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Who is Maureen Ryan? 'SNL' creator Lorne Michaels' murky past explored in bombshell book that exposes 'toxic culture' on show

Maureen Ryan's book also gives voice to Horatio Sanz's alleged sexual abuse victim, who slammed the cast members for remaining silent

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lorne Michaels, the creator and host of 'Saturday Night Live,' has been the subject of many tales and rumors throughout the years. Anyone who succeeds in reaching the top inevitably has to deal with the arrows and slings that are hurled their way in the form of gossip. Since there are so many rumors involved, it is difficult to determine whether the claims are factual. Nevertheless,  Michaels did not get to where he is today by always being everyone's favorite.

An indicting new book by author Maureen Ryan argues the case that Emmy-winning NBC show 'SNL's maker, Michaels,  created a toxic workplace. In a scathing behind-the-scenes look, writer and reporter Ryan's book 'Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, And A Call For Change In Hollywood' raises new concerns regarding the show, its culture, and its leadership, as reported by Daily Mail.

'Abuse and toxicity are not just permitted but often celebrated'

Ryan's explosive new book 'Burn It Down,' released on Tuesday, June 7, alleges a "culture of impunity" at 'SNL'. A chapter of Ryan's book takes a close look at the renowned sketch program and a long-running workplace culture where "abuse and toxicity are not just permitted but often celebrated," as per Daily Mail.

Horatio Sanz's accuser speaks out

The shocking book also contains the alleged sexual misconduct claims brought against 'SNL' cast member Horatio Sanz by a 17-year-old Jane Doe in a case that was settled last October. In May 2022, Ryan spoke with Jane Doe about her book, which describes an alleged incident that took place twenty years ago. The lawsuit alleged that Sanz groomed and assaulted Doe at several 'SNL' post parties and attempted to name Jimmy Fallon, Tracy Morgan, and Michaels. However, all parties reached an agreement to drop the matter in November 2022.

Doe said that Sanz was protected from the spotlight for years by 'SNL's enabling culture and that many other cast members were aware of what had transpired but remained silent. She also mentioned that Michaels has a "stronghold on everyone." "None of the people who were at SNL at the time have had one word to say," Doe said. "Not one person has said, 'Oh, I remember that — that was wrong.'"

Ryan spoke with a former SNL writer from the 1990s who goes by the name of "Grant," who claimed that his tenure on the show caused him so severe anxiety that he had to seek therapy. He compared joining the group to being cast into the lion's den. According to Grant, the main reason his employees were working against him was because of Michaels' influence over them.

Lorne Michaels' shoddy rumors over the years

Chris Kattan accused Michaels of coercing him into having sex with female director 

It was once alleged that Michaels coerced actor Chris Kattan into having sex with a director to have a movie done. It was reported that Kattan who felt under pressure went on to have a consensual sexual encounter with a female director because Michaels believed it would increase his chances of having his film, 'A Night at the Roxbury,' produced. Although it was rumored that Kattan did have sex with the woman, he later claimed that the 'SNL' host and the female director forced him to do it because if he hadn't, the movie might not have been made, as per TVovermind.

Michaels was accused of racism

It was once rumored that Michaels doesn’t cast Black women in 'SNL', as per Deadline. This needed to be done before Leslie Jones was hired. But given that there have been a few Black women on the show, if not always as full cast members, it is a subject that surely begs an answer. However, this sort of query tends to indicate that women of color were simply not permitted until it was noted that they weren't there.

Michaels reportedly dismissed the Harvey Weinstein controversy

According to Emily Crane and Chris Spargo of the Daily Mail, Michaels refrained from completely blasting Harvey over his sexual misconduct controversy since it's "a New York thing." They believed going after Michaels for something like this might sound trivial, but with everything that's been going on in the news lately, whether it be in the entertainment or political realms, the "New York thing" excuse just doesn't hold up.