When Lamorne Morris was cast as Garrett Morris (no relation) in Saturday Night, a movie about the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live in 1975, he played the role of Garrett Morris (no relation).・He ignored clear instructions from Director Reitman and contacted him as follows. The man he was supposed to play.
Garrett Morris’ place in “SNL” lore is unique. He was the sketch comedy show’s first black cast member. Morris, then a 37-year-old playwright and singer, was initially hired as a writer, but after “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels caught on to his work with the 1975 comedy “Cooley High.” I was asked to audition as a screenwriter. In the film “Not Ready for Prime Time Players,” Morris struggles to find his place in the ensemble alongside master improvisers such as John Belushi and Gilda Radner. .
“That’s why it was important for me to talk to Garrett, because I wanted to make sure he was actually going through something like this,” said Lamorne Morris, who joined Garrett in the Zoom conversation. say. Ramone said Reitman told the actors on “Saturday Night” not to worry about making an impression, but to “embody what they might have been feeling” on that high-pressure night. He explained.
So in March, before filming began, the Morrises spoke for an hour about Garrett’s experiences during the show’s first five years.
Garrett, who has seen the finished film, says, “That was your interpretation.” He said he struggled with the responsibility of being the only black member of the show’s creative team. “On ‘Saturday Night Live,’ I suddenly found myself representing a black person. My attitude toward comedy was abstract. I was ready to do comedy that made fun of black people and white people. ”
In the middle of the conversation, a third guest will appear on the screen. Ramone called his mother, Gwenette Morris, into the room to say hello. Garrett joked at the beginning of the interview that he had been thinking about asking Ramone to show him a photo of his mother “just in case.” “But I didn’t know if you or your mother would slap me in the face.” Mr. Ramone was furious at the suggestion, and then quietly arranged a meeting.
“Don’t you remember me?” Gwenette teases, waving at an awkward Garrett.
“Yes, I am, but we will have to talk later,” he said with a laugh. “You gave birth to a beautiful and talented son. He’s going to be the GOAT and a lot of people will be attached to his career and want him to live for them.” Then he said, He turned to Ramone and took on a paternal attitude. “But you don’t do that. You live your true life, okay? Just do what you think and feel and don’t care what other people think. .”
In fact, Ramone, best known for her role on the Fox comedy “New Girl,” is experiencing a career high point. The Sunday before we sat down, Garrett won his first Emmy Award for his work on “Fargo,” and despite being unrelated, Garrett couldn’t contain his pride.
“When I heard that, I was filled with endorphins and dopamine,” he says with a smile. “I love the word ‘dopamine.’ It’s a scientific term, did you know?” Ramone quips, without missing a beat. “Is that why they call it dope?”
It’s moments like these that Ramone effortlessly slips into Garrett’s persona on “Saturday Night,” even pulling off a riff on the comedian’s classic and controversial “Death Row Follies” convict skit. is not surprising. “I don’t know if Ramone is a trained singer or not, but that’s my original,” Garrett says. “I liked what he did. He brought a lot of lessons, so I’m honored.”
Backstage at the Emmy Awards, Ramone announced that he would like to host “Saturday Night Live” in celebration of the show’s 50th anniversary season.
“Garrett, I need to call Lorne. I’d like to host, and I’d like you to be on the show, too,” Ramone says. I won an Emmy Award. I’m playing with icons. Why not? “
“You know what? I’ve never been a host,” Old Man Morris replied, agreeing to the plan. “But I don’t want to take away your glory. If you know, I’ll do it myself. At 87 years old, I want to be realistic. When something like this happens, I don’t want to go to hell.” I don’t want to go.”