Carol Burnett Reveals ‘Misogynistic’ Reason She Never Hosted ‘SNL’

Lauren Novak October 1, 10:56 am

Carol Burnett_Carol Burnett Show — Everett Collection

In a new interview, comedy legend Carol Burnett opened up about never being invited to host Saturday Night Live and gave her insights on why she has been overlooked for decades. Burnett believes that it has something to do with show creator Lorne Michaels and wondered out loud if she has ever done anything to upset him.

The 92-year-old told The New Yorker, “I don’t know what I did to upset that man. Do you think it’s misogynistic?” Despite remaining a comedy legend, inspiring countless comedians and actors, including several SNL alums, Burnett said that she has never received an invitation to host. She did appear briefly in 1985, after being shouted out by host Harry Anderson.

THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, Carol Burnett, 1967-78

Everett Collection

Although Burnett is confused as to why she was never invited, she said that she would no longer be interested in hosting even if she did receive a special invitation. She added, “No, I don’t think I would. Maybe like 20 years ago or whatever. But that ship has sailed.”

SNL and Michaels have come under fire many times over the years for a sexist or racist environment. Julia Louis-Dreyfus once said it was a “very sexist environment,” adding that it got better over the years. Others have slammed the show for employing mostly white men.

Though Michaels has never weighed in publicly on Burnett, a New Yorker profile of the super producer revealed that he sometimes cut skits from the show that he categorized as “too ‘Carol Burnett.’ ”

First-ever Golden Globe television special achievement award, named after her, recipient actress Carol Burnett poses in the press room during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 6, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Michaels once said to NPR, “We’ve been breaking those barriers from the very beginning. It didn’t come from any place of intent or meanness, it came from looking every year for the best people we can find.”

What do you think about SNL these days? The show comes back for its 51st season on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The premiere will air on NBC at 11:30pm ET and will be available for streaming on Peacock the following day.