SNL re-airs 1975 debut to honor Carlin

This Saturday night offers us all a special look-back to a very special night, as NBC announced it would rebroadcast the very first episode of Saturday Night Live to honor the late George Carlin, who served as the show’s debut host in 1975 and performed three — three! — monologues. Of course, the debut also introduced us to Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Larraine Newman and Gilda Radner. What’s more…Andy Kaufman also performed on the debut episode. The musical guests were Janis Ian and Billy Preston.

Here’s a quote from Lorne Michaels about this week’s special rebroadcast: "You never forget the people who were there at the beginning. George Carlin helped give ‘Saturday Night Live’ its start as our first host. He was gracious, fearless, and most important of all, funny."

So, this is how it all began…with a little bit of "football and baseball"

After the jump, Carlin’s other monologues that night…


Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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