An edgier version of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, the Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV premiered in 1977 and ran for three seasons in a half-hour format before being picked up by NBC and expanded to 90 minutes in 1981. Unusual for a sketch comedy series, SCTV's skits were tied together by the framing device of a fictional television network populated by feuding newscasters, dishonest talk show hosts, failed cabaret singers, fishing musicians, and other eccentric show biz types. In between were sketches of biting contemporary satire delivered by an inspired cast of future stars: Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Dave Thomas, and the late, great John Candy. This collection includes the series' entire fifth season, which bid adieu to Thomas, Moranis, and O'Hara, but featured newcomer Martin Short--and his iconic Ed Grimley character--in a more prominent role. Featuring such classic shows as "Towering Inferno," "Christmas Special," "Midnight Cowboy," "Sweeps Week," and "Jane Eyrehead," the fifth season also included guest appearances by Robin Williams, John Mellencamp, Joe Walsh, and Crystal Gayle.