We need a Rick Mercer in the US

[Az]

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are great... but even they pull punches relative to what they get away with in Canada. Rick Mercer is a political comdedian with a show in Canada and the things he pulls with the politicians up there is astounding.

[ncabot22]

1. Yes, you do!

His show tonight was pretty funny. Can you watch him online?

[Az]

2. I live in Detroit

So we get CBC as a bonus. Damn I never laugh as hard as when he is goofing with Politicians. The US politicians are so concerned with image they would never allow themself to be approached by someone like Mercer. Heck after what Mercer did to Bush during the election I don't think any repug will give an interview to a Canadian reporter.

[ncabot22]

5. That's good

Tonight's episode was great, as they usually are. I suppose Republican politicians are quite image conscious--so I can understand why they wouldn't want Rick Mercer, or any other Canadian, to interview them.

Did you ever see "Talking to Americans"? You'd probably enjoy that, too.

[Az]

6. Yeah thats what got him in trouble with Bushie

He got access to Bush and asked him what he thought of Canadian PM Jean Poutine and Bush gave a pat political answer without realizing he had been fed a fake name. He refused to talk to any CBC reporters after that.

[ghostsofgiants]

13. Wonder if Bush knows he's gay.

Maybe that's why Bush wants to ban gay marriage, to send a message to the CBC that he doesn't fuck around, ahha.

[Telly Savalas]

3. His show's website has clips

http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/

[ghostsofgiants]

4. I love that guy.

Last month I thought I heard him talking to someone outside of one of my classes, but I'm still not sure if it was him. It sounded like him, but I was too busy taking notes to pretend to go to the washroom or something so I could see for sure, haha. (He's from here, which is why I think it might have been him, though not sure why he would be hanging out at the MUN political science department like that.)

[u4ic]

7. He is much more biting

and sarcastic than Stewart or Colbert; he's toned it down in the past couple of years, however (and is often hit and miss). He also doesn't play for the audience the way that those two do. And nothing against Stewart or Colbert, I think Mercer is much more clever than they are.

I loved his rants on "This Hour has 22 Minutes".

Here are some clips of his Talking to Americans: http://home.comcast.net/~wwwstephen/americans/

[Az]

8. He still does the rant on his show

And I have to say that without Mercer This Hour lost most of its punch.

[u4ic]

15. Yes, I agree about 22 minutes

going downhill.

I do know he still does the rant...there was something edgier about them on 22 minutes...jmo...:-) :hi:

[Rosco T.]

9. I've got most of all 4 seasons of "Monday/Mercer Report" safely on DVD-r

wonderful stuff...

[enigmatic]

10. I'd love to see Rick take over "The Hour" on CBC

From George Strombolopolus; it would be perfect for him to do a nightly hour show where he could really let it all hang out. The guy is razor-sharp and screamingly funny; as good or better than Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert..

http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/

http://rickmercer.blogspot.com/

[ghostsofgiants]

11. I love George, I need him on TV, haha.

I agree that Mercer deserves a nightly show though.

[enigmatic]

12. I like him too

but I could see him doing something like The Hour as a weekend show. I'm kinda surprised that CTV or Global hasn't offered Mercer a shot at doing a nightly show, he'd be a natural. And after Mike Bullard, there'd be nowhere to go but up...

[u4ic]

14. That's not to say

he hasn't been offered any hosting duties...perhaps that's not where he sees himself. I think he is first and foremost a writer...then performer.

Hosting is a very different kettle of fish. Not as much expression for himself...the focus is on the guests, of course.

CTV and Global are too 'corporate' and right wing, I think, to be sniffing around him.:hi:



p.s. I just found some bison kielbassa today at Organic Roots, enigmatic. I'm looking forward to trying it out this week! :9

[u4ic]

16. George has come a long way

since he started hosting it. He left something to be desired back then...



(I'm still pouting over Avi Lewis leaving counterSpin, and then counterSpin being cancelled...don't mind me :P Avi was a fantastic host. Evan Solomon is another that I like)

[ghostsofgiants]

17. I've loved George ever since his MuchMusic days.

The Punk Show and The New Music were my favourite shows ever when I still watched the station.

[Rosco T.]

18. Let's not forget "Made in Canada"...

He was downright evil at times in that.. but still love it.

[u4ic]

19. The first two seasons, especially,

were brilliant! :toast:

[Rosco T.]

20. I still think the last episode was great!

and I still find myself saying "I think that went well" and "This is not good" at all the 'right' times. (another one I'm glad I have on disc)

[u4ic]

21. I didn't see the last episode

:(

[Rosco T.]

22. Don't look if you don't want to know...

- Alan secretely sells the company to a dairy farmer.
- After promising nothing will change Veronica and Richard are offered severance packages to quit
- Alan is fired
- Victor is made CEO of Pyramid.
- Victor takes early retirement and gets married.
- Wanda is made CEO of Pyramid.
- Veronica and Richard make millions off "Robot Wars".
... and have a child... named Victor.

"I work in television, I can get behind anything..... I think that went well".