22 Hits 30
by Staff Editors
(August 31, 2022 – Toronto, ON) If you were watching CBC 30 years ago and came across This Hour Has 22 Minutes, you can be forgiven for thinking it might have a life span of one or two seasons. Raw, blunt but always funny, the iconic series returns to CBC and CBC Gem on Tuesday, September 13 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) for a historic 30th season that includes a live taping at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto and a special episode that explores what has made the show a cultural touchstone for viewers across Canada over the past three decades. Many of today’s viewers and people reading this article weren’t even born 30 years ago.
Trent McLellan, Stacey McGunnigle, Aba Amuquandoh and veteran Mark Critch (pictured above) are back on the news desk of Canada’s longest-running TV comedy series, continuing to push the boundaries of provocative satire; targeting politics, culture and world events with biting parodies and an unrelenting skewering of the weekly news. With a legacy that spans three decades, 22 Minutes remains a beloved staple for television audiences across the country and has also cultivated a large and dedicated online following. Throughout the duration of Season 29, the show’s social media audience grew by over 650,000 followers collectively. Season 29 also marked a successful introduction to TikTok, with their account earning roughly 82.2 million video views and 9.1 million likes over the course of the season.
“Political satire is as relevant, perhaps more relevant, today for Canadians as it was when the show first premiered,” remarked Michael Donovan, the show’s Executive Producer.
Filmed in front of a reduced live audience in its new studio and production facilities at the Light House Arts Centre in Halifax, the show employs an integral and experienced crew across all production disciplines to bring the show to life every week. The first of two special episodes will air on October 4. 22 Minutes at the Glenn Gould Studio will be filmed in Toronto before a live studio audience of politicians, newsmakers and stars from the world of Canadian comedy. One week later, This Special has 30 Years (October 11), is a look back at 22 Minutes’ history while exploring what has made the show such a groundbreaking cultural force over its 30 seasons, featuring interviews with cast, creatives, and collaborators including Rick Mercer, Mary Walsh and Peter Mansbridge.
Mercer has his own new show debuting this fall. Comedy Night with Rick Mercer his eight unforgettable one-hour specials, featuring an incredible lineup of the country’s new and notable comedians. Including stand-up performances from Mercer himself, the series will also feature never-before-seen conversations between Mercer and some of today’s most impressive Canadian comedy talent.
This Hour Has 22 Minutes is produced by IoM Media: Executive Producers Mike Allison and Michael Donovan; Producers Meaghan Clark, Carl Gosine, Tracey Jardine, and Dana Landry. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; and Sandra Picheca is Director of Current Production, Comedy.
Also see: This Hour has 22 Minutes Official website.
SOURCE: CBC
