Television Reviews : Second City Troupe on Showtime Retrospective

Most anniversary retrospective shows like to parade their achievements and high times in the rosy fatuity of self-congratulation.

In its new Showtime cable special (airing at various times throughout November), the Second City troupe, celebrating its 15th year in Toronto (the original group began in Chicago in the ‘50s), resists the temptation and manages to give us both a sparkling entertainment and a touch of history, as well as a look into the comedy scene processes that they glossed to high effect.

Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Dave Thomas, Eugene Levy (who directed and co-produced), Martin Short, John Monteith and Joe Flaherty, among others, appear both on stage in rudimentary improv effects, and in the polished film products that the improvisation suggested--including a truly dreadful middle-class couple in a French restaurant, a ‘40s nightclub milieu and a French Revolution costume drama called “The Purple Pimpernel.”

SCTV’s directorial chief, Andrew Alexander, tells us the secret of improv is the suggestion of ambiance. Bernard Fahlins, who originated the Chicago troupe, tells us it’s based on actors cooking at the top of their talent. Director Del Close tells us it’s based on the incendiary, short-lived moment.

In any case, we’re offered a tantalizing glimpse of some of the most imaginative and accomplished comedic talent in North America. The sad, unspoken tale is in how briefly they stuck together before succumbing to the itchy enticements of personal success that splintered a potentially great troupe into less than great individual careers.

The program’s next showings will be Wednesday at 8 p.m., Nov. 21 at 10:30 p.m., and Nov. 27 at 11 p.m.