Second to None

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Fact Sheet

  • Emmy-Award winner
  • 13-week series
  • Premiered December 1999

About this Show

A performance documentary on the internationally acclaimed and influential Second City Theater, hosted by film and television star (and Second City alum) Jim Belushi. Second to None follows the creation of the award-winning Second City revue Paradigm Lost, from the first day of rehearsal through the wildly successful opening night.

Interesting Facts

  • This documentary is available on Amazon.com
  • Featured performer Tina Fey co-produces, writes and stars in the television program 30 Rock

Noted and Quoted

A documentary about The Second City ought to be, foremost, funny, and Second To None meets the test... it captures on video a very elusive thing: the birth and growth of comedy... with skillful editing and what seems a dogged pursuit of the subject, the cameras artfully trace scenes from their beginnings as improvised lines to their serving as the basis for sketches... the hourlong documentary is fascinating throughout.
— The Chicago Tribune

When people ask me how Second City works, I tell them: watch Second To None.
— Keegan-Michael Key, Jeff Award-winning Second City actor

Thank you for the terrific job... it is hard to believe that you were able to capture so many of the subtleties of the performance with the financial and time constraints placed upon you.  I trust this is the beginning of a long and healthy relationship between The Second City and HMS.
— Kelly Leonard, Producer, The Second City