John Candy as Orson Welles on the Billy Crystal Comedy Hour (1982)

A rare melding of the SCTV with prime time television. John Candy doing his Orson Welles bit on the Billy Crystal Comedy Hour in 1982. This was a short lived (5 episode) series that ran Saturday nights in the 10-11 pm time slot. "Found" tape, recorded at LP speed.

[@Bertaut]

This is as perfect an impression of anyone that I've ever seen - the look, the mannerisms, the tone of voice - everything is perfect.

[@blueskye6372]

Agree

[@rummyslutman9986]

Even Orson Welles thought it was funny.

[@JelloFluoride]

I mean, Bill Hader is scary good at impressions

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

The why do I hear John Candy?

[@BrickBuilder50]

Me as well

[@drjohnson98]

Candy had Orson Welles down. "I'm on my mark. Move your camera."

[@jakethomason5495]

Is that john candy or not?

[@drjohnson98]

@@jakethomason5495 Ha ha. Yep, it's him. But he was channelling Welles big time that day.

[@jakethomason5495]

I see it now. had my screen dim and thought it was a mislabeled video the first time. Respect to Candy. Phenomenal impersonation.

[@artrevolver27]

For a sec, I thought it was actually Orson

[@teodelfuego]

graycloud057 sorry to hear you say that after all the nice things Orson said about you

[@micahphilson]

"I'm always on my mark. Move your camera." That's the most Welles-like thing anybody who isn't Welles has ever said!

[@Some_One_One]

Why? When did Wells say that?

[@doggonepointgooddogbacking3248]

@@Some_One_One Google Welles & Frozen Peas.

[@marc.lepage]

Yes, always!

[@pendafen7405]

"Move your camera" caught me so off-guard. I usually don't physically laugh at loud at these type of sketches, but that one just sideswiped me. Fucking John, man.

[@cattathat]

😂

[@Wolfdragon92584]

I've been a John Candy fan my entire life, and this is the first time I've seen his Orson Welles. Fantastic

[@TheHorsebox2]

Same here. It was brilliantly done.

[@T-1001]

@@TheHorsebox2 Same

[@landsurfer66]

Check out SCTV. He does several skits as Orson.

[@joyis9638]

Then you should watch his SCTV Xmas special with LIberace .. even better

[@frankfrank7921]

As a "lifelong" John Candy fan how is it you didn't watch SCTV? He was at his best on there and yes he did Welles too.

[@yaweno9555]

Welles said this: "My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people." So Candy just nailed it. Love both these guys.

[@steerpike66]

I love the way he works the resemblance and doesn't overdo the voice; the result is incredibly convincing. Candy was a fine actor.

[@RatPfink66]

John's speaking voice was a tenor. It wouldn't have been possible for him to speak in Welles' rumbling, gravelly bass. He did do his job well with the inflections and rhythms of Welles and of course, captured the presence and body language perfectly.

[@MikehMike01]

Doesn’t overdo the voice? Candy is basically talking in his normal voice, this impression is trash (just like fat boy Candy)

[@sliat1981]

Doesn’t even attempt the voice

[@UC4AQUgrQ9EwVIGoF0w7xHXg]

​@@sliat1981 💅💃

[@sliceserve234]

It kind of threw me at first because the make up is perfection to make him look like Welles, and then out of the master immediately comes the John Candy voice we all know and love. Funny.

[@nolanolivier6791]

The tragedy of John Candy is that few appreciated how capable an actor he actually was. A superlative comedian no doubt; but few comedians could convey the same weight of emotion, even in overtly comic roles. Part of what made him so memorably funny was the fact that he could make you laugh one minute, and then make you cry the next. Even in the most juvenile roles, his humanity overflowed.

[@KMakoENVtuber]

He’d be at near Tom Hanks level nowadays if he was still alive

[@jeffstone2136]

He had not begun to show us his great range when he passed, but what he did leave us showed each time what a true talent he was.

[@seancotter9156]

He was brilliant on SCTV

[@jamesbyrne9312]

I wouldn't day his life was tragic. He achieved much more than me or you

[@ricardocantoral7672]

He died relatively young. He was only 43. He started dipping his toe into drama with JFK and Only The Lonely. If he had 15 to 20 more years on this earth, he probably would have won a acclaim as a fine dramatic actor .

[@MerkinMuffly]

ahHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! THE FRENCH CHAMPAGNE...

[@michaelcelani8325]

Merlin !! You have the Funny name..

[@Mikemikemike13579]

Mommies gotta appreciate mommies. Keep it high and tight Jeans.

[@sodapopbrosky]

MAhaaaaaa

[@cathalsurfs]

@Robert Saca MMmmmmmnnnnnneeeeeAAArarrrrghhh.. thew frncshchhhh...

[@sirajaxl]

@@cathalsurfs We know a certain fjord in Norway were the cod gather…

[@isaacschmitt4803]

For a second I thought that WAS Orson Welles. . .

[@TeaParty1776]

It could be...

[@CoolGobyFish]

he is not fat enough to be Welles, so I knew right away)))

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

Not drunk enough to be Welles.

[@JohnBatman111]

for a second, I tought that is very young Matthew McConaughey

[@solank7620]

Isaac Schmitt It’s actually difficult for me too see John Candy in there instead of Orson Welles. Amazing impression.

[@Gasoline85]

RIP John Candy and Orson Welles. Both giants in their respective fields.

[@christeuma]

"Yards" They're called Grave "Yards".

[@jmcieslak0]

heh heh

[@thanatogenous]

And their waistlines

[@tripdefect87]

Both literally and figuratively. What a sad day for the world that two titians of articulate wit had to pass into the world beyond when they still had so much to offer us

[@hz3917]

They're dead? I didn't even know they were sick

[@rebeccashuman6199]

Candy nailed the Orson Welles impression “ I’m on my mark, move your camera!” “ Orson Welles, good time magic show” lol 😂 😂😂😂😂

[@dsandoval9396]

"I'm ON my mark. Move your camera!" LOL!!! That was good!

[@cortezmauricio56]

Lol

[@honestbae2815]

The only part of it that was...

[@Some_One_One]

Why?

[@LuckyBird551]

@@Some_One_One The real Orson Wells would have totally reacted like that.

[@BeeMarzipan]

YES, ALWAYS

[@llg3pe]

“Don’t push me. Don’t ever push me.”

[@garrettbays6942]

"Be SILENT, will you?" "Food?" 😂😂😂

[@llg3pe]

@@garrettbays6942 ha ha 🤣

[@UncleMikeNJ]

If Orson Welles says he's on his mark, then, damn it, he IS on his mark. Do not question him.

[@honestbae2815]

He can't miss it. He's on ALL the marks...

[@micahphilson]

What if John Candy says it?

[@dildonius]

@@micahphilson Who cares if he said it? Orston Welles was the one who said it here!

[@Jared_Wignall]

dildonius who’s Orston?

[@dildonius]

@@Jared_Wignall The guy who used to joke about how showbiz people always used to refer to him on a first name basis, yet could not ever seem to get that first name right...

[@BrianKishreviews]

"Yes, always..." A clear reference to the infamous Orson frozen peas outtakes. Candy's impression is quite good.

[@starseed96]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZmWc4eYl56bebM

[@alexello1189]

This was in 1982….a decade before “the critic” ever aired…… not a reference.

[@Sgt_Glory]

​@@alexello1189 the critic based that joke on a real outtake. Look up Orson Welles outtake on KZbin. He even uses the exact phrase "Yes, Always!"

[@mfnd502]

Pinky and The Brain referenced the peas ad, and Brain often said "YES, always"

[@frankendorfer]

@@Sgt_GloryWelles commercial outtakes were passed around among the acting and comedy community years and years before The Critic. They were so well known even at this point that the whole sketch is about his behavior on these recordings.

[@damienholland9244]

I seldom care when celebrities or strangers die. But ever since John died I've missed him. He was special.

[@AnnaLVajda]

He was Canadian too also from Toronto.

[@JewandGreek]

Candy was funny, but the man could act. He was great in JFK. He was great in everything. Just a great talent overall.

[@Nagai1989]

Very big in Sheboygan.

[@rickyboby560]

Gary oldman his co-star in jfk said they were planning on doing Shakespeare on Broadway together wene he died

[@redgreen82]

John Candy was terrified doing that movie. He'd never taken on a purely serious role before, much less with such accomplished dramatic actors.

[@Thunderchild-gz4gc]

Only the Lonely. Great comedy drama.

[@jeffreyjeziorski1480]

He did a great Minnesota Fats pool bit.

[@ThomasBaxter]

Whoa. I can barely tell this is John Candy. Amazing impression

[@RonRicho]

I didn't think my respect for John Candy could go any higher but it just did!

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

Orson would probably have loved this impression. It was funny, but didn't mock him. I wonder if he ever commented on it

[@doorran]

Wells died in 1985, three years after this. it's hard to say if he had the chance.

[@thundarrisaboss2725]

He was too enveloped with his role as Unicron in Transformers the movie.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

@@thundarrisaboss2725 Now that was a weighty role.

[@matthewgray469]

@@BigBadJerryRogers There were (are) some shows on KZbin of Orson Welles guest hosting the Merv Griffin show in the late 70's which are very interesting to watch. Of course there's the bootleg outtakes of his meltdowns filming TV commercials that are comedy gold.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

@@matthewgray469 Serve no wine before its time.

[@tf2whackyengineer]

Yes, Always! You can tell John Candy, or the writers, were listening to the Orson Welles frozen peas outtakes.

[@galleryofrogues]

tf2whackyengineer It was like viral videos long before the internet

[@Seantendo]

No money is worth this!

[@tf2whackyengineer]

@@Seantendo Here, UNDER PROTEST, is Beef Burgers.

[@christopherclark279]

Impossible! Meaningless!!

[@tf2whackyengineer]

@@christopherclark279 this is a lot of shit, you know that?

[@eggbass]

Nobody did Orson Wells as good as John Candy. Classic!

[@mr.flibblessumeriantransla5417]

Except Maurice LaMarche.

[@terr777]

YES, always!

[@AT-sd9qq]

I can’t believe this is my first time seeing this, his impersonation was spot on perfect.

[@bryanrickard7712]

Mr. Flibble LaMarche does a good characature of Orson, John Candy sounds exactly like him

[@vinnygi]

@@bryanrickard7712 Maurice LaMarche has overdubbed the voice of Orson Welles in TV shows and movies for years. He sounds exactly like Welles.

[@RialVestro]

He looked like Orson Wells but still clearly sounds like John Candy.

[@AltimaNEO]

But certainly acted like Orson

[@cbikle]

Aside from Billy West, I've never heard a spot-on Welles impression; I think his voice is unique and hard to get down just right, so I can cut John Candy some slack on this.

[@clanofclams2720]

He... Sounds a lot like orson welles though

[@redgreen82]

@@cbikle I mean, Maurice LaMarche's is pretty spot on.

[@RatPfink66]

Candy had a high voice. Welles' was always low and it got lower with age.

[@danidavis7912]

I sure miss John Candy. That guy had perfect comedic timing and really seemed like a genuinely nice person. His role in Planes Trains and Automobiles was absolutely perfect.

[@beckoning-chasm]

John Candy, genius of comedy, gone from us way, way, way too soon.

[@davidwilliams4837]

Agreed

[@EdMcCornhole]

The fusion of Canadian talent in American Cinema.

[@mar10ssj1]

John Candy was always on his mark. If he wasn't is because you weren't on yours.

[@Psilocybin77]

I consider myself so lucky to have discovered John Candy as a 6 yr old living in Edmonton, Alberta (where some seasons of the show were filmed). I've realized, there is not a day that passes that I don't think about John. I can only imagine where he would be today, as he wanted to pursue more serious roles. There will never be anyone like him.

[@FrankLoon]

John Candy's method acting as the Method Actor turned director: Orson Welles? WOW! Nailed the whole thing. Mannerisms and quips! XD

[@flaviomorofurian5271]

The saddest thing about John is that we didn't have enough time to fully appreciate his talent. I can only imagine how many great things he could've done...😔

[@robertcombs55]

what a rare talent...we lost John Candy far too soon.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

I love how Candy never even tried to mimic the voice of the people he played. That's part of his charm.

[@metatron1970]

Watching this on March 4, 2019--the 25th anniversary since John left us. His Orson Welles impression couldn't be beat here or on SCTV which is interesting because other cast members have said Candy wasn't entirely comfortable doing impressions but preferred to focus on his own original characters. He must have seen something infinitely fascinating and hilarious in Welles' larger than life public persona. RIP, John. We still love you.

[@depaola63]

John Candy was a beautiful soul..*

[@vanmoody]

Some actress he worked with said he was a very good kisser. So I guess he had beautiful lips too.

[@megaCK1000]

Mahaaaaa the American comedians have always been held high for their impersonation excellence

[@arricammarques1955]

+Captain Catfish John was Canadian, mate. Lay off the hooch...

[@megaCK1000]

+FidelCastro128 Too much Paul Masson champagne

[@CordellPotts]

@@arricammarques1955 You dont get it.

[@CordellPotts]

Bravo

[@s.bakyhnh1756]

There was a Canadian comedian inspired by that same American excellence.

[@Yapostadodat]

Candy had a presence and a power and he OWNED it. It takes a BIG man to hold such charisma and Candy had it in folds. As SCTV's John Belushi, he was expected to help carry the show on his big shoulders and was more than capable. Big Man, Big Loss.

[@ws8079]

Candy was much funnier than Belushi.

[@johnerwin9024]

@@ws8079 agree √

[@davidwilliams4837]

@@ws8079 Definitely

[@douglaslowe5]

@@ws8079 Candy was more versatile...but C'mon Belushi was funny af

[@ws8079]

@@douglaslowe5 I'm not saying Belushi wasn't funny,he was. But John Candy never failed to make me laugh,especially on SCTV.

[@depaola63]

" We will sale no wine..................before it's time " Candy nails this !!! I am now 56 and remember Orson Wells , LEGEND !

[@rotespapier_real]

OMG he's spot on!

[@Jared_Wignall]

1:12 you can see “The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour” title card appear when Orson says he hopes to have his own show: “The Orson Welles Good Time Sunshine Hour and Magic Show.” That show would have been fantastic.

[@kai326]

That single frame is fucking crazy terrifying

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

There is a Canadian actor named John Candy, inspiiiiired by that same French excellence.

[@dildonius]

That same AMERICAN excellence ;)

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Sexualence!!!!

[@GannJerrod]

MUWAHH the John Candaaay!

[@sabatheus]

I miss John Candy so much. He was always a class act.

[@jonrettich4579]

John Candy.Truly brilliant, amazing and greatly, missed. That is not to make less of Billy Cristal

[@pierrejackson1188]

Happy birthday John candy you will be missed by me even though I was born in 2000

[@Willigula]

Yes, ALWAYS! Holy shit, he nailed Orson! It’s like a continuation of Frozen Peas. Just stunning.

[@Fardawg]

It's always great to see these old inside references to the Orson Welles "frozen peas" outtakes before they became public.

[@paytoncrystal-seagal7270]

“Ahhhh the French champagne “

[@MaximTendu]

it's always celebrated for its excellence.

[@H0n3yMonstah]

@@MaximTendu alway scelebrated for it sexualance...

[@MaximTendu]

@@H0n3yMonstah that's more accurate- my transcript dates before the Great Vowel (and Consonant) Swill.

[@NESherv]

MaaaaaahhhhtheFrench...

[@mr.jaysonbaker4271]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKfbqJlnn92Xl68

[@swampmarsh2792]

That's a good look for Candy.

[@michaeladams6500]

"What ever comes to your head... lice"

[@ttrons2]

Lately I have been watching a lot of Orson Welles's movies and his talks. What a genious. This amazing actor is spot on.

[@HailAnts]

I love the idea that most people of my generation first heard the _”Yes, always...”_ line in that _Pinky & the Brain_ episode. And for me, it was another ten years before I found out it’s true meaning!

[@Sgt_Glory]

Same here!

[@slappy8941]

Its: third person singular possessive - no apostrophe. It's: contraction of "it is"; a third person singular passive verb, present tense.

[@MKG176]

@@slappy8941 Ooooooooh...if you want it to be po-ses-ivvvve, its just I-T-SSSSS, BUUUUUT...if you want it to be a con-tract-ionnnnn, then it's I-T-APOSTROPHE-SSSSSSS....................scallywag!

[@SteveRes]

"Your least favourite animal - lice" lmfao that floored me

[@ehlerhog]

This is absolutely hilarious! ! He's got Orson's demeanor and voice down pat!! This is comedy gold... Thanks for uploading 👍😉

[@SeamusMcGillicuddy0]

R.I.P. John Candy. You are sorely missed 😟❤

[@spacemanspiff3052]

Ahh, Candy was just an amazing comedian and human being. I enjoy ever time he was in front of the camera!!! Thank you. His Orson Wells was so darn funny!

[@a1productionllc]

The only way to know for real is that John is actually taller. Best impression of Wells I have EVER seen.

[@johnjumper7066]

Sure miss him he was great and had a good heart

[@brian-vz5hz]

His Canadian accent comes out when he says "pocket" lol. John Candy did this pretty damn good!

[@haruruben]

WOW!!!! I've never seen this! Oh John Candy, we miss you. What a joy, for me to stumble on this bit of genius I've never seen before, didn't even know it existed... I got a little misty eyed

[@Barrister80]

Orson and I have a big project in the works now. Who's Citizen Kanedy. Buddy film with Harry Crumb as hired private eye for Charles Kane. There is no concept of money or cost in heaven yet it still makes sense to film in Toronto. Go figure.

[@Barrister80]

SUNSBEATLA13 Who's catering?

[@BMassey1987]

Can't wait to see it, sir. :)

[@LoganSewell83]

A John Candy/Orson Welles collaboration would have been great. It wouldn't have been Citizen Kane, but it would have been a great way for Orson Welles to close his career.

[@kevinbob]

lmao holy shit he does look like orson welles

[@jasonpalacios2705]

Not only that, they both were fat and had the same cause of death.

[@kovvvas]

Unfortunately he sounds nothing like him.

[@carl_anderson9315]

Sometimes I forget the amazing talent of that man. Jesus... 25 years gone already

[@xtraspecialmango]

Billy Crystals lives & John Candy taken before his time.

[@racheldianeames3729]

John candy should still be alive today

[@TheWorld-xs8ly]

This was amazing. For a few minutes, I thought that was the real Orson Wells. In fact, I came to the comment section to see if others were saying the same thing……only to find out that’s really John Candy. What an actor….

[@richardpeetrinpeetrin9817]

The first time that I saw The Babe Ruth Story with John Candy as Babe Ruth on SCTV I was 19 and laughing so damn hard rolling around on the floor 😅 I thought I was going to DIE laughing!! True Story....

[@judeannegossin5373]

Candy was perfect in this.

[@jamilabrownie]

I’m grinning the whole time. This is hilarious and how did I not know Billy Crystal had a show?

[@freddy69freddy]

i Miss John Candy Made Me Laugh Always

[@VikingFyre]

John Candy had the facial expression of Welles down perfectly, as well as his mannerisms.

[@__seeker__]

Dear Canada, Thank you for producing this man

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

Rosebud. Yes, Rosebud Frozen Peas full of country goodness and green pea-ness.

[@Andy-ef2on]

Wait, that's terrible...

[@DeeEllEff]

I’ve heard that the Jolly Green Giant has one of those.... 😂

[@mr.gunzaku437]

I've never seen this before and it's awesome! John Candy is a legend of comedy and his Orson Welles impression is spot on!

[@nlwilliams31]

Spot on Orson Wells!

[@steampunker7]

Good lord that is almost...haunting. John did a pitch perfect impression. Even the voice was damn close.

[@johnstokcton3706]

Candy was a genius!!!!

[@RARufus]

I just can’t like this enough. John Candy is a legend!!

[@deborahchesser7375]

He never played a role badly, regardless of what he was handed as a script he pulled it off and then some, RIP big John

[@josephmcfarland8442]

I never knew, Fabulous impression of Orson Welles, John Candy was a special talent and beloved actor.

[@hollywoodmafia4841]

John Candy was a genius, we miss you.

[@writerconsidered]

I had no idea Billy Crystal had a comedy hour.

[@brinsonharris9816]

Robert Pierson I saw part of an episode of Chevy’s show. Painfully bad, ditto Magic Johnson’s equally short lived talk show.

[@bigwinkler]

John Candy was amazing. There will never be anyone like him.

[@annteve]

Candy was nothing short of brilliant as Orsen Welles; captures Welles perfectly.

[@peterp2153]

That is dead on target. Saw the “on my mark” clip from some random video and thought it was actually Orson Welles doing a guest spot in SNL or something.

[@abc64pan]

The great John Candy. I couldn't stop laughing.

[@hawkmaster381]

That was a SPOT-ON impersonation of Orson Welles!

[@Gilbertperdomo]

Green room... Food there. John Candy there. God bless Uncle Buck!

[@offrampt]

Yes! Always!

[@DrStrangefate]

"I'm always...buh-past that! Yes! Always!" LMAO did NO ONE in the audience get that reference?

[@RobPryme]

AJ Miller this was long before the internet. Stuff like his meltdown was only passed around professional circles and not far beyond that.

[@caveatemp]

I hope John can read the comments here. Pure reverence.

[@postatility9703]

There really haven't been that many true comic geniuses in history. But we are watching one of them.

[@dwightevans8545]

Only time I cried when a celebrity died. I love John Candy. Love everything he did

[@evilfluff6634]

A legend impersonating a legend

[@nate_river_]

And, like the champagne, both are often celebrated for their excellence.

[@womandela7225]

I loved John Candy. He was the first celebrity death that I cried over..actually mourned. The other was Robin Williams.

[@aidanlynn]

In a parallel world we have an Orson Welles biopic with John Candy playing him.

[@acerjuglans383]

I never even knew this existed. Thank you for uploading this.

[@ShadovvV]

Only the good die young.. and he was one of the best.

[@alienhuman]

I just came from a Orson Welles video... Candy looks more like Orson that Orson!!!

[@fastmail55]

I've never seen this! This is great! Thanks for the posting!

[@lpg12338]

Outstanding, thanks for uploading! 👍

[@blackjakko]

I miss JC so much. Grew up watching SCTV. Never saw this Orson Welles impersonation. Its uncanny how he's got him without overdoing it, I think that's why it's so great as he seems very natural. My favourite bit is as he's storming off the set he casually snags the turkey and carries it off nonchalantly 😂 absolute perfection.

[@rachelames5894]

RIP JOHN CANDY & ORSON WELLES

[@AAAA-lt9hq]

Orson Welles had such gravitas bordering on self-importance. John Candy conveyed that perfectly. I can only imagine the clash of egos when Welles encountered Hemingway.

[@Michaelbos]

OMG, he had him down pat. Look just like him. I miss John Candy, great talent.