Juul Haalmeyer Movies

Hijacking the SCTV satellite, the Soviet Union beams their own TV schedule to North America, including such brainwashed hits as "Today is Moscow," "Uposcabblenyk," "What Fits Into Russia," and ads for "Tibor's Tractor" and "Strelnokoff Vodka." SCTV personalities Dr. Tongue (John Candy), Woody Tobias Jr. (Eugene Levy), and Red Rooster (Dave Thomas) are blasted into space to recapture the satellite, but their bumbling efforts result in an apocalyptic finale combining the best elements of Fail-Safe and Dr. Strangelove. Other highlights: musical guest star Al Jarreau stars in the SCTV version of The Jazz Singer, with Sid Dithers (Eugene Levy) as his cantor dad; and the screamingly funny record album commercial "Perry Como: Still Alive." (Note: with this episode, SCTV: Network 90 is retitled as simply SCTV Network.) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Virtually every character created by the SCTV cast makes a guest appearance in this episode, which is given coherence by an ongoing (and seemingly never-ending) staff party. Among the highlights: John Candy recreates Orson Welles' famously profane commercial-outtake tape, as part of "Liberace's Musical Tribute to the Holidays." Raunchy entertainer Dusty Towne (Catherine O'Hara) duets with Divine (John Candy) on her own "Sexy Holiday Special." And SCTV Cable and Ugazzo Home Vision combine forces to present "Neil Simon's Nutcracker Suite," starring a lachrymose Marsha Mason (Andrea Martin), an intrusive Richard Dreyfuss (Rick Moranis), a wisecracking Judd Hirsch (Eugene Levy), and Alan Alda (Joe Flaherty) as The Nutcracker Prince. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

"Great White North" emcees Doug and Bob McKenzie (Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis) host their first big-time special, with Tony Bennett performing "I Wish I Were in Love Again"," along with less stellar contributions by SCTV's own "celebrities" . According to station manager Guy Caballero (Joe Flaherty), this special has been assembled to counter audience criticism against SCTV Network 90 for showing too many reruns -- though, of course, the McKenzies manage to show too many reruns anyway. Newer material includes Lola Heatherton's (Catherine O'Hara) tribute to Mother Theresa; "Nightline Melonville"'s hard-hitting expose of unemployment, compromised by the breakup of the show's satellite feed; and in a rare serious moment, a tribute to the late John Belushi, who had been scheduled to appear that night. (The last-named segment has been removed from the half-hour syndicated version of this episode). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Mind-controlling aliens take over SCTV, planting leafy pods in the brains of the staffers -- not to mention musical guest star Natalie Cole (but not before she sings "Nothin' But a Fool"). Alien leader Zontar (John Candy) chortles in demonic glee, but takes umbrage when he is compared to Curly Joe DeRita. Also on hand is actor Bonar Bain, the brother of Diff'rent Strokes star Conrad Bain, here cast as Hank Bain, star of "Diff'rent Folks." Also: Doug and Bob discuss short cuts -- or at least they would have if they hadn't started bickering: George Carlin and Don Rickles (both portrayed by Rick Moranis) star in their own special versions of Annie Hall; and entrepreneurs Tex and Edna Boil (Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin), are now in the "Prairie Warehouse and Curio Emporium" business. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi