Since 1959, The Second City has been producing cutting-edge satire and wickedly funny improvisation, while keeping countless individuals of questionable character off the streets for a couple of hours each night. It has also trained thousands of young performers in the art of improv-based theater. This book recounts the early years of the comedy troupe's biggest stars, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Gilda Radner, Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, David Steinberg, Robert Klein, Chris Farley, Martin Short and John Candy, as well as some of today's hottest directors, like Harold Ramis, Mike Nichols, Betty Thomas and Bonnie Hunt. Author Sheldon Patinkin, one of Second City's founding fathers, tells the story of Second City like no else can--with rare photos, profiles and backstage stories you were never supposed to hear.--From publisher description.

Disc 1. Intro / Bill Murray-- Everybody's in the know / Barbara Harris -- Football comes to the University of Chicago / Alan Arkin, Severn Darden, Andrew Duncan, Eugene Troobnick -- Our children / Joan Rivers, Bill Alton -- Cab stand / Avery Schreiber, Jack Burns -- Mary Smith / Fred Willard -- Believe it or not / Robert Klein, Fred Willard -- Lenny Bruce / Del Close, Avery Schreiber -- The narcs / Brian Doyle-Murray -- Brest Litovsk / John Belushi, Joe Flaherty -- V.D. / Harold Ramis, David Rasche, Eugenie Ross-Leming -- I quit / Dan Ackroyd, John Candy, Rosemary Radcliffe -- Issues and alibis / Bill Murray, George Wendt, Tim Kazurinsky, Danny Breen, Bruce Jarchow -- White Horse Tavern / Jim Belushi, Will Porter Aldis -- Rabbi / Martin Short.

Disc 2. SCTV montage / John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Dave Thomas -- School closings / Tim Kazurinsky, Bruce Jarchow -- Airline check-in / George Wendt, Mindy Bell -- Vendor / Jim Fay -- On hold / Bonnie Hunt, Steve Assad -- 1812 / Mike Myers, Mark Wilson -- Motivational speaker / Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Bob Odenkirk, Jill Talley, Holly Wortell -- Jesus / Paul Dinello, Amy Sedaris -- Gump / Scott Adsit, Adam McKay -- Glass Mamet / Melody Johnson, Bob Martin, Jack Mosshammer -- Wicked / Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey -- Dirty doctor / Matt Dwyer, Tami Sagher -- Gourds / Craig Cackowski, David Pompeii -- Lord's prayer / Kevin Dorff, TJ Jagodowski, Stephanie Weir, Susan Messing, Tami Sagher, Rich Talarico -- Sportz / Kevin Dorff, Ed Furman -- Good night song / Cast: Ed Asner, Shelley Berman, Severn Darden, David Steinberg, Martin Short, Richard Kind, Betty Thomas, George Wendt.