‘SNL’ First Episode from 1975 to Re-Air on NBC Ahead of 50th Anniversary Special
variety.comSelome Hailu On Feb. 15, NBC will re-air the first-ever episode of “Saturday Night Live.” The telecast comes one day before the network’s three-hour special celebrating the show’s 50th anniversary.
Originally airing on Oct. 11, 1975, the episode was hosted by George Carlin with musical guests Billy Preston and Janice Ian.
The original cast of the late night sketch show, which was then titled “NBC’s Saturday Night,” was known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players and included Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman and Gilda Radner.
The premiere episode also featured an appearance from Andy Kaufman and a sketch from Muppets creator Jim Henson. The 1975 telecast was the subject of Jason Reitman’s 2024 film “Saturday Night,” which starred Gabriel LaBelle as “SNL” executive producer Lorne Michaels and followed the chaotic 90 minutes before the show reached the air.
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