SCTV: Behind the Scenes - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Marvo301 · 08-22-2009, 11:42 PM

I recently read the book SCTV, Behind the Scenes by Dave Thomas. With all the politics and the money troubles that were going on behind the scenes it's amazing that this show was able to produce such a tremendous catalog of hilarious comedy. The majority of the comedy was derived from parodies of TV and celebrity impersonations but sometimes the inspiration came from a far different place. For example the version of the show that ran on the CBC in Canada had a running time 2 minutes longer than the syndicated version that ran in the U.S..The bigwigs at the CBC insisted that the 2 minutes be filled with uniquely Canadian content. In fustration Dave Thomas said "we should put on tuques and flannel shirts and drink beer and fry back bacon." And that's how the McKenzie brothers came into existence. Of course this show was already uniquely Canadian since most of the cast were Canadian. The cast had incredible creative freedom being able to write, produce, and star in their own material. Many cast members went on to success on the big screen, on SNL, and on other TV shows but they never again experienced the creative freedom that they had on SCTV. Sadly it was only in retrospect that they realized how good they had had it in their SCTV heyday.

70s show watcher · 08-23-2009, 01:49 AM

iive been meaning to read that book it sounds very interesting

Marvo301 · 08-24-2009, 12:42 AM

It's very interesting. I couldn't put it down!

Scoobiedoo30 · 08-25-2009, 02:15 AM

This is very Interesting.

08-22-2009, 11:42 PM	#1
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	SCTV: Behind the Scenes I recently read the book SCTV, Behind the Scenes by Dave Thomas. With all the politics and the money troubles that were going on behind the scenes it's amazing that this show was able to produce such a tremendous catalog of hilarious comedy. The majority of the comedy was derived from parodies of TV and celebrity impersonations but sometimes the inspiration came from a far different place. For example the version of the show that ran on the CBC in Canada had a running time 2 minutes longer than the syndicated version that ran in the U.S..The bigwigs at the CBC insisted that the 2 minutes be filled with uniquely Canadian content. In fustration Dave Thomas said "we should put on tuques and flannel shirts and drink beer and fry back bacon." And that's how the McKenzie brothers came into existence. Of course this show was already uniquely Canadian since most of the cast were Canadian. The cast had incredible creative freedom being able to write, produce, and star in their own material. Many cast members went on to success on the big screen, on SNL, and on other TV shows but they never again experienced the creative freedom that they had on SCTV. Sadly it was only in retrospect that they realized how good they had had it in their SCTV heyday.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

08-25-2009, 02:15 AM	#4
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	This is very Interesting.
	__________________ Who Dat

08-23-2009, 01:49 AM	#2
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	iive been meaning to read that book it sounds very interesting

08-24-2009, 12:42 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	It's very interesting. I couldn't put it down!