“Saturday Night Live ”Premiered 51 Years Ago. Here Are 12 Vintage Photos from the Show’s First Season You May Have Forgotten About

Stephanie SengweSat, October 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

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SNL season 1Credit: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Fifty-one years after its debut, Saturday Night Live remains relevant today.

The late-night variety show premiered on Oct. 11, 1975, with creators Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol at the helm. Original cast members included Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman, Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, Michael O’Donoghue and George Coe who all brought their comedy chops to create a show that was irreverent, pithy, with top-tier comedy.

In the years since, SNL has aired over 1,000 episodes and has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in entertainment.

As the show celebrates its 51st anniversary this weekend —and Shane Gillis prepares to host with musical guest, Rosalía — see vintage photos from the first season.

01 of 12

The Bees-Knees

‘SNL’ cast members in the “Bee Hospital” skitCredit: Herb Ball/NBCU

George Coe, Belushi, Chase, Radner and Michael O’Donoghue dress up as bees for the “Bee Hospital” skit that aired on the premiere episode.

02 of 12

Supreme Circumstances

‘SNL’ season 1Credit: Owen Franken/Corbis via Getty

In this skit, Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin play a couple being monitored in bed by the Supreme Court, which was comprised of Garrett Morris, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and more.

03 of 12

Serious Business

John Belushi and Robert Klein as the ‘Exterminators’Credit: NBCU Photo Bank

Belushi and Robert Klein meant serious business while playing exterminators when the latter hosted the Nov. 15, 1975 episode.

04 of 12

Terrific Trio

Jane Curtin, Dan Aykroyd and Laraine Newman as ‘The Coneheads’Credit: Warner Bros./Getty

Jane Curtin, Aykroyd and Newman, are pictured in character for the now-iconic sketch, “The Coneheads” sometime in 1975.

05 of 12

Funny Man

Richard Pryor during an episode of ‘SNL’ in 1975Credit: NBCU Photo Bank

Always ready to commit to the bit, Richard Pryor sticks his head into a faux-shark during his hosting stint on Dec. 13, 1975.

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06 of 12

Behind the Scene

Gilda Radner, Desi Arnaz and Chevy Chase during rehearsalCredit: NBCU Photo Bank

Radner, Desi Arnaz, Chase and another cast member take a breather during rehearsals for “The Untouchables” skit on Feb. 21, 1976.

07 of 12

Big Numbers

Chevy Chase and Elliott GouldCredit: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Chase and Gould made a hilarious duo in their colorful suits during the “Foreign Card Playing” sketch aired when Gould hosted on May 26, 1976.

08 of 12

Oh! My Goodness

Elliot Gould, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris in 1976Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Laraine Newman plays child-star-turned-Ambassador-to-Ghana Shirley Temple Black in a skit featuring Gould and Garrett Morris.

09 of 12

Group Effort

‘SNL’ cast members in the “Happy Trails” skitCredit: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

The cast helped Elliot Gould close out his hosting stint by dressing up in cowboy regalia and belting out Roy Rogers’ “Happy Trails.”

10 of 12

In the Good Times

Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman and Gilda Radner in a skitCredit: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Chase, Newman and Radner have a hearty laugh while taping the “National Uvula Association” commercial for the show in 1976.

11 of 12

Overwatered

Chevy Chase and Dyan Cannon during a sketch in 1976Credit: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Chase tried his best at keeping a straight face as Dyan Cannon drenched him with water during the “Hiccuping Eulogist” skit on May 15, 1976.

12 of 12

Au Revoir

Garrett Morris and Dan AykroydCredit: Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Garrett Morris and Dan Aykroyd did their best politicking as Andrew Young and Jimmy Carter during the season 1 finale, which aired on July 31, 1976.

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