Season 1.

Milestone

Oct 11, 1975

Saturday Night launches

The series premieres October 11, 1975 under the title NBC's Saturday Night and airs 24 regular episodes in its inaugural season.

Cast structure

Oct 11, 1975

The Not Ready for Prime Time Players debut

Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, George Coe, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Michael O'Donoghue and Gilda Radner form the original credited cast.

Cast promotion

Oct 11, 1975

Chevy Chase anchors Weekend Update

Chase serves as the original anchor while also appearing in the repertory company.

Cast departure

Oct 11, 1975

George Coe receives one cast credit

Coe is credited as a cast member only in the premiere, though he returns in small roles later in the season.

Cast departure

Nov 8, 1975

Michael O'Donoghue leaves the cast

O'Donoghue's final episode as a cast member airs November 8; he continues as a writer and occasional guest performer.

Production event

Jan 24, 1976

Don Pardo begins announcing the cast

Pardo becomes the program's signature announcer and begins naming the cast in the opening montage during the January 24 episode.

Production event

Oct 11, 1975

The Land of Gorch becomes a recurring element

Jim Henson's adult Muppet characters recur throughout the experimental first season.

Production event

Dec 20, 1975

Viewer-submitted films join the format

A home-movie invitation in December leads to the first viewer film in January and the debut of Mr. Bill in February.

Production event

Oct 11, 1975

The live format takes shape

Cold opens, Weekend Update, commercial parodies, musical performances, short films and recurring characters settle into the program's weekly vocabulary.

Production event

Jul 31, 1976

Regular-season count remains distinct

The archive counts the 24 numbered broadcasts here; later anniversary, holiday, reunion and anthology programs belong to the dedicated Special Episodes archive.