Take off, eh? SCTV cast reunites for one night only

CTV National News: Comedy for spinal cord research Canadian comedy legends resurrect cult classics to raise money for spinal cord research. Peter Akman has more on the one-night benefit show.

Canadian comedy royalty gathered on stage and in the crowd Tuesday night in Toronto, as the celebrated cast of the classic sketch show “SCTV” held a reunion performance to raise money for spinal cord research.

Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas let out the loon call once more in reprising their roles as Bob and Dough McKenzie, the comedy series’ hit hoser duo. SCTV alums Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Eugene Levy and Joe Flaherty also joined the show, along with “Kids in the Hall” stars Scott Thompson, Kevin McDonald and Dave Foley.

Foley described the show beforehand as a “huge comfy sweater of comedy.”

Tickets to the “Take off, Eh?” reunion show sold for $2,500, with all proceeds going toward spinal cord research.

Dave Thomas pulled the whole thing together after his nephew, Jake, was left paralyzed from a snowmobile accident last January.

Jake was there on Tuesday to take in the performance and comment on his health. “You think with paralysis you lose the feelings in your leg – that’s it,” he said. “But no, I can’t use them and they hurt like hell.”

Many Canadian celebrities were on hand for the event, including Luba Goy, who often portrayed former prime minister Kim Campbell.

“When I phoned the box office they said, ‘I’m sorry, we’re sold out,’” she told CTV News. “And I said, ‘What if I was the prime minister of Canada?’”