‘SNL’ to re-air 1975 debut episode as part of 50th anniversary celebrations

Saturday Night Live will re-broadcast its very first episode as part of its upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.

• READ MORE: ‘Saturday Night’ review: chaotic, inspiring but where are the laughs?

The NBC show debuted on October 11, 1975 under the name Saturday Night and was hosted by legendary comedian George Carlin. Musical guests were former Beatles collaborator Billy Preston and folk singer-songwriter Janis Ian, and original cast members such as Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Dan Aykroyd were joined by guests Andy Kaufman and Muppets creator Jim Henson.

See Carlin’s opening monologue from the show below.

The episode will be reshown at 11pm EST on Saturday February 15 on NBC, the latest part of the show’s ongoing celebrations for their 50th birthday.

One night earlier, SNL 50: The Homecoming will air on the station, an all-star concert featuring performances from Dave Grohl, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Brandi Carlile, Chris Martin, David Byrne, Jack White and Robyn.

The show will be hosted by SNL alum Jimmy Fallon, and will also feature Arcade Fire, Devo, Jelly Roll, Mumford & Sons, Eddie Vedder, The B-52’s and The Roots.

As well as the special programming, SNL has also marked its 50th with a new feature film, Saturday Night, directed by Jason Reitman. The film tells the behind-the-scenes story of the night leading up to the debut episode, and stars Gabriel LaBelle as series creator Lorne Michaels, Cory Michael Smith as Chase and Succession’s Nicholas Braun as both Kaufman and Henson.

In a three-star review of Saturday Night, Jordan Bassett wrote for NME: “The film lacks narrative drive and genuine comedy, then. As it barrels towards its inevitable conclusion, though, a funny thing happens. Out of the chaos emerges a rather inspiring ode to making it up as you go along, living in the moment, saying ‘yes’ and hoping for the best. You may wind up with a “half-assed rat-fuck donkey show”, as Dafoe fabulously seethes at one point, or you may create history. It’s this that – just about – makes Saturday Night worth watching. As any improv comedian could tell you: stick with it and you’ll stumble upon gold.”

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