SCTV Played at My House
November 2020
I still remember the old convertible that had been towed into our backyard. In my mind’s eye, it’s reminiscent of the “hunk of junk” Danny and Kenicke re-build for the big race at Thunder Road. (What can I say — child of the ‘70s.)
This would have been around 1982. I grew up in east-end Toronto and our next door neighbour at the time - a TV producer for the comedy program SCTV - had asked my parents if he could use our yard for a new skit they were working on. My family collectively watched the show and were huge fans. It was an easy answer.
On the day of the shoot the crew arrived with bags and bags of dirt and lots of flowers. They would be used to fill the old jalopy for “Backyard Buddies: a skit featuring John Candy playing a DIY handyman with some lofty ideas for home improvement.
It was beyond thrilling for my sister and I to stay home from school that day. My Mom also taught at the Elementary School we attended. It was just a street over and a couple of teachers, who were friends of mom, stopped by that afternoon to join in the spectacle. The house was buzzing. So many people preparing: Lights, Camera, Action!
I don’t remember John Candy arriving to the house. Both my sister and I were far too shy to make our presence known, but I do remember Candy using my bedroom as his dressing space. For me it was a serious showbiz We’re in the Money kind of moment. (What can I say — child of the ‘70s with a penchant for ‘30s musicals.)
I think it was Miss Peacock who seized the moment. She was young and pretty and if anyone could pull off approaching him, with the eloquence required to make such a request, she could.
Written on a piece of 3x4 inch notepad in blue ballpoint pen the autograph read:
Jennifer and Jessica,
Thanks for the acting lessons.
John Candy
We knew we needed a secure place to store our papered treasure. We slipped it into the sleeve of our “Bob & Doug McKenzie: Great White North” album for safekeeping. (What can I say — we were huge fans.)
I’m not sure if someone from the crew, upon seeing our record, made the suggestion for what happened next. SCTV was simultaneously filming another skit a few doors down from us. To this day I still don’t know what the premise was, but Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis were helming it. My father accompanied us down the street with our album in hand. I remember arriving to the address and recognizing it as my neighbourhood friend Hiku’s house. Out front two people were chasing each other around wearing elaborate rubber gorilla masks. It was Thomas and Moranis taking a production break.
It was my Dad who seized the moment. He was jokey and confident and if anyone could pull off approaching them, with the gusto required to make such a request, he could.
Written on the album next to Bob & Doug’s likeness in blue ballpoint pen the autograph read:
Jennifer and Jessica,
Take off, eh!
Bob & Doug McKenzie
When we got home, we carefully taped John Candy’s autograph onto the album cover alongside the hoser’s salutations.
I’m not sure if the artifact has been travelling with me throughout my journey. I thought about checking to see if it was tucked among my current vinyl so I could post a photo to accompany this writing. Maybe the album is in preservation with my sister, (which reminds me I really need to give her an overdue ring.) I bet my Dad remembers the story well if I were to ask him.
Perhaps the record resides among my Mom’s collection in PEI. I haven’t returned to the island since her passing last November. I wish she was here so I could call her. To hear her voice again and experience her laugh at the memory of it all.SCTV Played at My House
November 2020
I still remember the old convertible that had been towed into our backyard. In my mind’s eye, it’s reminiscent of the “hunk of junk” Danny and Kenicke re-build for the big race at Thunder Road. (What can I say — child of the ‘70s.)
This would have been around 1982. I grew up in east-end Toronto and our next door neighbour at the time - a TV producer for the comedy program SCTV - had asked my parents if he could use our yard for a new skit they were working on. My family collectively watched the show and were huge fans. It was an easy answer.
On the day of the shoot the crew arrived with bags and bags of dirt and lots of flowers. They would be used to fill the old jalopy for “Backyard Buddies: a skit featuring John Candy playing a DIY handyman with some lofty ideas for home improvement.
It was beyond thrilling for my sister and I to stay home from school that day. My Mom also taught at the Elementary School we attended. It was just a street over and a couple of teachers, who were friends of mom, stopped by that afternoon to join in the spectacle. The house was buzzing. So many people preparing: Lights, Camera, Action!
I don’t remember John Candy arriving to the house. Both my sister and I were far too shy to make our presence known, but I do remember Candy using my bedroom as his dressing space. For me it was a serious showbiz We’re in the Money kind of moment. (What can I say — child of the ‘70s with a penchant for ‘30s musicals.)
I think it was Miss Peacock who seized the moment. She was young and pretty and if anyone could pull off approaching him, with the eloquence required to make such a request, she could.
Written on a piece of 3x4 inch notepad in blue ballpoint pen the autograph read:
Jennifer and Jessica,
Thanks for the acting lessons.
John Candy
We knew we needed a secure place to store our papered treasure. We slipped it into the sleeve of our “Bob & Doug McKenzie: Great White North” album for safekeeping. (What can I say — we were huge fans.)
I’m not sure if someone from the crew, upon seeing our record, made the suggestion for what happened next. SCTV was simultaneously filming another skit a few doors down from us. To this day I still don’t know what the premise was, but Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis were helming it. My father accompanied us down the street with our album in hand. I remember arriving to the address and recognizing it as my neighbourhood friend Hiku’s house. Out front two people were chasing each other around wearing elaborate rubber gorilla masks. It was Thomas and Moranis taking a production break.
It was my Dad who seized the moment. He was jokey and confident and if anyone could pull off approaching them, with the gusto required to make such a request, he could.
Written on the album next to Bob & Doug’s likeness in blue ballpoint pen the autograph read:
Jennifer and Jessica,
Take off, eh!
Bob & Doug McKenzie
When we got home, we carefully taped John Candy’s autograph onto the album cover alongside the hoser’s salutations.
I’m not sure if the artifact has been travelling with me throughout my journey. I thought about checking to see if it was tucked among my current vinyl so I could post a photo to accompany this writing. Maybe the album is in preservation with my sister, (which reminds me I really need to give her an overdue ring.) I bet my Dad remembers the story well if I were to ask him.
Perhaps the record resides among my Mom’s collection in PEI. I haven’t returned to the island since her passing last November. I wish she was here so I could call her. To hear her voice again and experience her laugh at the memory of it all.