Inside the crisis gripping SNL: Pressure intensifies on 'insufferable' Colin Jost and Michael Che, creator Lorne Michaels can't let go... and Taylor Swift's latest cameo bores viewers

Saturday Night Live pulled out all the stops to keep Taylor Swift's cameo in Dakota Johnson's monologue under wraps over the weekend – but even music's biggest star couldn't spare the show another roasting.

Swift popped up at Studio 8H to poke fun at Johnson's love life, only for viewers to brand the episode 'tired, toothless' and 'not exciting anymore.'

A week earlier, NBA and New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson's season-opening hosting turn – with Katseye as musical guest – had also failed to score with critics, who complained that the episode 'dragged' and blamed 'poor writing.'

Now, with the show in its 51st season, fans are sharpening their knives for another casting shake-up after last year's exodus – and 'insufferable' Weekend Update duo Colin Jost and Michael Che are in the firing line. 

But while viewers clamor for fresh faces, insiders say the real backstage intrigue surrounds creator Lorne Michaels: whether he'll finally bow out, who might take the reins – with one surprise name in the mix – and why Donald Trump could keep him in the hot seat.

And although Michaels, 81, considered retiring ahead of last year's milestone anniversary, a source has now told The Daily Mail that the celebrations soon had him shelving his exit plans. 

'Ahead of the 50th Anniversary, Lorne felt that it would be a good time to possibly hang it up and give the show's reins to someone else, but that season happened and the special tribute episodes happened and he kept having fun so any thoughts about retirement dissipated,' our insider said. 

With Kim Kardashian, Eddie Murphy and Sir Paul McCartney among the stars turning out, the prime-time SNL 50: The Anniversary Special pulled in 14.8 million viewers – making it one of NBC's biggest entertainment broadcasts in years.

Hardly the numbers of a show ready for its last curtain call.

And the birthday bash isn't the whole ratings story. Traditional television viewing has fallen across the industry, but delayed viewing and Peacock streams help keep SNL's numbers looking considerably healthier. 

The show averaged 8.2 million viewers during its 2015-2016 season. Last season's reported total, including delayed viewing and streaming, stood at 8.1 million – although the different measures make a straight comparison tricky.

Throw in sketches attracting millions of views on YouTube and social media, and the old institution still knows how to get attention. Whether everyone likes what they're watching is another matter. 

'The thing about the show is people still want to be a part of it, so Lorne isn't really worrying about it because he has no sense that the wheels are going to fall off,' the insider said.

'If they have gotten this far without being funny, then what will happen when they have a few shows or cast members that actually are funny? The ratings will be the same and the show will go on.'

Michaels, of course, has weathered more than a few bad reviews since creating the show in 1975 and helping launch Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Dan Aykroyd.

He left in 1980, returned in 1985 and has since presided over generations of comedy royalty, from Murphy, Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell to Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig.

Five decades in, he's no stranger to calls for a clear-out. 

'Lorne has been away from SNL in the past and was almost fired and replaced in the '90s, but that didn't happen,' the insider explained, referencing a period when a young Judd Apatow was reportedly whispered about as a possible replacement for Michaels. 

This time, however, the source insists any farewell will come with Michaels calling the shots – not being shown the door.

'If he were to leave and go out, he would do it on his own terms and NBC is perfectly fine with that,' they said.

But while Michaels may still hold the reins, the insider believes SNL's star-making machine has lost some of its sparkle.

'SNL isn't the stepping stone that it used to be. It used to make many major stars, but not so many lately,' they said. 'The cast they have now is not in demand anywhere else.'

But the source argues the problem isn't a shortage of funny people – it's what the man at the top does with them.

'Obviously, the people who are on the show are funny, but they aren't being used to their full potential, and that blame has to go to Lorne because he chooses the direction of the show. He determines the cast and instead of overhauling it, he is phoning it in,' they said.

'He is letting the show be something that makes him laugh rather than the audience laugh. He likes having the job and the power, but he isn't going to get fired and there isn't any competition, so it feels like the effort isn't always put into it.

'And nobody is ever going to tell Lorne differently or cross their boss because the cast is just happy and grateful to be there.'

Yet if disgruntled viewers expect Michaels to start by handing Colin Jost and Michael Che their marching orders, the first source suggests they may be waiting a while.

The pair have shared the Weekend Update desk since the season 40 opener in 2014. For some viewers, however, familiarity has curdled into frustration.

'The first order of business should be to immediately recast Weekend Update - the legacy/spiritual core of the show. Colin Jost and Michael Che are insufferable. They spend 90% of their energy laughing at their own jokes. Lorne, wake up!!!' one critic posted on X.

Another wrote: 'I thought Che and Colin should have been replaced eons ago. Just goes to show the bro humor they're been mired in for years.'

Michaels, it seems, isn't about to let the comments section run his casting meetings.

'Colin and Michael are now a bit of an institution with SNL and Weekend Update, and Lorne doesn't believe they are replaceable right now. He finds them both very funny,' our source said.

And Jost apparently brings an extra helping of Hollywood sparkle to the table, courtesy of wife Scarlett Johansson.

'Colin also has an advantage of having a wife with huge star power, which Lorne enjoys because of the clout that brings the show,' the insider added.

Nor does Michaels see a potential departure as a reason to cut the pair loose entirely. According to our source, he could envisage a late-night future for them – should the right vacancies arise.

'Not that he would want to see Jimmy (Fallon) or Seth (Meyers) leave late night, but if they did, he would try to pivot Colin and Michael into those spots. But he isn't looking to replace them,' they said. 'If they want to leave, that is a different story.'

As if the home-grown grumbling weren't enough, viewers have also been casting an approving eye across the Atlantic.

SNL's British spin-off debuted on Sky One in March – and some fans are already finding its American cousin wanting.

The UK version may not have conquered traditional overnight ratings, but its online buzz and critical reception have given fans fresh ammunition.

'They need to be harsh with cuts next season. WU [Weekend Update] needs an overhaul because SNL UK is dogwalking them,' one X user wrote.

And it isn't just fans drawing unflattering comparisons.

Its second season opened on September 12 with Jeff Goldblum hosting and CMAT as musical guest – and Telegraph critic Michael Hogan hailed its fresh energy while taking a swipe at the New York original.

'SNL UK's inaugural series this spring surprised many with its swagger and confidence, proving the sneering sceptics wrong. It thankfully didn't fall into the trap of being too in thrall to the US original and was very much its own beast,' he wrote.

Then came the sting.

'Embarrassingly for head honcho Lorne Michaels, this UK spin-off is proving fresher and funnier than the stale, stodgy US original,' Hogan added.

'Forget boring old New York. Live from London, it's Saturday night again.'

One X user delivered a rather less genteel verdict: 'SNL UK mogging them every week now.'

For Michaels, who also executive produces the British version, that's praise for one of his shows at the expense of the other.

But according to our insider, there's one reason he's still firmly invested in the New York original: Donald Trump.

Retirement can apparently wait when there's political material still to mine. 

'Lorne is very interested to stay with SNL at least until Trump is out of office as he wants control of the direction of the show's political comedy future,' the source said.

'He wants to see that through and continue to have the edge that he believes they have had for decades.'

Whenever Michaels does decide to make his exit, though, the succession question promises a show of its own.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are obvious names to enter the conversation. The former Weekend Update partners have built formidable careers beyond Studio 8H, with hit films, television shows and headline-making Golden Globes hosting turns.

But the insider says Michaels has another familiar face in mind – and it's someone who already knows his way around the building.

'Obviously a great replacement would be Amy and Tina, but if he goes, Lorne feels he would like someone younger - or to give it to Kenan Thompson, who is one of his favorite people.' 

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Michaels, Jost and Che for comment.