I've read the '97 book on SCTV put together by Dave Thomas, featuring reminisces from the cast and Moranis went into a little detail about the creation of Gerry Todd. He had drawn on his experiences working at a radio station, working on the other side of the glass from smooth-voiced DJs who were able fill air-time with "inoffensive chatter", guys with the ability to talk endlessly about nothing for long periods of time. So he was able to put that together with the videophile aspect.