Second City CEO Andrew Alexander is leaving the improv group after accusations of institutional racism were made by former performers, saying that he “failed to create an anti-racist environment wherein artists of color might thrive.”
Alexander is also the 50% co-owner of Second City. He announced he was stepping down in a letter posted on the Second City website, admitted he failed to create an “anti-racist environment.”
Actor Dewayne Perkins claimed Second City created obstacles for performers of color. As a counter to that, Alexander said in his letter that the next executive director of Second City will be a person of color.
In the letter of resignation, Alexander wrote that “it is not enough to not be a racist; you must be anti-racist. The Second City cannot begin to call itself anti-racist. That is one of the great failures of my life.”
Alexander produced the TV series “Sctv.” “Over the years,...
Alexander is also the 50% co-owner of Second City. He announced he was stepping down in a letter posted on the Second City website, admitted he failed to create an “anti-racist environment.”
Actor Dewayne Perkins claimed Second City created obstacles for performers of color. As a counter to that, Alexander said in his letter that the next executive director of Second City will be a person of color.
In the letter of resignation, Alexander wrote that “it is not enough to not be a racist; you must be anti-racist. The Second City cannot begin to call itself anti-racist. That is one of the great failures of my life.”
Alexander produced the TV series “Sctv.” “Over the years,...
- 6/7/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Second City CEO Andrew Alexander is stepping down following accusations of institutional racism from former performers, saying that he “failed to create an anti-racist environment wherein artists of color might thrive.”
In a lengthy letter posted Friday on the Chicago-based improv comedy organization’s website, Alexander wrote that “it is not enough to not be a racist; you must be anti-racist. The Second City cannot begin to call itself anti-racist. That is one of the great failures of my life.”
Alexander, who has had a 50% ownership in the company since 1985, produced the classic TV series “Sctv.” “Over the years, Second City has never shied away from talking about oppression. On stage, we have always been on the right side of the issue, and of that, I am very proud,” he wrote. “On stage, we dealt with the absurdity of the equal opportunity narrative that society uses to oppress Bipoc. We...
In a lengthy letter posted Friday on the Chicago-based improv comedy organization’s website, Alexander wrote that “it is not enough to not be a racist; you must be anti-racist. The Second City cannot begin to call itself anti-racist. That is one of the great failures of my life.”
Alexander, who has had a 50% ownership in the company since 1985, produced the classic TV series “Sctv.” “Over the years, Second City has never shied away from talking about oppression. On stage, we have always been on the right side of the issue, and of that, I am very proud,” he wrote. “On stage, we dealt with the absurdity of the equal opportunity narrative that society uses to oppress Bipoc. We...
- 6/6/2020
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
Comedy and theatre troupe The Second City, which kicked off the careers of the likes of Bill Murray, Steve Carell and Tina Fey, has teamed with streaming service Topic on a weekly variety series.
The first episode of half-hour series The Second City Presents: The Last Show Left on Earth will be hosted by 30 Rock’s Jack McBrayer and feature guests including Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Tiger King’s Kelci “Saff” Saffery.
More from Deadline'Lambs Of God': Streamer Topic Takes North American Rights To Australian Drama Starring Jessica Barden, Essie Davis & Ann DowdTopic Adds Maria Bamford-Fronted Mental Health Talk Show, Horror Anthology Series To Originals SlateFirst Look Media's Streaming Service Topic Strikes Deals With BBC Studios & Keshet Ahead Of Launch
The show will initially launch as a 24-hour global stream on The Second City’s and Topic’s social channels on April 16 and then air on Topic’s...
The first episode of half-hour series The Second City Presents: The Last Show Left on Earth will be hosted by 30 Rock’s Jack McBrayer and feature guests including Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Tiger King’s Kelci “Saff” Saffery.
More from Deadline'Lambs Of God': Streamer Topic Takes North American Rights To Australian Drama Starring Jessica Barden, Essie Davis & Ann DowdTopic Adds Maria Bamford-Fronted Mental Health Talk Show, Horror Anthology Series To Originals SlateFirst Look Media's Streaming Service Topic Strikes Deals With BBC Studios & Keshet Ahead Of Launch
The show will initially launch as a 24-hour global stream on The Second City’s and Topic’s social channels on April 16 and then air on Topic’s...
- 4/10/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
God bless Gilda Radner for having the foresight to know that people wanted to know her. In Lisa D’Apolito’s intimate new documentary, it’s the late, beloved comedian and original “Saturday Night Live” breakout star who gets to tell her own story. Aided by a trove of diary-style audio tapes that serve as voiceover narration and reams of handwritten pages, the woman behind Roseanne Roseannadanna and Emily Litella opens up about the good, the bad, and the ugly.
By no means a vanity project — Radner’s diaries are as clear-eyed as anything when it comes to her struggles involving fame, relationships, and her health — “Love, Gilda” offers the kind of keen personal insight that few documentaries can pull off.
D’Apolito directed the film with the full support of Radner’s estate — when she introduced the film at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, where it kicked off...
By no means a vanity project — Radner’s diaries are as clear-eyed as anything when it comes to her struggles involving fame, relationships, and her health — “Love, Gilda” offers the kind of keen personal insight that few documentaries can pull off.
D’Apolito directed the film with the full support of Radner’s estate — when she introduced the film at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, where it kicked off...
- 4/19/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
If you are familiar with the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television, you'll be happy to learn that Martin Scorsese is going to direct a retrospective comedy special for Netflix that revolves around Sctv.
The special will explore the legacy of Sct and it will reunite original stars Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Joe Flaherty. They will come together to discuss the series with Jimmy Kimmel who will be moderating the discussion.
The panel will be called An Afternoon with Sctv, and thanks to Variety, we have the following information on how the series will come together:
The panel, which will be filmed in front of a live audience at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre on May 13, will be included as part of the special, and will be produced by longtime Sctv producer Andrew Alexander, along with Emma Tillinger Koskoff of Scorsese...
The special will explore the legacy of Sct and it will reunite original stars Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Joe Flaherty. They will come together to discuss the series with Jimmy Kimmel who will be moderating the discussion.
The panel will be called An Afternoon with Sctv, and thanks to Variety, we have the following information on how the series will come together:
The panel, which will be filmed in front of a live audience at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre on May 13, will be included as part of the special, and will be produced by longtime Sctv producer Andrew Alexander, along with Emma Tillinger Koskoff of Scorsese...
- 4/13/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Second City Television, the famed Canadian sketch comedy series that helped launch the careers of numerous superstars, is making a comeback with a little help from Martin Scorsese.
Netflix announced on Thursday that Oscar-winning director-producer is on board to direct an original comedy special exploring the legacy of the show.
The special will reunite original Sctv stars Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Joe Flaherty for a discussion, moderated by Jimmy Kimmel, titled “An Afternoon with Sctv.”
The panel, which will be filmed in front of a live audience at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre on May 13, will be included as part of the special, and will be produced by longtime Sctv producer Andrew Alexander, along with Emma Tillinger Koskoff of Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and Lindsay Cox of Insight Productions.
Sctv ran for six seasons between 1976 and 1984, and was nominated for 15 Emmys after...
Netflix announced on Thursday that Oscar-winning director-producer is on board to direct an original comedy special exploring the legacy of the show.
The special will reunite original Sctv stars Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Joe Flaherty for a discussion, moderated by Jimmy Kimmel, titled “An Afternoon with Sctv.”
The panel, which will be filmed in front of a live audience at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre on May 13, will be included as part of the special, and will be produced by longtime Sctv producer Andrew Alexander, along with Emma Tillinger Koskoff of Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and Lindsay Cox of Insight Productions.
Sctv ran for six seasons between 1976 and 1984, and was nominated for 15 Emmys after...
- 4/12/2018
- by Kirsten Chuba
- Variety Film + TV
Martin Scorsese’s relationship with Netflix is expanding, with the filmmaker set to direct an untitled comedy special that takes a look back at “Second City Television,” the iconic Canadian sketch comedy show of the late 1970s and early ’80s.
The special will feature Sctv alums Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Dave Thomas and Joe Flaherty. The stars will reunite on May 13 at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre in front of a live audience for “An Afternoon with Sctv” conversation, moderated by Jimmy Kimmel.
Scorsese will include footage from the event in his upcoming special, which is produced by former Sctv producer Andrew Alexander, Emma Tillinger Koskoff of Sikelia Productions, and Insight Productions’ Lindsay Cox.
For the unfamiliar, “Sctv” was Canada’s answer to “Saturday Night Live.” The hit show ran from 1976 to 1984, and helped launch the careers of several stars, including John Candy and Harold Ramis.
Read original story Martin Scorsese to Direct ‘Sctv’ Comedy Special for Netflix At TheWrap...
The special will feature Sctv alums Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Dave Thomas and Joe Flaherty. The stars will reunite on May 13 at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre in front of a live audience for “An Afternoon with Sctv” conversation, moderated by Jimmy Kimmel.
Scorsese will include footage from the event in his upcoming special, which is produced by former Sctv producer Andrew Alexander, Emma Tillinger Koskoff of Sikelia Productions, and Insight Productions’ Lindsay Cox.
For the unfamiliar, “Sctv” was Canada’s answer to “Saturday Night Live.” The hit show ran from 1976 to 1984, and helped launch the careers of several stars, including John Candy and Harold Ramis.
Read original story Martin Scorsese to Direct ‘Sctv’ Comedy Special for Netflix At TheWrap...
- 4/12/2018
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Martin Scorsese, whose mob film The Irishman is being financed, produced and distributed by Netflix, is expanding his relationship with the streaming service. Scorsese will direct an untitled original comedy special for Netflix which explores the legacy of Emmy-winning sketch comedy show Sctv.
The Canadian classic Sctv aired for six seasons between 1976 and 1984 and launched the careers of several of the most beloved names in comedy including the late John Candy, the late Harold Ramis, Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis and Martin Short.
Scorsese will reunite comedy legends and former Sctv co-stars Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, O’Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas in front of a live audience for An Afternoon with Sctv moderated by Jimmy Kimmel.
The event will be held at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre on Sunday, May 13 at 3 Pm, and the filming of that will be part of the Netflix special. The special is...
The Canadian classic Sctv aired for six seasons between 1976 and 1984 and launched the careers of several of the most beloved names in comedy including the late John Candy, the late Harold Ramis, Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis and Martin Short.
Scorsese will reunite comedy legends and former Sctv co-stars Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, O’Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas in front of a live audience for An Afternoon with Sctv moderated by Jimmy Kimmel.
The event will be held at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre on Sunday, May 13 at 3 Pm, and the filming of that will be part of the Netflix special. The special is...
- 4/12/2018
- by Anita Busch
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has ordered an untitled Sctv reunion special, with Martin Scorsese to direct.
Scorsese will reunite former Sctv co-stars Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas in front of a live audience for An Afternoon With Sctv on May 13 in Toronto, to be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
The reunion will anchor the documentary about the cult TV series featuring members of Canada’s Second City comedy troupe, to be shot over three days next month in Toronto, with Andrew Alexander, John Brunton and Lindsay Cox producing.
Scorsese, with 12 Oscar nominations and a directing win for ...
Scorsese will reunite former Sctv co-stars Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas in front of a live audience for An Afternoon With Sctv on May 13 in Toronto, to be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
The reunion will anchor the documentary about the cult TV series featuring members of Canada’s Second City comedy troupe, to be shot over three days next month in Toronto, with Andrew Alexander, John Brunton and Lindsay Cox producing.
Scorsese, with 12 Oscar nominations and a directing win for ...
- 4/12/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Love, Gilda will open Tribeca Film Festival Photo: Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival has announced it will open its 17th edition with the world premiere of documentary Love, Gilda on April 18.
The film, which is the feature debut of director Lisa D'Apolito, celebrates the life and work of comedian Gilda Radner. A trailblazer for female comedians, her impact on the entertainment industry has endured almost four decades.
The festival say the film is "a true autobiography of a pioneering woman, told in her own words and in her own voice". The pres release adds: "It weaves together audiotapes, rare home movies, diary entries, and interviews with her friends and those inspired by her including: Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Cecily Strong; SNL original cast members Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman, and Paul Shaffer; as well as Lorne Michaels (SNL creator and producer), Alan Zweibel (SNL...
The Tribeca Film Festival has announced it will open its 17th edition with the world premiere of documentary Love, Gilda on April 18.
The film, which is the feature debut of director Lisa D'Apolito, celebrates the life and work of comedian Gilda Radner. A trailblazer for female comedians, her impact on the entertainment industry has endured almost four decades.
The festival say the film is "a true autobiography of a pioneering woman, told in her own words and in her own voice". The pres release adds: "It weaves together audiotapes, rare home movies, diary entries, and interviews with her friends and those inspired by her including: Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Cecily Strong; SNL original cast members Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman, and Paul Shaffer; as well as Lorne Michaels (SNL creator and producer), Alan Zweibel (SNL...
- 2/6/2018
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
This year’s Tribeca Film Festival will open with an appropriately New York City-centric film: Lisa D’Apolito’s fully authorized Gilda Radner documentary “Love, Gilda,” billed as an “intimate portrait” of the beloved comedy legend and original “Saturday Night Live” star. The film’s world premiere will open the festival on Wednesday, April 18 with an opening night event at the Beacon Theatre. This year’s festival runs April 18 – 29.
The film is directed and produced by D’Apolito with the support of the Gilda Radner estate, and the festival touts it as “a true autobiography of a pioneering woman, told in her own words and in her own voice.” Radner passed away from cancer in 1989.
The new documentary includes audiotapes, rare home movies, and diary entries from Radner herself, along with interviews with her friends and those inspired by her, including Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Cecily Strong, Chevy Chase,...
The film is directed and produced by D’Apolito with the support of the Gilda Radner estate, and the festival touts it as “a true autobiography of a pioneering woman, told in her own words and in her own voice.” Radner passed away from cancer in 1989.
The new documentary includes audiotapes, rare home movies, and diary entries from Radner herself, along with interviews with her friends and those inspired by her, including Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Cecily Strong, Chevy Chase,...
- 2/6/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The best things come in pairs, and Crystal Castles appear to recognize this. Earlier in the year the duo announced that they would make a comeback with Edith Frances replacing Alice Glass as vocalist, and now they’ve revealed the music video for the first single from their upcoming album alongside the dates of a three-month world tour.
The official music video for “Concrete” pairs the song’s primal vocals and foreboding synth melodies with subversive images of Frances mouthing the words while stumbling backwards through a crowded venue. The sound is not a significant departure from what Crystal Castles has put out in recent years, but it’s certainly different from the blog house tracks that put them on the map in the late aughts.
The last tour dates announced by the duo will wrap up with a performance at Reading & Leeds Festival in England on August 27th, and...
The official music video for “Concrete” pairs the song’s primal vocals and foreboding synth melodies with subversive images of Frances mouthing the words while stumbling backwards through a crowded venue. The sound is not a significant departure from what Crystal Castles has put out in recent years, but it’s certainly different from the blog house tracks that put them on the map in the late aughts.
The last tour dates announced by the duo will wrap up with a performance at Reading & Leeds Festival in England on August 27th, and...
- 7/6/2016
- by John Cameron
- We Got This Covered
While many of Downton Abbey's characters remain stuck in the past, Lady Rose (Lily James) has always been the constant bright spark to bring them into the 20th century, and now she finally has a serious love interest to join her.
Matt Barber joined the cast of the ITV period drama this year as Atticus Aldridge, the Jewish son of Lord and Lady Sinderby, whom she meets after bumping into him in town.
The 31-year-old actor has built up an impressive theatre credit list - including Pygmalion opposite Downton's Michelle Dockery in 2008 - and has since appeared in the likes of Being Human, Bert and Dickie and NBC's Dracula.
Digital Spy had a chat with Barber about playing one of the most pleasant characters on television and where his story may lead.
Is Atticus everything that he seems?
"I think he is genuinely the nicest man on the planet!
Matt Barber joined the cast of the ITV period drama this year as Atticus Aldridge, the Jewish son of Lord and Lady Sinderby, whom she meets after bumping into him in town.
The 31-year-old actor has built up an impressive theatre credit list - including Pygmalion opposite Downton's Michelle Dockery in 2008 - and has since appeared in the likes of Being Human, Bert and Dickie and NBC's Dracula.
Digital Spy had a chat with Barber about playing one of the most pleasant characters on television and where his story may lead.
Is Atticus everything that he seems?
"I think he is genuinely the nicest man on the planet!
- 10/31/2014
- Digital Spy
Though she's now joined the royal family, Kate Middleton once rocked a working-class accent as she starred in a school production of "My Fair Lady."
Recently, video evidence emerged of the Duchess of Cambridge at 11 years old portraying Eliza Doolittle in the classic musical.
The video is a slice of British pop culture as it delivers another gem. Andrew Alexander co-stars with Kate in the play, later going on to play Sir John Bullock on "Downton Abbey."
Check out the future royal doing her best at "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain" to the delight of the crowd.
Recently, video evidence emerged of the Duchess of Cambridge at 11 years old portraying Eliza Doolittle in the classic musical.
The video is a slice of British pop culture as it delivers another gem. Andrew Alexander co-stars with Kate in the play, later going on to play Sir John Bullock on "Downton Abbey."
Check out the future royal doing her best at "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain" to the delight of the crowd.
- 1/28/2014
- GossipCenter
Source: FameFlynet Looks like Kate Middleton was a natural in the spotlight long before she made her way to the royal stage! In this 1993 video from her St. Andrew's School production of My Fair Lady, 11-year-old Kate plays Eliza Doolittle, a flower salesgirl who - how appropriate - learns to transform herself into a duchess. Recognize another cast member? Oddly enough, the boy cast as her love interest, Freddy, was played by a young Andrew Alexander, who now stars on Downton Abbey as Sir John Bullock. The hilariously adorable footage shows Kate learning how to erase her cockney accent and speak more formally. It's a role Audrey Hepburn famously brought to the big screen, and we have to say that young Kate gives Audrey a run for her money.
- 1/27/2014
- by Laura Marie Meyers
- Popsugar.com
Is the Duchess of Cambridge a Cockney? An 11-year-old Kate Middleton gives the working-class accent her best shot in this recently unearthed video of the schoolgirl starring in a production of My Fair Lady at her posh private school, The Sun reports. "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain," we hear her utter before refining her accent while in character as Eliza Doolittle, the flower girl Professor Henry Higgins rescues, trains and then passes off as an English aristocrat.Middleton, now 32, was apparently a hit: the audience can be heard encouragingly laughing as the future princess delivers her lines.
- 1/27/2014
- by Kathy Ehrich Dowd
- PEOPLE.com
Is the Duchess of Cambridge a Cockney? An 11-year-old Kate Middleton gives the working-class accent her best shot in this recently unearthed video of the schoolgirl starring in a production of My Fair Lady at her posh private school, The Sun reports. "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain," we hear her utter before refining her accent while in character as Eliza Doolittle, the flower girl Professor Henry Higgins rescues, trains and then passes off as an English aristocrat.Middleton, now 32, was apparently a hit: the audience can be heard encouragingly laughing as the future princess delivers her lines.
- 1/27/2014
- by Kathy Ehrich Dowd
- PEOPLE.com
A major twist is expected to take place in this weekend's Downton Abbey, following ITV's decision to withhold preview copies of the show's latest episode from the press.
Producers made the same decision not to preview episodes in series three when Lady Sybil was killed off and when Matthew Crawley exited in the Christmas special.
The opening two episodes of series four have featured both upstairs and downstairs at Downton slowly recovering from the loss of Matthew Crawley.
However, speculation is rife online that another major character might have been killed off by Julian Fellowes in a new twist for the hugely popular ITV drama series.
Further speculation about a possible dramatic twist in this week's episode has been sparked by the arrival of Nigel Harman's character Green.
Harman has claimed that his valet character has "no redeeming qualities" and said previously that he will "stir things up" in the period drama.
Producers made the same decision not to preview episodes in series three when Lady Sybil was killed off and when Matthew Crawley exited in the Christmas special.
The opening two episodes of series four have featured both upstairs and downstairs at Downton slowly recovering from the loss of Matthew Crawley.
However, speculation is rife online that another major character might have been killed off by Julian Fellowes in a new twist for the hugely popular ITV drama series.
Further speculation about a possible dramatic twist in this week's episode has been sparked by the arrival of Nigel Harman's character Green.
Harman has claimed that his valet character has "no redeeming qualities" and said previously that he will "stir things up" in the period drama.
- 10/3/2013
- Digital Spy
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