The creator and producer of almost 50 years of “Saturday Night Live” Lorne Michaels (Lorne Michaels) when asked during his appearance on the red carpet of the Emmy Awards, who could take over the show when he decides to retire, confirmed that the Tina Fey is nominated.

“It could easily be Tina Fey, but you know, there’s also a lot of other people out there that could be,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

“Tina is brilliant and great at everything…she’s a very important person in my life,” the TV producer continued.

It is noted that Fey joined the show as a writer in 1997 before becoming editor-in-chief just two years later. After her retirement in 2006, she became the showrunner and star of the NBC sitcom “30 Rock.”

In the same interview the 79-year-old producer confirmed that he intends to stay for another year. “We’re doing a 50th anniversary show in February 2025, so I’ll definitely be there by then. “At some point before that we’ll decide what we’re going to do,” Michaels said.

“Saturday Night Live” returns later this week, with host Jacob Elordi and guest actress and singer Reneé Rapp