“Live From New York! The Making of Lorne Michaels” includes materials such as scripts and programs from his early school performances, behind-the-scenes rehearsal notes, and scripts and photos from productions outside “SNL,” such as “Three Amigos!” and “Tommy Boy.”

One of the focal points of the collection is its rich paper trail. Those looking into the archive can trace the entertainment industry’s meticulous production process, particularly how the weekly live tapings of “Saturday Night Live” unfold.

“One of the things that’s very illuminating is when you come to scripts that have been heavily annotated and altered,” Enniss says. “They’re producing this show on a weekly basis, and it continues to evolve very rapidly over the course of that week. Even between the dress rehearsal on a Saturday evening and the live performance at 11:30 that night, changes are being made.”

Guest curator Steve Wilson says the exhibit works to show audiences the creative timeline as well as the growing impact that Michaels has on popular culture to this day.

“One of the themes of the show is Lorne’s eye for talent and nurturing talent,” Wilson says. “It’s also his part in the bigger cultural conversation about politics, current events and culture. … Lorne Michaels in particular often has something important to say about what’s going on in the world.”

In addition to the exhibition, the entire archive will be available for examination in the center starting January 2026.

“In a given year, we’ll have researchers visit from almost every state and from as many as 24 or 25 different countries,” Enniss says. “We provide generous funding as well for researchers who need assistance to travel to Austin and work in these collections.”

Enniss says the extensive record of Michaels’ collection dating back to his early career allows historians to examine the past through the media’s interpretation, especially because of the tendency of “SNL” to discuss pertinent topics each week. He says students in media-related fields of study will also find the archive helpful to outline innovative creative direction in visual media.

“I think students in radio-television-film will certainly find the record of the production history a fascinating resource,” Enniss says. “It really will get you into the mindset of Lorne Michaels and the team that are producing this highly successful show on a weekly basis.”

Whether you’re looking to examine scripts from shows and films Michaels has produced, such as “Mean Girls,” “Portlandia,” and “30 Rock,” or you’re a longtime fan of memorable “SNL” skits, the Lorne Michaels Collection has a bit of something for everyone.

“Lorne Michaels has had a great influence on our taste in comedy, our cultural conversation and what we talk about on Monday mornings around the proverbial water cooler,” Wilson says. “Sometimes ‘SNL’ or one of the other shows (Michaels worked on) will give us a way to talk about difficult things. I think this offers a greater appreciation for not only Lorne Michaels’ observations about the world but also all the people that he surrounds himself with. There are a lot of really smart, funny people.”