Lily Tomlin was the first host in SNL history with a deep background in sketch comedy, having already become a household name on Laugh-In . She didn't just read cue cards; she commanded the room. Her monologue was a highlight, featuring absurdist observations from her personal notebook and ending with a spirited (and slightly psychotic) "New York Cheer" that brought the house down. The Sketches You Have to See
She performed "St. James Infirmary Blues" backed by —the show's house band dressed entirely in nurse uniforms. [S1E6] Lily Tomlin
SNL Rewind: When Lily Tomlin Took Over the Show (S1E6) If you’re digging through the early archives of Saturday Night Live , you’ll quickly find that Season 1, Episode 6—originally aired on —is a complete outlier. While the first few episodes were still figuring out what "SNL" actually was, Lily Tomlin arrived and basically turned the Studio 8H stage into her own one-woman variety special. Lily Tomlin was the first host in SNL
This episode proved that SNL could be more than just a collection of disconnected skits; it could be a cohesive playground for a genius performer. Tomlin’s ability to weave her own established characters into the brand-new world of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" set the gold standard for what a great SNL host could do. Season 1, Episode 6 Host:Lily Tomlin - Classic SNL Reviews The Sketches You Have to See She performed "St
Here’s why this episode remains a masterclass in sketch comedy history. A Host Who Needed No Introduction