Deep Dive - SCTV
About
SCTV (Second City Television) was a Canadian television sketch comedy show which ran in various incarnations from 1976 to 1984, first in syndication, then on CBC Television, on NBC (as SCTV Network 90), and finally on Cinemax. A blend of sitcom and sketch humor, the series focused on the SCTV station in the small town of Melonville, its eccentric staff, and array of programming (including movie spoofs and celebrity impersonations). By the time it reached NBC, most episodes featured wraparound plot lines or themes involving the station.
Several fictional characters from the show have crossed-over into the Muppet universe as celebrity cameos (performed by the original actor), or were re-worked slightly for their appearances.
The similarities would increase with KMUP on Muppets Tonight (with multiple SCTValumni both as behind the scenes and as on-camera guests). Recurring segment "Swift Wits" is based on the SCTV segment "Half Wits," featuring a slew of not too bright contestants who fail to ever get a question right, to the host's frustration. "Swift Wits" added the trademark Muppets eating other Muppets aspect, however
Articles
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2021/05/the-strange-story-of-sctv-in-the-usa/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/arts/television/sctv-reunion-netflix.html
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/martin-scorsese-direct-sctv-reunion-documentary-netflix-1101710/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/eugene-levy-how-sctv-grew-867632/
https://www.secondcity.com/network/sctv-am-news-today-earls-attire/
https://www.secondcity.com/network/sctv-whats-my-shoe-size/
https://torontosun.com/entertainment/sctv-fans-can-take-a-deep-breath-reunion-special-not-shelved
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2021/05/the-strange-story-of-sctv-in-the-usa/
https://www.eightieskids.com/10-amazing-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-sctv/
https://www.avclub.com/10-episodes-that-make-the-argument-for-sctv-as-one-of-t-1798235993
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/05/19/godspell-toronto-martin-short-levy-radner-shaffer-garber/
Documentary
The SCTV Guide to Showbiz (Documentary 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGPCHzH1TGA
Video Playlists
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh4zYKaPKme79zIWVPby_C7TYoUvBVQz4
Books
https://www.amazon.com/SCTV-Behind-Scenes-Dave-Thomas/dp/0771085680
SCTV (Second City Television) was a Canadian television sketch comedy show which ran in various incarnations from 1976 to 1984, first in syndication, then on CBC Television, on NBC (as SCTV Network 90), and finally on Cinemax. A blend of sitcom and sketch humor, the series focused on the SCTV station in the small town of Melonville, its eccentric staff, and array of programming (including movie spoofs and celebrity impersonations). By the time it reached NBC, most episodes featured wraparound plot lines or themes involving the station.
Several fictional characters from the show have crossed-over into the Muppet universe as celebrity cameos (performed by the original actor), or were re-worked slightly for their appearances.
- Mrs. Falbo, of the recurring "Mrs. Falbo's Tiny Town" children's show spoof, appeared as a recurring element on Sesame Streetunder the name "Wanda Falbo (Word Fairy)."
- Edith Prickley appeared in various roles on Sesame Street, and in animated form as the earliest version of Lecture Lady.
- Yosh Shmenge (half of the Happy Wanderers polka duo) appeared in an episode in which he sells a clarinet to Slimey, and the celebrity version of "Put Down the Duckie."
- Ed Grimley appeared on Sesame Street (a clip of which was seen in Stars and Street Forever) and Muppets Tonightepisode 110.
- Irving Cohen appeared on Muppets Tonight episode 110.
The similarities would increase with KMUP on Muppets Tonight (with multiple SCTValumni both as behind the scenes and as on-camera guests). Recurring segment "Swift Wits" is based on the SCTV segment "Half Wits," featuring a slew of not too bright contestants who fail to ever get a question right, to the host's frustration. "Swift Wits" added the trademark Muppets eating other Muppets aspect, however
Articles
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2021/05/the-strange-story-of-sctv-in-the-usa/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/arts/television/sctv-reunion-netflix.html
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/martin-scorsese-direct-sctv-reunion-documentary-netflix-1101710/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/eugene-levy-how-sctv-grew-867632/
https://www.secondcity.com/network/sctv-am-news-today-earls-attire/
https://www.secondcity.com/network/sctv-whats-my-shoe-size/
https://torontosun.com/entertainment/sctv-fans-can-take-a-deep-breath-reunion-special-not-shelved
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2021/05/the-strange-story-of-sctv-in-the-usa/
https://www.eightieskids.com/10-amazing-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-sctv/
https://www.avclub.com/10-episodes-that-make-the-argument-for-sctv-as-one-of-t-1798235993
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/05/19/godspell-toronto-martin-short-levy-radner-shaffer-garber/
Documentary
The SCTV Guide to Showbiz (Documentary 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGPCHzH1TGA
Video Playlists
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh4zYKaPKme79zIWVPby_C7TYoUvBVQz4
Books
https://www.amazon.com/SCTV-Behind-Scenes-Dave-Thomas/dp/0771085680