'SNL' celebrates four decades of 'Live, from New York!'

Saturday Night Live celebrates 40 years on air this weekend and a slew of the show’s biggest stars are expected to return for a special anniversary broadcast Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.. The three-and-a-half hour special will include the originals and big wigs like Dan Aykroyd, Alec Baldwin, Robert De Niro, Betty White and Kristen Wiig. SNL debuted as NBC’s Saturday Night on Oct. 11, 1975, with comedian George Carlin as host, and Billy Preston and Janis Ian as its musical guests. Since then it’s become an institution with its catchphrases and segments synonymous with comedy, and launching the careers of so many comedians.

Entertainment SNL