Today : Oct 22, 2025
Arts & Culture
22 October 2025

Edmonton’s Comedy Legacy Celebrated With SCTV Map And John Candy Documentary

A new interactive map and a heartwarming documentary shine a spotlight on Edmonton’s role in shaping Canadian comedy history through SCTV and the career of John Candy.

Before Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara were household names, before John Candy became a beloved comedy legend, and before Rick Moranis donned his iconic toque as Bob McKenzie, a little-known Canadian city played a starring role in shaping the future of sketch comedy. Edmonton, Alberta, often celebrated for its river valley and hockey fandom, was the unlikely backdrop for one of the most influential periods in television history: the Edmonton years of Second City Television (SCTV).

Between 1980 and 1982, SCTV—already a cult favorite in Toronto—packed up its irreverent scripts and star-studded cast and headed west to Global Studios, formerly known as ITV Studios, according to Daily Hive. The move wasn’t just a logistical footnote; it marked a creative crossroads for the show and the city alike. For two years, Edmonton’s streets, parks, and landmarks became the setting for some of the most memorable and offbeat sketches ever broadcast on Canadian television.

The cast that landed in Edmonton during this period reads like a who’s who of comedy royalty. Robin Duke, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Tony Rosato, Dave Thomas, John Candy, and Catherine O’Hara all called Edmonton home—at least temporarily. Their presence electrified the local arts scene and left a cultural legacy that’s still felt today.

Fans and historians alike now have a new way to explore this slice of entertainment history. Trevor Stenson has compiled an interactive map—available at sctvinedmonton.ca—that pinpoints each of the show’s Edmonton filming locations. Click on a pin, and you’ll find a treasure trove of information: then-and-now photos, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and the stories behind the sketches. For anyone who’s ever wondered where their favorite SCTV moments were shot, it’s a virtual passport to a different era.

Some of the city’s most recognizable spots made cameo appearances. Hawrelak Park, for instance, served as the backdrop for sketches like “Divine on Ice,” “Tom Monroe on a New Wave Length,” and “One on the Town with Earl Camembert.” According to Daily Hive, Fort Edmonton Park and McCauley School became the stage for the “Pepi Longsocks” skit, which starred none other than John Candy himself. These locations, once just part of the city’s landscape, have now been immortalized in comedy lore.

Edmonton’s brief brush with SCTV fame wasn’t just a one-sided affair. The city left an impression on the cast as well. During an appearance on Late Night With David Letterman, John Candy described his temporary home with characteristic warmth: “a real nice city with good people there.” It’s a simple sentiment, but one that speaks volumes about the bond that formed between the show’s stars and their host city.

That bond is perhaps best symbolized by a striking piece of public art in the heart of downtown Edmonton. In the bustling Ice District, a statue of Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas—forever captured as Bob and Doug McKenzie from The Great White North—stands as a tribute to both the show and the city’s role in its history. The statue was donated by the Allard Foundation, named after Dr. Charles Allard and his son Paul Allard, the business leaders who founded ITV Studios in the 1970s. Their vision helped bring SCTV to Edmonton, and their legacy lives on in bronze and laughter.

The timing of this renewed interest in SCTV’s Edmonton years is no accident. The recent release of John Candy: I Like Me, a heartwarming documentary now streaming on Prime Video, has reignited public affection for the late comedian and his groundbreaking work. Directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, the film has been lauded for its intimate portrayal of Candy’s life and career. According to reporting from the documentary’s press materials, it features stories and interviews with a veritable who’s-who of comedy: Dan Aykroyd, Macaulay Culkin, Tom Hanks, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Martin Short, and many others.

What sets John Candy: I Like Me apart is its wealth of never-before-seen archival footage and imagery. These glimpses behind the curtain reveal the humanity and heart that made Candy such a beloved figure—not just in Canada, but around the world. For fans of classic films like Stripes, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, Home Alone, and Little Shop of Horrors, the documentary is a bittersweet celebration of a singular talent. The film’s global release on October 10, 2025, has brought new audiences to Candy’s story and, by extension, to the Edmonton chapter of his career.

Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, both of whom emerged from SCTV’s Edmonton years to become international stars, are among those who reflect on Candy’s impact in the documentary. Their recollections, along with those of other comedy legends, paint a picture of a man whose generosity and comedic genius touched everyone he worked with. The documentary, as described by Prime Video, is a “celebration of the life and career of a true comedy icon.”

Edmonton’s connection to SCTV and John Candy might have been brief, but its influence endures. The city hasn’t forgotten its place in Canadian comedy history, and neither have the fans who flock to see the Bob and Doug McKenzie statue or explore the filming locations mapped out by dedicated historians. For many Edmontonians, the years between 1980 and 1982 are more than just a footnote—they’re a point of pride, a time when their city helped launch a new era of laughter and innovation.

As new generations discover SCTV’s sketches and John Candy’s films, they’re also discovering Edmonton’s role in that legacy. The city’s parks, schools, and downtown streets are more than just settings—they’re characters in the story of Canadian comedy. And with the release of John Candy: I Like Me, that story is being told to audiences around the world, ensuring that Edmonton’s contribution won’t be forgotten any time soon.

With statues, maps, and documentaries breathing new life into old laughs, Edmonton’s comedy legacy is as vibrant as ever—a reminder that sometimes, the biggest stories come from the most unexpected places.