Harold Ramis: The SCTV Years

Harold Ramis had a distinguished movie career as an actor, director, and writer. And he was also amazing for his work on Second City Television.

Officer Friendly Ramis We were sad to hear when writer-director-actor Harold Ramis passed away from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis. Only a day earlier, I had watched one of my favorite movies, Groundhog Day (1993), which Ramis directed and co-wrote. I first saw Groundhog Day in the movie theater when it came out in 1993. At the time, I liked the movie but it was with repeated viewings over the years that made it a classic for me. Some previous Chimesfreedom posts discuss Groundhog Day, and for other fans of the movie, make sure to check out this touching tribute to Ramis by Stephen Tobolowsky, who played Ned Ryerson in the movie.

Of course, Ramis also played a role in other classic films. For example, he co-wrote and starred in Stripes (1981) and Ghostbusters (1984). His role as Russell Ziskey in Stripes will always be one of the first things that comes to my mind when I think of him. He wrote and directed Caddyshack (1980), National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), and other films. Before those movies, he was one of the screenwriters for National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978). I think of these movies when I think of Ramis, but reading his obituaries made me realize that I had forgot that I grew up watching him on a television show.

Prior to working on Animal House, Ramis appeared on (and became head writer of) the comedy television series Second City Television (SCTV) during its first years in the late 1970s. The Canadian television show, which started in 1976 and spun off from Toronto’s Second City stage show, centered around a fictional small TV network. In addition to Ramis, the series featured John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, and Dave Thomas. Thomas recently talked to the Huffington Post about working with Ramis.

Ramis’ characters on SCTV included Mort Finkel, here advertising his “Do-It-Yourself-Dentistry” kit.

On the show, Ramis provided public service announcements as Officer Friendly.

Ramis also starred in SCTV‘s presentation of the western movie “A Fistful of Ugly.” And he accepted phone calls from “viewers” as SCTV station manager Maurice “Moe” Green.

In the days after he died, a number of colleagues (including Bill Murray who had a famous “feud” with Ramis) said wonderful things about Ramis as a director, screenwriter, actor, and human being. We wish he were still around to give us more great work, but we are happy we can watch these SCTV clips and the movies. And I will keep watching Groundhog Day every year too, even though next time it will be with a little extra sadness. RIP.

What is your favorite Harold Ramis movie or character? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • The Babe Ruth Story (and Funeral)
  • Visiting the Locations for “Groundhog Day”
  • Kansas’s Controversial Attempt to Make Toto the State Dog
  • Groundhog Day (and Ghostbusters?) 2012
  • Happy Groundhog Day!
  • Cinderella story, Outta nowhere: Caddyshack Anniversary
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    New York Is Not “Invisible” When U2 Play on Fallon Debut

    U2 Invisible New York
    Last night, Jimmy Fallon hosted his first Tonight Show with guests Will Smith and U2. In a musical segment, Fallon introduced U2 from the Top of the Rock, the rooftop observation deck of Rockefeller Center. When they recorded the segment, the sun was setting, highlighting a beautiful view of New York City as the city returns as the location of The Tonight Show.

    Bono and the band were at their bombastic best, having experience playing a rooftop in their “Where the Streets Have No Name” video way back in the 1980s. This time, there were no police. Check out U2 performing “Invisible,” followed by Fallon interviewing the band.  [UPDATE: Unfortunately, the video is no longer available.]

    The show was not a surprise for anyone who has followed Fallon on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The Roots continued their great late night support, and Fallon showed off his variety show skills with a dance segment with Smith. A number of celebrities stopped by for a brief cameo to lend their support too. It was a good start to what looks like it might be a long run.

    What did you think of Jimmy Fallon’s first Tonight Show? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Late Night Wars: Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon Sing
  • John Legend and The Roots Perform “Dancing in the Dark”
  • Jimmy Fallon is “Saved By the Bell”
  • Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’s Last Waltz
  • Springsteen and Fallon as Two Springsteens Stuck in a Traffic Jam
  • All-Star “Fairytale of New York” on Jimmy Fallon
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    A Visit to Millard Fillmore’s Home

    In honor of Presidents’ Day, CBS Sunday Morning made a visit to the home of Millard Fillmore, the Thirteenth President of the United States, in East Aurora, New York (near Buffalo). In this segment, Mo Rocca asks whether President Fillmore is underrated as a president. Note that even Fillmore’s biographer does not like the former president. Check it out.


    Who is the most underrated president? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Animaniac’s “Presidents Song”
  • John F. Kennedy Inauguration and Robert Frost
  • D-Day Flays Open the Soul
  • Steven Spielberg’s New Film with “Daniel Day-Lewis” as Obama
  • Berry Gordy and the Legend of Motown
  • Glen Hansard the Busker
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Sid Caesar RIP

    Comic legend Sid Caesar has passed away at the age of 91. After growing up in Yonkers, New York, Caesar went on to be one of the early pioneers of the new medium of television with his shows Your Show of Shows and Caesar’s Hour in the 1950s. To a younger generation who do not get to see black and white shows repeated on television, those variety shows may seem to be from another world. But one can still see the genius and the way Caesar helped pave with way for shows we enjoy today. And much of his work is still funny, such as a clip with Caesar and Imogene Coca going to a health food restaurant (with waiter Carl Reiner). Check out some of their work on YouTube.  RIP.

    What is your favorite memory of Sid Caesar? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Goodbye to Stephen Colbert and Craig Ferguson
  • Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)
  • Ned Miller: The Shy Man Behind “From a Jack to a King”
  • Merle Haggard: “Kern River”
  • Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog
  • B.B. King: “Why I Sing the Blues”
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’s Last Waltz

    Fallon The Muppets
    Media largel focused on Jay Leno’s exit from The Tonight Show, but at the same time, Jimmy Fallon was winding down Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. The focus was understandable, considering that NBC was merely moving Fallon down the hall to take a seat behind the desk at The Tonight Show. Last night on Late Night, Jimmy Fallon had an appropriately subdued farewell show that recognized a chapter was ending, not a book. Still, the show featured a number of nice moments. One of the highlights, which illustrated Fallon’s intelligence and respect for history, was going out with a nod the The Band‘s famous last bow, The Last Waltz (1978).

    Before Late Night closed with Fallon walking down the hall to The Tonight Show studio, the final musical performance on a show known for music featured Fallon playing drums with the Muppets as the group performed “The Weight.” The video recreated the look of The Band’s own performance of the song in The Last Waltz, the Martin Scorsese directed documentary about The Band’s final show. Fallon, always respectful of his audience’s intelligence, made no reference to The Last Waltz, recognizing folks would either get the reference or just enjoy the song. Check it out.

    The filming of the musical performance even echos the look and lighting of The Last Waltz performance, starting with the opening shot of Fallon playing drums and singing in the place of the late great Levon Helm. Check out the song from The Last Waltz, a performance that also featured Mavis Staples and The Staple Singers.

    Earlier in his final Late Night show, Fallon also told a little Muppet history, explaining how many years ago when Jim Henson and Frank Oz had visited the studio, the two had painted characters on some exposed pipes. Fallon discussed how when he took over the show, they had remodeled so the paintings could be seen by more people.

    In the Late Night time slot, Fallon already has set a high bar for himself as he transfers to the earlier more high-profile show. From fun performances like this one of “The Weight,” incorporating a classic music and movie reference that respected the intelligence of his audience, I am betting Fallon will be hosting The Tonight Show for a long time.

    What do you think of Fallon taking over The Tonight Show? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Cover Songs: Wilco, Mavis Staples, and Nick Lowe cover “The Weight”
  • Michael Stipe’s Tribute to David Bowie
  • Reunited Replacements on “The Tonight Show”
  • New York Is Not “Invisible” When U2 Play on Fallon Debut
  • Springsteen and Fallon as Two Springsteens Stuck in a Traffic Jam
  • All-Star “Fairytale of New York” on Jimmy Fallon
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)