SCTV: Behind the Scenes

by Dave Thomas, Robert David Crane, Susan Carney

Profiles the cast members of the Canadian television comedy series, lists the sketches from every show, and presents anecdotes from actors, directors, and writers

Genres: Nonfiction, Comedy, Humor, Canada, History, Comedian, Tv

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Dave Thomas


David William Thomas (born May 20, 1949) is a Canadian comedian, actor and television writer. He is best known for portraying Doug McKenzie on SCTV as well as in the film Strange Brew, which he also directed.

Reviews

[hannah ferg]

cannot stop thinking about someone describing working with rick moranis as "like watching a diamond roll across dark cloth".. like get a room

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

"SCTV" is one of my favorite t.v. shows of all time. Thus, I was drawn like a firefly to Dave Thomas's "SCTV: Behind The Scenes." Thomas was of the two main creative forces behind the show (along with Joe Flaherty), and I was enormously interested in the backstage stories his book would be sure to provide. Because Thomas pretty much avoided any of the tell-all gossip that usually permeates these types of books, I guess I ended up being a little disappointed. It was great to read about the behind-the-scenes, nuts and bolts of writing and performing all those memorable shows, but I was hoping for a little titilation and some revelations, but Thomas provides little of that. He insinuates that Joe Flaherty was known to be extremely weird, for instance, but then never explains what he means. He also is extremely loyal to the memory of the late John Candy, but I think even Candy would have permitted a few colorful anecdotes. Still, this book is essential reading for all fans of the late, great television show "SCTV."

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

SCTV was, probably, one of the most influential shows in my young life. Thus, I had to read this book when it came out and I think I will re-read it soon. If I remember correctly, this is a nice "warts and all" history, which is as it should be. I also remember that Thomas had quite a knack for summing up what was attractive about each of the performers comedic approaches (something about Catherine O'Hara and how each of her characters was, in retrospect, a really sharp take on women and their position in culture, I remember finding both astute, revelatory and somehow moving).

"As a comic, in all seriousness..."

VIVA MELONVILLE!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better "the story of..." books I've read. I'm sure there's more to the story, but Dave Thomas (one of the original SCTV cast members and writers) tells a good story from his perspective. A recommended read for any SCTV fans.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting (and non-humorous) account of the history of the most fabulous show ever in the history of the world, SCTV.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The greatest comedy trouge of all time gets its due and D. Thomas gives a good insided view of what went on with this group.

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the scenes of SCTV. A must for any fan of any cast member.

[RA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I've been watching all of the SCTV DVDs while I sit with my cat, Callie, at night. So I decided to read this at the same time. fun stuff, since I started watching that in 1977-78.

[Martin Bihl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great backstory on the chaos backstage that fueled the genius onstage.

[Joe Faust · Rating 2 out of 5]

Insider’s look at the show; could have been much better from that perspective.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am personally a fan of SCTV and found this book very interesting.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

SCTV is one of the greatest comedy shows of all time—and somehow no one has heard of it. Dave Thomas is one of the masterminds behind the show and an under appreciated comedy genius. Hes the author of this book. His cerebral approach to comedy is evident here in his recollections of the show. He’s a good writer and he also includes an oral history of sorts from many of the other creatives behind the show. Sad not to hear from Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, or—especially—John Candy, as he had passed a few years before this book was published.

I really enjoyed hearing about the show here. It’s an interesting book. There is some minor episodes of drama here, but it’s nothing like the coked-out nightmare that was SNL in the 70s and 80s.

The book has lots of photos, most of which I’d never seen before. This is a great book for fans of the show, or of Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Andrea Martin and of course Dave Thomas. These people are all truly comedy icons.

One final point—it was sad to hear Joe Flaherty’s regret that the show didn’t last longer. He definitely misses it here. But this book was published just a year or two before Flaherty was a part of another one of the best shows of all time—Freaks and Geeks.

[Dennis Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Dave seemed pretty professional, not gossipy. I would guess that Andrea Martin is one of the ones who had a real problem with him as she is not quoted in the book at all, where everyone else who was alive did give their opinions or weigh in on some aspect of the show in the book. As with all creative types working with egos and deadlines, there was a fair amount of tension with the cast.

[Benjamin Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago. I remember it being decent, and that I came away from it not really liking Dave Thomas. I remember a certain level of self-aggrandizement, as well as him being quick to blame others when people were unhappy - for example, John Candy not getting paid as a writer on the show. A decent if biased and whitewashed recap of the SCTV years.

[I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great retrospective with loads of insight. Of particular value is the list of every episode and sketch for the entire run. The only thing missing is input from Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin who for whatever reason didn’t seem to contribute. Now to get all the DVD’s!

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life is better knowing John Candy used to throw Marty Short around because he is little. If I was as tall as John I would want to too. But not so that he breaks any ribs like with John

[Jen from Quebec :0) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Canadian comedy, then this book on SCTV is a must own. The cast ncluded: John Candy, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, and Catherine O'Hara to name a few. The book reminds readers of the great sketches from the show, has behind the scenes trivia, and talks of how SCTV was inevitably compared to SNL, from the USA. A great piece of Canadian TV/Pop culture history!

[jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole SCTV history from all the insiders' points of view, this is a book for the true SCTV fan. However, after slogging through this detailed account, I realize I'm not that big of a fan. While I did appreciate the inside story about some of my favorite SCTV sketches and characters, the arc of the rise and fall of the group just didn't pique my interest very much.