SCTV's John Candy as "Johnny LaRue for City Council" in the early 1980s. | Old Canada Series

SCTV didn’t just make sketches. It rewired comedy. Original members included: John Candy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Harold Ramis and more. That’s not nostalgia — that’s a once-in-a-generation lineup. They made character comedy feel real. They let scenes breathe. They played absurd like it was normal — and suddenly modern comedy had a blueprint. Candy was hilarious and human. O’Hara made characters you swear you’ve met. Martin Short = controlled chaos

John Candy as the Fishin Musician on SCTV | Old Canada Series

John Candy on SCTV. “There’s always jobs in Toronto!” | Old Canada Series