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3d ago

Lorne Michaels Says He Would Have Invited Sinéad O’Connor to Sing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ at SNL50

His remarks signal a reassessment of her 1992 protest, with an emphasis on the show’s view that it does not issue lifetime bans.

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Overview

  • Lorne Michaels told Puck he would have asked O’Connor to perform her signature hit at February’s 50th-anniversary celebration, a slot filled by Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard.
  • He said he did not hesitate to spotlight the moment by choosing the Prince-penned ballad for the tribute performance.
  • O’Connor’s 1992 appearance ended with her tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a protest against abuse in the Catholic Church, after which she was not invited back.
  • Michaels criticized the stunt as inappropriate in 1993 but later praised her bravery and sincerity in the documentary Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music.
  • He has reiterated that SNL does not formally ban performers, and separate industry reporting says a biopic on O’Connor is in development with ie: entertainment and BBC Film, from writer Stacey Gregg.