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Second City Television

The staff of Melonvilles TV station put on programming that is unique in its own silly way.

11 Votes (8.6)

1976 HD 45min Canada English Ended
Comedy
sketch comedy parody

Credits:

S1E1 - Backstage 1976-09-21

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 shows 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.

S1E2 - Murder At SCTV 1976-10-21

Perini Scleroso and Gus Gustoffersons first appearance. Gus is featured in a wraparound concept dealing with the murder of puppeteer Lampeer.

S1E3 - Ethnic Humour 1976-11-18

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

S1E4 - Crosswords

Sammy Maudlin, Sunrise Semester, The $211,000 Triangle, Cooking with LaRue, Backstage, Masterpiece Theatre, Words to Live By

S1E5 - Match Unto My Feet 1977-01-13

Sunrise Semester, Witness to Yesterday, PSA:So Youre Dead...Now What?, Match Unto My Feet, Words to Live By

S1E6 - Memoirs of Anton Chekhov 1977-02-10

Star Trek comes to the steppes of Russia in a very funny parody of Chekhov. Heavenly Bodies, Mr Science, Masterpiece Theatre, The Memoirs of Anton Chekhov

S1E7 - Dialing For Dollars 1977-02-24

BEAUTY AND THE BEETS Beauty learns to like beets... the hard way. Beauty and the Beets, Firing Squad, Alice, the Wonder Dog, Dialing for Dollars, Changing Partners

S1E8 - Shock Theatre 1977-03-10

Dining with LaRue, The Wacky World of Poverty, Eye on Science, Shock Theatre:Early to Bed

S1E9 - Philosophy Street

Good-Bye America, Sunrise Semester, Philosophy Street, Total Women, A Fistful of Ugly, Feedback with Moe Green

S1E10 - Therese et Joe 1977-04-07

On SCTV News, Floyd Robertson (Joe Flaherty) and Earl Camembert (Eugene Levy) report earthquakes, deli crises, the arms race, and Earl asks terrorists to surrender; Dr Hammond Greer (Dave Thomas) delivers a speech against scientists; Johnny LaRue (John Candy) cleans out the food at Lin Ye Tangs (Dave Thomas) garden restaurant; Lou Jaffe (Eugene Levy) witnesses Irish group techniques (and a bombing); On the SCTV Movie of the Week, a depressing French film about a live-in couple, Jerry Lewis-impersonating Joe (Joe Flaherty) and his fawning lover, Therese (Andrea Martin). Sunrise Semester, Dining With LaRue, Perspective 77, Therese et Joe

S1E11 - Broads Behind Bars 1977-04-21

Broads Behind Bars is a classic, with Candys over the top prison guard Shultzy ("Lock em up, keep em down, and work em over") and Martins lifer Kitty ("No Dice!"). Trivia: the crew put real liquor in Ramis bottle for the Mort Finkel sketch. (ref: sctvguide.com) Sunrise Semester, Dining With LaRue, Broads Behind Bars

S1E12 - The Taxidermist 1977-05-05

Farm Report, Welcome Back President Kotter, Alistair Cooks Armenia, The Taxidermist

S1E13 - Ben Hur 1977-05-19

A landmark show, featuring a show-length parody of the film, introduced by Moe Green on Dialing For Dollars. Additional Viewing: William Wylers 1959 epic Ben-Hur.

S1E14 - The Hefty Neil Story

SCTV Sports Central: The Hefty Neil Story, PSA: Shoplifting

S1E15 - Leave It to Beaver 1977-09-26

Exorcising, Leave it to Beaver 25th Anniversary Party, PSA:Rip Masters for Children on Booze, Dr Tongue and his Animal Friends

S1E16 - Goodbye America 1977-10-03

Winning Chess with Borris Morris, PSA:So Youre Dead...Now What?, Good-Bye America, Johnny LaRue

S1E17 - Galaxy 66 1977-10-10

Diving for Dollars, Sunrise Semester, Sci-Fi Theatre: Galaxy 66, Beside the Point, Words to Live By

S1E18 - Madame Blitzman 1977-10-17

PSA: Re-criminalize Marijuana, Dantes Inferno, Monster Chiller Horror Theatre: Madame Blitzman

S1E19 - $129 000 Question

Wake Up With Alki Stereopolis, PSA: Do Not Remove Tags, The $129,000 Question, Elvira Mad Again Part II, Words to Live By

S1E20 - Dr Tongue's House of Wax

Sunrise Semester, It Was That Way With Keith Hampshire, I Cry Each Day I Die, SCTV Boogie

S1E21 - Sammy Maudlin Show

Pauls Workshop With Paul Fistinyourface, The Sammy Maudlin Show, PSA: Shoplifting, Dialing For Dollars: Sandy Moss

S1E22 - World at War 1977-11-14

Passport to Adventure:Africa, The World of Mystery: Sandwich on the Orient Express, World at War:Baseball, Lowell Thompson Remembers

S1E23 - The Grapes of Mud 1977-11-21

Muleys Roundhouse, Promo: Library Police, The Three Dummies: Of Mice and Dummies, SCTV AM News Today: Terrorist Picnic, Commercial: Spray-On Socks, SCTV Movie of the Week: The Grapes of Mud Part, Commercial: Mrs Prickleys Jams Jellies and Preserves, Disco Farming

S1E24 - Officer Friendly 1977-11-28

Message from Moe: License Suspended, A.M. Little America with Tom Brokraw, Promo: Dan Money, SCTV AM News Today: Mafia Interview, Commercial: Civil Engineering, Officer Friendly, Promo: The Undersea World of Marcel Cousteau, Promo: Masterpiece Theatre: All the Long-Leggedy Beasties, Dream Interpretation with Dr. Raoul Wilson

S1E25 - King of the Popes

Commercial: Tiny Tops, Morning Facial with Princess Carlotta, Promo: Check Please, Promo: The Man Who Would Be King of the Popes, Commercial: Mr. Coffee-Table Book from Venerable Electric, The Uncle Earl Show, Promo: Harry Filth, Insights with Hugh Betcha: Socrates, Commercial: Get Tough self-help book, Commercial: Grumbles Restaurant on Route 41, Enough About Me: Antonio Luciani

S1E26 - Lust for Paint 1977-12-12

Dialing for Dollars: Lust For Paint features a show-length parody of Moulin Rouge, with promos for celebrity tattletales and the Babe Ruth story

S2E1 - Premiere 1978-09-16

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.

S2E2 - 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

S2E3 - Kidnapping of Moe Green 1978-09-30

The Leutonian Liberation Front has threatened Moe Green with his life and his career. Once the dirty deed is done, SCTVs on-air personalities cannot hide their relief.

S2E4 - SCTV Solid Gold Telethon 1978-10-07

Sammy Maudlin, Bobby Bittman and Johnny LaRue anchor the show-length star-studded charity telethon. A great celebrity schmooze fest. The Solid Gold Telethon marks the first of three telethons SCTV would air in an attempt to get cash from viewers; it was followed by Pledge Week in Series 4, and the very final SCTV episode, Pledge Week in Series 6. The Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme duet is an almost note-for-note parody of Jackie and Roys rendition of the tune "You Smell So Good", a jazz classic. (Thanks Charlie R)

S2E5 - Writer's Strike 1978-10-14

Something of a sequel to the first episode as Ernest Kirsch, SCTV writer, goes on strike, disrupting regular programming. At SCTV News, Floyd and Earl are forced to write their own copy. Caballero (still in a wheelchair with a phone) starts a tradition of giving speeches to the camera - as the show progressed, he would become more and more verbose, but here hes brief and to the point.

S2E6 - Municipal Election 1978-10-21

Earl Camembert faces a conflict of interest as Johnny LaRues campaign manager as SCTV News covers the municipal elections and Johnnys run for council. Additional Viewing: The 1978 TV miniseries The Bastard, starring Tom Bosley; 70s sitcom Threes Company.

S2E7 - Farm Film Report/Arabs

Guy Caballero gives his statement to the Arabs emerging on the world scene: ""Invest heavily in the SCTV Network."" Then programming begins with the first-ever Farm Film Report, with Big Jim McBob and Billy Saul Hurok discussing movies in which people get ""blowed up good."" Lou Jaffe does a Speaking of Talk interview with Harvey K-Tel in the recording studio shouting voice-overs. The Millionaire has given away just about all his money (his last check bounced). He is desperate to pay back Michael Anthony, until The Millionaire of Mecca appears. Peter OTool, Richard Berton, Richard Hariss, Shawn Connery, and Candice Burgen tease the audience with highlights of the new theatrical release How the Middle East Was Won. Farm Film Report, Speaking of Talk, Millionaire, How the Middle East Was Won

S2E8 - The Mirthmakers/Happy Endings

It appears there isnt any happiness on television, except on SCTV. Earl Camembert gives a bright side to tragic news stories. Lin Ye Tang must answer to viewers who have complained about the contents of Chinese Fairy Tales. And a Triple Feature Movie has three different settings with identical plots. The Mirthmakers, Chinese Fairy Tale, Happy Endings

S2E9 - Undersea World 1978-11-11

The first appearance of gameshow host Alex Trebel, hosting the high school quiz show High Q. Additional Viewing: The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, the long-running nature show from the 60s and 70s. Second City notes: Marriage Counsellor originated in the 1976 revue For a Good Time Call 363-1674, Thomas and OHara reprising their respective roles here.

S2E10 - Edith Prickley Station Manager

Edith Prickley has succeeded Moe Green as SCTV Station Manager. (Naturally, she rubs Guy Caballero the wrong way.) Her first day on the job sees the world television premiere of Jaws 23, where Amity residents want to lure a mackerel into town for the Fourth of July. Edith Prickley: Station Manager, Shoot at the Stars, Jaws 23 Sore Loser

S2E11 - SCTV 30th Anniversary Show 1978-11-25

Features the show-length, star-studded salute to SCTVs 30th anniversary, with some great parodies of 50s television. Additional Viewing: Branded, the 1965 TV show starring Chuck Connors; and Whats My Line?, the long-running 50s panel show. While Kirk Douglas made two appearances as a mystery guest on Whats My Line? (in 1953 and 1960), he was never a guest panelist (his second wife, Anne Buydens, did appear as a guest panelist on a 1966 show, however). Coincidentally, Andrea Martin, like Arlene Francis, is of partial Armenian descent, while Catherine OHara, like Dorothy Kilgallen, is from an Irish-Catholic family. The opening sequence of Whats My Shoesize? has more in common with the 1968-75 syndicated version of Whats My Line? (Thanks William Brown

S2E12 - Whispers of the Wolf/The Occult

Mr. Science: Acid and Electricity, SCTV News: SCTV is Haunted, Fireside Chat: Firewood, 4th Degree, Monster Chiller Horror Theatre: Whispers of the Wolf, Words to Live By with Mulciber Arimaspians

S2E13 - Bad Acting In Hollywood 1978-12-09

Features Sid Dithers Private Eye and the superb Bad Acting In Hollywood. Additional Viewing: Bad Acting In Hollywood is a parody of Thats Hollywood, a late 70s TV show hosted by Tom Bosley that looked at historic Hollywood films (mostly from 20th Century-Fox) (Thanks Jim Donato). Johnny Dark Always Rings Twice parodies 30s and 40 gangster films; start with Little Caesar from 1931. The Phil Donahue Show, which ran through the 70s and 80s, was the precursor of all modern daytime talk shows. C.P.O. Sharkey was a mid-seventies sitcom starring Don Rickles.

S2E14 - Alfred Hitchcock Presents 1978-12-16

Additional Viewing: Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the 50s anthology series hosted by the man himself. Murder Is Bad For Your Health is (possibly) a parody of the 1948 film An Act Of Murder, starring Florence Eldridge and Fredric March (thanks Dusty Towne); Cecil and Cynthia appear again in Series 3s Gaslight.

S2E15 - Fighting Air Dogs 1978-12-23

Promo: Undercover Policewoman, SCTV News: Marijuana, Commercial: Daylea Yogurt, Masterpiece Theatre: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Mohicans Galore, Cretins Island, Commercial: Mikes Mercenaries from Amco the Toy People, SCTV Movie of the Week: Fighting Air Dogs over the Pacific

S2E16 - Death Takes No Holiday 1978-12-31

Phil from Phils Nails (later the Garment King) is a send-up of Phil Givner, who did similar commercials for his carpet outlet back in the 70s in Toronto. Additional Viewing: William Castle was a director of B-movie thrillers that usually featured a gimmick of some sort. His 1961 film Mr Sardonicus featured The Punishment Poll, a gimmick whereby the movie audience could vote to determine how the movie would end. The Amazing World of Kreskin, the early 70s mentalist show hosted by the Amazing Kreskin.

S2E17 - Rock Concert 1979-01-06

Features the first Tex and Edna Boil Organ Emporium commercial, while Bob Clark in the Mailbag segment is a very similar character to Bill Needle, who would take over the Mailbag in series 3. Additional Viewing: Mind Games includes a neat little parody of the 1966 film Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. They parodied the film again (in a radically different way) in Fast Talking Playhouse.

S2E18 - Fantasy Island 1979-01-13

Features the show-length parody of Fantasy Island, which itself incorporates a bevy of parodies of classic 40s pictures. Additional viewing: the 70s hit TV show Fantasy Island; Hope and Crosby road pictures; Casablanca; and The Wizard of Oz.

S2E19 - On the Waterfront Again 1979-01-20

The second episode in a row to feature a show-length sketch, an episode of The Sammy Maudlin Show with Bobby Bittman promoting his remake of On the Waterfront. Maudlin music is "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited. Additional Viewing: On The Waterfront, the 1954 classic

S2E20 - SCTV Disco 1979-01-27

SCTV Boogie, from episode 20 of the first series, has been rechristened SCTV Disco. Additional Vieweing: Lou Grant, the Mary Tyler Moore Show spinoff series starring Ed Asner; Art Linkletters House Party, a long-running TV series during the 50s and 60s, included a segment Kids Say the Darndest Things.

S2E21 - Pipeline 1979-02-03

Notable for the unusual Pipeline documentary and the Dr Braino Hour (featuring "Casey Jones" by Grateful Dead and "Fresh Air" by Quicksilver Messenger Service).

S2E22 - Consumer Action Line 1979-02-10

Features the mysteriously cut from syndication Family Crisis Game Show. Syndication Note: Family Crisis was dropped; replaced by Wara Wara Wara from 1-2 (2)

S2E23 - Relaxing With Raoul / Dining With LaRue 1979-02-17

Promo: Take the Money and Run, Natalie Wingneck, Commercial: Big Giant Restaurant, Relaxing with Raoul, Commercial: National Council of Antique and Restricted Automatic Weapons, Dining With LaRue: French Restaurant

S2E24 - The Flaming Turkey 1979-02-24

Hugh Betchas Insights and Firing Squad, both first seen in Series 1, return; Socrates is now played by Thomas (replacing Ramis) - the numbskulls are stilled played by Levy and Candy. Second City notes: A Flaming Turkey-style ballet parody was featured in the 1975 revue Alterations While You Wait; the stage version was also introduced by Candy.

S3E1 - Lee Iacocca's Rock Concert 1980-09-19

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 its Lee A. Iacocca Rock Concert, where the host asks the U.S. government to save the show from financial peril.

S3E2 - Thursday Night Live 1980-09-26

In an attempt to capture the hip comedy audience, SCTV goes "live". Also features the "K-Tel Fast Talking Playhouse" version of Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

S3E3 - Death of a Salesman 1980-10-03

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.

S3E4 - My Factory, My Self 1980-10-10

Dolly (Andrea Martin) goes from victim to victor in this spoof of the overly earnest women’s lib films of the 70s.

S3E5 - Death Motel 1980-10-17

Count Floyd offers up this so-called scare classic, with a rare in-studio interview with star Woody Tobias, Jr.

S3E6 - The Lone Ranger Show 1980-10-24

Sunrise Semester delivers a lesson in Conversational New Yorkese, with the words ""shower,"" ""super,"" and ""lawyer"" as examples. On 60/20, Earl Camembert tries to analyze TVs impact on society and gets impacted himself. Guy Caballero addresses the need to sustain a good orbit for SCTVs satellite.

S3E7 - Play It Again, Bob 1980-10-31

Woody Allen tries to jumpstart Bob Hopes flagging film career with this strange cinematic love letter. Also features "The Trial of Oscar Wilde".

S3E8 - Gaslight 1980-11-07

The classic thriller is given the satiric SCTV approach. Also features Dick Cavett talking to his most appropriate guest – himself.

S3E9 - Man's Ability To Imitate 1980-11-14

Sunrise Semester: Mans Ability to Imitate with Mr Wilcox, PSA: Concerned Children for Truth In Advertising, Rebuttal: National Organization to Reinstate Cigarette Advertising, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 17: Snowshoes for Spatulas, Promo: Monster Chiller Horror Theatre: The Odd Couple, Promo: Sea Talk, SCTV News: Earl Plugs Products, omment with David Brinkley: Viletones, Promo: The Invisible Man, Cooking With Marcello: Lobster Cacciatore

S3E10 - Mel's Rock Pile 1980-11-21

Promo: Shakespeare in the Park, Cheryl Kinsey, Traveling Sexologist, Kanadian Korner 19: Boom Shadows, Stuff that Bug Us, Promo: The Merv Griffin Show: Arafat, Liberace, Ferigno, Message from Guy: Viewer Mail, PSA: Participaction, Promo: Flashing Eyes, Mels Rock Pile: Speed of Light

S3E11 - The Sammy Maudlin Show 1980-11-28

Bob Hope crashes Bobby Bittmans appearance to discuss his new multi-night special. Also features a clip of Taxi Driver starring Gregory Peck.

S3E12 - Night Gallery 1980-12-05

Crazy Crafts: Bingo Drop Cans, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 13: Name that Smoke, Promo: Tom Snyder MD, SCTV News: Earl on roller skates, Grizzly Abrams, Hugh Betchas Night Gallery, Signoff: The National Anthem

S3E13 - Star Wars 1980-12-12

Sunrise Semester: Do It Yourself Advertising with Phil, Promo: Chick Monk Roadie for the Defence, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 24: Star Wars, SCTV News: 4th Anniversary, Commercial: Mr Earl Doll, Commercial: Joni Mitchells For Dogs Only, Bill Needles Mailbag, Message from Guy: SCTV Premiere of Star Wars, Commercial: Videotech Complete Home Entertainment System, Dialing for Dollars: The Fly Returns to Beneath the Planet of the Apes

S3E14 - Hollywood Salutes Its Extras 1980-12-19

This SCTV special acknowledges the tireless efforts of Tinsel Towns talented background artists. Also features a clip of Taxi Driver starring Dick Cavett and a promo for the new "Hawaii Five-Ho".

S3E15 - The Irwin Allen Show 1980-12-26

The famous disaster film producer hosts his own catastrophe-plagued talk show. Also features "Cooking with Marcello".

S3E16 - Big Brother 1981-01-02

At the stroke of midnight, New Years Eve 1983, TV is overtaken by Big Brother.

S3E17 - Two Way TV / Pit Bulls 1981-01-09

As the latest in television technology is explained, journalist Earl Camembert infiltrates an illegal dogfight. Also features Molly Earle and her Crazy Crafts.

S3E18 - Alpha Channel 1981-01-16

Commercial: Gordon Lightfoot Sings Every Song Ever Written, Cooking with Marcello: Vatican, Kanadian Korner 18: Sports, Crazy Crafts: Bob, Message from Guy: Alpha Channel, Promo: Alpha Channel, Bill Needles Mailbag, Dialing for Dollars: Partridge Family Goes to Mars

S3E19 - Midnight Express Special 1981-01-23

Live from a Turkish prison, its Abbott and Costello hosting the premiere rock and roll showcase. Also features "Sunrise Semester: Basic Photography with Edith Prickley".

S3E20 - Cookery Crock / Cartoon Coroner 1981-01-30

Sunrise Semester: Disasters in the Home with Edith Prickley, Commercial: Nasex Nasal Deodorant, Bill Needles Mailbag, Kanadian Korner 20: Stuff that Bugs Us, Promo: Freddie De Cordova Show, Cookery Crock, Quincy: Cartoon Coroner

S3E21 - The Mating Game 1981-02-06

Promo: Starting Out with Bill Needle, Commercial: Eskimo Arts, Message from Prickley: The Mating Game, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 22: Parking at Donut Places, Promo: Taxi Driver with Sid Dithers, SCTV News: Walter Cronkite, The Mating Game

S3E22 - Gene Shalit's America 1981-02-13

Sunrise Semester: Societal Behavior with Norman Gorman, Commercial: Henry Moore for American Express, SCTV Special News Report: Chez Mona, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 29: Kicked out of studio, SCTV News: W.A.S.A.S.L., Comment with David Brinkley: Quality Smoke, Gene Shalits America, Dialing for Dollars: Space Week

S3E23 - Mel's Rock Pile: MacArthur Park 1981-02-20

Sunrise Semester: Greek Travel with Alki Stereopolis, Message from Prickley: Mels Rock Pile, Promo: Jackie Stewarts Wide World of High Voices, Exercise Is Easy with Lucky Ibsen, Kanadian Korner 30: Stolen Car, Mels Rock Pile: Richard Harris

S3E24 - Dick Cavett 1981-02-27

Bobby Bittman makes an appearance on the PBS staples talk show to promote his new film, Funny Stuff. Also features another lesson in Italian cuisine from Chef Marcello.

S3E25 - The Cisco Kid 1981-03-06

Message from Prickley: The Cisco Kid, Commercial: Marlon Perkins Wildlife Dinner Restaurant, Promo: Neil Jung, Psychiatrist, Promo: The Love Boat, Kanadian Korner 33: Doug Builds a Studio, The Cisco Kid Part