Unpopular opinion: SCTV was funnier than SNL

[Werewolf]

This still makes me laugh.

[palitoy]

I do like both but I think SCTV is generally under appreciated for what it was and SNL tends to get over romanticized, especially the Belushi years which haven't aged all too well.

It's very early in the show but John Candy's Paul Fistinyerface always makes me laugh.

[Werewolf]

especially the Belushi years which haven't aged all too well.

I agree. Sure SCTV had some stinker skits as well but it has aged A LOT better overall.

[Goblin19]

70s SNL is kind of painful. Very much a product of the cocaine fueled era. There are some funny bits, though, and it's leaps ahead of Laugh In.

[Mikey]

Big fan of both but here's my opinion.

SNL was/is what used to be referred to as a variety show -- Basically Donny and Marie for adults

SCTV never pretended to be this -- SCTV was more of a standard sitcom on steroids ... From what I've read similar to Rutland Weekend Television in the UK.

Both were great, but too dissimilar to do a fair best show poll imo

[enyawd72]

My favorite to this day is In Living Color...everybody on that show was freaking hilarious.

Sadly in today's PC climate most of the skits they did would probably never fly today.

[palitoy]

I agree. Sure SCTV had some stinker skits as well but it has aged A LOT better overall.

Yeah the expansion to 90 minutes took it's toll on the show for sure, I just kind of find the show pleasant to watch these days.

I wish somebody would release it to a streaming service....

[Werewolf]

Would you like some more...pancakes!?

[Brazoo]

If I had to pick between the two my heart's with SCTV.

BUT I do think one of the things people tend to overlook when criticizing SNL is that it's a FREAKIN' LIVE SHOW, which (for me) makes it really hard to compare with other shows. To me it's like arguing that live music is better/worse than recorded music. I think there's advantages and disadvantages to both and there's all kinds of variables or whatever that factor in.

I think Belushi is over-romanticized, because he died, but I also feel like maybe we can't properly revisit his best SNL stuff in re-runs. I think the thing with him is that he would walk out on a stage on live national TV (which was a much bigger deal at that time) and nobody knew what was going to happen, you know?

[palitoy]

BUT I do think one of the things people tend to overlook when criticizing SNL is that it's a FREAKIN' LIVE SHOW, which (for me) makes it really hard to compare with other shows. To me it's like arguing that live music is better/worse than recorded music. I think there's advantages and disadvantages to both and there's all kinds of variables or whatever that factor in.

Yeah, that's totally fair. They're both sketch comedy shows so I guess that's where it stems from but the format is apples to oranges.

[Brazoo]

I'm loving these videos, Werewolf!

One of my favourites is Martin Short doing Jackie Rogers Sr. singing outside and he gets eaten by a cougar at the end.

I really wish I could find it, but I can only find a short clip of it re-used near the end of this Jackie Rogers Jr. skit:

[Mikey]

I'll always have a soft spot for the Happy Wanderers ....

My favorite SCTV schtick of all time.

m

[huedell]

They're both sketch comedy shows so I guess that's where it stems...

And leaders of their era who have crossover family-treed actors.... I'm sure there's more of a connection if I thought about it more.

I do like both but I think SCTV is generally under appreciated for what it was ...

Totally. Highly unique. Intriguingly ambitious.

SCTV was almost a live-action Muppets in tone (with less of a "family-audience" bent).

I love it... and utilize that mindset creatively when I get the opportunity.

Unpopular opinion: SCTV was funnier than SNL

Here's something even crazier:

McKenzie Bros are better than anything SNL ever birthed (including Blues Brothers, Wayne's World.... you name it)

[LonnieFisher]

I loved SCTV! Not so much SNL. I can't believe it's still on the air.

[comicmike]

SCTV's Andrea Martin. Honest. Forever. The best. "Pirini Sclorosso" was funny, but "Edith Prickley" was Fillarious!!!!! Although I recall Andrea saying once saying she tired being asked to do her character anymore, I never tired from watching the Edith acts.