George Carlin has last laugh One of comedy's best ever passes away at 71; Carlin was SNL's first host, boasts more than 130 Tonight Show appearances. By Tim Surette, Monday, June 23, 2008 Lorne Michaels reveals 'Saturday Night Live's' season 1 secrets! (external) "On Oct. 11, 1975, only minutes before 'Saturday Night Live' was about to make its debut, an issue concerning wardrobe threatened to derail the entire production. George Carlin, that night's host, refused to wear a suit." Source: TV Guide, Tuesday, December 5, 2006