On this day: October 11, 1975, the first episode of what would become Saturday Night Live aired

On October 11, 1975, NBC aired the first episode of the sketch comedy show now known as Saturday Night Live. At the time the program was called NBC's Saturday Night: the name had to be changed so viewers would not confuse it with the show Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell on ABC. The premiere was hosted by comedian George Carlin, and the musical guests were Billy Preston and Janis Ian.

The first episode opened with a short sketch in which John Belushi played a foreigner learning English under the guidance of writer Michael O'Donoghue. Then Chevy Chase appeared and for the first time said the phrase "Live from New York, It's Saturday Night!" Billy Preston performed Nothing from Nothing and Fancy Lady, and Janis Ian performed At Seventeen and In the Winter.

How the show was put together

The concept differed from the usual variety show: there was no permanent host, and a new one was invited every week. The program combined performances by young comedians, live music, short films by Albert Brooks and puppet scenes by Jim Henson with characters from the Muppets world. Gilda Radner was the first to be taken into the troupe, and alongside her the cast included Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Michael O'Donoghue and George Coe.

The season ran from October 11, 1975 to July 31, 1976, and 24 episodes aired in total. The project was prepared by producer Lorne Michaels' team; he was invited by Dick Ebersol. Filming took place in Studio 8H at Rockefeller Center in New York, converted from a radio studio where Arturo Toscanini worked with the NBC Orchestra in 1937–1951.

The new name

The name Saturday Night Live appeared later. When ABC closed Cosell's show, NBC renamed the program starting with the 17th episode of the second season, which Jack Burns hosted on March 26, 1977.

The first season made stars of Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Many actors and writers came from comedy troupes and the National Lampoon editorial staff, and part of the troupe was assembled from the National Lampoon Radio Hour radio show.

Image: Pentagram / NBCUniversal Public domain

Translation editor: Ловушкин А.