The return of the long-running series lands at a difficult time for late-night comedy – and free speech The return of the long-running series lands at a difficult time for late-night comedy – and free speech Paul Simon sang The Boxer. New York mayor Rudy Giuliani appeared with firefighters. When producer Lorne Michaels asked: “Can we be funny?”, Giuliani replied: “Why start now?” It was September 2001 and, just 18 days after the worst terrorist attack in US history, Saturday Night Live’s blend