In 1975, NBC faced the challenge of filling its Saturday night lineup after Johnny Carson requested that his Tonight Show weekend reruns be removed from the schedule. Seeking fresh and innovative content, the network approached Lorne Michaels, a young Canadian writer and producer with experience in sketch comedy and television production. Michaels, who had written for Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and worked on various Canadian comedy programs, was tasked with creating a late-night show that would appeal to a younger, more culturally aware audience.
Michaels’ vision was to develop a live sketch-comedy program that combined irreverent political and social commentary with unpredictable humor and musical performances. He assembled a diverse team of writers and performers, including Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Michael O'Donoghue, dubbing them the “Not Ready for Prime Time Players.” The show’s format broke away from traditional variety shows by incorporating satirical news segments (Weekend Update), pre-recorded sketches, and guest performances, giving it a distinct and dynamic feel.
Saturday Night Live premiered on October 11, 1975, with comedian George Carlin as the inaugural host and musical performances by Billy Preston and Janis Ian. The show’s raw, unfiltered energy and sharp cultural commentary immediately resonated with viewers, attracting a loyal audience that appreciated its willingness to push boundaries. Over time, SNL became a platform for groundbreaking comedy and a launchpad for many iconic careers, redefining the landscape of late-night television and establishing itself as a lasting cultural phenomenon.
The First Cold Open
"The Wolverines" is the inaugural sketch of "Saturday Night Live," which premiered on October 11, 1975. In this absurdist piece, John Belushi portrays a foreign student receiving unconventional English lessons from his teacher, played by head writer Michael O'Donoghue. The teacher instructs Belushi's character to repeat peculiar phrases like, "I would like to feed your fingertips to the wolverines." Following this sketch, Chevy Chase, equipped with a headset, delivered the show's first-ever exclamation of the iconic phrase, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
The First Monologue
On October 11, 1975, Saturday Night Live made its groundbreaking debut on NBC, with legendary comedian George Carlin as its first-ever host. Carlin set the tone for what would become an iconic late-night institution. Unlike the more structured, sketch-integrated monologues that would develop in later years, Carlin’s opening was a pure stand-up performance, reflecting his signature style. Delivering observational comedy on topics like football versus baseball and the absurdities of everyday life, his monologue was a bold and unconventional start, establishing SNL as a platform for irreverent and thought-provoking humor from its very first moments.
Lorne Michaels: The Visionary Behind SNL
Lorne Michaels is the creator and executive producer of Saturday Night Live (SNL), which debuted on NBC in 1975. Born in Toronto, Canada, Michaels began his career as a writer and performer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation before moving to the United States to write for Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show. Drawing on his experience in sketch comedy, Michaels developed SNL as a live, late-night show that combined topical humor, political satire, and musical performances.
As executive producer, Michaels established a rigorous weekly process where sketches were developed, refined, and rehearsed under tight deadlines. His ability to recognize and develop talent helped launch the careers of notable comedians such as Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and Bill Hader. Michaels left SNL in 1980, and during his five-year absence, the show struggled with inconsistent quality and declining ratings. His return in 1985 revitalized the program, restoring its critical and commercial success.
Under Michaels' leadership, SNL has earned numerous awards, including over 90 Primetime Emmy Awards. His influence extended beyond SNL, producing successful spinoffs and movies, including Wayne’s World and MacGruber. Michaels' contributions to television were recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, highlighting his lasting impact on American entertainment.
