NBC Insider Exclusive

Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more!

Sign Up For Free to View
NBC Insider Late Night

NBC Is Airing SNL's Very First Episode Ahead of Its Anniversary Special: How to Watch

The October 11, 1975 premiere with Host George Carlin airs the night before the three-hour live SNL50: The Anniversary Special.

By Christopher Rudolph
SNL Celebrates 50 Years of Cast Members Ahead of the SNL50 Anniversary Show
Video thumbnail
Now Playing
0:30
Web Exclusive
SNL Celebrates 50 Years of Cast Members Ahead of the SNL50 Anniversary Show
Video thumbnail
4:43
Highlight
Weekend Update: Bill Murray Ranks His Best Weekend Update Anchors of All Time – SNL50
Video thumbnail
3:37
Highlight
Weekend Update: Lorne's Best Friends from Growing Up – SNL50
Video thumbnail
4:25
Highlight
Weekend Update: The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With and Drunk Uncle – SNL50
Video thumbnail
2:46
Highlight
Weekend Update: SNL's 50th Anniversary – SNL50
Video thumbnail
9:35
Highlight
Audience Q&A – SNL50
Video thumbnail
5:37
Highlight
Physical Comedy – SNL50
Video thumbnail
6:45
Highlight
50th Monologue – SNL50
Video thumbnail
3:56
Highlight
Digital Short: Anxiety – SNL50
Video thumbnail
5:21
Highlight
Miley Cyrus with Brittany Howard and The Roots: Nothing Compares 2 U (Live) – SNL50
Video thumbnail
4:01
Highlight
In Memoriam – SNL50
Video thumbnail
4:41
Highlight
Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter: Homeward Bound (Live) – SNL50
Video thumbnail
6:13
Highlight
Paul McCartney: Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End (Live) – SNL50
Video thumbnail
7:19
Highlight
Lawrence Welk – SNL50
Video thumbnail
3:13
Highlight
Chad in 8H – SNL50
Video thumbnail
4:58
Highlight
Commercial Parodies – SNL50
Video thumbnail
8:33
Highlight
Close Encounter 50th – SNL50
Video thumbnail
7:10
Highlight
Black Jeopardy – SNL50

NBC is celebrating a half-century of Saturday Night Live by taking fans back to where it all began.

How to Watch

Watch Saturday Night Live Saturdays at 11:30/10:30c on NBC and Peacock, streaming next day on Peacock.

The very first episode of SNL will receive a special broadcast, Saturday, February 15 at 10pm ET/PT — the night before the three-hour primetime SNL50: The Anniversary Special.

Saturday Night Live — then titled NBC’s Saturday Night — originally premiered on October 11, 1975. Legendary comedian George Carlin was the episode's Host, and the Musical Guests were Billy Preston and Janis Ian. 

The debut episode starred the seven Not Ready for Prime Time Players — Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Chevy Chase, and Laraine Newman — and included memorable moments such as Andy Kaufman lip-synching the Mighty Mouse theme, and Chevy Chase as the first "Weekend Update" anchor. 

RELATED: Bob Odenkirk Created "Matt Foley: Van Down by the River" with Chris Farley

Jim Henson's Muppets also appeared in "The Land of Gorch" — a recurring sketch which wouldn't last beyond SNL's first season.

The re-airing of the series premiere is just the latest way NBC is celebrating 50 years of SNL.

Peacock's four-part docuseries, SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, premiered January 16, and on January 27, NBC premiered the documentary Ladies & Gentleman ... 50 Years of SNL Musicco-directed by Oz Rodriguez and The Roots drummer, Tonight Show bandleader, and Oscar-winning filmmaker Questlove.

RELATED: Why the First Saturday Night Live Cast Were Called The Not Ready for Prime Time Players

Chevy Chase appears in a Weekend Update SNL segment

What time is NBC airing the very first episode of Saturday Night Live?

NBC will broadcast the very first episode of Saturday Night Live on Saturday, February 15 from 10-11pm ET/PT. The following night, Sunday, February 16, will be the live three-hour primetime event, SNL50: The Anniversary Special.

Watch the first episode of Saturday Night Live anytime on Peacock

Saturday Night Live Season 1, Episode 1 is also available to stream on Peacock anytime, complete with the performances from Musical Guest Billy Preston and Janis Ian.

RELATED: Every Song in Questlove's Dazzling Musical Guest Documentary Intro

Musical guest Janis Ian performs on Saturday Night

How to watch SNL50: The Anniversary Special

The Season 50 celebrations will culminate with the three-hour primetime SNL50: The Anniversary Special. The star-studded event will feature a half-century worth of sketches, cast members, Hosts, and other collaborators, in what will surely be one extraordinary evening.

The program is set to air live across time zones on NBC and Peacock on Sunday, February 16, starting at 8/7c, 5pm PT. And don't miss the live one-hour red carpet event ahead of the special starting at 7/6c, 4pm PT!

Sponsored Stories
Recommended by Zergnet