Second City Television, better known as SCTV, has marked its 50th anniversary, celebrating the Canadian sketch show that helped launch the careers of John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Rick Moranis and Andrea Martin.
The series began in 1976 and was built around a fictional television station whose programmes, adverts, news broadcasts and celebrity culture provided the basis for its sketches.
Set in an invented broadcasting world, SCTV allowed its performers to create a large cast of recurring characters and parody a wide range of television formats. Its distinctive approach helped establish the programme as a major influence on generations of comedians.
SCTV’s enduring comedy legacy
Among the best-known characters were O’Hara’s Lola Heatherton, Levy’s Bobby Bittman, Candy’s Johnny LaRue and Martin’s Edith Prickley.
The show’s performers went on to successful careers in film and television. Candy became known for films including Home Alone and Planes, Trains and Automobiles, while O’Hara later starred in Beetlejuice, Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek.
SCTV received 15 Primetime Emmy nominations and won two awards during its run on NBC, including recognition for its writing. The Television Academy lists the programme among the winners of the outstanding writing award in 1982 and 1983. ([televisionacademy.com](https://www.televisionacademy.com/shows/sctv-network?utm_source=openai))
The anniversary comes as the programme receives renewed attention on Netflix. The service is also due to release SCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of, a documentary featuring surviving cast members, archival material and a reunion reflecting on the show’s influence. ([netflix.com](https://www.netflix.com/title/82059675?utm_source=openai))
Episodes and clips remain available to audiences through streaming and online video platforms, giving new viewers the chance to discover the fictional network and the performers who made SCTV a landmark in television comedy.
