Who created Saturday Night Live and has long served as its executive producer?

Lorne Michaels created Saturday Night Live and has long served as its executive producer. He developed the show with NBC executive Dick Ebersol in 1975, shaping a live comedy format built around sketches, political satire, celebrity hosts, and musical guests.

Michaels originally produced the program during its first five seasons, then left NBC after the 1979–80 season. He returned in 1985 and became the central creative force behind the show's continuing cast changes, writing staff, and distinctive style.

The other names are important to SNL history but are not the canonical answer. Dick Ebersol helped develop and later led the program during Michaels's absence; Jean Doumanian produced the troubled sixth season; and Don Ohlmeyer was an NBC executive associated with the network's programming operations. Michaels is the creator most consistently identified with the series and its long-term executive producer role.