Second City Television Season 3, Episode 18: Alpha Channel

1

Lee Iacocca's Rock Concert

After Edith Prickley introduces the season, SCTV kicks off its third year with Pirini Scleroso in My Fair Lady (promo only). Then comes the debut of Great White North (aka Kanadian Korner). Earl Camembert gets his tongue twisted during SCTV News. Then it's Lee A. Iacocca Rock Concert, where the host asks the U.S. government to save the show from financial peril.

30 min

2

Thursday Night Live

In an attempt to capture the hip comedy audience, SCTV goes "live". Also features the "K-Tel Fast Talking Playhouse" version of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

30 min

3

Death of a Salesman

Molly Earle revives her Crazy Crafts series after a 15-year hiatus. Guy Caballero introduces a live production of Death of a Salesman with George Carlin, Deforest Kelly, Ricardo Montalban, and Margaret Hamilton. Playing the ghost of Ben is John Belushi.

30 min

4

My Factory, My Self

Dolly (Andrea Martin) goes from victim to victor in this spoof of the overly earnest women’s lib films of the 70s.

30 min

5

Death Motel

Count Floyd offers up this so-called scare classic, with a rare in-studio interview with star Woody Tobias, Jr.

30 min

6

The Lone Ranger Show

Sunrise Semester delivers a lesson in Conversational New Yorkese, with the words ""shower,"" ""super,"" and ""lawyer"" as examples. On 60/20, Earl Camembert tries to analyze TV's impact on society and gets impacted himself. Guy Caballero addresses the need to sustain a good orbit for SCTV's satellite.

30 min

7

Play It Again, Bob

Woody Allen tries to jumpstart Bob Hope's flagging film career with this strange cinematic love letter. Also features "The Trial of Oscar Wilde".

30 min

8

Gaslight

The classic thriller is given the satiric SCTV approach. Also features Dick Cavett talking to his most appropriate guest – himself.

30 min

9

Man's Ability To Imitate

Sunrise Semester: Man's Ability to Imitate with Mr Wilcox, PSA: Concerned Children for Truth In Advertising, Rebuttal: National Organization to Reinstate Cigarette Advertising, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 17: Snowshoes for Spatulas, Promo: Monster Chiller Horror Theatre: The Odd Couple, Promo: Sea Talk, SCTV News: Earl Plugs Products, omment with David Brinkley: Viletones, Promo: The Invisible Man, Cooking With Marcello: Lobster Cacciatore

30 min

10

Mel's Rock Pile

Promo: Shakespeare in the Park, Cheryl Kinsey, Traveling Sexologist, Kanadian Korner 19: Boom Shadows, Stuff that Bug Us, Promo: The Merv Griffin Show: Arafat, Liberace, Ferigno, Message from Guy: Viewer Mail, PSA: Participaction, Promo: Flashing Eyes, Mel's Rock Pile: Speed of Light

30 min

11

The Sammy Maudlin Show

Bob Hope crashes Bobby Bittman's appearance to discuss his new multi-night special. Also features a clip of Taxi Driver starring Gregory Peck.

30 min

12

Night Gallery

Crazy Crafts: Bingo Drop Cans, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 13: Name that Smoke, Promo: Tom Snyder MD, SCTV News: Earl on roller skates, Grizzly Abrams, Hugh Betcha's Night Gallery, Signoff: The National Anthem

30 min

13

Star Wars

Sunrise Semester: Do It Yourself Advertising with Phil, Promo: Chick Monk Roadie for the Defence, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 24: Star Wars, SCTV News: 4th Anniversary, Commercial: Mr Earl Doll, Commercial: Joni Mitchell's For Dogs Only, Bill Needle's Mailbag, Message from Guy: SCTV Premiere of Star Wars, Commercial: Videotech Complete Home Entertainment System, Dialing for Dollars: The Fly Returns to Beneath the Planet of the Apes

30 min

14

Hollywood Salutes Its Extras

This SCTV special acknowledges the tireless efforts of Tinsel Town's talented background artists. Also features a clip of Taxi Driver starring Dick Cavett and a promo for the new "Hawaii Five-Ho".

30 min

15

The Irwin Allen Show

The famous disaster film producer hosts his own catastrophe-plagued talk show. Also features "Cooking with Marcello".

30 min

16

Big Brother

At the stroke of midnight, New Year's Eve 1983, TV is overtaken by Big Brother.

30 min

17

Two Way TV / Pit Bulls

As the latest in television technology is explained, journalist Earl Camembert infiltrates an illegal dogfight. Also features Molly Earle and her Crazy Crafts.

30 min

18

Alpha Channel

Commercial: Gordon Lightfoot Sings Every Song Ever Written, Cooking with Marcello: Vatican, Kanadian Korner 18: Sports, Crazy Crafts: Bob, Message from Guy: Alpha Channel, Promo: Alpha Channel, Bill Needle's Mailbag, Dialing for Dollars: Partridge Family Goes to Mars

30 min

19

Midnight Express Special

Live from a Turkish prison, it's Abbott and Costello hosting the premiere rock and roll showcase. Also features "Sunrise Semester: Basic Photography with Edith Prickley".

30 min

20

Cookery Crock / Cartoon Coroner

Sunrise Semester: Disasters in the Home with Edith Prickley, Commercial: Nasex Nasal Deodorant, Bill Needle's Mailbag, Kanadian Korner 20: Stuff that Bugs Us, Promo: Freddie De Cordova Show, Cookery Crock, Quincy: Cartoon Coroner

30 min

21

The Mating Game

Promo: Starting Out with Bill Needle, Commercial: Eskimo Arts, Message from Prickley: The Mating Game, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 22: Parking at Donut Places, Promo: Taxi Driver with Sid Dithers, SCTV News: Walter Cronkite, The Mating Game

30 min

22

Gene Shalit's America

Sunrise Semester: Societal Behavior with Norman Gorman, Commercial: Henry Moore for American Express, SCTV Special News Report: Chez Mona, Teaser: SCTV News, Kanadian Korner 29: Kicked out of studio, SCTV News: W.A.S.A.S.L., Comment with David Brinkley: Quality Smoke, Gene Shalit's America, Dialing for Dollars: Space Week

30 min

23

Mel's Rock Pile: MacArthur Park

Sunrise Semester: Greek Travel with Alki Stereopolis, Message from Prickley: Mel's Rock Pile, Promo: Jackie Stewart's Wide World of High Voices, Exercise Is Easy with Lucky Ibsen, Kanadian Korner 30: Stolen Car, Mel's Rock Pile: Richard Harris

30 min

24

Dick Cavett

Bobby Bittman makes an appearance on the PBS staple's talk show to promote his new film, Funny Stuff. Also features another lesson in Italian cuisine from Chef Marcello.

30 min

25

The Cisco Kid

Message from Prickley: The Cisco Kid, Commercial: Marlon Perkins' Wildlife Dinner Restaurant, Promo: Neil Jung, Psychiatrist, Promo: The Love Boat, Kanadian Korner 33: Doug Builds a Studio, The Cisco Kid Part

30 min

26

The Best Of Season 3

Rerun package: all sketch material was seen earlier in the season. Message from Guy: Satellite Model, Sunrise Semester: Do It Yourself Advertising with Phil, Promo: The Merv Griffin Show: Arafat, Liberace, Ferigno, Kanadian Korner 24: Star Wars, Promo: Taxi Driver with Bob Hope, Dick Cavett: Dick Cavett, Promo: Elvis 'n Costello, K-Tel's Fast-Talking Playhouse: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Tri-Promo: Black Man, White Boy, Promo: My Fair Lady, Promo: My Life One More Time, Commercial: Ella Fitzgerald for Mamorex Video Tape, Signoff: The National Anthem

30 min