The SCTV Guide to Showbiz (Documentary 2021)

Unofficial documentary about SCTV and the ups and downs of show business. Compiled and edited by Brad Steuernagel.
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/ gooseod
Second City TV (1976-1981)
SCTV Network 90 (1981-1983)
SCTV Channel (1983-1984)
Genre Sketch comedy
Developed by
Bernard Sahlins
Andrew Alexander
Starring
John Candy
Robin Duke
Joe Flaherty
Eugene Levy
Andrea Martin
Rick Moranis
Catherine O'Hara
Harold Ramis
Tony Rosato
Martin Short
Dave Thomas
Original network
Global (1976-1979)
CBC (1980-1983)
NBC (US, 1981-1983)
Superchannel (1983-1984)
Cinemax (US, 1983-1984)
#SCTV #JohnCandy #MartinShort #Canada
Vintage Video on Yonge Street (1974) - Toronto, Canada • Vintage Video on Yonge...
Joe Flaherty on Couch Candy • Joe Flaherty on Couch ...
David Letterman, David Steinberg, Fred Willard, Jerry Lewis, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Tom Snyder, Brian Linehan, Del Close, Sheldon Patinkin, John Belushi, Brian Murray, Bill Murray, National Lampoon
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@atraxanath3399]

Incredible documentary! The editing is superb and keeps you entertained! The pacing is wonderful as each clip mixes perfectly. You certainly did your homework and provided an unbiased view point without any narration. Truly a well done piece that deserves international recognition. Classic Entertainment is seemingly drifting away as it becomes obsolete compared to our modern conceptualism of entertainment. Voices and appearances, at one point, wasnt about chalking up the most mediocre publicity, they meant that “you acted at the top of your intelligence, to the top of your ability” (as quoted from this documentary). SCTV portrayed a standard in sketch comedy that is still a solid format in contrast with new shows today. The Second City cast, as countless films prove, arent just comedians. With the help of audience acceptance, correct literary guidance and trust in each other they have grown into marvelous, classy, entertainers who represent a style of formality. SCTV, like most sketch comedy shows, became a culture and an idea. One that prospered into movies, new shows and a lavish careers for all involved. Unlike SNL, they accomplished these achievements through preparation and coordination with each other while respecting one another. Their hard work and devotion to comedy reflected the old attitude of great Television stars like Lucielle Ball. SCTV and all its culture is recharged and unleaded into many forms of comedy today. Their idea was to keep the joke going, without stepping on those improv tropes. With absolutely sensational music, timed pieces, and interviews this documentary is culturally sensitive creating its very own importance in the documentary world. Maybe not another “Joe Exotic”, but certainly this documentary is an Entertaining Piece of Pieces of Entertainment a culture created by SCTV. Honestly, Thank You!

[@GooseOD]

Thanks, glad u like it. SCTV rules!

[@Mark_Brooks]

@@GooseOD May I recommend Don Giller's 12 part SCTV cast visits to Letterman. Don is a Letterman archivist. Don Giller, here on KZbin, now also working for the Letterman channel.

[@egreenbery]

Very well stated, and I agree with everything you said. Those Friday night NBC 90 minute shows in 1980-83 (?) were sensational, I had to stay awake as a high school student to catch as much as I could.

[@lerogers5027]

Oiiiiiiiiiiiiiupap Sssssssssstkt🎉😢apa

[@paulyricca3881]

👴🏻🥃WHY THANK U 4 ENJOYING THE DOCUMENTARY WE STARTED IN 1959 YA KNOW WE ENDED THE MOTHER IN LAW JOKES . TOO BAD SNL NEVER CLICK WID THE PEOPLE THEY ONLY DID DRUG JOKES THAT DONT TAKE TALENT SCTV KEPT IT REAL SATIRE, AND YOURE WELCOME.

[@jackspry9736]

RIP Joe Flaherty (June 21, 1941 - April 1, 2024), aged 82 RIP Harold Ramis (November 21, 1944 - February 24, 2014), aged 69 RIP John Candy (October 31, 1950 - March 4, 1994), aged 43 RIP Tony Rosato (December 26, 1954 - January 10, 2017), aged 62 You will be remembered as legends.

[@jackcovey1832]

During one of the FREAKS AND GEEKS episode commentaries, Judd Apatow told Joe Flaherty (who played the father of the two main characters) that if Canada ever did their country's version of Mount Rushmore, it should be the faces of the SCTV cast.

[@wadeharten6600]

200 plus channels on my cable TV package and SCTV is nowhere to be found. Shame on the Industry. One of the greatest sketch comedy shows ever produced!

[@agnidas5816]

Why watch TV when you have internet ?!

[@georgemaranville3305]

This is mind blowing. Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s everyone watched SNL but when you found the ones who watched AND preferred SCTV (and if they listened to punk it was bonus) you knew you’d found your tribe.

[@cbresett]

Hell yes, brother! Remember when the Plasmatics went fishing with Gill Fisher? Brilliant. SCTV is the best show in the history of television.

[@georgemaranville3305]

@@cbresett on the SCTV Remembers Andrea makes a quick remark about John Candy which lead me to believe he was responsible for the Plasmatics being on the show. He has Wendy O Williams and Belushi had Lee Ving and FEAR!

[@eg4449]

Amen!

[@laurettelaliberte8864]

Where were you back in the day? I felt soooo alone. lol

[@beckyhaycox]

Exactly!

[@stub2022]

The SCTV theme music takes me back to a better, happier time.

[@stvitalkid7981]

SCTV absolutely nailed every irritating nuance of every ultra low budget Canadian game show.

[@rixvspinner]

"You can choose between this Sealy Posturepedic Mattress or this lovely set of luggage".

[@stvitalkid7981]

@@rixvspinner or how about half a wall of Z-Brick or if you come back for the Tournament of Champions, you could compete for the grand prize, a two-year lease on a Chevette!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@rixvspinner Stephan Sealy's dad owns that company!

[@pegbutwin7189]

To this day, it’s not Christmas until we watch the SCTV classics with Dusty Towne and Divine, Liberace and Orson Welles and of course, The Fella Who Couldn’t Wait for Christmas!

[@tonirose6776]

Never forget, Levy, Martin, and O'Hara doing the Perry Como show. Howling!

[@sjTHEfirst]

It was always a challenge to not only find SCTV on my local TV stations, but to stay awake to see it. 😂😂

[@GooseOD]

So true, lol!

[@hankkingsley9300]

Half the time you're watching more static than the show where I lived

[@Gravydog316]

oh wow. i would come home for lunch during school & watch the Flintstones from 12-12:30 & SCTV from 12:30-1 from kindergarten all through grade 12, & the day after i graduated, the station changed to news from 12-1pm... my dad & i watched every Flintstones & SCTV episode at least 100x each LOL

[@greetingsearthlings4019]

This has the renegade spirit that SNL lost very early on. I loves it

[@charlesroberts8803]

I saw Bob and Doug McKenzie movie at the theater. The funniest part of the movie you wouldn't understand watching at home. The intermission was less than a minute so half of the people were standing up trying to get to the concession stand and the movie came right back on. Seven people made it out the door and all the people in the Isle were made to be fools. At the end of the movie a bunch of people left, then the movie came back on. Classic SCTV humor live at a theater near you.

[@egreenbery]

Take off, EH !?!?!?

[@charlesroberts8803]

@@egreenbery Hoser.

[@patcogni7892]

The best sketch comedy show in history, second place is not worth mentioning because nothing came close. So brilliant.

[@kevindean1327]

I think Monty Python is worth mentioning as the runner up!!!

[@patcogni7892]

@@kevindean1327 I stand corrected, couldn't agree more.

[@marsoblivi0n945]

Kids in the hall hands down.

[@suburbanindie]

Kids in the Hall While SCTV’s highs are perhaps the highest, a lot of people forget the show was very hit or miss

[@voraciousreader3341]

Opinions about any form of art are entirely subjective, so saying that one comedy show was definitively better than the rest is ridiculous. This comment thread is a perfect example of the bias inherent in the practice….everybody votes for *their favorite show* as the “best, hands down.” Not only that, but the formats of the various shows were all different, so making comparisons is futile, unless you’re comparing the formats.

[@woodywilson5518]

Ah Johnny LaRue finally getting his crane shot brought tears to my eyes.

[@jimmyplenderleith9471]

SCTV was fantastic.......Catherine O'Hara was so incredibly beautiful on top of being an amazing comedy actor. Joe Flaherty - Happy Gilmore...enough said.

[@kevhead1525]

Joe got a few thousand bucks for that. Sandler got 20 mill. Always hated seeing lesser talent guys raking it in while Joe had to forage for scraps.

[@olliefoxx7165]

​@kevhead1525 Joe Flaherty is truly a remarkable talent that somehow went under the radar. His acting is top notch.

[@williamcurtin5692]

The only woman I had a bigger crush on than Catherine O'Hara was Mrs. Peel (Diana Rigg) in the Avengers.

[@maxmartin2763]

SCTV opening. John Candy and Joe Flaherty threw the first 2 TV's. Then multiple TV's were then thrown from various heights of 100 Roehampton Apartments in mid-town Toronto. The building is still there.

[@arthuridis]

Awesome.

[@olliefoxx7165]

Ive wondered how they got so many tvs thrown out of so many different stories at the same time.

[@MishLaRue]

That's so fun to know! Thanks, from a true SCTV fan!

[@KenMac-ui2vb]

I'm old as dirt. This will go down as probably my all time comedy sketch series. They were all geniuses.

[@postatility9703]

The pairing of Bittman and Jerry,and then Joey and Lola,and then Sammy and Sammy--in all seriousness-was brilliant!

[@rixvspinner]

I was at a CityTV party for the MuchMusic (Canada's MTV) launch and most of the cast of SCTV was there. I got meet most of them except John Candy unfortunately. Everyone drank the open bar and Eugene was chatting with a group and I asked him how Bobby Bittman was and broke into a hilarious improv as Bobby. Martin Short and a group of people were watching- unforgettable. What a party that was at City TV, 299 Queen St.West in Toronto.

[@kirkgiberson7455]

Whoever did this, every SCTV actor, writer, producer and director still alive should step up and validate it !

[@voraciousreader3341]

I was never a big fan of SNL, which I watched now and then from the first cast onward. But when SCTV aired in the US and I accidentally found it one Friday night, I was absolutely hooked! We did the characters around the house (and then at the university I attended) the same way my siblings and I did Flying Circus sketches and characters, laughing like lunatics! I was a music major, and friends from the department would have Friday night SCTV parties which were hugely attended. My husband loved it at the same time I did, and we’ve hooked our sons from watching the DVDs, so it keeps on going!

[@stevewik2280]

The magic of SCTV was the way it blended in with normal local TV programming while mocking it. It was something special that just can't be captured on DVD. Context was the joke.

[@charlesmaeger6162]

Great description of what SCTV was all about.

[@hankkingsley9300]

Television as you've never seen it before

[@Dr.Quarex]

Absolutely, they did such a fantastic job on the look and feel of the garbage surrounding them on all sides. This is why I realized I think of SCTV as being very Vaporwave, given that they realized how iconic the aesthetics of the era were and would remain. Yes, obviously it is not like they could have made their stuff look dramatically different even if they had wanted to, but they made it clear they were playing with the visuals and narratives.

[@mayormc]

SCTV was and remains pure gold. I don't know if our culture will ever produce anything this unique again.

[@anthonyarguien7785]

MAD-TV tried...

[@bensongbenson]

@@anthonyarguien7785 As did Mr Show.

[@sweetnighter]

Rest assured, it won't

[@9999bigb]

Chappelle Show was close.

[@charlesritt5088]

They could be subtle and true because they did not have deal with a live audience

[@sykesknife5739]

Fantastic memories. What a wonderful time to be alive that was. Man I miss those days.

[@kellyjohnson3617]

I was super sick one night and couldn’t sleep. I needed a distraction. I had heard of SCTV but it was on so late at night that I could never stay awake for it. That night I couldn’t sleep so I actually stayed up to watch it to keep my mind off how miserable I was feeling. It was hysterical. Much funnier than SNL which I liked too. So I started making a point to watch it after that if I could. I know a lot of people never got to see it cuz it was tossed into time slots that made it inaccessible to many people. But the genius of it was that it wasn’t topical like SNL so the comedy really holds up well years later. I bought the dvd boxed sets of these. They are a lot of fun to pull out and watch.

[@bradwatson1048]

Has there ever been a more universally endearing person/performer than Gilda Radner? Ever?

[@wheelie63]

should have included footage from the Christmas Special where Moranis played Elton John and Thomas played Liberace............that one kills me every time. wb

[@lukewarmwater5320]

We were 1970s Ontario kids with 2 channels, Global and CBC both with SCTV and UK comedies on them like Some Mothers Do Have 'em, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, On The Buses, and The Benny Hill Show...

[@granthurlburt4062]

In my view that's all you need. Other than Frasier and Seinfeld, all the TV I watch consists of KZbin copies and downloads of Brit coms and so on. Rumpole of the Bailey, Sherlock Holmes, the Saint, the Avengers, Minder, and many, many more. Even the more "serious" shows like Minder and the Saint had humour tossed in.

[@tripdefect87]

I discovered SCTV through DVD Boxset collections at my local library in my late teens/early 20's and just lapped it up. It was so damn funny. Kids In The Hall and In Living Color were pretty great too, but SCTV is absolutely untouchable in my opinion

[@-Cinderman]

And @ 13:36 I fell in love with Gilda Radner all over again! What a wonderful performer/person she was!

[@Redmenace96]

"I've been exceptionally lucky" What a humble expression from a supremely talented performer!

[@thurdi]

Excellent excellent! SCTV still holds up against the current tripe.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

SCTV is the excellent Sketch Comedy Series from Canada. A Canadian Successor to Monty Python. It would inspire Kids in the Hall and others.

[@paulyricca3881]

👴🏻🥃 ED WYNN WAS DA GREATEST

[@patricktilton5377]

So many fond memories of watching SCTV in its original run. Their GODFATHER spoof was inspired, and it was amazing that the actor who portrayed the Hollywood producer in the original movie reprised his role for SCTV, with the severed horse's head talking with a Mr. Ed voice! Not too long ago I re-watched their sequel to Kubrick's "2001" with Ernest Borgnine and Simon & Garfunkel being chased around by the Monolith -- jeezus, that shit had me dying! Great stuff all around. And the "STRANGE BREW" movie was hilarious, with Max Von Sydow as the main villain -- the plot being Shakespeare's HAMLET, fer Chrissakes!

[@annode]

A group of my friends and I watched one of the early 80s 90 min shows while on mushrooms. I remember it feeling like the show was on for like 4 hours. We were laughing so hard we were close to injuring ourselves. The absurdity of the parodied ideas blended perfectly with the psilocybin high. Anyway, we were hard core SCTV fans.

[@GooseOD]

lol!

[@dionst.michael1482]

Sounds like a riot. I've always had good trips. So funny with the right people. My sides usually end up taking most of the punishment from all the laughing. Lol

[@paulyricca3881]

👴🏻🥃ADDICT

[@dougbrowne9890]

Incredible television I grew up with. Nothing like it, today. And that is a sad commentary.

[@ENigma-um8zw]

I would buy the hell out of some Christmas napkins if John candy was the salesman lol

[@danpatrick9080]

Their impressions were brutally scathing and hilarious

[@bassavino]

The sheer length of Andrea Martin's career is mind-blowing,

[@paulyricca3881]

👴🏻🥃SHE WAS GREATER THAN RATNER

[@paulearle5361]

Incredible versatility! Just incredible!

[@pmccall1]

I loved this show Friday nights when they made this show from Edmonton at the ITV studios. From 1982-1985 it was the best ! Bob and Doug McKenzie ( Rick Moranis & Dave Thomas) John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Catherine Ohara etc boggling to see how each and everyone of them went on to superstardom in big Movies. Brings back so many memories.

[@KingOFuh]

Thanks for posting this. Although I am no fan of Canadian TV or movies for the most part, SCTV is a BIG exception. Fairly apolitical but just plain funny humor, with one of the most talented casts in comedy history.

[@hankkingsley9300]

As an American I beg to differ Canadian TV shows are refreshing break from the American crap shoved down your throats

[@emitindustries8304]

Candy as Orson. Gold. Bittman, Dusty Street too. Mrs. Falbo, Edna Boyle! Yes. Lola Heatherton! Pepi Longsocks. The Ben Hur sketch is their best.

[@michaelparylak5649]

Remember the first time John Candy hosted SNL. it was his first time on live TV. He handled it okay. 🙂

[@eddiethetruhead]

Thank you so much for posting this absolute treasure chest of footage. As a Canadian kid growing up in the 80s I watched a lot of SCTV, even though the references went over my head, I still found the acting and characters to be hilariously wacky. Once I got older and could understand the parodies it became even funnier for me. Absolute comedic legends, all of them.👏 RIP John Candy.🔥

[@guyguyguy362]

The first shows before it was SCTV - the show was as long as the hockey game permitted before 11pm came!

[@thomasparker2447]

The most brilliant, flexible format in the history of comedy - which would have meant nothing if the cast wasn't also great. But it was!

[@hellboundrubber4448]

I was a Bike Messenger in Toronto way back and i was biking up Church St. when i saw Joe Flaherty saying goodbye to what looked like his 10yr old nephew. Joe waited for a break in Traffic, patted the little guy on the bum and said, "Go kid go!" He ran across the street just fine and Joe waved back to him from the other side. lol.

[@kabiam]

Best Era ever for comedy. These people were The Creme de la Creme in the comedy world. an incredible legacy of work between the lot in North America...Along with Monty Pythons Flying Circus

[@TZ61]

i was a part of that vocal minority. Was fortunate enough to be living in a market in which SCTV aired; might have to stay up or get back from the club by 1 or 2 in the morning in those first few years of the show, but I often heard about different parts of the states that didn't get it at all. Imagine, life without SCTV, awful thought. Great upload.

[@MarkSchmidbauer]

In lieu of the probably never to be seen Scorsese documentary, this is a great substitute.

[@ENigma-um8zw]

All of the talent of second city is what became the cream of comedic legends and icons and working horses of the 70s 80s

[@randalltilander6684]

And the twenty-first century with Schitt's Creek.

[@OttoByOgraffey]

Paul Shaffer is incredible in his own right! The man was everywhere, with everybody!

[@hankkingsley9300]

Dave....Daaaave! It was a rockyou mockyou documentary

[@rixvspinner]

Paul is a great musician. When you hear him play the keys while Gilda is singing a tune from Godspell on the Letterman show, what a musician and he was also the music director of any production he worked on including The Late Show of course.

[@rexsexson5349]

Kids in the Hall Mad TV Carol Burnett Show SNL SCTV Fridays Red Green Show Were staples plus various comedy albums, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Laurel and Hardy, Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Three Stooges, and various novelty acts Allan Sherman, Weird Al Yankovic, Spike Jones, Mickey Kats, I love Lucy Honeymooners Three's Company Bob and Tom Bob and Doug McKenzie strange brew, sctv Cheech and Chong Redd Foxx Sanford and Son Eddie Murphy Raw Monthy Python Last of the Summer Wine Richard Pryor Stand Up Def Comedy Jam Were the things I studied growing up with my own talent to be a comedian. Unfortunately i was very sick as a young adult and almost died of cancer at 38. But now i feel great at 45, did everything necessary mind body and soul to be the best me i can be. Good diet, exercise, vitamins, my medicine, and plenty of water. Never stop laughing it really is the best medicine.

[@lukewarmwater5320]

I think it's funny how Joe Flaherty keeps saying everyone's foot is out the door...

[@MrPoestyle]

Oh , John , we love and miss you so much !!!!

[@hamsandwichson]

Great memories of waking up to that end theme and titles. Early 80s they'd play episodes real late after SNL.

[@charlesritt5088]

I wish SCTV was on in reruns somewhere, if anyone where it can be seen besides the internet please let me know. When ever I'm even a little depressed I can watch a clip from SCTV and know I will laugh. Man, talk about good writing and dead on impersonations

[@brucemacmillan9581]

Haha... When Joe Flaherty was talking about Toronto, I noticed they had a shot of Starvin' Marvin's Bulesque Palace on Yonge St. I worked there for a time, in the early 70s, playing drums in the 2 man band that backed up the strippers and the MC. Just me and a guy who played a Hammond B3 organ. The MC was a guy named Rummy Bishop. He was Joey Bishop's brother. Joey being part of Sinatra's Rat Pack.

[@paulyricca3881]

👨🏻‍🦰I WORKED DERE REMEMBER ME I GAVE RUMMY HIS DRINKS THEN RUMMY WOULD GET DRUNK AND EAT BURGERS ALL NIGHT

[@darrenpaches3731]

Dad was at ITV in the audio dept for 2 years of SCTV, had a great time.

[@Billytomtom18]

What an amazing cast of characters, I can remember when SNL first aired, I was in HS and every Monday we’d be trying to imitate the cast members. I later learned that many got their start in Second City TV. Thank goodness for Comedy 🎭, it’s a key part of staying young at heart 💚. I often think back to those Wild & Crazy days, like these comedic geniuses say, those days were the best days of my generation.

[@anthonyarguien7785]

5:57. Early photo of Second City Troupe. Brian Doyle Murray on the left. Harold Ramis front and center. Eugene Levy second from the right.

[@carygroneveldt7065]

*... at least THIS SCTV documentary is actually seeing the light of day ....* 🙄

[@peteheyde7999]

I started watching SCTV in 1978 or 1979 in Racine, WI which is about 65 miles north of Chicago. I had no idea about any of the logistics or history of Second City Television, but I knew that Chicago was referred to as Second City so I assumed it was a local show out of Chicago. When I returned to upstate New York in 1980 and told my friends about SCTV, very few of them knew anything about it or had ever even heard of it. I suspect that some people in western New York State had picked up local broadcasts out of Toronto, 60 to 80 miles away, but In the Syracuse area, it was unknown and unavailable. From the first episode I ever saw, likely in the first or second season, I was a huge fan, and could remember different skits and dialogs that I still watch today. When SCTV finally did get aired in Central New York, I had lost contact with the show so to speak. I tried to do a little research of the origins, I found out that it started in Chicago and / or Toronto, made a western turn to Edmundton and then landed in NYC then back to Toronto...or something. I also learned that there was absolutely nothing consistant with the program except I found it oujtrageously funny and couldn't get enough of it. It's funny how memory plays tricks on people because I thought the Hosers were original characters. Anyway, I just watched the 2021 documentary, SCTV Guide To Showbiz, which closed a lot of loopholes and personal confusion about the show's history. When I first saw it in 1978, I was pretty much a 20 some year old ignoramous that didn't understand very much, but I really enjoyed the comedy, that nobody else seemed to be doing at the time. When I go back now and rewatch the shows at age 67, I have a whole different perspective and appreciation of just how talented and skilled the small cast really was. Now I can see all the subtle references to all sorts of "taboo" type subjects that SCTV could hysterically "pull off" that other shows couldn't. If there is a hall of fame for talent and comedy production, The cast and crew of SCTV would be at the very top of the list. Rest in peace, Harold, John C and John B!

[@MrPoestyle]

Oh , Gilda ❤️ . 😢 Gone way too soon too . Such a talent and a sweetheart .

[@dwm1156]

Wow! Great job! SCTV was a perfect storm of comedy, and along with SNL, Living Colr and Kids in the Hall, redefined what comedy could be for a whole generation.

[@binkle76]

2:00 - Compass Players started in St. Louis in the Gaslight Square entertainment district. Elaine and Mike then moved the troupe to Chicago and the rest tracks like John says. But the Gaslight Square improv/burlesque/comedy/music scene was a hot spot in St. Louis' history, and was an integral part in the formation of Second City. Had Gaslight Square not existed in the way it did back in the 1950s, we might not have enjoyed all of the iconic comedy that we've seen in the last 50 years

[@MichaelGolding7922]

Actually, Compass began in Chicago in 1955, founded by David Shepherd and Paul Sills. Mike Nichols and Elaine May were in the company, as was Barbara Harris, Severn Darden, Andrew Duncan, Shelley Berman, Mark Gordon, Roger Bowen and Bobbi Gordon. There was a St.Louis company that Mike and Elaine were part of in 1956, directed by Ted Flicker, and another in 1959 with Jerry Stiller, Alan Arkin, Anne Meara and Nancy Ponder, directed by David Shepherd.

[@rixvspinner]

Great job on this compilation Brad of the funniest show to come out of Canada, maybe anywhere. Most of the cast became stars and almost all of them were comedy writers and improv greats. I consider SCTV to be the most intelligently written funny show and they never held back.

[@earthstewardude]

SCTV was great! I watched the original shows. Had I watched all of them and the reruns, I would have been less depressed. I still laugh when I see these episodes.

[@I_Heart_Hader]

I have been trying to find footage of that original opening for years. Thank you so much for uncovering this

[@daveshahin2701]

Great documentary on an extraordinarily talented comedy troupe! SCTV/Second City are all time favorites of mine...

[@speedysteve9121]

I have some VHS tapes of SCTV. Happy memories.

[@arthuridis]

You should upload what you have. If you happen to have any taped off CBC in Canada back in it's original run. That's even more awesome.

[@JackTorrence237]

This is absolutely fantastic! So kick ass! SCTV I feel is the greatest comedy troupe of all time! Thank you so much for putting this together! There's are no words to possibly convey how much joy and laughter these people have blessed my life with! If I had the finances and the proper amount of mental illness, I would start the church of Jesus H. Christ and SCTV!

[@DannyD714]

obviously a work of love of comedy. excellent.

[@TheNameisPlissken1981]

Wow! Joe Flaherty and I went to the same college. Point Park College in Downtown Pittsburgh. I think Dennis Miller went there, too! Great city, fun times. After 5pm, downtown became a ghost town and we had the run of the place!!!

[@saulteanuts-vg8iu]

They didn't have a connection with the live crowd. Their fans. But we love them. 🇨🇦

[@saulteanuts-vg8iu]

"I like the suburbs of Rome, I guess" Made me cry, John. 🇨🇦

[@flashgordon99999]

I remember SCTV with great fondness. Sure brings me back.

[@DavesFriends]

So glad I found this doc! Got to see some sketches I didn't even know about! SCTV will always remain a huge influence on me

[@nigelinasia2088]

Thank you. You have done an amazing job editing all this material into a coherent whole. What's more, you told their story without the use of narration, captions, etc. and I think that takes a lot of skill.

[@GooseOD]

Thank you!

[@KingofCrusher]

I like narration though:( It's great but I kinda wanted some narration!!

[@kevinfalkner1624]

Funny he should say they should be on pbs that's where I first saw sctv , Monty Python Benny hill in high school in the 80s

[@kevinrbarker]

i still love ed grimbly.... finest man child ever!!!! Love you marty....

[@frankkoolosko4255]

I couldn’t wait for Saturday night live to be over so I could watch Second Citytv has a kid.

[@kathyberney5093]

The best show of ever.

[@mitchrustad8839]

Catherine O'Hara's talk show rant at 45:00 is truly inspired and a prime example of cringe comedy at its best, because its so true to life...

[@twolaneasphalt4459]

Oh, my, God! I believe I can say on behalf of those who watched SCTV rather than SNL, kudos, thank you, bless you.

[@GooseOD]

Thanks, you're welcome!

[@ineedausernamenow999]

i was so excited to randomly find SCTC footage i'm not "very old" for sctv but i remember it being on some random station. 20 years later i'm just happy to see any sctv, none of my friends believes it even exists

[@BillKinsman]

Laughter is the best medicine.

[@anthonyarguien7785]

The Poor Cousin To Saturday Night Live? Oh, contraire!

[@brucebean2805]

I went to college/university in Toronto in the 70's. Lived downtown just of Yonge st. Ryerson were i went had very good theater Arts program. Loved TO. Glad I found this. Thanks all for upload.

[@kinky_Z]

1:42:00 My fave episode with Martin Short was "I was a Teenage Communist".... so funny.

[@badad0166]

Time Capsule. What a treat.

[@gabrielgolden4336]

Pssst. This was always better than SNL.

[@hardlines4]

I agree!

[@jefferyvnelson7144]

If you match this up to SNL at the same time and this blew that away. This aired in San Jose right after SNL on Saturday night and I would usually miss SNL because I was a teen out partying until one am and then I'd come home stoned and this would be on, it was awesome!

[@TheLeafsConvo]

The greatest of all time

[@kpopahjussi]

One of my favorite shows growing up! Well done doc.

[@Jazzinthecountry]

The Jerry Lewis thing and the Lola Heatherton backstory were great.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

loved watching sctv when I was a teenager

[@ktkat1949]

Thanks so much for posting. Really enjoyed it but sad to see all the members that we lost. RIP all of those great entertainers.

[@shaneskaalerud3371]

1:44 Oh my gosh so that’s how it started. I remember watching this when I was very little.

[@nightowl5475]

Comedy is the hardest thing to do and doing it improvisational, is like working a tightrope. There are a lot of funny people I’ve met over the years, but they don’t know they’re funny. Then there are naturally funny people that can’t perform in front of an audience. They’re shy. So, when you get a group of talented individuals coming together and trying to pull this off, and walk that tightrope, you gotta have respect for their tenacity. SCTV was such a winner. Such creative talent all in one cast! I love what Gilda Radner said about, “Always keep working even if you succeed. Sometimes you gotta let them find you.” Brilliant!

[@Mrgop]

Joe Flaherty recently passed away. So incredibly talented!

[@richb313]

Loved it RIP John Candy

[@OttoByOgraffey]

RIP, Harold Ramis.