"There will always be another group of kids going to college, drinking beer, and discovering that movie. Many of them have never even heard of SCTV"

Rick Moranis reflects on the enduring nature of youth culture, evoking the cyclical passage of generations through college life. Each new cohort steps onto campus, exploring their independence, forming tight bonds, and often embracing the same rites of passage as those who came before them, drinking beer, socializing, and encountering pop culture artifacts that feel new and revelatory to them. Moranis points to a specific kind of film, a cult classic or perennial favorite, that finds a fresh audience again and again among college students discovering it for the first time. Despite being released decades ago, certain movies retain a unique relevance, speaking to the unpredictability and exuberance of young adulthood; each new wave of students claims these stories as their own, forging collective memories around late-night screenings and shared jokes.

Yet, amid this continuity, Moranis draws attention to the fading memory of SCTV, a powerful comedy force during its original run but not as widely recognized by younger generations today. SCTV, short for Second City Television, was a groundbreaking sketch comedy show that launched the careers of many iconic comedians, including Moranis himself. Its absence in the cultural memory of today’s youth suggests an evolving canon of “essential” media, with some works falling away as cultural tastes and platforms shift. Moranis’s observation is tinged with both nostalgia and acceptance: SCTV’s influence persists behind the scenes, yet its name no longer resonates in the same way for young viewers who have moved on to new influences and references.

In essence, generational change is both loss and renewal. While the specific references and cultural touchstones may shift, the process of discovery and camaraderie remains constant. Moranis captures the bittersweet flow of time, cherishing the durability of certain cultural traditions, while acknowledging that others will inevitably recede, remembered only by those who lived them.