This show was the first of hundreds which was hosted by none other than George Carlin. The sketches were done with the not for ready prime time players. George never appeared in them but he was there to introduce the two musical performers, Billy Preston and Janis Ian who each performed twice themselves. Despite the initial premise, George performed his baseball-football comparisons to the laughter of an audience who should be so lucky to have attended the first night of many on live television. The show was never at outlandish as it is now. The humor was from within. It was nice to see the original players who all became stars on their own. The show evolved and changed. Janis Ian, an American folk singer, sang beautifully and poetically the second time around while Billy Preston was legendary in his performance. It showed that the show took chances in bringing the popular and unpopular performers who should be famous.
Saturday Night Live: Saturday Night Live: George Carlin/Billy Preston/Janis Ian
(1975)
God Bless George!
Season 1, Episode 1
17 July 2008