All of them in this comedy sketch. I used to watch this every week. Yes they were great. Regarding “seat covers”, we were 3 kids growing up in the’60’s and ‘70’s and every car my Dad bought he had those damn seat covers put on. Not in the front seat, just in the back bench seat. I can feel it now, a couple hours at the beach or playground or the local mall or grocery store even and the car with the sun blazing down, (no tinted windows wouldn’t help anyway) us kids in our swim suits or shorts. Car always parked in a blacktop parking lot. I recall a few times after the scream looking to see if I left any skin on that damn plastic seat when getting in. Oh no never a blanket to cover that bad boy plastic back bench seat cover. I remember thinking that surely must have blistered the backs of my legs. I grew up on Canada’s Atlantic Coast. Our summers were hot, so hot and sunny, temperatures around 30 Celsius but as hot as summer was winter could be as brutally cold like -20 Celsius. You know what happens to plastic? It cracks and tears, it rips polyester fabric. Yup 😂😂😂 poor Dad rest in peace.
Let's not forget Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas who not only were amazing, but created the 2 most memorable stereotype of Canadians known as Bob and Doug you hoser lol
I think I remember an SCTV commercial where Rick Moranis was playing guitar and singing..."every song ever written", in the style of Gordon Lightfoot. Hilarious!!!
Eugene Levy is spoofing Alex Trebek (a Canadian who was the long-time host of Jeopardy) and Martin Short is the the high schooler (now in his 70s but still could pass as a teenager).
Alex Trebek way back hosted the high school challenges. I can't remember the correct title. They had one in our high school auditorium. That would have been the very early 1970's. Trebek was just the same back then in his even tempered demeanor as he was on Jeopardy. Class.
Andrea Martin as Edith Prickley, or Mother Teresa; Catherine O'Hara as Katherine Hepburn, Joe Flaherty as Count Floyd & the 3-D House of Horrors; & the skit 'All The Wee Beasties'. So much to choose from. Good stuff.
I went out as Ed Grimley that last time I went trick or treating. It was the 80s, and I was 14. Most of my head was shaved and I had really long bangs that I knox jelloed up into the spike. Flannel shirt and everything. Most people didn't know who I was, but the ones that did lost it. Especially when I did the face and movements. Got extra treats at those houses! I think it freaked people out more that I was a girl with a mostly shaved head. Ahhhh the 80s!!
Some of their amazing alumni: John Candy, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis and Harold Ramis. Most made it fairly big in the States following SCTV.
I'm from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.... So was Alex Trebek. He left a positive mark on the map for us all over here in Sudbury. Huge following of love and respect to this man in these parts.... Rest easy Alex🙏❤️ Great upload 💃
Glad you looked into SCTV. Bob and Doug Mackenzie is my favourite. The clips are about 3 minutes long, so if you do 3 or four of them, that could make a video. Stay safe, stay sane,stay strong Ukraine 🇺🇦
The story behind The Great White North was the Canadian version of the show was 3 minutes longer than the Amercan version. The were told to add an extra 3 minutes and to make sure it was Canadian content. This had them confused. Every aspect of the show was Canadian, the writers, the actors, the producer etc. So they decided the only thing they could do that was more Canadian was a couple of guys sitting around, drinking beer, wearing toques, saying eh alot and calling each other hosers. Bob and Doug McKenzie were born
One of my favourite SCTV characters is Pirini Scleroso, the station cleaning lady played by Andrea Martin. She's also great as station manager Edith Prickley.
My favorite SCTV bit was titled 'Pepi Longsocks' which was done like a dubbed episode of the old 1960's Pippi Longstockings TV series from Sweden. (SCTV version was supposed to be set in Bulgaria). I also loved the 'Roy's Food Repair' bit that featured John Candy as Roy.
And everyone who saw them can't forget the musical stylings of the '5 Neat Guys' and their greatest hits like 'Who Made the Egg Salad Sandwiches', 'Patsy Has the Largest Breasts in Town', and 'Let's Have a Party in My Rec Room'.
Others have mention Monster Chiller Horror theater. My favorite bit from that was the parody of "Midnight Cowboy." SCTV parodied this long before Seinfeld. Candy was Joe Buck and Levy was "Ratso," Rizo. That skit also had a actress playing Pauline Kael! It's just amazing how intelligent SCTV was. There was no pandering on SCTV!
The premise of the shows, that you were actually tuning in to a station, SCTV, and watching their programming and behind the scenes dealings, was brilliant. Guy Caballero, Polynesiatown, the Schmenge Bros...
The amount of talent in that group was amazing. It started out as an hour and a half show that ran every week. That's an incredible amount of time that eats up the material but they always had consistently funny content. The makeup artists were also topnotch.
Martin Short is still going strong. He is a main character in Steve Martin’s “only Murders in the Building”. A great show and perhaps the best work of Martin’s career. Well worth watching.
One of my favourite skits from SCTV was when John Candy impersonated Julia Childs. Impersonations on SCTV were done so well, sometimes you didn't know who was acting. Another great comedy show was Codco from Newfoundland. Loved the Friday night girls. That was the genesis of This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Monster Chiller Horror Theatre House of Stewardesses. Catherine is totally cracking up in the scene. All of SCTV is good (even the skits that don't hold up). Both SCTV and National Lampoon (with a helping of Monty Python) are the genetic code of comedy.
Don't forget about the on going storyline where they spoofed SCTV as an actual television studio run by Guy Calabero where they had telethons or Guy trying to stop Johnny LaRue from constantly using expensive crane shots in his movies or when cabbage aliens tried to take over the studio lol Or...They blow'd up real gud!
This show is based on a Toronto show called Reach for the Top where Toronto Canada high schools competed for points won based on academic topics and hosted by Alex Trebek . It was the polar opposite in terms of our brilliant players. I went to the studio to watch our team play in 1968. SCTV was a brilliant, unique and hilarious show spoofing TV shows. Of course it launched many show biz careers. They did improv shows too which were hilarious and affordable. What a time to have access to these comedic geniuses!
Eugene Levy (host) John Candy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, and Martin Short. All super talented and famous in both Canada and the U.S. All proudly Canadian!
For a few years back in the 80's, SCTV was filmed in Edmonton, Alberta. Allard studios which held a TV station and a huge video/film production crew and sound stage. All these comics/actors worked there. What's very unique about the production/green room side? Is there is a fair size waiting room with couches and chairs. As a local actor to Edmonton, I've been there many times auditioning for roles. In that waiting room are a few directors chairs and on the back of one them it reads: John CANDY Director No one....I mean NO ONE sits in that chair. It's John Candys
For me, the most pee making sketch on SCTV featured John Candy as Divine in a stage production of Peter Pan, complete with straining stagehands trying to help him fly.
Btw Alex Trebek is Canadian and long before he landed the Jeopardy hosting gig, he hosted multiple Canadian game shows for years and years. That's why they used him for this parody. John Candy Martin Short Eugene Levy Scarlett O'Hara Dave Thomas Andrea Martin Joe Flaherty Rick Moranis Harold Ramis Robin Duke Tony Rosato
One thing I always found funny was that Canadian quiz shows gave really cheap prizes. The US show would give away a car and in Canada you would get "A typewriter by Brother"
I’ve never really looked at SCTV, because it’s so old. This writing is exquisite though, and mixed with the talent and commitment to the bit has impressed the hell out of me. I think if this were American - say SNL, they would all be trying to yuck it up, but this is wonderfully dry. On a side note, Alex Trebel is obviously a reference to Alex Trebek, the beloved host of American TV quiz Jeopardy - who is Canadian
martin short is the guy in the red. imo Canadas best comedian and entertainer. any of his tv interviews are gold as well as his gimmni glick character and many more
SCTV did a skit on Richard Harris singing "MacArthur Park,' on the show Mels Rock Pile. Harris actually did sing that song and I believe it was quite popular. That skit is extremely funny. Dave Thomas as Richard Harris.
Watched all the series while a teenager. I am a huge Monty Python fan, as most of us kids were, and we still quote skits and movies with ease. But SCTV is the single greatest comedy show of all time.
Love your presentation Mert! Yes, and let's remember when Rick Mercer 'hit the nail on the head' in those famous interviews, asking Americans questions about Canada (many of whom had no clue where we actually are). That video reminded me of all the hundreds of famous actors and comedians who Americans (and others) think are Americans. Another example is Jim Carey, Corey Haim (may he RIP, now in Maple, Ontario).
This show was filled with amazing comedy legends. And this was the beginning of their televised careers. Just amazing. And that’s why this video had the most views.
SCTV was one of the funniest shows ever on Canadian TV. It was our version of SNL. My favourite segment was Farm Film Report with Big Jim McBob and Billy Saul Hurok......"Blowed 'er up REAL good".🤣
The thing with SCTV was each actor had their stable of characters that they developed over the life of the show. I don't remember a comedy that did that with the kind of commitment they made. If you like John Candy he was masterful on the show. I would be hard pressed to pick a favourite character because they all had their gems. Count Floyd, Dr Tongue/Wood Tobias Jr, Vic Hedges, Pirini Scleroso, Moe Green, Lin Ye Tang, Johnny LaRue, Earl Camembert, Lola Heatherton, Sammy Maudlin, Bobby Bittman, Gerry Todd, Stan and Yosh Shmenge, Tommy Shanks each 'shallow' character developed and had an unmistakable SCTV flavour that once you watched enough episodes you could feel the community of their efforts that went into this show. I loved it for that alone.
The premise of show was that each skit was supposed to be the programming that the SCTV channel showed each day - from shows to even the commercials/adverts in between. One of the fun hooks of the fictitious TV channel was that the budget was extremely tight, echoing the budget the performers had to work with in the real world. This made them have to focus more on the writing and acting than on the costumes and sets. The result was one of the funniest shows on television. In my opinion, far funnier than its American counterpart, Saturday Night Live, has ever been. Skits were often parodies of real shows and commercials of the time. Half Wits pokes fun at the long running Jeopardy, hosted by another Canadian, Alex Trebek. Trebek used to host similar shows here in Canada. During the audition process for any aspiring to be on SCTV, applicants had to be able to perform several characters, all of them distinctly different from each other. This gave the show the ability to parody anything. They also followed the great comedy rule that no one has the right to poke fun at anyone if they couldn't mock themselves first.
SCTV was the best! In part because it is so Canadian -- a good part of it is spoofing Amerian culture but my favourite was the Italian movie spoof, "Rome, Italian Style". It's only really funny if you have watched Fellini, etc. but I saw it the first time around and it still cracks me up today. th-cam.com/video/IrCYrIlqZN0/w-d-xo.html -- starts just before 9:00.
Martin Short was in a number of movies as well as SCTV skits. He currently travels with Steve Martin on live comedy stage shows. They became good friends after they starred in the the film "The Three Amigos". He has always been so fun in his roles.
I agree, Ed Grimly is Martin Short's best character. Andrea Martin and Joe Flaherty are the 2 in the middle between John Candy and Martin Short. SCTV Starred: John Candy , Robin Duke , Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy , Andrea Martin ,Rick Moranis ,Catherine O'Hara ,Harold Ramis ,Tony Rosato ,Martin Short ,Dave Thomas. I loved SCTV, it made the cast house hold names throughout Canada. I was only 6 and new and lo Ed them all.
The episode with the Monster Chiller Theatre where they review the remake of Midnight Cowboy starring Dr. Tongue and Igor - in 3d no less -. The writing in this skit is unparalleled.
Some of my favorites: Monster Horror Chiller Theatre "House of Pancakes", Ed Grimley, Edith Prickley, Schmenge Brothers, Martin Short's Sinchronized Swimming, Bob and Doug Mackenzie, Farm Film Celebrity Blow Up, Tex and Edna Boyle's Emporium
Bob & Doug McKenzie for sure! “The Great White North” was a skit created as a big FU to the powers that be saying there wasn’t enough Canadian content on the show. It grew in to classic sketches, a movie and an album with Geddy Lee from Rush joining them and doing a song. Last year ,over 40 years later in Ontario, they recreated their iconic characters in radio ads to oppose a hike in the beer tax. They embraced every possible Canadian stereotype, and we still love the McKenzie brothers to this day. Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis are true Canadian hosers! ❤🇨🇦
I am LOVING watching you watch some of our classic Canadian comedy, and it’s taking me on a trip down memory lane! I would suggest some Kids In The Hall for your next watch, a sketch comedy show from the 90’s. Some must see sketches include the Chicken Lady, Buddy Cole, Cabbage Head, My Pen, Daddy Drank, and Crushing Your Head 😂😂 can’t wait to watch you review KITH!! Enjoy!!
I haven't seen this one before, it's pretty good, all of the cast is great. I love the prize, seat covers, which makes sense for a show called 'Half Wits'. I heard that John Candy was a really, really nice man and a pleasure to work with. I used to love watching re-runs of SCTV when I was little, so many great skits, McKenzie bros are one of my fav sketches of all time.
You need to react to Bob & Doug Mckenzie! Take off to the Great White North! Take off, it's a beauty way to go! Take off, you hoser lmao quintessential Canadian comedy lol
as a teenager, I watched a SCTV before they made it to the big time with NBC American network television. After that they all went onto very successful careers. Love them all, such a shame we lost John Candy RIP way too early.
Norm Macdonald got permission from Eugene Levy to adapt the original sketch _Half Wits_ onto Saturday Night Live spoofing _Celebrity Jeopardy,_ where Will Ferrell plays the late great host, Alex Trebek (also Canadian), and Norm plays _vintage_ Burt Reynolds.
Eugene Levy is playing the host Alex Trebel after the host Alex Trebek who hosted Jeopardy! in the US for about 36 years. Alex Trebek was a Canadian born of Ukrainuan parents and hosted several game shows here in Canada with CBC before moving to America. He often wore the Toronto Maple Leaf jersey on talk shows in the US. He passed at the age of 80 about 3 years ago. A man with real class. I still miss him hosting Jeopardy . A REAL brainiac game! ❤❤❤
What you just saw was an episode from SCTV. John Candy was from Toronto, but the rest, Eugene levy, Martin short, Dave Thomas were all from my hometown, Hamilton.
SCTV was one of the best things ever on TV, and such a part of my childhood. So mny great comedians came from that show: My favourite ws always Andrea Martin, she played Blanche in this one. If you alike the acting in it, what's actually remarkable becuse the premise of the comedy show is that "SCTV" is a low budget TV station in a small town. The cast of about 8 all play multiple characters in every episode that are either characters in one of the fuictional shows on the fictional station, an actor of the fictional station nl or part of the adminstration of the fictional station. It's just brilliant.
SCTV was probably the greatest canadian production ever created! They did film some of it in Edmonton, in fact one afternoon whrn i was in jr high they were filming a block from the school ... i could see it from my desk . I didnt get much done that afternoon lol
Eugene Levy is spoofing a game show host from the era named Alex Trebec. Bob and Doug MacKenzie's Great White North series of skits is great and was a culturally well know spoof of Canadian culture and send up of Canadian Content laws - Dave Thomas, and Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters +). SCTV of that era also had Catherine o'Hara who went on to do a lot of movies (Home Alone, and many of the improvisational movies that followed Spinal Tap like Best of Show).
I have a suggestion for your next video!! You should check out the worst of Canadian Snowstorms, you seriously will not believe your eyes. Great videos, always enjoy them. As a Canadian, tysm for posting and showing such care and interest in my Country :)
Eugene Levy, host - John Candy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, and Martin Short. ALL comic geniuses! 💕
And Eugene’s character is based on Alex Trebek, also notable Canadian :)
And John Candy ws the announcer as well.
All of them in this comedy sketch. I used to watch this every week. Yes they were great. Regarding “seat covers”, we were 3 kids growing up in the’60’s and ‘70’s and every car my Dad bought he had those damn seat covers put on. Not in the front seat, just in the back bench seat. I can feel it now, a couple hours at the beach or playground or the local mall or grocery store even and the car with the sun blazing down, (no tinted windows wouldn’t help anyway) us kids in our swim suits or shorts. Car always parked in a blacktop parking lot. I recall a few times after the scream looking to see if I left any skin on that damn plastic seat when getting in. Oh no never a blanket to cover that bad boy plastic back bench seat cover. I remember thinking that surely must have blistered the backs of my legs. I grew up on Canada’s Atlantic Coast. Our summers were hot, so hot and sunny, temperatures around 30 Celsius but as hot as summer was winter could be as brutally cold like -20 Celsius. You know what happens to plastic? It cracks and tears, it rips polyester fabric. Yup 😂😂😂 poor Dad rest in peace.
Let's not forget Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas who not only were amazing, but created the 2 most memorable stereotype of Canadians known as Bob and Doug you hoser lol
Don’t forget the ever lovely Catherine O’Hara!❤
The Kids In The Hall is another hilarious Canadian comedy troupe. Something you should give a look see.
LOVED Codco too! Newfoundland sitcom from the 80's. Mary Walsh in fine form.
"Crush.....crush....crush your head."
Thirty Helens Agree with you.
@@eerole My favourite was when the Helens were in the field, then one came running in to join them. '29 Helens agree. Punctuality is important'
@@ivannano Agreed. That’s the one I remember best.
Bob and Doug McKenzie of SCTV went huge throughout North America. They even made their own music album that were very popular here.
I think I remember an SCTV commercial where Rick Moranis was playing guitar and singing..."every song ever written", in the style of Gordon Lightfoot. Hilarious!!!
Strange Brew😂
We had a Bob and Doug statue in Edmonton.
And of course, can't forget their Christmas song....which I have forgotten the title.
@@Erndog67 "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" with the lyrics changed to the Bob and Doug version?
'Zontar, the Glowing Cabbage from Venus' 😂❤
Eugene Levy is spoofing Alex Trebek (a Canadian who was the long-time host of Jeopardy) and Martin Short is the the high schooler (now in his 70s but still could pass as a teenager).
funny he also looks like a young Rod Black
I remember Alex Trebek in Stars on Ice. 😂
Isn't Martin bloody amazing.!
Alex Trebek way back hosted the high school challenges. I can't remember the correct title. They had one in our high school auditorium. That would have been the very early 1970's. Trebek was just the same back then in his even tempered demeanor as he was on Jeopardy. Class.
@@charlieross-BRM Was it Reach for the Top?
Born in Ottawa, live in Toronto -- SCTV is the funniest thing this country ever produced and each of its performers were GENIUSES.
Kids in the Hall
@@corychallice7705 Edmonton to Toronto. You’re welcome 😊
@@corychallice7705 best sketch comedy show ever, no comparison.
Trailer park boys, Letterkenny, etc. they're all great in their own way
Comedians in Canada getting the rest of the world laughing. Thank heavens for Canada.
Pretty much any episode of SCTV will change your mood for the better.
Growing up in Canada in the 70's and watching SCTV -they were so talented and hilarious it made my childhood!!
Andrea Martin as Edith Prickley, or Mother Teresa; Catherine O'Hara as Katherine Hepburn, Joe Flaherty as Count Floyd & the 3-D House of Horrors; & the skit 'All The Wee Beasties'. So much to choose from. Good stuff.
Don't forget Sid Dithers! Sanfransiski??
Anything with Ed Grimley is hilarious, especially the Oliver Twist sendup that they do.
I went out as Ed Grimley that last time I went trick or treating. It was the 80s, and I was 14. Most of my head was shaved and I had really long bangs that I knox jelloed up into the spike. Flannel shirt and everything. Most people didn't know who I was, but the ones that did lost it. Especially when I did the face and movements. Got extra treats at those houses! I think it freaked people out more that I was a girl with a mostly shaved head. Ahhhh the 80s!!
He's terribly decent, I must say. 😂
OH! Give me a BREAK!
And I suppose I'm not going mental right now, I must say?!
There certainly seems to be no question about that!!
I remember Ed on SNL with Howard Cosell as his Uncle
"EDWARD!!"
"Yeeeees...?"
"DINNER!!!"
Some of their amazing alumni: John Candy, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis and Harold Ramis. Most made it fairly big in the States following SCTV.
I'm from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.... So was Alex Trebek. He left a positive mark on the map for us all over here in Sudbury. Huge following of love and respect to this man in these parts.... Rest easy Alex🙏❤️
Great upload 💃
Glad you looked into SCTV.
Bob and Doug Mackenzie is my favourite. The clips are about 3 minutes long, so if you do 3 or four of them, that could make a video.
Stay safe, stay sane,stay strong Ukraine 🇺🇦
The story behind The Great White North was the Canadian version of the show was 3 minutes longer than the Amercan version. The were told to add an extra 3 minutes and to make sure it was Canadian content. This had them confused. Every aspect of the show was Canadian, the writers, the actors, the producer etc. So they decided the only thing they could do that was more Canadian was a couple of guys sitting around, drinking beer, wearing toques, saying eh alot and calling each other hosers. Bob and Doug McKenzie were born
I just bought it on cassette tape, take off eh!
One of my favourite SCTV characters is Pirini Scleroso, the station cleaning lady played by Andrea Martin. She's also great as station manager Edith Prickley.
The Perini Scleroso commercial mimicking the Maria Christina wine commercial was hilarious!
Guy in red is Martin Short. My all time favourite actress is Andrea Martin (Blanche).
That is correct? Robert?
My favorite SCTV bit was titled 'Pepi Longsocks' which was done like a dubbed episode of the old 1960's Pippi Longstockings TV series from Sweden. (SCTV version was supposed to be set in Bulgaria). I also loved the 'Roy's Food Repair' bit that featured John Candy as Roy.
And everyone who saw them can't forget the musical stylings of the '5 Neat Guys' and their greatest hits like 'Who Made the Egg Salad Sandwiches', 'Patsy Has the Largest Breasts in Town', and 'Let's Have a Party in My Rec Room'.
Favourite is spelled like this in Canada!
@@wjdietrich I know (I'm Canadian) but we all know if I spelled it with a "u" the spelling police would comment that there's no "u". Can't win!
One of the best ever comedic shows, Canadian humor at its finest. All the regulars went on to bigger but more diluted careers.
Others have mention Monster Chiller Horror theater. My favorite bit from that was the parody of "Midnight Cowboy." SCTV parodied this long before Seinfeld. Candy was Joe Buck and Levy was "Ratso," Rizo. That skit also had a actress playing Pauline Kael! It's just amazing how intelligent SCTV was. There was no pandering on SCTV!
The premise of the shows, that you were actually tuning in to a station, SCTV, and watching their programming and behind the scenes dealings, was brilliant. Guy Caballero, Polynesiatown, the Schmenge Bros...
Vic Hedges ... look at him. Would you buy a used car from him?
The amount of talent in that group was amazing. It started out as an hour and a half show that ran every week. That's an incredible amount of time that eats up the material but they always had consistently funny content. The makeup artists were also topnotch.
BEST SKIT EVER ON TELEVISION....!!!!!!!!!!
Martin Short is still going strong. He is a main character in Steve Martin’s “only Murders in the Building”. A great show and perhaps the best work of Martin’s career. Well worth watching.
One of my favourite skits from SCTV was when John Candy impersonated Julia Childs. Impersonations on SCTV were done so well, sometimes you didn't know who was acting. Another great comedy show was Codco from Newfoundland. Loved the Friday night girls. That was the genesis of This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Half Wits is absolutely showcases why all these guys are loved and gained success.
Don't miss Count Floyd bits. They are gems.
Monster Chiller Horror Theatre House of Stewardesses. Catherine is totally cracking up in the scene. All of SCTV is good (even the skits that don't hold up). Both SCTV and National Lampoon (with a helping of Monty Python) are the genetic code of comedy.
This hour has 22 minutes is also hilarious but also very national and political.
Four on the Floor and Kids in the Hall are good as well.
And course Bizarre.
@@stephenolan5539 Remember _Dullahue_ ?
SCTV RULES!!! The 3D was ahead of it's time! Lol!!
The guy in red, Lawrence, is played by Martin Short. Eugene Levy is playing a character based on another famous Canadian Alex Trebek.
Mert, the actors here from left to right are; John Candy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, and Martin Short. Eugene Levy, as you said, is the host.
Eugene Levy is the king of the slow burn. He does it on most of the game shows they did.
I loved the Shmenge brothers on Sctv. Another amazing comedy troupe was kids in the hall. Or Trailer park boys, for a hilarious tv show.
Add Letterkenny
+1 for Kids In The Hall, and Trailer Park Boys!
Cabbage rolls and coffee!
Don't forget about the on going storyline where they spoofed SCTV as an actual television studio run by Guy Calabero where they had telethons or Guy trying to stop Johnny LaRue from constantly using expensive crane shots in his movies or when cabbage aliens tried to take over the studio lol
Or...They blow'd up real gud!
The Lemon Twins trio! So much talent.
This show is based on a Toronto show called Reach for the Top where Toronto Canada high schools competed for points won based on academic topics and hosted by Alex Trebek . It was the polar opposite in terms of our brilliant players. I went to the studio to watch our team play in 1968. SCTV was a brilliant, unique and hilarious show spoofing TV shows. Of course it launched many show biz careers. They did improv shows too which were hilarious and affordable. What a time to have access to these comedic geniuses!
Eugene Levy (host) John Candy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, and Martin Short. All super talented and famous in both Canada and the U.S. All proudly Canadian!
For a few years back in the 80's, SCTV was filmed in Edmonton, Alberta. Allard studios which held a TV station and a huge video/film production crew and sound stage. All these comics/actors worked there. What's very unique about the production/green room side? Is there is a fair size waiting room with couches and chairs. As a local actor to Edmonton, I've been there many times auditioning for roles. In that waiting room are a few directors chairs and on the back of one them it reads:
John CANDY
Director
No one....I mean NO ONE sits in that chair. It's John Candys
Didn't they use Leduc for some filming?
@@sheilaclarke3707 they did yes.
For me, the most pee making sketch on SCTV featured John Candy as Divine in a stage production of Peter Pan, complete with straining stagehands trying to help him fly.
What about "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me"?
Definitely should watch the Bob and Doug McKenzie skits and then the movie Strange Brew!
So glad you found SCTV!!!
Btw Alex Trebek is Canadian and long before he landed the Jeopardy hosting gig, he hosted multiple Canadian game shows for years and years. That's why they used him for this parody.
John Candy
Martin Short
Eugene Levy
Scarlett O'Hara
Dave Thomas
Andrea Martin
Joe Flaherty
Rick Moranis
Harold Ramis
Robin Duke
Tony Rosato
That was hilarious; I totally enjoyed it. So sad though that John Candy passed away so young.
One thing I always found funny was that Canadian quiz shows gave really cheap prizes. The US show would give away a car and in Canada you would get "A typewriter by Brother"
I remember pen sets from Schaeffer 😂
SCTV satirized that too; I remember on one of the game shows the prize was a nice lamp, and a bonus prize of lightbulbs.
I like how the audience is first impressed when they think the car is the prize but becomes pissed-off when it turns out it's only the seat covers.
😂😂😂
So, so true!
Oh dude🤣👍 best skit for me is The Schmenge Brothers! Eugene Levy and John Candy‼️🫡
I’ve never really looked at SCTV, because it’s so old. This writing is exquisite though, and mixed with the talent and commitment to the bit has impressed the hell out of me. I think if this were American - say SNL, they would all be trying to yuck it up, but this is wonderfully dry.
On a side note, Alex Trebel is obviously a reference to Alex Trebek, the beloved host of American TV quiz Jeopardy - who is Canadian
Eugene Levy, John Candy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, Martin Short
Yes that's Eugene Levy in the flesh! Lawrence is Martin Short
martin short is the guy in the red. imo Canadas best comedian and entertainer. any of his tv interviews are gold as well as his gimmni glick character and many more
He got away with so much as gimmni-pure talent
SCTV did a skit on Richard Harris singing "MacArthur Park,' on the show Mels Rock Pile. Harris actually did sing that song and I believe it was quite popular. That skit is extremely funny. Dave Thomas as Richard Harris.
Watched all the series while a teenager. I am a huge Monty Python fan, as most of us kids were, and we still quote skits and movies with ease. But SCTV is the single greatest comedy show of all time.
For more SCTV I would recommend anything with Dr. Tongue, Count Floyd, Bob & Doug, or Ed Grimley
THERE'S A RAINBOW IN TORONNA
The best comedy tv show ever.
You are soooo going to have a lot of fun with this. SCTV is on the Air!
He needs a wheelchair ... for respect.
People often forget Harold Ramis of Egon Spengler Ghostbusters fame was an SCTV alumnus. His "undercover mountie" sketch was hilarious.
Now this is worth power watching one episode at a time lol
Love your presentation Mert! Yes, and let's remember when Rick Mercer 'hit the nail on the head' in those famous interviews, asking Americans questions about Canada (many of whom had no clue where we actually are). That video reminded me of all the hundreds of famous actors and comedians who Americans (and others) think are Americans. Another example is Jim Carey, Corey Haim (may he RIP, now in Maple, Ontario).
10:26 that's Joe Flaherty. I think you'll get a kick out of Kids in the Hall.
Monster Chiller Horror Theatre (with Count Floyd, Dr. Tongue, and of course, Bruno)!!!
Another great SCTV skit. The Shmenge Brothers! Simply fantastic!
This show was filled with amazing comedy legends. And this was the beginning of their televised careers. Just amazing. And that’s why this video had the most views.
Omg this was great to watch! Truly enjoyed seeing some of our best comedians doing these skits. Classic.
SCTV was one of the funniest shows ever on Canadian TV. It was our version of SNL. My favourite segment was Farm Film Report with Big Jim McBob and Billy Saul Hurok......"Blowed 'er up REAL good".🤣
Schitts Creek. Needs to be included 1:47
The thing with SCTV was each actor had their stable of characters that they developed over the life of the show. I don't remember a comedy that did that with the kind of commitment they made. If you like John Candy he was masterful on the show. I would be hard pressed to pick a favourite character because they all had their gems. Count Floyd, Dr Tongue/Wood Tobias Jr, Vic Hedges, Pirini Scleroso, Moe Green, Lin Ye Tang, Johnny LaRue, Earl Camembert, Lola Heatherton, Sammy Maudlin, Bobby Bittman, Gerry Todd, Stan and Yosh Shmenge, Tommy Shanks each 'shallow' character developed and had an unmistakable SCTV flavour that once you watched enough episodes you could feel the community of their efforts that went into this show. I loved it for that alone.
The premise of show was that each skit was supposed to be the programming that the SCTV channel showed each day - from shows to even the commercials/adverts in between. One of the fun hooks of the fictitious TV channel was that the budget was extremely tight, echoing the budget the performers had to work with in the real world. This made them have to focus more on the writing and acting than on the costumes and sets. The result was one of the funniest shows on television. In my opinion, far funnier than its American counterpart, Saturday Night Live, has ever been.
Skits were often parodies of real shows and commercials of the time. Half Wits pokes fun at the long running Jeopardy, hosted by another Canadian, Alex Trebek. Trebek used to host similar shows here in Canada.
During the audition process for any aspiring to be on SCTV, applicants had to be able to perform several characters, all of them distinctly different from each other. This gave the show the ability to parody anything. They also followed the great comedy rule that no one has the right to poke fun at anyone if they couldn't mock themselves first.
The prize for Half Wits is a reference to Canadian game shows from the 70's where blenders and luggage were often the grand prizes.
There's a lot of good stuff. This is a good recurring SCTV skit!
Tex and Edna Boyle's Prairie Warehouse and Organ Emporium.
That's Martin Short in the college sweater (the player who's having some small problem completing High School.)
SCTV was the best! In part because it is so Canadian -- a good part of it is spoofing Amerian culture but my favourite was the Italian movie spoof, "Rome, Italian Style". It's only really funny if you have watched Fellini, etc. but I saw it the first time around and it still cracks me up today. th-cam.com/video/IrCYrIlqZN0/w-d-xo.html -- starts just before 9:00.
Four words for SCTV: Monster Chiller Horror Theatre.... you're welcome.
Oh, also the Fishin' Musician.
3D
He'll need 3D glasses. They're like, 94 bucks.
Martin Short was in a number of movies as well as SCTV skits. He currently travels with Steve Martin on live comedy stage shows. They became good friends after they starred in the the film "The Three Amigos". He has always been so fun in his roles.
One of the best Canadian shows ever. These guys were so funny.
Hey Giorgy bit on SCTV with John Candy is the greatest riff on Soviet State TV ever created.
Seat covers would have been considered a reasonably good prize on a Canadian game show from this period.
A nice avocado and burnt orange plaid.
I love watching you react to our Canadian comedy.
We're funny folks!
HAVE FUN!
I agree, Ed Grimly is Martin Short's best character. Andrea Martin and Joe Flaherty are the 2 in the middle between John Candy and Martin Short. SCTV Starred: John Candy , Robin Duke
, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy
, Andrea Martin ,Rick Moranis ,Catherine O'Hara ,Harold Ramis ,Tony Rosato ,Martin Short ,Dave Thomas.
I loved SCTV, it made the cast house hold names throughout Canada. I was only 6 and new and lo Ed them all.
Grimly’s annoying, I must say.
The episode with the Monster Chiller Theatre where they review the remake of Midnight Cowboy starring Dr. Tongue and Igor - in 3d no less -. The writing in this skit is unparalleled.
Loved SCTV growing up. Epic cast!!!
Make sure to see some of the 3D House of Terror skits
Some of my favorites: Monster Horror Chiller Theatre "House of Pancakes", Ed Grimley, Edith Prickley, Schmenge Brothers, Martin Short's Sinchronized Swimming, Bob and Doug Mackenzie, Farm Film Celebrity Blow Up, Tex and Edna Boyle's Emporium
Bob & Doug McKenzie for sure! “The Great White North” was a skit created as a big FU to the powers that be saying there wasn’t enough Canadian content on the show. It grew in to classic sketches, a movie and an album with Geddy Lee from Rush joining them and doing a song. Last year ,over 40 years later in Ontario, they recreated their iconic characters in radio ads to oppose a hike in the beer tax. They embraced every possible Canadian stereotype, and we still love the McKenzie brothers to this day. Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis are true Canadian hosers! ❤🇨🇦
Canadian game shows were known for their less than fabulous prizes😂. Anyone remember Monarch cake mix? I think it was the prize on Definitions.
I remember a consistent top prize being a pen and pencil set 😂.
That sounds strangely familiar and a long time ago.
I am LOVING watching you watch some of our classic Canadian comedy, and it’s taking me on a trip down memory lane! I would suggest some Kids In The Hall for your next watch, a sketch comedy show from the 90’s. Some must see sketches include the Chicken Lady, Buddy Cole, Cabbage Head, My Pen, Daddy Drank, and Crushing Your Head 😂😂 can’t wait to watch you review KITH!! Enjoy!!
Bob and Doug McKenzie are classic Canadian....ya hoser!!!!
I haven't seen this one before, it's pretty good, all of the cast is great. I love the prize, seat covers, which makes sense for a show called 'Half Wits'. I heard that John Candy was a really, really nice man and a pleasure to work with. I used to love watching re-runs of SCTV when I was little, so many great skits, McKenzie bros are one of my fav sketches of all time.
So many famous people in that panel !! Love Martin and Eugene
I absolutely loved SCTV when it was on originally. It was must see tv.
You need to react to Bob & Doug Mckenzie! Take off to the Great White North! Take off, it's a beauty way to go! Take off, you hoser lmao quintessential Canadian comedy lol
Definitely check out Bob and Doug McKenzie.
The guy in the red vest is Martin Short, also famously known for The Three Amigos.
as a teenager, I watched a SCTV before they made it to the big time with NBC American network television. After that they all went onto very successful careers. Love them all, such a shame we lost John Candy RIP way too early.
Norm Macdonald got permission from Eugene Levy to adapt the original sketch _Half Wits_ onto Saturday Night Live spoofing _Celebrity Jeopardy,_ where Will Ferrell plays the late great host, Alex Trebek (also Canadian), and Norm plays _vintage_ Burt Reynolds.
They are a crazy crew!!!! Love this one!!! LMAO
SCTV, The Frantics, Kids in the Hall are legend! Most like Brit comedy, like Monty Python, etc!
Great pick. Half Wits is hands down my favorite skit....although there are so many greats!
Eugene Levy is playing the host Alex Trebel after the host Alex Trebek who hosted Jeopardy! in the US for about 36 years. Alex Trebek was a Canadian born of Ukrainuan parents and hosted several game shows here in Canada with CBC before moving to America. He often wore the Toronto Maple Leaf jersey on talk shows in the US. He passed at the age of 80 about 3 years ago. A man with real class. I still miss him hosting Jeopardy . A REAL brainiac game! ❤❤❤
On the game show Lawrence was Martin Short.
This video was short enough that I felt comfortable sharing it to the Facebook. Hope it gets you some more subs
Bob and Doug McKenzie!
What you just saw was an episode from SCTV. John Candy was from Toronto, but the rest, Eugene levy, Martin short, Dave Thomas were all from my hometown, Hamilton.
SCTV was one of the best things ever on TV, and such a part of my childhood. So mny great comedians came from that show: My favourite ws always Andrea Martin, she played Blanche in this one.
If you alike the acting in it, what's actually remarkable becuse the premise of the comedy show is that "SCTV" is a low budget TV station in a small town. The cast of about 8 all play multiple characters in every episode that are either characters in one of the fuictional shows on the fictional station, an actor of the fictional station nl or part of the adminstration of the fictional station. It's just brilliant.
SCTV was probably the greatest canadian production ever created!
They did film some of it in Edmonton, in fact one afternoon whrn i was in jr high they were filming a block from the school ... i could see it from my desk . I didnt get much done that afternoon lol
Eugene Levy is spoofing a game show host from the era named Alex Trebec. Bob and Doug MacKenzie's Great White North series of skits is great and was a culturally well know spoof of Canadian culture and send up of Canadian Content laws - Dave Thomas, and Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters +). SCTV of that era also had Catherine o'Hara who went on to do a lot of movies (Home Alone, and many of the improvisational movies that followed Spinal Tap like Best of Show).
I have a suggestion for your next video!! You should check out the worst of Canadian Snowstorms, you seriously will not believe your eyes. Great videos, always enjoy them. As a Canadian, tysm for posting and showing such care and interest in my Country :)