We’re excited to announce the start of a new recurring feature called The Second City Archives, in which we post an exclusive clip each week of some of comedy’s biggest superstars performing early in their careers on the legendary Chicago stage. Second City has generously given us a glimpse into their extensive archive of live performances, and over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing some rare and retro comedy never before seen on the web.
Our first gem from the archives is this clip from Bill Murray’s Second City Chicago show Bill Murray Live from the Second City from 1980 – the same year Caddyshack was released in theaters – with supporting cast members Danny Breen, Mary Gross, Bruce Jarchow, Tim Kazurinsky, Nancy McCabe-Kelly, Rob Riley, and George Wendt. By 1980, Murray had already completed his SNL cast member stint and starred in Meatballs, and in the clip above he delivers a nostalgic opening monologue that celebrates Second City Theatre’s 20th birthday and looks back on his own memories (and lack thereof) performing on the famed Chicago stage.