Series synopsis
Second City Television is a Canadian comedy television series that premiered on CBC Television on September 21, 1976. It ended on July 17, 1984. It stars John Candy, Robin Duke, Joe Flaherty and Eugene Levy.
Second City Television is a Canadian television sketch comedy show offshoot from Toronto's Second City troupe that ran between 1976 and 1984.
Premise
Second City Television is a Canadian television sketch comedy show offshoot from Toronto's Second City troupe that ran between 1976 and 1984.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- John Candy as Self - Various Characters
- Robin Duke as Self - Various Characters
- Joe Flaherty as Self - Various Characters
- Eugene Levy as Self - Various Characters
- Rick Moranis as Self - Various Characters
- Andrea Martin as Self - Various Characters
- Catherine O'Hara as Self - Various Characters
- Martin Short as Self - Various Characters
Supporting cast
- Harold Ramis as Self - Various Characters
- Tony Rosato as Self - Various Characters
- Dave Thomas as Self - Various Characters
- John Hemphill as Self - Various Characters
- Mary Charlotte Wilcox as Self - Various Characters
- Ralph Richardson as Self
- John Gielgud as Self
- Steven Kampmann as Black Bart
Guest cast
- Ralph Richardson as Self
- John Gielgud as Self
- Steven Kampmann as Black Bart
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 136 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 27 | September 21, 1976 | December 12, 1977 |
| Season 2 | 26 | September 16, 1978 | March 10, 1979 |
| Season 3 | 26 | September 19, 1980 | March 13, 1981 |
| Season 4 | 27 | May 15, 1981 | October 22, 1982 |
| Season 5 | 12 | November 5, 1982 | March 18, 1983 |
| Season 6 | 18 | November 22, 1983 | July 17, 1984 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Backstage The inaugural show introduces several major characters, including Johnny LaRue, Earl Camembert, Floyd Robertson and Moe Green. It features a somewhat tenuous wraparound concept involving LaRue - according to Dave Thomas' book, the running time for this episode ran well past 30 minutes, much of the linking material for the wraparound being cut to achieve the final running time. The show also introduces four programs that would feature frequently throughout the show's run: Sunrise Semester, a vehicle for an assortment of characters to educate viewers, would end up appearing in every series except the last; Words To Live By, the inspirational station signoff, would also appear frequently in the first three series; SCTV News; and Masterpiece Theatre, hosted by Alistair Cook. |
September 21, 1976 |
| 2 |
Murder At SCTV Perini Scleroso and Gus Gustofferson's first appearance. Gus is featured in a wraparound concept dealing with the murder of puppeteer Lampeer. |
October 21, 1976 |
| 3 |
Ethnic Humour Harold Ramis warns viewers that this show contains ethnic slurs, and all the jokes are about the gypsies. From ""Gypsy Mythology"" on Sunrise Semester to the Hints for Homemakers (a gypsy recommends holding up an Amish family and stealing their food), this show is indeed a gypsy rogue. Sunrise Semester, The Leutonian Hour, Out-Patient, Hints for Homemakers, Theatre North American, Words to Live By |
November 18, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Premiere As the show starts, the scripts are not finished. The first on-screen appearance of Guy Caballero, in a wheelchair (which he uses for respect) with a phone. And, seemingly out of nowhere, Lola Heatherton appears, fully formed, in her first special. Additional Viewing: 70s TV series The Love Boat and The Incredible Hulk. |
September 16, 1978 |
| 2 |
Bob Hope Desert Classic Monster Chiller Horror Theatre: The House of Cats; SCTV Sports Central: Desert Classic; Commercial: Delay; Betty Bain: Professional Juror; Promo: Masterpiece Theatre: Naughty Chambermaids; Bob Hope Desert Classic |
September 23, 1978 |
| 3 |
Kidnapping of Moe Green The Leutonian Liberation Front has threatened Moe Green with his life and his career. Once the dirty deed is done, SCTV's on-air personalities cannot hide their relief. |
September 30, 1978 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lee Iacocca's Rock Concert After Edith Prickley introduces the season, SCTV kicks off its third year with Pirini Scleroso in My Fair Lady (promo only). Then comes the debut of Great White North (aka Kanadian Korner). Earl Camembert gets his tongue twisted during SCTV News. Then it's Lee A. Iacocca Rock Concert, where the host asks the U.S. government to save the show from financial peril. |
September 19, 1980 |
| 2 |
Thursday Night Live In an attempt to capture the hip comedy audience, SCTV goes "live". Also features the "K-Tel Fast Talking Playhouse" version of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? |
September 26, 1980 |
| 3 |
Death of a Salesman Molly Earle revives her Crazy Crafts series after a 15-year hiatus. Guy Caballero introduces a live production of Death of a Salesman with George Carlin, Deforest Kelly, Ricardo Montalban, and Margaret Hamilton. Playing the ghost of Ben is John Belushi. |
October 3, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
One On the Town Guy Caballero welcomes you to SCTV's new programming season on NBC. |
May 15, 1981 |
| 2 |
Polynesiantown Johnny LaRue plays a restaurant owner in his latest movie. |
May 22, 1981 |
| 3 |
Southside Fracas Guy Caballero hires illegal immigrant Pirini Scleroso; the Fracases argue about their daughter's wedding. |
May 29, 1981 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Sammy Maudlin 23rd Anniversary / CBC Sammy celebrates a milestone anniversary, sidekick William B walks off the show, and the janitors of SCTV go on strike. |
November 5, 1982 |
| 2 |
Indecent Exposure Guy Caballero is busted for writing a bad check to Fred Willard, forcing the arrival of SCTV Chairman Allan "Crazy Legs" Herschman. In 'The Nutty Lab Assistant', Ed Grimley makes his debut in this spoof of 'The Nutty Professor' in which Grimley decides to concoct a potion to make himself more attractive to his girl crush, and he ends up transforming into pop singer John Cougar. Mrs. Falbo's Tiny Town looks at atoms and rainy day activities. Also, Jackie Rogers Jr. promotes his late father's last TV special, "Swingin' With Mother Nature." |
November 12, 1982 |
| 3 |
Melonvote The elections in Melonville for various public offices are under way. Mentally unstable Mayor Tommy Shanks is up for re-election against the seedy Vic Hedges. Meanwhile, Libby Wolfson runs for City Council, than becomes infatuated with her opponent. |
November 19, 1982 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Maudlin O' the Night (This is the start of the SCTV Channel, when SCTV moved to Cinemax. Shows are 45 minutes long). Guy Caballero launches the new SCTV cable channel. The Schmenge Brothers try new wave music. Edith Prickly and Edna Boil go double-dating in the film spoof "Prickly Business". Steve Roman makes his own made-for-TV movie about JFK. |
November 22, 1983 |
| 2 |
Gimme Jackie / Australia Sid Dithers finds love in "An Officer and a Gentile". Perini Scleroso gets her own sitcom. "The National Midnight Star" is rechristened "Hollywood Dirt Tonight". Australian actor Mel McElroy hosts his own film festival. |
December 6, 1983 |
| 3 |
It's a Wonderful Film Producer, Martin Simmons is making a Christmas movie by classic film director Frank Bailey but decides that profit is more important than a making a quality movie so fires Bailey and hires a teen sex comedy director in his place. |
December 20, 1983 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBC Television |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 21, 1976 |
| Last aired | July 17, 1984 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Friday at 18:00:00 |