Saturday Night Live started out in 1975 as a sketch comedy variety show, similar to many others of its era. Half a century later, it’s still a sketch comedy variety show — one that’s regarded as a comedy institution.
In addition to entertaining audiences on Saturday nights with its lively, often unscripted moments and celebrity guests, the venerable show has also launched countless comedy careers. As SNL celebrates 50 years, let’s take a look back at the path it took to get here.
The first episode started with a bang.
SNL was known officially as NBC’s Saturday Night during its first season to avoid confusion with the variety show Saturday Night Live With Howard Cosell. Lorne Michaels was tasked with assembling the cast.
The very first episode aired on October 11, 1975 and featured legendary comedian George Carlin as its host. Core cast members of the first season were drawn from the Second City comedy troupe, including Gilda Radner (the first to be hired), Dan Aykroyd, and John Belushi. National Lampoon’s Chevy Chase, along with Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Michael O’Donoghue and Laraine Newman rounded out the cast.