Rick Mercer Signs Off
by Staff
(April 10, 2018 – Toronto, ON) When tonight’s special hour-long episode of The Rick Mercer Report fades to black, it will mark the end of a remarkable 15-season run, more than 275 episodes of one of the most popular shows on television. Think about that. The show made its debut in 2004, and through the magic of television loyal fans have been able to travel across the country several times visiting both large cities and quiet corners of this vast nation.
“It’s been the best job ever hands down,” said Mercer. “I loved every minute of it. We had one goal in mind when we started this show and that was to explore and celebrate Canada every single week. When you love your subject matter that is an easy thing to do.”
Tonight he wraps things up by taking a look back at some of the most memorable moments of his adventures across Canada. Highlights include clips from his visits with the many Canadians who’ve shared their work place expertise with him and a look back at a few of the very special guests who showed up on the show. He also reviews some of his most daring feats, the show’s funniest sketches, his training sessions with Paralympic athletes, and one final rant.
“Thank you to Rick, Gerald and the entire team for making The Rick Mercer Report a tremendous and enduring success for 15 seasons,” said Heather Conway, Executive Vice-President, English Services, CBC. “Rick has built an incredible legacy by creating a space for communities across the country to share their stories through his unparalleled wit and compassion; it has brought us all closer together as a nation.”
Rick Mercer began his career in comedy performing and writing in his hometown St. John’s, Newfoundland with a series of one-man stage shows. In 1993, he launched his television career on CBC as one of the creators, performers and writers on the hit topical weekly show This Hour Has 22 Minutes. In 1998, he joined Gerald Lunz and Michael Donovan to create the satirical dramatic series Made In Canada, where he again starred and contributed as a writer. In 2001, his CBC special Talking To Americans became the highest-rated Canadian comedy special ever with 2.7 million viewers.
On July 1, 2014, it was announced that Rick Mercer had been made an Officer of the Order of Canada and he was inducted at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in September 2015. This past Canada Day, Mercer hosted the three-hour CBC special Canada Day 150! At last month’s 2018 Canadian Screen Awards, The Rick Mercer Report was presented with the Academy Icon Award. IN 2009 the series won the prestigious Golden Rose Award for ‘best comedy’ at the 2009 international Rose d’Or Television Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland.
The Rick Mercer Report airs tonight, April 10 at 8 p.m. ET (8:30 NT) on CBC.
