according to tom shales' book "live from new york: an uncensored history of saturday night live", executive producer lorne michaels cited burnout as the reason behind his desire to take a year off, and had been led to believe by nbc executives that the show would go on hiatus with him, and be ready to start fresh upon his return. however, lorne michaels learned from associate producer jean doumanian that the show would go on with or without him, and that she had been chosen as his replacement, much to michaels's surprise and dismay. angered by this news, the entire cast and all but one writer (brian doyle-murray) followed lorne michaels out the door. the sixth season began with a completely new cast and new writers, with jean doumanian at the helm.