Guy Caballero

Guy Caballero is a fictional character on the television series "SCTV" played by Second City alum Joe Flaherty. President and owner of the fictional SCTV network, Caballero usually appeared on the series to introduce various network programs, although he also occasionally got wrapped up in behind-the-scenes storylines. Cheap, dishonest, gruff, and prone to making meandering patriotic speeches for no good reason, Caballero liked to affectionately describe his employees as "the SCTV family," although he routinely treated them with disdain. His most notable quirk, however, was his use of a wheelchair despite not needing one; he believed that the wheelchair helped earn people's respect.

Guy Caballero did not appear on Second City Television until 1978, and it is rumored that Flaherty based the mannerisms and appearance of the character on Laurence Olivier's portrayal of Loren Hardman in the movie The Betsy, released earlier that year. Adapted from the Harold Robbins book of the same name, the movie portrays Loren Hardman as the gruff business patriarch of an automobile empire. Like Caballero, Hardman wears a white suit and white panama hat, and rides in a wheelchair despite the fact that he can also walk.

Notable "SCTV" Storylines

* Caballero and actor DeForest Kelley (the latter actually played by Dave Thomas) team up to prevent aliens from taking over the network and the world.

* Caballero develops a long-running feud with star Johnny LaRue, as a result of LaRue's TV movie "Polynesiantown" running significantly over budget. Caballero forces LaRue to take the demeaning job of hosting the cheap show "Street Beef."

* Caballero is briefly fired by the network's board of directors, after involving Fred Willard (playing himself) in a scam that involves pocketing money meant for the station.

* Caballero develops a feud with the presidents of ABC, CBS, and NBC, resulting in a gangland-style war which parodies The Godfather.