SCTV: Volume 1 - Network 90
"These may be the funniest DVDs you will ever own. So, enjoy..." -Conan O'Brien
Eighteen years after production ended, the two-time Emmy winner SCTV Network/90: Volume 1 will be available for the first time on home video, in a five disc DVD box set.
This volume features the shows that star comedy's brightest northern lights: Eugene Levy (American Wedding), Joe Flaherty (National Security), Rick Moranis (Honey, I Shrunk The Kids 1, 2 & 3), Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Catherine O'Hara (A Mighty Wind), Dave Thomas (Who's Your Daddy?) and the late John Candy (Uncle Buck).
In 1977, the Canadian-produced SCTV began as a 30 minute, edgy sketch comedy show born out of the Second City theatres. The show ran in syndication in the U.S. for several years. In 1981, it was picked up by NBC and moved to a 90 minute format. It ran for two years on NBC and was seen by millions of viewers each week. This first SCTV box set covers the first nine (Cycle 1 as it was referred to in Canada) 90 minute episodes and includes tons of special features.
Includes the first NBC season favorites "Moral Majority," "Pledge Week," and "Bouncin' Back To You," plus appearances by the unforgettable characters Johnny LaRue, Yellowbelly, Edith Prickley, Bob and Doug McKenzie and Lola Heatherton.
Member Reviews
SCTV:Volume 1-Network 90 - mxr200
This is much better than any of the ensemble casts around today. The fact that many of them are from Canada makes it even better!!!! It is sad to see the late John Candy because he was so talented in so many roles. The characters are so great. I am sure you will enjoy the series.HIt and miss - rnhaas
Some of this is just terribly unfunny and some of this is hysterical and/or bizarre (the Leave it to Beaver parody). Some surprisingly influential bits ("High Q" is an earlier, less funny version of celebrity jeopardy, it seems and Rick Moranis' lounge singer videos are Richard Cheese 20 years earlier). The 90 minute format is clearly a problem as they struggle to come up with 70 minutes of material.SCTV proves "classics" can become dated. - TheShamus
I am a huge SCTV fan. I thought I viewed most of the episodes many times over. SCTV was a part of my life growing up. In the schoolyard, we would attempt to emulate characters from our favourite clips. The original show had a budget of $10,000 and the show was fresh and silly. SCTV was the DNA used by the next generation of comedians such as Conan OBrien and Kids in the Hall.
This set is called, "Network 90". NBC needed to fill some time slots on Saturday night which were not used by "Saturday Night Live" or re-runs. The SCTV crew got more money, but had to agree to a musical guest and a 90 minute show format.
SCTV is just not as funny as it used to be. I think it is just natural that most comedy becomes dated with time. I still like the spoofs etc, but it is more for nostalgia than laughs. Perhaps it is my adult sensibilities ... but I think it is more about how comedy has to stay relavent and contemporary.
Some of the extras on the discs are better than the show. For example, Conan OBrien hosts a reunion of most original cast memebers (disc 6) to talk about everything SCTV. For example, Kathern O'Hara was not given writing credits (or paid as a writer) for the first two seasons ... while all of the male cast were.
To summarize, SCTV is a classic comedy show (with wide reaching influence). This may not be the best example of the show but the extras are quite good.
/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\
Member Reviews
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SCTV:Volume 1-Network 90 - mxr200
This is much better than any of the ensemble casts around today. The fact that many of them are from Canada makes it even better!!!! It is sad to see the late John Candy because he was so talented in so many roles. The characters are so great. I am sure ...HIt and miss - rnhaas
Some of this is just terribly unfunny and some of this is hysterical and/or bizarre (the Leave it to Beaver parody). Some surprisingly influential bits ("High Q" is an earlier, less funny version of celebrity jeopardy, it seems and Rick Moranis' lounge singer ...SCTV proves "classics" can become dated. - TheShamus
I am a huge SCTV fan. I thought I viewed most of the episodes many times over. SCTV was a part of my life growing up. In the schoolyard, we would attempt to emulate characters from our favourite clips. The original show had a budget of $10,000 and the ...