It’s October 11, 1975. New York City is kind of a mess, the economy is shaky, and NBC is about to air a live variety show that literally nobody thinks will work. If you go back and watch SNL season 1 ep 1 today, you might be genuinely confused. It’s weird. It’s slow. It feels more like a counter-culture experiment gone slightly off the rails than the polished political satire machine we see on Saturday nights now.
George Carlin was the host. That part makes sense, right? He was the king of "anti-establishment" comedy. But here’s the kicker: Carlin didn't actually perform in any sketches. He just did stand-up sets in between other segments. He was reportedly high as a kite—something he later admitted—and wearing a three-piece suit because he didn't want to look like a "bum," even though the producers wanted him in jeans. It was a chaotic start for what would become an American institution.
The Chaos Behind the Scenes of the First Episode
Lorne Michaels was only 30 years old. He had this vision for a show that felt like a "late-night party" for people who had outgrown The Carol Burnett Show. The network was skeptical. They only gave him the slot because Johnny Carson wanted the "Best of Carson" reruns to stop airing on weekends so he could save them for his own vacations.
The pressure was massive.
When SNL season 1 ep 1 finally hit the airwaves, the title wasn't even Saturday Night Live. It was called NBC’s Saturday Night. Why? Because ABC had a show called Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell. It’s a weird bit of trivia, but it explains why the famous "Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!" line felt like a bit of a middle finger to the competition from day one.
The first line ever spoken on the show came from Michael O'Donoghue, the head writer. He was playing a linguistics teacher instructing John Belushi’s "Bees" character (though they weren't the bees yet) to "Repeat after me: I would like to feed your fingertips to the wolverines." It was dark. It was absurd. It signaled that this wasn't going to be your grandma’s variety hour.
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Billy Preston and Janis Ian: The Musical Soul
Most people forget that the first episode had two musical guests. Not one. Two. Billy Preston performed "Nothing from Nothing" and "Fancy Lady," while Janis Ian sang "At Seventeen" and "In the Winter." The vibe was incredibly eclectic.
You had this jarring transition from Carlin’s cynical observations about religion and language to Billy Preston’s high-energy soul, then back to a sketch about a "New Dad" insurance policy. It was a rhythmic nightmare that somehow worked because the audience in 1975 was starving for anything that didn't feel like a corporate script.
The "Not Ready For Prime Time Players" Debut
The cast was a group of unknowns. Think about that. Imagine a world where nobody knew who Bill Murray (who wasn't even in the first episode—he joined in season 2), Dan Aykroyd, or Gilda Radner were.
In SNL season 1 ep 1, the cast was almost secondary to the guest performers and the short films. We saw:
- Dan Aykroyd
- John Belushi
- Chevy Chase
- Jane Curtin
- Garrett Morris
- Laraine Newman
- Gilda Radner
Chevy Chase was the breakout star almost immediately. He did the first "Weekend Update," which was much shorter and punchier than the versions we have now. He famously started the segment by being on the phone with a girlfriend, acting like he didn't know he was on the air. It was a simple gag, but it established the "meta" humor that would define the show's DNA.
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One of the weirdest segments in that first episode involved Jim Henson’s Muppets. Yes, those Muppets, but not really. They were "The Land of Gorch" Muppets—gnarly, adult-oriented creatures that lived in a swamp. The SNL writers absolutely hated writing for them. Michael O'Donoghue famously refused, saying, "I don't write for felt." Eventually, the Muppets were dropped from the show because the tone just didn't mesh with the cynical, drug-fueled energy of the writers' room.
Why It Didn't Feel Like SNL Yet
If you watch a clip of SNL season 1 ep 1 today, the pacing feels glacial.
There were long pauses.
The camera work was shaky.
The lighting was a bit dim.
But there was an electricity to it. It was "must-watch" because it felt like someone might actually get fired or arrested in the middle of a segment. There was a sketch called "Victims of Shark Bite" and another featuring Andy Kaufman lip-syncing to the Mighty Mouse theme song. Kaufman’s performance is legendary now, but at the time, the audience didn't know if they were supposed to laugh or be confused. He just stood there, perfectly still, until the "Here I come to save the day!" part, then went back to being a statue. It was pure performance art.
The Cultural Impact of the 1975 Premiere
What users usually get wrong about the first episode is the idea that it was an instant, polished success. Honestly, it was a mess. But it was a cool mess. It captured the cynicism of post-Watergate America.
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The show gave a voice to the "Baby Boomer" generation that felt alienated by traditional television. Before this, "late night" meant talk shows or old movies. SNL turned the 11:30 PM slot into a cultural town square.
Key Moments from the Premiere
- The Wolverine Sketch: Established the surrealist tone.
- George Carlin’s Monologues: Brought stand-up to the forefront of the format.
- Weekend Update: Created the blueprint for fake news (which later led to The Daily Show and everything after).
- Albert Brooks: He contributed a short film, which was a precursor to the "Digital Shorts" we see today.
The episode didn't even have the iconic "closing credits" where everyone hugs on stage. It ended with Carlin thanking the guests and a quick cut to a station identification. It was raw.
What You Should Watch For Today
If you're going back to watch SNL season 1 ep 1 on Peacock or via archives, pay attention to the "Show Us Your Guns" segment. It’s a weird, fake commercial that wouldn't even come close to airing today. It’s a reminder of how much the cultural "line" has shifted over the last 50 years.
Also, look at Garrett Morris. As the only Black cast member in those early years, he often had to fight for screen time or deal with roles that were unfortunately stereotypical. However, his talent was undeniable, and his presence in the first episode was a massive step for diversity in a very white late-night landscape, even if the show had a long way to go.
Misconceptions About the Premiere
- Bill Murray was there: He wasn't. He replaced Chevy Chase later.
- The "Blues Brothers" started here: Nope. That took a while to develop.
- It was a hit in the ratings: It actually started somewhat slow and built a cult following before becoming a massive mainstream hit.
Actionable Insights for SNL Fans
If you want to truly appreciate how the show evolved, don't just watch the highlights. Watch the full episode of SNL season 1 ep 1 and then jump immediately to a modern episode from the 2020s.
- Observe the Pacing: Notice how much "dead air" was allowed in 1975 compared to the rapid-fire editing of today.
- Identify the Archetypes: You can see the "Chevy Chase" archetype in almost every "Weekend Update" anchor that followed.
- Track the Musical Integration: Notice how the music felt like a separate concert rather than a 3-minute promotional clip for a new album.
To dive deeper into the history, I highly recommend reading Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller. It provides the actual "behind-the-scenes" accounts of the drug use, the fights, and the sheer panic of that first night in Studio 8H.
The first episode wasn't perfect, but it changed the world. It proved that you could be smart, mean, and funny at the same time, all while the clock was ticking and the "ON AIR" light was glowing red.
Next Steps for History Buffs
- Watch the "Land of Gorch" segments: See if you can spot why the writers hated them so much.
- Compare George Carlin's sets: Watch his HBO specials from the same era to see how he cleaned up (or didn't) for network TV.
- Check the credits: Look for names like Anne Beatts and Rosie Shuster, the women in the writers' room who were instrumental in shaping the show's voice from day one.