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| The Second City Television | |
|---|---|
| Show name | The Second City Television |
| Genre | Sketch comedy, Satire |
| Creator | Second City (improv troupe), Ed Mirvish (theatre founder), Bernie Sahlins |
| Starring | John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Rick Moranis, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Martin Short |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Num episodes | 138 |
| Executive producer | Ed Mirvish, Bernie Sahlins |
| Distributor | CBC Television, NBCUniversal |
| Original network | CBC Television, Global Television Network (Canada) |
| Original release | 1976–1984 |
The Second City Television is a Canadian sketch comedy television program that evolved from the Second City (improv troupe) in Chicago and Toronto. The show blended character-driven sketches, satire, and parody, launching the screen careers of performers who became prominent in Hollywood, Saturday Night Live, and Canadian comedy. Its mix of ensemble ensembles and filmed segments influenced later programs in television comedy, sketch comedy, and satirical news.
The series grew out of the long-running Second City (improv troupe) company founded by Paul Sills, Sheldon Patinkin, Bernie Sahlins and associated with venues such as the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto and the Second City Theatre in Chicago. Early links to producers and patrons like Ed Mirvish and theatrical institutions in Ontario fostered a transition from stage revues to televised sketches. Key creative figures had roots with performers connected to The National Film Board of Canada, the National Arts Centre, and the burgeoning Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television ecosystem, which invested in indigenous comedy as part of a broader cultural policy.
The program employed a hybrid studio-and-film format combining live sketches on sets with pre-recorded location pieces shot on 16mm and 35mm film. Production teams featured writers and directors who later worked on projects at Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros. Filming schedules alternated between Toronto soundstages and location shoots across Ontario, with post-production at facilities linked to Shaftesbury Films-era vendors. Episodes typically ran a half-hour to an hour length, using recurring characters, faux commercials, and parody newscasts to structure each show. Editing techniques drew on precedents set by programs such as Monty Python's Flying Circus, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and Saturday Night Live.
The ensemble featured performers who became major film and television figures: John Candy (notable for links to Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck), Dan Aykroyd (later associated with The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters), Gilda Radner (later prominent on Saturday Night Live), Eugene Levy (later connected to American Pie, Schitt's Creek), Catherine O'Hara (later of Beetlejuice, Schitt's Creek), Rick Moranis (later of The Big Chipmunks? — notable credits include Ghostbusters), Joe Flaherty (later of Fargo (1996 film) connections), Andrea Martin (stage and film credits including My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Dave Thomas (later co-creator of Bob and Doug McKenzie), and Martin Short (later connected to Three Amigos!, Saturday Night Live). Characters ranged from broad parodies of media figures to intricately developed personalities who reappeared across seasons. Guest performers and writers included alumni from Second City (improv troupe), The National Lampoon, and Canadian stage backgrounds linked to Centaur Theatre and Stratford Festival talents.
Recurring segments included parody newscasts, faux interviews, and serialized character-driven sketches. Memorable sketches satirized figures and institutions tied to Hollywood, NATO-era politics, and North American pop culture, echoing traditions from Monty Python's Flying Circus and SCTV Network. Segments often referenced or lampooned films and television series from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia Pictures, and CBS programming. Standout recurring bits launched catchphrases and influenced later comedy writing at National Lampoon, Saturday Night Live, and independent sketch troupes across Canada and the United States.
Critics in outlets associated with The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and Variety (magazine) noted the show’s sharp satirical voice and cinematic production values. The series cultivated a fanbase across Canada and the United States, contributing to the careers of performers who shaped comedy in Hollywood and on American television. Its approach influenced later sketch and ensemble programs on NBC, CBC Television, and cable networks, as well as film comedies released by studios such as Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures. Academic studies in media departments at York University and University of Toronto have examined the show's role in Canadian cultural identity and transnational media flows.
The program received multiple honors from Canadian awards institutions and industry bodies, including accolades associated with the Gemini Awards and recognition in polls conducted by publications like Maclean's and The Hollywood Reporter. Cast members earned individual awards and later nominations from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences-affiliated ceremonies, Emmy Awards, and national orders or lifetime achievement recognitions tied to Canadian cultural institutions. The legacy includes influence on later troupes, training programs at Second City (improv troupe), and mentorship networks connecting to film schools such as Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and the Canadian Film Centre.
Episodes were syndicated across North America and selected international markets via distributors associated with CBC Television and American partners, airing on networks with ties to NBC affiliates and independent stations. Home media releases appeared in assorted formats including VHS and DVD, with later digital availability through streaming platforms operated by companies like Corus Entertainment and media libraries curated by The Paley Center for Media and national archives such as Library and Archives Canada. Preservation efforts involved transfers and restorations in collaboration with Canadian audiovisual archives to maintain the show’s historical record.
Category:Canadian television sketch shows