Edith Prickley
Encyclopedia
Edith Prickley was a character in all six seasons of the Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV
. Created and played by Andrea Martin
, the character took over as the station manager for the fictional television station Second City Television, based out of a city called Melonville, and serving the "tri-city area". Her character, visibly distinct by her leopard-print clothing and hat, and rhinestone studded glasses, served the station's president and owner, Guy Caballero.
The character of Edith Prickley was created for and played by comedian Andrea Martin
, when the series debuted in 1976
. Along with Caballero, Prickley was one of the few characters to appear throughout the entire run of the series, which ended in 1984
. The character perhaps remains Martin's best known; she was a relative unknown performer before the series debut.
Martin was nominated in 1982 for the "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series" Emmy Award
.
, Joan of Arc
, and Auntie Mame
". The "oversexed" Prickley was convinced that every male around had "lustful intention towards her." Prickley snorted at her own jokes; her laugh has been described as a cackle.
The Second City
website reads: "Ms. Prickley had all the style of Jackie O. and all the charm of Jackie Mason
."
Prickley first appeared on SCTV in a Sunrise Semester sketch aired as part of the first season episode 17, Galaxy 66. Prickley appears in regards to "Elevator Conversation". Later in the episode, she appears to advertise Mrs Prickley's Jams Jellies and Preserves, stating: "I hope you choke on it." Aside from a repeat of the ad in episode 23, she wouldn't officially appear again until season 2. Martin's one-off character in episode 25, Princess Carlotta, was essentially Edith Prickley, without her name or leopard print. The character appeared in the two part "Morning Facial with Princess Carlotta", credited as "A Johnny LaRue Production".
In episode 10 of season 2, which aired November 18, 1978, station owner Guy Cabellero chooses to promote Edith Prickley to SCTV station manager, replacing the kidnapped Moe Green. She announces her programming intentions as "boobs, bums, good-looking hunky guys, and no more sports."
The character appeared in various movies throughout the series run, including Gangway for a Miracle and Give 'Em Hell, Bess.
In 1988 special Best of SCTV, Caballero and Prickley appeared before a Congressional
hearing room
, to defend their practices, in order to extend the license of the channel.
As of 1989, Prickley was a bartender, serving Andrea Martin in the comedy special "Andrea Martin: Together Again".
(including as an animated character), to various stage appearances.
Second City Television
Second City Television is a Canadian television sketch comedy show offshoot from Toronto's The Second City troupe that ran between 1976 and 1984.- Premise :...
. Created and played by Andrea Martin
Andrea Martin
Andrea Louise Martin is an American and Canadian actress and comedienne. She has appeared in films such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, on stage in productions such as My Favorite Year, Fiddler on the Roof and Candide, and in the television series, SCTV.-Personal life:Martin, the oldest of three...
, the character took over as the station manager for the fictional television station Second City Television, based out of a city called Melonville, and serving the "tri-city area". Her character, visibly distinct by her leopard-print clothing and hat, and rhinestone studded glasses, served the station's president and owner, Guy Caballero.
The character of Edith Prickley was created for and played by comedian Andrea Martin
Andrea Martin
Andrea Louise Martin is an American and Canadian actress and comedienne. She has appeared in films such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, on stage in productions such as My Favorite Year, Fiddler on the Roof and Candide, and in the television series, SCTV.-Personal life:Martin, the oldest of three...
, when the series debuted in 1976
1976 in television
The year 1976 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1976.-Global television events:*The Olympics, broadcast from Montreal, Canada, draw an estimated one billion viewers worldwide....
. Along with Caballero, Prickley was one of the few characters to appear throughout the entire run of the series, which ended in 1984
1984 in television
This article is a list of television-related events in 1984.-Events:*January 9 – Wendy's "Fluffy Bun" ad first airs, which propels Clara Peller and her "Where's the beef?" catchphrase to national prominence....
. The character perhaps remains Martin's best known; she was a relative unknown performer before the series debut.
Martin was nominated in 1982 for the "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series" Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
.
Personality
According to the book "Women in Comedy", one writer described Edith as "an amalgam of Rona BarrettRona Barrett
Rona Barrett is an American gossip columnist and businesswoman. She currently runs the Rona Barrett Foundation, a non-profit organization in Santa Ynez, California, dedicated to the aid and support of senior citizens in need.-Career and personal life:As a teenager, Barrett overcame a degenerative...
, Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
, and Auntie Mame
Auntie Mame
Auntie Mame is a 1955 novel by Patrick Dennis that chronicles the madcap adventures of a boy, Patrick, growing up as the ward of his deceased father's eccentric sister, Mame Dennis. The book is a work of fiction inspired by the author's eccentric aunt, Marion Tanner, whose life and outlook in many...
". The "oversexed" Prickley was convinced that every male around had "lustful intention towards her." Prickley snorted at her own jokes; her laugh has been described as a cackle.
The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
website reads: "Ms. Prickley had all the style of Jackie O. and all the charm of Jackie Mason
Jackie Mason
Jackie Mason is an American stand-up comedian and movie actor.-Early life:Born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, he grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City....
."
History of the character
According to Prickley character in the comedy special "Andrea Martin: Together Again", she was married to Mr. Prickley in 1969. Prickley's sister was Edna Boil (also played by Andrea Martin) proprietor of Edna's Prairie Warehouse and Curio Emporium, an advertiser on SCTV. Though she was routinely addressed as "Mrs. Prickley", her husband was never seen and infrequently referenced; his name was Ken, but few (if any) other details were ever revealed about him.Prickley first appeared on SCTV in a Sunrise Semester sketch aired as part of the first season episode 17, Galaxy 66. Prickley appears in regards to "Elevator Conversation". Later in the episode, she appears to advertise Mrs Prickley's Jams Jellies and Preserves, stating: "I hope you choke on it." Aside from a repeat of the ad in episode 23, she wouldn't officially appear again until season 2. Martin's one-off character in episode 25, Princess Carlotta, was essentially Edith Prickley, without her name or leopard print. The character appeared in the two part "Morning Facial with Princess Carlotta", credited as "A Johnny LaRue Production".
In episode 10 of season 2, which aired November 18, 1978, station owner Guy Cabellero chooses to promote Edith Prickley to SCTV station manager, replacing the kidnapped Moe Green. She announces her programming intentions as "boobs, bums, good-looking hunky guys, and no more sports."
The character appeared in various movies throughout the series run, including Gangway for a Miracle and Give 'Em Hell, Bess.
In 1988 special Best of SCTV, Caballero and Prickley appeared before a Congressional
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
hearing room
Congressional hearing
Congressional hearings are the principal formal method by which committees collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. Whether confirmation hearings — a procedure unique to the Senate — legislative, oversight, investigative, or a combination of these, all...
, to defend their practices, in order to extend the license of the channel.
As of 1989, Prickley was a bartender, serving Andrea Martin in the comedy special "Andrea Martin: Together Again".
Appearances off SCTV
Prickley appeared on occasion on programs aside from SCTV, ranging from a run of appearances on Sesame StreetSesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
(including as an animated character), to various stage appearances.
- 1987: Prickley appears on the CBC broadcast Canadian Sesame Street, later known as Sesame ParkSesame ParkSesame Park was a Canadian version of Sesame Street. In its first format, it was referred to as Canadian Sesame Street and was a re-edited version of the American series; it adopted a new format and the Sesame Park title in 1996....
. - 1989: Martin's Showtime comedy special Andrea Martin... Together Again features her as herself, and as various characters. The special is presented as Andrea Martin talks to Edith, about her just finished special.
- November 14, 1989: Martin appears as Edith Prickley on Sesame Street. Prickley is a shoe salesperson, who attempts to sell to Grungetta and Maria Figueroa. The character also appeared in a celebrity-filled version of the song "Put Down the Duckie". SCTV characters Yosh Shmenge (John CandyJohn CandyJohn Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
) and Ed GrimleyEd GrimleyEdward Mayhoff 'Ed' Grimley is a fictional character created and portrayed by Martin Short. Developed amongst The Second City improv comedy troupe, Grimley made his television debut the sketch comedy show SCTV in 1982, leading to popular success for both Short and the persona continued on Saturday...
(Martin ShortMartin ShortMartin Hayter Short, CM is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, singer and producer. He is best-known for his comedy work, particularly on the TV programs SCTV and Saturday Night Live...
) also appeared on Sesame Street. - 1996: Martin appears in a one-woman show in the East VillageEast Village-Places:Canada*Downtown East Village, Calgary, Alberta*East Village, Nova ScotiaUnited Kingdom*East Village, Devon*East Village, LiverpoolUnited States*East Village, Des Moines, Iowa, a historical neighborhood in Des Moines...
, at the Papp Public Theater. Along with appearing as herself, she appears as various characters, including Prickley. - 1998: The Elmo's WorldElmo's World"Elmo's World" is a segment of the children's television show Sesame Street featuring Elmo, a small, three and a half year old, bright red monster. It debuted on November 16, 1998. Since then, it has been regularly shown during the last fifteen minutes of every Sesame Street episode...
segment of Sesame Street debuts. An animated version of Edith Prickley (voiced by Martin) appears as a personality on numerous narrow-themed channels seen on the TV, but isn't named as Prickley. The character would later evolve in appearance. - 1999: Prickley appears in a television special called Just for Laughs: Montreal Comedy Festival, taped at the Just for LaughsJust for LaughsJust for Laughs is a comedy festival held each July in Montreal, Quebec, founded in 1983. It is the largest international comedy festival in the world.- Information :...
festival. - May 2008: Martin appears as Edith Prickley in the SCTV-reunion two performance stage show "The Benefit of Laughter".
External links
- Andrea Martin biography, The New York Times.