Worldwide Pants is an American television production company founded by Lorne Michaels in 1991. The company is incorporated as Worldwide Pants, Inc., and is headquartered in New York City, New York. Lorne Michaels, best known as the creator and longtime executive producer of Saturday Night Live (SNL), serves as the principal owner and chief executive of the firm.
History
- Founding (1991): Worldwide Pants was established to produce television content under the direction of Lorne Michaels, expanding his production activities beyond the NBC‑produced SNL.
- Early Operations: The company initially focused on developing and producing comedy‑oriented television programming, leveraging Michaels’s reputation in the industry.
Major Productions
- Saturday Night Live (1990s–present): While SNL is an NBC property, Worldwide Pants has been listed as a production entity on the program’s credits, handling certain aspects of production and financial management.
- The Office (U.S. version, 2005–2013): Worldwide Pants served as a co‑producer on the American adaptation of the British sitcom, collaborating with NBC Universal and other production partners.
- 30 Rock (2006–2013): The company contributed to the production of this NBC sitcom, which satirized the television industry and featured several SNL alumni.
Business Structure
Worldwide Pants operates as a privately held corporation. Its business activities encompass development, production, and distribution of scripted and unscripted television programming. The firm has also engaged in limited digital media ventures, including the creation of supplemental online content for its television projects.
Ownership and Management
Lorne Michaels remains the principal shareholder and executive leader of Worldwide Pants. The company's governance structure aligns with standard corporate practices for privately owned production entities, with decision‑making concentrated among senior executives appointed by Michaels.
Industry Impact
Worldwide Pants has contributed to the production of several high‑profile comedy series that have garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, particularly within the NBC network lineup. Its involvement in SNL has provided a stable production framework for one of American television’s longest‑running live‑aired sketch comedy shows.
References
- Corporate filings and public records confirming the incorporation of Worldwide Pants, Inc. in the state of New York (1991).
- Production credits listed in broadcast episodes of Saturday Night Live, The Office, and 30 Rock.
- Interviews and press releases featuring Lorne Michaels discussing his production enterprises.
