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 stationSecond 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.
Personality
According to the book "Women in Comedy", one writer described Edith as "an amalgam of Rona Barrett, 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."
History of the character
According to the Prickley character in the comedy special Andrea Martin: Together Again, she was married to Mr. Prickley in 1969. Prickley's sister was Edna Boil proprietor of Edna's Prairie Warehouse and Curio Emporium, an advertiser on SCTV. Though she was routinely addressed as "Mrs. Prickley", her husband Ken was never seen and infrequently referenced; few details other than his name were ever revealed about him. Though she stayed married throughout her run on SCTV, Edith also openly and unrepentantly dated outside of her marriage, including a couple of dates with Canadian Prime MinisterPierre Trudeau. 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 Caballero 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 Miracles and Give 'Em Hell, Bess. In 1988 special Best of SCTV, Caballero and Prickley appeared before a Congressionalhearing 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 specialAndrea Martin: Together Again.
Appearances off ''SCTV''
Prickley appeared on occasion on programs aside from SCTV, ranging from a run of appearances on Sesame Street, to various stage appearances.
1987: Prickley appears on the CBC broadcast Canadian Sesame Street, later known as Sesame Park.
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 Grundgetta and Maria Figueroa. The character also appeared in a celebrity-filled version of the song "Put Down the Duckie". SCTV characters Yosh Shmenge and Ed Grimley also appeared on Sesame Street.
1998: The Elmo's World segment of Sesame Street debuts. An animated version of Edith Prickley 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.
May 2008: Martin appears as Edith Prickley in the SCTV-reunion two performance stage show "The Benefit of Laughter".
April 2017: Appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Martin performed a rap from her one-woman show Final Days, Everything Must Go, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
