Lorne Michaels to the Rescue: How ‘SNL’ Saved Keith Richards from Jail Time

Picture this: It’s 1978, “Saturday Night Live” is gearing up for yet another unforgettable episode, but there’s a high-stakes drama brewing behind the scenes. As Mick Jagger rallied the Rolling Stones to host the show, the infamous Keith Richards faced a looming life sentence for drug charges in Canada. In an exclusive dive from Susan Morrison’s new book, *Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live*, we get the scoop on how SNL’s co-creator Lorne Michaels donned his superhero cape to save one of rock’s most iconic figures from a terrifying fate.

Richards’s legal troubles stemmed from a bust in Toronto where Mounties found him in a compromising situation during a bender gone wrong. With 22 grams of heroin in his possession, the stakes were sky-high—he faced a minimum of seven years, with the possibility of life if prosecutors got their way. Enter Lorne Michaels, who was encouraged by Jagger to fly to his native Toronto and take the stand as a character witness. Can you even imagine the pressure of that moment? Here’s a guy who has witnessed Richards’s infamous party lifestyle first-hand, suddenly tasked with either supporting his friend or risking his integrity by perhaps bending the truth.

Now, what does Lorne do? He hops on a plane, encounters the chaos of the courtroom, and somehow manages to navigate his way through the witness stand without diving into a tailspin of guilt or anxiety-induced perjury. When asked about Richards, he describes him as the “catalyst of the band,” and—in a shocking turn—managed to omit any references to his wild history. Whether by divine intervention or just sheer luck, Michaels escaped the court unscathed, while Richards secured a lighter sentence.

The day proved pivotal, echoing the chaotic yet dynamic spirit of rock ’n’ roll itself. It’s a classic tale of friendship, loyalty, and the crazy twists of fate that shaped the music world. And just like that, SNL not only launched careers but also potentially saved one too. Talk about a behind-the-scenes revelation that’ll make you see late-night television in a whole new light!

Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, Variety