mr. Baldwin's podcasts that I have listened to and I find them to be uniformly informative, civil, entertaining, and excellent. And ADULT! My gosh! Though I'm not much of an SNL fan, I do enjoy learning about people of achievement, and Lorne Michaels is certainly one of those, as is Mr. Baldwin; the conversation was a real pleasure. Please keep them coming.

There's a lot on how Lorne put "SNL" together, and the roller coaster ride of triumphs and tribulations of the early years, in the just e-published "Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live," the critically acclaimed history of the show's first 10 years. Excerpts, including one about Lorne quickly establishing himself as SNL's "Fearless Leader," are at The SNL Book facebook page http://tinyurl.com/7fhhjr6

It's a great show, Alec. I'd almost forgotten what two intelligent people talking sounds like. So far, I appreciate the balanced stance you take with your guests, guiding and probing but never provoking. But I suspect/hope that, as you become more and more comfortable with this format, you'll push back a little bit with the appropriate guests/subjects. But please... keep the shows coming.

I am always shocked by how much he sounds like Dr. Evil.

Listened for the first time tonight! I really enjoyed the interview with Lorne. It was great learning about his time with the CBC and his time spent in California. His comments regarding how he learned to "be a boss" when he returned to SNL were quite enlightening. It is relieving to know that a person of his caliber once had the same problems that so many, including myself, have had as far as making the transition from having the ability to lead to being able to handle the more painful elements of letting someone go when it isn't working out.

Mr. Baldwin's interviews are top notch. Not only does he excel in al types of acting. His skills as an interviewer has shown me personally that he excels at anything he does what out Charlie Rose.

I just listened to your interview with Lorne Michaels on www.SyndicatedNews.net. Excellent. I particularly enjoyed learning some of the parameters of producing you both talked about and Mr. Michaels evolving from a leader to a boss. More and perhaps most importantly for me, I learned again something I think I have intuitively known all my life... creativity comes with boundaries, such as, and I quote Mr. Michaels "a song is fourteen lines." I enjoyed learning about the process of bringing SNL to air and will be listnening again when you bring "Here's the Thing" to Syndicated News.

What a thrill it was to be there with you, in Lorne's office. Wildly inspiring. Thank you!

This is your best interview yet. You got some real insight out of Lorne Michaels - loved the discussions around the creative process.

Great interview...

Dear Beverman, Take your own inventory, and AA practices attraction not promotion. Call your sponsor. Alec, I love everything SNL, thanks!

A good interview with Lorne Michaels. Alec is as professional as any journalist. Lorne talked about a lot of things I didn't already know.

Awesome interview! two of my favorite quotes:

"If you look around the room, and you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room"

"There is creativity in confinement."

I love these interesting, laid back interviews and Alec's soothing, intimate voice, a lovely way to alleviate the stress of navigating the tube every morning on my way into the city!

This was a great show (even better than last time I heard you, in Thomas the Tank Engine). It was very interesting to get Lorne's backstory and the process that produced SNL and so much great comedy.

Alec....
Please grow up. I can tolerate your antics with your ex. I can tolerate your antics on a plane. I wish I could tolerate your antics with your child. But, now I have to tolerate your antics with Elizabeth Warren.

She is amazing and walks through life with dignity and grace. You can still "promptly admit when you are wrong". Come on....remember "made a list of all persons we had harmed and were willing to make amends...

come on you can do it...Suit up show up and learn some humility

Totally enjoyable, delightful interview with Lorne Michaels. He is a very interesting man as are you, Alec. Very well done interview. Thank you! I highly recommend it for everyone to listen to and enjoy! Just Great!

Wonderfule interview-insightful,funny,and honest.

Excellent interview - thanks. You can see the writer side of Lorne in the way he composes and condenses his own answers.

Utterly fascinating interview with Lorne Michaels. Thank you. "Here's The Thing" is getting better and better with every show.

Wonderful interview. As an SNL fanatic, this is one of the greatest podcasts Ive heard. Thanks Alec

Me like it!

Very good interview...Gets to the point, engaging, funny and certainly an education to learn about this great man!

Thank you for spending so much time on Lorne's early career in Toronto and in Burbank. The SNL histories that I have read tend to only devote a few paragraphs to those first 10,000 hours.

Great interview. It felt you were talking to him as a friend, not a subject, and I respect that. But I would have liked to have heard his take on the criticism of SNL that the public spews every sunday morning after the show (examples: "The writing sucks").

Very engaging talk with Lorne, and thank you for it, Alec.
In your next chat with Lorne Michaels, I would like to hear his thoughts on the changes in American satire over thirty seven years; changes in the audience and writers and why so often today's SNL's are flat, silly, puerile and without edge. Occasionally though, as with the Timberlake/ Ga Ga edition it the show does regain something like its former flash and kick. What accounts for the unevenness? Mostly the hosts?

Brilliant, insightful, and thought provoking are only a few words, which describe "Here the Thing."