SCTV, Vol. 4

The Queen Haters - what more is there to say? OK - Midnight Cowboy - need I say more!!?Also some footage I have never seen before, despite being an avid fan from watching the TV reruns. For example, some more bickering dialogue between Dr. Tongue and Bruno as they race to leave the Towering Inferno - I love their little squabbles!Ed Grimly is here also, in THE NUTTY LAB ASSISTANT [with John Cougar], and in THE BOY WHO COULDN'T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS. As well, he teaches us a lesson about 'Snakes' and ends up falling prey to the snakes' hypnotic stare ... ;-)It is true that Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas and Catherine O'Hara [except for Christmas show] are gone, but Martin Short shines through with his new characters - for example, the simpleton on Mel's Rock Pile, or as a new face in Pre Teen World!John Candy is brilliant as always, as LaRue, a hospitalized Tommy Shanks, or as Mr. Mambo. Extra footage includes a baseball game with all the cast [including Moranis, Thomas, and O'Hara].Not all of it is funny, but no show always is. I will add though that the political commentary on the Mellonville Election show, or in other places is as resounding today as it was in the early 80's. As well, the overall humour is still hillarious and poignant, as was so special with the SCTV series.I know that I will enjoy this DVD collection for a very, very long time!

I bought this set with low expectations, as Catherine O'Hara, Dave Thomas, and Rick Moranis had left the cast, replaced by the seemingly annoying Martin Short.After I popped this into the DVD player, however, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Although I do lament the loss of three great castmembers, the writing on this cycle of SCTV is noticably sharper than the previous volumes. "Melonvote" is one of the greatest single epsiodes of sketch comedy that I've come across. SCTV had always been absurd, but cycle 4 does such a great job seamlessly integrating the weirdness, that it's definitely a cut above the past.I was also greatly surprised by Martin Short. Knowing him pretty much from things like "Captain Ron" and "Jimmy Glick," I was prepared to be underwhelmed. Under the umbrella of SCTV, however, he really does stand out and show strong acting chops. Even Ed Grimely, whom I absolutely hated on SNL, is hysterical here.If you are deferring from purchasing this set as I did, I would strongly suggest going ahead and givng it a viewing. This is a prime example of the detailed and maniacal satire that SCTV remains a cult favorite for.

Fabulous. After so many years PRAYING for this magnificent show to be released on DVD, they finally deliver the goods.Although many cast members were missing during this time, it's amazing how much the remaining crew re-energized with the addition of Martin Short. Not all of the material is brilliant; the "A Star Is Born" satire with Crystal Gayle kind of falls flat. But 9/10 is pretty good for a show that's over 20 years old.This set is worth it for the 'CBC' portion of the season, which was pure genius, especially their take on "Going Down The Road", which is just as much an integral part of Canadiana as the movie it spoofs."She's a nuclear physicist! And she's FRENCH! FRENCH, Larry, FRENCH, do ya hear me??? She's got an accent and everything!!!"Other stand outs include "Midnight Cowboy II", "Towering Inferno", "The Brock Linehan skits (Steve Roman, Linda Hopkins, Rusty Van Reddick,)", "Scenes From An Idiot's Marriage", "Half-Wits"... the list is endless.Now if they'd only see fit to release the original Canadian broadcasts, we'd be in heaven.

Despite the absence of comedians Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis (Bob & Doug McKenzie), Volume 4 proved to be utterly hilarious! Every disc has at least one 'laugh-till-you-cry' sketch, and the not so subtle pokes at Canadian TV are some of the best in the entire series. Volume 4 may well be the best of the bunch, though I heartily recommend having them all! YOU WILL LOVE THIS DVD SET!

i think all the sets are excellent and highly recommend them for the occasional viewing, but if you plan on only getting one, make it this one. all the episodes contained here are excellent and i can easily see watching them over and over. some highlights:Indecent Exposure: Ed Grimely drinks a potion and turns into John Cougar...Melonvote: watch as Mayor Tommy Shanks seeks re-election...Towering Inferno: i agree this is probably the best single episode...if you are looking for "Happy Hour/Six Gun Justice", sadly it appears its not on any of the present boxes... bummer. i remember watching this after school in the 80's, i guess this came along when SCTV was on Showtime? get busy Shout Factory!

The loss of Dave Thomas, Catherine O'hara, and Rick Moranis is truly felt. No doubt Marty Short is talented/friendly/enthusiastic about his work (loved him in Three Amigos), but many of his characters I just find obnoxious: Jackie Rodgers, Ed Grimley - though the Jekell/Hyde parody with him was decent. I learned from the (extra) interview with him that the Grimley teeth grimace was a result of him first doing it on stage and the audience finding it amusing. I don't see why it was deemed funny and adapted. The episode with Robin Williams which I watched most recently made me laugh 5 times. Most episodes fare better, so that I don't end up counting out of curiosity. I much preferred Volumes 1-3, and wish they would make an attempt to resolve music issues on the first 3 CBC seasons. Splicing in generic music and only putting out a 'best of early years' does not do the show justice.

Grew up watching this. Cast were pioneers in sketch comedy.

Laugh out loud, especially if you grew up in Canada in the 1970s.

If you are a fan you will see skits you have never seen before