SCTV, Vol. 3

John Candy

Overview

"Shout Factory continues their more-than-welcome series of DVD issues of the classic comedy series SCTV with this five-disc set, which contains nine complete episodes from the show's run as a 90-minute late-night series on NBC during 1982. All the episodes have been transferred to disc in their original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and the original monophonic audio has been mastered in duel-channel Dolby Digital Stereo. The source materials occasionally betray their age, but for the most part the sound and images are both clean and satisfying, and they certainly look better than the very occasional reruns of this material. The dialogue for all the sketches is in English, with no multiple language options. Each disc in the package has been given at least one bonus item. Producers Andrew Alexander and Patrick Whitney offer a very dry joint interview in which they talk about bringing the show to the air, while Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short appear in a much livelier two-handed discussion of their years with SCTV. The late John Candy is highlighted with a gallery of production photos and a rare interview from the Canadian magazine show That's Life in which he talks about his career in comedy and why he continued to live in Canada. Two episodes feature full audio commentaries; cast member Joe Flaherty and writers Paul Flaherty and Dick Blasucci have curiously little to say on their track, but Blasucci fares much better elsewhere with writer Mike Short. And finally, easily the most entertaining bonus is a panel discussion featuring most of the original SCTV cast and production staff from a 1997 tribute at the Museum of Television and Radio, which offers a fascinating perspective on the show's background and offers plenty of laughs as well. The passage of time has only confirmed SCTV's status as one of the funniest and most innovative comedies ever to appear on North American television, and this set does right by some brilliant material -- it helped this writer laugh his way back to health during a bad head cold, and I dare say it could do the same for you."

Product Details

Release Date:	03/01/2005
UPC:	0826663374292
Original Release:	1983
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	12:00:00
Sales rank:	17,465

Special Features

Closed Caption;"SCTV - The Producers"; "That's Life" - John Candy profile; "SCTV Remembers, Part 3"; SCTV at The Museum of Television & Radio; John Candy photo gallery