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Canwest News Service
The world's largest improvisational comedy troupe was started by Bernie Sahlins in Chicago in 1959. The company became a great incubator for talent, but it wasn't until Sahlins opened Second City Toronto that the club hit its stride. With a cast including Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Jayne Eastwood and Dan Aykroyd, Toronto's Second City picked up the torch lit by the Beat Generation and ensured that it continues to burn today in the work of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Christopher Guest. "It's like we all speak the same language," Eugene Levy says. "Bernie taught us to play up to our audience's intelligence and that's what we're all still trying do." This is a look back at the evolution of funny, told from the people who were there.
Bernie SahlinsWe started out to build a coffee shop. It was the Beat Generation and that's what you did.
Paul SandIt was more cabaret than coffee house. They had red velvet curtains, candles and a piano onstage. I remember looking out in the audience and seeing Nina Simone.
Fred WillardSecond City was the evolution of the Mike Nichols-Elaine May Chicago gang. I'm friends with Peter Boyle's wife, Lorraine, and last year she had a dinner party and invited Elaine May. I thought, "Oh God, what will I say to Ms. May?" But my wife and I went. I was like a ballplayer looking up to Babe Ruth.
Joe FlahertyBernie eventually told the cast he wanted to open in Toronto. He'd seen Medea there or something in Greek, in its actual language – that was his big selling point!
Jayne EastwoodI vaguely remember Gilda talking me into auditioning. Bernie was in the audience with Joe Flaherty and they had this sketch you did at audition. It was a revolving door and each time you came out, you had to be someone different. I absolutely hated it. We had just come off Godspell, we were already the talk of the town.
Eugene LevyI would say we were celebrities with a very small c. Every now and then you'd see your name pop up in George Anthony's column for the Toronto Sun. I didn't get into the company right off the bat. It was devastating, but I went back to Godspell and took over the lead, which compensated a bit.
Andrew AlexanderBernie and Joe came to Toronto and were looking for rehearsal space. I tried to help, but they closed in 1973.
Jayne EastwoodBernie didn't get a liquor licence. How do you open a comedy club without booze?
Bernie SahlinsWe probably shouldn't have opened Toronto without air conditioning and with no liquor license in September in 90-degree heat. Fortunately, Andrew Alexander made us a deal.
Andrew AlexanderWe were always struggling to get an audience. After we closed Adelaide, we opened the fire hall on the east side. The Jarvis House was across the street and I'd grab their audience: "Come in, I'll give you free beer!" They didn't know what they were watching. But they enjoyed the beer.
On Oct. 11, 1975, Lorne Michaels launched Saturday Night Live and comedians became the new rock stars. His poaching of the Toronto Second City cast gave rise to SCTV on Sept. 21, 1976, a show that helped boost attendance at the club.
Joe FlahertyLorne Michaels was constantly raiding and that's how we got our own show. Bernie and Andy had a meeting with Global, who wanted a show like Saturday Night Live. Of course, they didn't have any money. There were only four stations in Ontario. Four little stations competing against Saturday Night Live.
Andrew AlexanderAllan Slaight was the majority partner at Global. My partner invested $35,000 in the first seven shows. It was a defence mechanism. ABC and CBS were starting shows. I said, "No way you're coming to Toronto and stealing my people." I had to protect my $280 a week.
Tony ResotaSaturday Night Live would send scouts. One night they came backstage and asked if I'd try out for their cast. I think I said, "Yes."
Bernie SahlinsEveryone wanted to go to New York. Meanwhile, we had a new company.
Catherine O'HaraThey were tough alright, Joe and Bernie. I auditioned once while I was working as a waitress and Joe said, "Keep up the good work. Your day job, I mean."
Jayne EastwoodSometimes after a bad set I'd go home and pour myself a whisky and say, "Second City is only one tiny speck of the universe. They haven't seen the last of me."
Eugene LevyWe all thought we were funny back then until we got into Second City.
Bernie SahlinsYou should know who the Secretary of Defence is; know Dostoevsky, read the paper. I demand a higher intelligence of my cast.
Pat McKennaI worked the door when I first started at Second City, and Saturday night was a little crazy when the women got drunk. That's when you learn how to improvise.
Jayne EastwoodWe were certainly a drinking bunch. We would party all night at Eugene's house at 1063 Avenue Rd. A lot of marriages broke up because of those parties.
Eugene LevyMarty Short and I were sharing 1063 and we would have Friday night services. For those who were already involved in relationships, I'm sure those relationships were tested. For those who were not involved, it was just a good day of fun.
Catherine O'HaraI was in love with all the guys. Eugene and I tried dating, Danny and I went out – after he dated Gilda for a bit. There's nothing sexier than a funny man. Especially if they're developed enough to be attracted to funny women.
Joe FlahertyCatherine was working as a waitress and in the coatroom. She was pretty young, but she replaced Gilda, who went down to New York. Talk about a talent pool – we lost Gilda Radner and didn't miss a beat.
Elvira KurtGilda Radner was a hero to me. If you were good enough to get into a show, whether you were as big as someone like Gilda or John Belushi, it didn't matter. You couldn't help but think, "Hey, I could do that someday!"
Joe FlahertyThere was something about John Candy, even before he made it. He got me into Stompin' Tom and the Leafs.
Kathryn GreenwoodRobin [Duke] and I were in the John Candy movie Hostage for a Day. I remember sitting with Robin in her trailer. I was so shy, and her and John were having a great time and laughing. I was thinking, "I can't wait to tell all my friends!"
Robin DukeI remember Kathy in that trailer. She was being really goofy. I was like, "Relax, sister. You got the role!"
Eugene LevyAfter the success of SCTV put Second City on the map, the Toronto group became even more popular and a constant rotation of young actors were eager to join. Many stars were discovered at the fire hall or on Blue Jays Way or where the cast works today, on Mercer Street.
Andrew AlexanderAfter SCTV, customers would come in, "Where's John? Where's Eugene?" It was a challenge for the later casts, but people wouldn't come back if the shows weren't good.
Ron JamesI took classes for a year with Second City before I began making my living as a scrawny satirist in Andrew Alexander's comedy legion.
Colin MochrieIt took me awhile to blend with the folks at Second City. There's a portal I go through between the real world and the fake world. Onstage I feel very calm, that's where I feel my most confident, it's just in this other world I have my problems.
Deb McGrathI remember Colin's audition. I was thinking, "Oh my God, he's so frightened! He seems like he'd be afraid of a mouse." Of course, he's a master improvisor. You wouldn't see Colin, but then he'd come out with a brilliant moment.
Colin MochrieI was at Second City when I first auditioned for Whose Line Is It Anyway? Because our cast worked together so well, we're doing what you're supposed to do, which is be supportive and set each other up. Nobody stood out and none of us got cast. It wasn't until the next year that I got a chance to audition in Los Angeles and, because I didn't know anybody, I said, "Screw you guys!" And got the job.
Pat McKennaI was doing a scene with Colin Mochrie where I played a student making a presentation when I first came up with Harold. Steve Smith was in the audience and that was it: I played Harold on The Red Green Show for years.
Teresa PavlinekI started doing my character from The Jane Show at Second City. I started thinking about what would've happened to me had I not gotten into Second City. It inspired the character I still do today.
Ron JamesThis new generation, they've got cojones.
Fred WillardAt Second City, the impetus is always to be smarter. I'm sure they're doing Tiger Woods now, but from a different angle.
Reid JanisseWe were improvising about Tiger Woods the other night from the vantage point of his PR firm – how Tiger Woods could respond – and the idea was, he'd probably be dropped from Buick because everyone saw him in the smashed Cadillac. Well, Tiger could advertise for Cadillac, every car comes with a free set of golf clubs and a blond Swedish model wife.
bkaplan@nationalpost.com
The players, then and now
Bernard Sahlins, 87, is based in Chicago and performs with the Poetry Foundation reading Elizabethan plays.
Tony-winner Paul Sand is a California-based actor, writer and director.
Fred Willard is currently guest-starring on Modern Family and can be seen in the upcoming film Youth in Revolt.
Joe Flaherty, who worked on Freaks and Geeks, Back to the Future and Happy Gilmore, is currently retired from acting.
Jayne Eastwood is a member of Women Fully Clothed, a female comedy troupe of Second City alumnae, who will play Massey Hall in May.
Eugene Levy's next film is the animated Gnomeo and Juliet.
Andrew Alexander is currently the president and CEO of Second City. The Toronto native is also chairman of the Gilda's Club honorary board.
Tony Rosato recently shot the short film Site Unseen for the Canadian Film Centre.
Catherine O'Hara has a recurring role on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Pat McKenna is a frequent guest on The Rick Mercer Report and The Ron James Show. He is currently writing and directing a film in Montreal.
Elvira Kurt is currently writing a pilot for a gay current affairs show and works regularly in children's programming.
Kathryn Greenwood is a member of Women Fully Clothed.
Robin Duke was an actor and writer on Saturday Night Live from 1981 to 1984. She is also a member of Women Fully Clothed.
Ron James hosts The Ron James Show. His New Year's Eve special kicks off at 8 p.m. on CBC.
Teresa Pavlinek is currently a member of Women Fully Clothed.
Deb McGrath is a member of the cast on Little Mosque on the Prairie.
Colin Mochrie will be appearing in Art for the Canadian Stage Company in March.
Reid Janisse is a current member of Second City Toronto. The group will perform Shut Up and Show Us Your Tweets through February.
Second City Toronto will be hosting a 50th anniversary party on Dec. 16 at 51 Mercer St. For more information, visit secondcity.com.
