Author
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Topic: SCTV
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cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 15, 2001 01:39 AM
So cool. NBC has been broadcasting episodes of SCTV in the Later slot for at least the last few days (could have been happening longer) rather than the regular interview show. If you're a fan, you might try checking it out tomorrow (but let it run for a minute when you see the Later logo as it's within "Later"). Man, it's been YEARS since I've seen some of these. Why won't they release this stuff on video. It's not like they've ever done a real good job of syndicating it. I think the only video that's ever been released has been something like a Best of John Candy thing. Going now. Going to watch.IP: Logged |
cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 15, 2001 01:41 AM
From "The Days of the Week"Mojo: How did you get out of prison?!?! Rocco: I escaped, that's how! [This message has been edited by cstengel (edited February 15, 2001).] IP: Logged |
cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 15, 2001 01:52 AM
Watching and thinking about the differences between this and SNL, Python, KITH, etc. One thing very different about this show from all the others is they're totally willing to take it slow and not go for the immediate laughs for the good of the GREATER joke which is the overall piece. Tonight is basically a parody of a soap opera (The Days of the Week). They could go for a bunch of one liners (and there are some), but instead they go for the larger joke of having such a dead on exaggeration of how bad some of these soaps can actually be. Man, I miss this show.IP: Logged |
cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 15, 2001 02:09 AM
They also didn't dumb it down. Sure, there are some characters and sketches that are played (written) broader than others. But basically, if you're not going to get a sketch they're content that you not get it. They don't resort to playing it broader (when it shouldn't be). There's no audience there to shape the actors' performances into something it shouldn't be (i.e. when a sketch on SNL isn't going anywhere, you can see some of these guys turning it into something else going for any laugh they can get). [This message has been edited by cstengel (edited February 15, 2001).] IP: Logged |
jpgordo A-List Writer Posts: 2883 From:Studio City, CA Registered: Apr 2000
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posted February 15, 2001 09:14 AM
This is my favorite all-time show. I never thought it was fair that these guys didn't get the same shot at Hollywood that all SNL comedians did. It's nice to see Eugene Levy still doing good stuff. I don't know what has happened to Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas. It was so painful a couple years ago to see Dave Thomas hosting one of those Wacky Video shows on Fox - THAT'S THE STUFF THEY USED TO MAKE FUN OF! SCTV is my hero and a major influence on anything creatively that I do.IP: Logged |
cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 15, 2001 01:34 PM
It's taken way too long for these guys to get the respect they deserve (and they still don't get enough). I think they've been around in quality stuff since SCTV went off the air, but just not in as high a profile way as some of the SNL'ers (and that's probably a good thing). In fact, I can think of a lot of high profile films that most people would probably associate with SNL first, but that had a lot of SCTV involvement (Blues Brothers, Stripes, Vacation, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Caddyshack, etc.). Rick Moranis has done quite a bit over the years (Ghostbusters, Honey I Shurnk the Kids, Parenthood, Little Shop of Horrors, etc.). Dave Thomas, on the other hand, seems to be one of the few cast members that's had the toughest time leveraging his skills (I think he's great) into higher profile films, etc. Was a pretty significant part of Grace Under Fire recently, but otherwise...(don't want that to come off wrong - just saying he deserves more). If the two, however, never did anything else, Strange Brew would be more than enough. IP: Logged |
cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 15, 2001 01:36 PM
Here's a good site http://www.sctv.org [This message has been edited by cstengel (edited February 15, 2001).] IP: Logged |
jpgordo A-List Writer Posts: 2883 From:Studio City, CA Registered: Apr 2000
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posted February 15, 2001 03:07 PM
Does that link work?IP: Logged |
jpgordo A-List Writer Posts: 2883 From:Studio City, CA Registered: Apr 2000
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posted February 15, 2001 03:10 PM
I'm very aware of the SCTV legacy. I'll take on anyone in SCTV trivia.IP: Logged |
indiedan A-List Writer Posts: 6492 From:Santa Monica Registered: May 2000
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posted February 15, 2001 03:13 PM
Don't completely put these people up on a comedy God pedestal - don't forget, Tony Rosato, Robin Duke and Betty Thomas were all members at various times. The core group were brilliant (Levy, Flaherty, Moranis, Dave Thomas, Candy, Martin, O'Hara - then a couple years later, Short), but there was some rough times in the beginning. And as good of a comedy director that Harold Ramis is, he wasn't very good as a member of the SCTV troupe.IP: Logged |
cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 15, 2001 06:08 PM
Link - right address, but I had 1 too many /'s. I corrected it up above. Regardless of what you think of that group, Dan (and I don't necessarily agree with you), that's still a much better hit ratio than SNL. It's comparable if not better even to SNL's first seasons. Besides, these people may have contributed a lot behind the scenes in writing, etc. even if they weren't necessarily the best actors on the show. I've got to believe, given his post SCTV track record, that Ramis was a meaningful contributor to the series. Check out the link. [This message has been edited by cstengel (edited February 15, 2001).] IP: Logged |
jpgordo A-List Writer Posts: 2883 From:Studio City, CA Registered: Apr 2000
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posted February 15, 2001 07:11 PM
I do have to agree about Robin Duke. Probably one of the least funny people on the planet. The fact that she is affiliated in any way is a blemish on the great name of SCTV. I think Ramis may have had some influence in the conceptual stage but didn't really add any notable characters. He's just not a great stage comedian in the improv sense. He has definitely helped out his friends in Hollywood.IP: Logged |
jpgordo A-List Writer Posts: 2883 From:Studio City, CA Registered: Apr 2000
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posted February 15, 2001 07:18 PM
And let's not forget probably one of the greatest television comedy directors ever - John Blanchard - who also did a bunch of the Kids In The Hall episodes. He always kept things controlled without going too far over the top like SNL characters. There was always a slight touch of reality in everything they did.IP: Logged |
cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 16, 2001 12:05 AM
Just checked the tv guide on the Replay (which displays info further into the future than our digital cable guide) and at least for the next week (excluding Fridays) SCTV is going to be shown in place of Later. Woo Hoo!!!IP: Logged |
cstengel Hack Writer Posts: From: Registered:
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posted February 20, 2001 01:48 PM
CCCP1 last night - Tibor's Tractor, What Fits in Russia, etc. Pretty funny.IP: Logged |