Lamorne and Garrett Morris want to co-host ‘SNL’

When Lamorne Morris was cast as Garrett Morris (no relation) in “Saturday Night” — the film about the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live” in 1975 — he ignored explicit instructions from director Jason Reitman by contacting with the man he had to portray.

Garrett Morris’ place in “SNL” history is unique: He was the sketch comedy show’s first black cast member. Morris, then a 37-year-old playwright and singer, was originally hired as a writer, but after “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels became known for his work in the 1975 comedy “Cooley High” he was asked to audition. of the “Not Ready for Primetime Players.” In the film, Morris struggles to find his place in the ensemble, alongside seasoned improvisers such as John Belushi and Gilda Radner.

“That’s why it was important for me to talk to Garrett. Because I wanted to make sure he was actually going through these things,” said Lamorne Morris, who was on a Zoom call with Garrett. Lamorne explains that Reitman told the actors of “Saturday Night” not to worry about making an impression, but to “embody what they may have been feeling” on that high-pressure night.

So in March, before filming began, the Morrises chatted for an hour about Garrett’s experiences during the show’s first five years.

“Your interpretation of that is what it was,” Garrett says, after seeing the finished film. He says he struggled with the responsibility of being the only Black member of the show’s creative team. “With ‘Saturday Night Live’ I was suddenly representing Black. My attitude towards comedy was abstract: I was ready to make comedy that ridiculed black and white.

Full cast guide for ‘Saturday Night’ here.

Midway through the conversation, a third guest appears on screen: Lamorne has called his mother, Gwennett Morris, into the room to say hello. At the beginning of the interview, Garrett joked that he had previously thought about asking Lamorne to see a photo of his mother “just in case” he could be his father. “But I didn’t know if you or your mother would hit me in the face.” Lamorne burst out laughing at the suggestion and then quietly arranged a face-to-face meeting.

“You don’t remember me?” Gwennett teases and waves at Garrett, who looks sheepish.

“Yes, I do, but we’ll have to talk later,” he says, laughing. “You have produced a beautiful, talented son. He becomes a GOAT and there are a lot of people attached to his career asking him to live for them. He then turns to Lamorne and sounds fatherly. ‘But don’t do it. You live your own real life, man, okay? You do it the way you think, the way you feel, and fuck everyone else’s opinion.

Lamorne, best known for the Fox comedy “New Girl,” is indeed experiencing a career high. The Sunday before our meeting, he won his first Emmy Award for his work on “Fargo,” and despite not being related, Garrett could barely contain his pride.

“When I heard that, I was full of endorphins and dopamine,” he says, beaming. “I love that word ‘dopamine’ – that’s a scientific term, did you know?” Without missing a beat, Lamorne jokes, “Is that why they call it dope?”

With that kind of timing, it’s no surprise that Lamorne effortlessly slipped into Garrett’s persona for “Saturday Night,” even riffing on the comedian’s classic, controversial “Death Row Follies” singing prisoner sketch. “I don’t know if Lamorne is a trained singer, but this is my original,” Garrett notes. “I liked what he did. He brought a lot of class, and I am honored.”

Backstage at the Emmys, Lamorne stated that he would like to host “Saturday Night Live” as the show celebrates its 50th anniversary season.

“Garrett, you need to call Lorne. I want to host, but I want you to be there too,” Lamorne says. I have the Emmy. I play an icon. Why not?”

“You know what? I’ve never hosted before,” the elder Morris replies, agreeing to the plan. “But I would not take from your glory. If you get it, do it yourself. At 87 years old, I want to be realistic. I don’t want to be in hell when this happens.”