Monologue: George Carlin on Football and Baseball - SNL

[@MrHalohunter24]

It makes me so happy that he was the very first host of SNL

[@thewonderlander1372]

Yeah he was also high on cocaine lol

[@dildonius]

He was supposed to be the permanent host but he turned that down so they came up with the idea of celebrity hosts each week to compensate.

[@max123__]

dildonius if he was a permanent host he would just be a cast member. The idea would be doomed from the starts

[@clarkewi]

I watched this show and was hooked for the next few years. Great shows.

[@keenkingjames]

When they understood how to stay relevant.

[@YouthEnergy]

Television history, right here.

[@yousnasserous]

You said it!!

[@timothy790110]

Why?

[@freddyrichards878]

@@timothy790110 It was the first episode of one of the greatest sketch comedy shows ever

[@gardensofthegods]

@@freddyrichards878 back then it really was a great show ... and being a teenager watching it live was really great .

[@chrispena8186]

@@gardensofthegods Exactly! Now it’s awful

[@mdumas43073]

The genius of this bit is that if you watch it with a football fan, they'll assume he's praising football and making fun of baseball. If you watch it with a baseball fan, they'll come to the diametrically opposite conclusion. And the best part is that they'll both be right.

[@September2004]

I never realized that (being a hockey fan.)

[@A-FrameWedge]

At the time it was definitely more of a hit on baseball.

[@TomDavidMcCauley]

⁠@@A-FrameWedge it seemed like more of a hit on football tbh. Carlin was famously a baseball fan-never heard of him liking football. I might be leaning hard on authorial intent here; it’s hard not to

[@js290]

football is a metaphor for war... Carlin clearly understood this

[@cajunpower]

Megumi

[@ST-jy7qm]

For some reason, George Carlin has a very modern feeling which makes this vintage clip not having a really vintage vibe. I love his persona and how he looks.

[@crawlingamongthestars3736]

He was always ahead of his time.

[@johnathonklett2679]

The first joke ever told on SNL was a pot joke

[@billslocum9819]

Well, it got beat out by a wolverine joke by a few minutes. But pot jokes sure caught up fast.

[@jansdoe6963]

Oh no !!! We ought to put him in jail...............................

[@chuckwilliam4746]

And he was coked out of his head

[@cCiIcCo]

And he was on cocaine

[@kayodephillips5435]

Love it

[@deanouellette1868]

I never knew he did this routine on the first SNL. He definitely expanded upon it over the years. Back in 2007, my 10-year-old son and I visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and the museum ran a video loop of Carlin doing "Football and Baseball." My son must have watched it 10-11 times because he found it so funny. "When everything is dyyying..." quickly found its way into our household.

[@williamherman9065]

Actually, he had done the routine before, probably several times, however, I agree with you that this version _sounds_ like it wasn't the finished product... But that is because NBC Producers absolutely DEMANDED to know every single word he was gonna say, which jokes (approved by a Full NBC Executive Committee before hand) and how they would be told. He had to strip down the joke a little bit for the NBC Audience, and that's why someone like you or I, who are more familiar with Carlin's work, see this as "Football vs Baseball Lite".

[@58twright]

I saw the George Carlin football & baseball in the hall of fame in Cooperstown before I said that guy looks familiar oh that’s George Carlin he kind of looks like bill Murray here I would have loved to see something with both bill Murray & George Carlin in it it would be hilarious

[@JamesWard-d1h]

The guy who plays him in 'Saturday Night' may as well just go on tour as 70s George Carlin. He's that good. Actually the entire cast of the movie is that good. Best new film I've seen in years.

[@TheAz435]

My Dad (RIP) took me to see George Carlin live when I was 15 years old. Good times, Dad!

[@mats7492]

Lucky guy you

[@randymillhouse791]

Great Dad!

[@NibberKSmooth]

This analysis, intelligence and dissection is what makes George one of the finest comedians of all time.

[@Neontrain]

I’ve always felt the the best comedians are very intelligent people

[@eyeseer1]

George Carlin was aware before the country was woke.

[@petersmith7521]

I just watched the Saturday Night film and damn it was good

[@youngstowncomiccon5677]

It was a TREMENDOUS flim!!

[@Nocturnal_Rites]

RIP George. We could use some comedians of your caliber again.

[@teresewaters645]

Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle... Lots of greats working right now.

[@Thor-Orion]

@@teresewaters645 Chris Rock isn’t the stand up comedian he use to be, but his acting has greatly improved. Dave is still great at stand up but not what he use to be (and Dave is my favorite ever, so this isn’t an insult to him at all). But with the cancel culture being so prevalent now it’s really stifled stand up comedy.

[@Yagirlnyesha]

@@teresewaters645 Yes also Eddie Murphy, Bill Burr, John mulaney

[@chrispena8186]

Carlin would rip this generation two new ones. Everything happens for a reason and his time was up.

[@Oscareuh]

Louis CK! Unfortunately we don't see him around very much after the me too movement, but to me he's just as good as Carlin tbh.

[@shanemcfaddenable]

I’ve long been a fan both SNL and George Carlin’s baseball vs, football, and only now I found out he did this bit in the very first SNL monologue. To say my mind is blown would be an understatement.

[@aynrandish9106]

I remember when this first aired. I was 14 and Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert was on right after it.

[@neogigo]

I’m glad his cocaine jaw finally subsided to deliver this monologue

[@zachhiggins1668]

Football sucks

[@lwdfn7479]

Was married 10/11/75 so didn’t get to see the first SNL. But it was also the first game of the Red Sox in the World Series with Luis Tiant pitching (and won) with most of the wedding guests watching on a little tv behind the bar. So appreciate the baseball/football humor. Bill and Hillary Clinton were also married that same day, but suspect our love of George Carlin is one of the reasons our marriage has been more fun than theirs.

[@mhaze210]

I saw Saturday Night today and they did perfect casting for everyone including George Carlin. I like how they feature his album art in one of the jokes. I saw him at "The Melody Tent" in the mid-2000's he was always funny. I never thought a movie about the first episode of SNL could be so much fun. It wasn't always as funny as the show, but it was just showing what lead up to 11:30 pm that first night.

[@AbbasIdris]

The greatest, funniest, and best comedian of all time, hands down!

[@hakim6158]

i just realized im slowly going through george carlin hair cuts

[@clydeb7713]

George was a genius of comedy. Onebof the all-time greats.

[@shivasirons6159]

I was 15 and babysitting my niece, usually tv sucked at that hour and as i was flipping through channels i saw Carlin and couldn't believe it.

[@davidkoepnick4314]

Anyone else here because of the Saturday Night movie.

[@ZenShroud1]

I'm the same age as George when he did this. Omg, i'VE DONE SO LITTLE WITH MY LIFE. I can't even type.

[@aaronwilliams1245]

Who’s here after Saturday Night movie?

[@beajoel]

Who’s here after watching new movie Oct 2024?

[@xiaoka]

November 2024. 😂

[@nickstoli]

Love this. The irony is most people are fans of both sports. Of course, Carlin being Carlin, I'm sure the real message is the duality of man.

[@neikosan1664]

Lol George Carlin describing his condition that week "I'm full of cocaine that week full of cocaine just completely boxed" He knows why he wasn't asked to come back but Loren should've made an exception for his first host.

[@alexthompson9516]

Neiko san yeah

[@billslocum9819]

I saw that interview too. It's great. He said he saw himself "grinding" on this show, which I guess is something coke users would do with their jaws as their sinuses regained their feeling or something.

[@neildied26]

He hosted in 84 too. If coke was the reason then the entire regular cast should of been fired after season 1 lolz.

[@billslocum9819]

Coke was ubiquitous behind the scenes on the show, but it started later on, after it achieved some success. Having their first-ever host "boxed" with the substance and refusing to integrate his comedy with the show was probably a good way to annoy Lorne Michaels, who had his hands full enough already that week. I totally get why Carlin was off-limits until Michaels was off the show and Dick Ebersol was the producer. Carlin's career was on the downswing in 1975, but had rebounded in 1984 when he started his run of HBO specials.

[@miloesalazar]

Fuck Lorne

[@sarasteinberg2905]

George Carlin did for SNL what George Washington did for America. It was suggested they be the permanent leader and they said "Nah, I'll be a temporary leader. Just have temporary leaders all the time." So we did.

[@TheJesterCW]

This show is one that brings my family together in the 15+ years my parents have watched it, and the 7 years I have watched it. It would be recorded on our DVR every time a new episode was released, and every Taco Tuesday, we would turn on the TV, and me and the rest of our family would be excited to watch SNL for that week. I will never forget the countless times me and my dad would laugh our arses off when the SNL commercials would come on. SNL, you keep my parents together, and my depression at bay.

[@richtrm3177]

I can't believe it. This episode started everything.

[@TranquilZoo]

*Examining if the bricks are laid on the stage*

[@michaeltracy2725]

I like how you can see this joke grow over time

[@RealityTrailers]

Interesting. Later on in his life, Carlin actually admitted to being on a cocaine binge all week and up to him hosting SNL 1975.

[@nightmoose]

He was supposedly high out of his mind but he pulls it off pretty well I'd say!

[@Aaron-uf3sl]

Pretty fucked on cocaine

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

It was cocaine. Just watched a video of him talking about it.

[@kuhnhan]

He pulled it off, but you can tell.

[@SuperC888]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuUpWSmo7ifmJo it’s all here in this interview.

[@Kruppt808]

Prophetic Carlin. MLB isn't even 2nd anymore.

[@hakim6158]

his daughter said he was on coke in this one

[@kobil316SH]

+hakim amalou he was always on coke back then

[@mannysitas5046]

George Carlin is more than Coke... Even coke would snort some Carlin.

[@hhscadets0925]

And Chevy Chase was on Pepsi

[@billslocum9819]

He's doing regular bits from his most recent album, so nothing to read off cards. But you can see he's struggling with his timing, especially early. I guess he was affected more by being cranked on live TV.

[@andrewnibbi]

George Carlin is basically an artificial intelligence powered by a hamster wheel, but the hamster is on coke. That’s how you get things like Uncle Dave.

[@conner-manradio]

On this day Oct. 11 1975. I never knew he was the first host.

[@thatguyineverycommentssection]

totally underrated show

[@ParisZX]

he looks somewhat like russell crowe in this! :D

[@keeelane]

must be the cocaine...

[@Planckepoch592]

George Carlin was low key fine back in his day.

[@lucrativelyrics2004]

& sounds somewhat like robin williams

[@marianlincoln9008]

I used to listen to George on my way home from work at NIGHT and he'd do his HIPPY DIPPY WEATHER MAN SKIT.... NO MATTER HOW BAD MY NIGHT HAD BEEN I WOULD ALWAYS BE SMILING AFTER LISTENING TO HIM.... THANKS FOR THE NATURAL ! George. R. I.P.

[@eyeseer1]

October 11, 1975; The USA experienced TV’s renegade vaudeville show of the Not Ready For Prime Time Players. October 11, 2025; The joke still stands 50 years later.

[@goldeneve]

“I guess we’re a hit”-Lorne

[@aarond9563]

You didn't write this comment in Oct 2024, nonetheless 2025

[@__Lorenzo]

I just realized today marks 47 years since this episode aired

[@macadamian28]

Fun fact: Carlin was no stranger to coke. Especially on this night.

[@AngeSFO]

Fun Fact most people were doing coke in the 70s and 80s in big cities

[@malbuff]

Early version of this sketch, he tightened it up in later years.

[@pd417]

I remember this episode like it was yesterday. I never laughed so hard in my life.

[@jenns.5791]

he was SO coked up here! 🙈 watch him grind his jaw.. he even (later) admitted to it.

[@ehabibrahim699]

He was coked up between 1969-1992😂😂 , he bought a plane in the 70s and barely flew in it, just sat on the tarmac and did coke at the back of the plane

[@krisrhood2127]

You know that you're an older sister when you go online to search for clean George Carlin bits

[@markusmclaughlin2414]

October 11, 1975....I think I saw this ep live, if not then it was rerun later, and I saw it then. It's been 49 years since this historic event happened. I feel old, I was 3 when SNL premiered. I still watch SNL to this day. SNL was born in the latter half of the 20th Century. Now, it's in the second decade of the 21st Century. What a groovy trip, man. Happy 50th, SNL! Be sure to look for the FILM "SNL 1975," coming in Autumn 2024!!!

[@dantegoat8568]

i'm gonna miss you.. old man.

[@ShortRound42]

Great to see the first iteration of this skit. Through the years, he perfected it, longer and flowed better.

[@Thor-Orion]

It’s a routine when it’s stand up, a skit or a sketch is for sketch comedy like Chapelle’s Show or the sketches from SNL. They call it a monologue here, but most people call them routines.

[@Thor-Orion]

Not trying to be a pedantic dick, just figured you might want to know the proper terminology.

[@ShortRound42]

@@Thor-Orion Maybe it's a 'bit'?

[@Thor-Orion]

@@ShortRound42 also completely acceptable.

[@bradleyconrad6195]

Love George Carlin’s monologue about the difference between Football and Baseball.

[@danielc197]

You could've just said: "this".

[@details78]

@@danielc197

[@sams_3d_stuff]

SNL is proud George was there to start it. He's the best everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[@AgainstYTubePolicy17]

”in baseball you wear a cap 😃🧢"

[@bluebear1985]

At the time, the show was titled "NBC's Saturday Night", as there was already a primetime series at the time over on ABC called Saturday Night Live hosted by sportscaster Howard Cosell. That show itself only lasted eighteen episodes, but it took a couple of years before the NBC show would officially make the switch to its present title. Oddly enough, Cosell himself would eventually host the season finale of the 1984-85 SNL season, the last one to not feature Lorne Michaels as executive producer.

[@kbobdonahue1966]

Your Hit Parade was also filmed in that studio on Saturday Nights, 2 decades earlier.

[@1977TA]

He is pretty calm and still for someone who was fully cocked up. You have to look very closely to spot the small signs like jaw grinding. In fact, Carlin looks normal compared to Robin Williams who ran full speed ahead during his coke fueled performances.

[@SuperC888]

I just saw this interview you’re referring to where he mentions the jaw grinding and his use of cocaine. And George thought that’s the reason why Lorne Michaels never asked him back on the show. He left a bad taste in Lorne’s mouth.

[@SuperC888]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuUpWSmo7ifmJo George being interviewed on American Archive of Television

[@MrPrincetrumpet]

This is the preferred baseball/football routine because it's the only one where the audience doesn't step on his punchline with their applause. When this routine became popular, the audience got so enthused, they kind of wrecked GC's timing.

[@NBC.SATURDAY.NIGHT.LIVE.]

The studio actually told him to wear a suit and he wanted to wear a t shirt so as a compromise he wore a suit with a t shirt underneath. 70s arguments lol

[@deadchannel733]

The first SNL presenter and the first TTTE US narrator. Carlin got first twice.

[@mesocorny4366]

Posting this on the month of the anniv - congrats to snl on 45 yrs!

[@arcadeoutpost]

Watching this again after the movie and what stands out most is the horrible sound production on the music that Lorne comments on earlier in the film, you really hear it here. Ouch!

[@paulr.4968]

When he first came out he said, “There’s no blue food”!

[@dougfinlay7528]

With exception of about 2 seasons, I've been watching SNL since the beginning. A good book to read is Saturday Nigh by Hill and Weingrad.

[@billslocum9819]

Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad's "Saturday Night: A Backstage History" only covers the first eight or nine seasons, but it's fantastic and funny. Totally agree with your assessment.

[@gandalfthegrey9816]

It must have been weird for NBC to give George Carlin the Carlin warning.

[@RConn55]

He was Seinfeld and David before they were

[@ChristianFras]

Bro not only narrated Thomas the Tank Engine, he also hosted SNL. That's what I call talent!

[@goldeneve]

Rufus in bill and Ted

[@Eazy-ERyder]

His Football and Baseball routine NEVER got old and still isn't.

[@brianstoneburner1193]

RIP George. Miss your comedy. Could sure use some of your comedy now2023

[@IAMEVIL315]

Can't wait to see the snl movie coming out

[@jonny9037]

The worlds first ever Saturday night live bit, this is history.

[@Unblasphemy]

R.I.P Bob Ross you were a great host

[@joegomez1351]

Just saw the movie it was surprisingly good. Now I’m watching all of the first episode of SNL.

[@mattmccarthy4530]

One of the classic routines of all time.

[@peterwierenga3182]

Who else is here after the documentary?

[@johnf120]

1:39 that genocide joke went right over people’s heads in ‘75

[@nicholasruhling6429]

Penalty vs Error; true, but in baseball it's a lot easier to get thrown out

[@bestfootforward4586]

Huge Carlin fan, I got to see him live the last year of his life. I remember him talking about this appearance in an interview, he stated he was high as a kite on cocaine. He claimed that was the last time he ever did stand up on blow as it messed up his natural rhythm.

[@MarianoRojasAltamirano]

Here after Saturday Night trailer

[@TheoldStone1000]

George was always a nice man in and of himself

[@christianlorre]

It's kind of weird he kicked off this amazing franchise but never came back. But then again, nobody knew what they were doing when SNL started. The logic is George would do several stand up bits then the cast was in sketches. It took a little bit longer before they decided the host must appear in the scenes.

[@zirak93-2]

So happy to see George Carlin was the very first host. He was and still is a great man.

[@SuperC888]

Yes even though he died in 2008 his comedy was timeless and particularly relevant today (2023)

[@MisterBourgolini]

George Carlin wasn't a bad host, but the only memorable moments from the first episode was Andy Kaufman's "Mighty Mouse" segment and the first Weekend Update.

[@GingerHey]

So nostalgic! What a first night, and it's still going! George Carlin - great!

[@sharonannen8859]

* Please help. I'm looking for the skit from 1975 that ends with the punch line, 'Well, there's that much less to wash.' *

[@Vendetta070707]

SharonAnne N A year late but I think I heard it from his On Location at Phoenix.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

You can see the coke in the hands and the eyes! 😂

[@DTSsince2016]

This aired on my birthday!!!

[@robertthomas5736]

This was The First Episode of Saturday Night Live

[@johnnypatterson77]

George himself said he was super coked up during the taping of this episode, actually he said he had been coked up all week long.

[@gibsonhayes565]

Here we go, It's George Carlin... IYKYK

[@tylerharris2430]

i love how he held on to this football vs baseball joke for so long

[@JavierArveloCruzSantana]

This joke was good at that time, but to see how he improved the joke over decades makes it GREAT!

[@CesarGarcia-ru8hr]

Lovely comparison of the sports

[@victorfergn]

This was better than SNL's first entire 5 seasons

[@Parrotchuter]

“Philosopher of our time”…

[@BillCosbyTouchedMyDoodle]

Fun fact: Bill and Hilary Clinton got married on the same day that SNL premiered. Given all of the Clinton parodies, I'm surprised this was never acknowledged in a sketch.

[@CoasterMan13Official]

I miss you George.

[@zovalentine7305]

Rest in powerful peace George Carlin ✌💖⚘⚘🎶✊ 12 May 1937 ~ 22 June 2008⚘

[@KravenSpider]

Can’t wait to see Matthew Rhys recreate this

[@Dhhtyu4566]

It’s not in the movie

[@karrahsda]

Time machine, please take me back to this moment.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

It’s just a shame he didn’t actually appear in a sketch that night! 😄

[@roberthernandez782]

Why don't this have more views?