How the CBC saved Canadian Politics (funny, not political)

May 02, 2007, 02:16:25 PM

I'm a firm believer that the CBC has successfully made the Canadian public feel a little, no, a lot more comfortable with those who lead our nation.

It all started with a program called 'This Hour has 22 Minutes', where a mock news agency reports on Canadian issues and politics happening in the week (kind of like SNL's Weekly Report, but an entire...... 22 minutes worth). It was fairly standard up until one Character, a kind of Newfie Xena named Marg Warrior Princess, infiltrated the House of Commons and made embarrassing verbal attacks on our leaders. The genius part was those leaders common sense which allowed them to laugh at themselves with the Nation! From there Marg has made quite a few charges into the ranks of MP's along with her many comedic cohorts sharing the news desk back at the studio, and all seem to fair well. One such incident ended with Marg lip-locked with then new Prime Minister Stephen Harper. His silly lipstick smeared grin was the first time Canadians ever saw the man as anything other than the Evil Emperor, (who was voted in as a kind of punishment for the Liberal corruption that had come to light, forcing an election).

One notable anchor who has since left for his own program called 'Rick Mercer's Monday Report' (which has since lost the Monday part of the moniker) has taken this to the next level. For the first time in Canadian history (and perhaps worldwide) our national leader is cracking jokes and Canadians are laughing, not scoffing.

Mercer has even managed to get the American President on board. Before being elected, George W. Bush was caught in the 'Rick Mercer's Talking to Americans' trap of dry humour when asked about the then Prime Minister Jean Poutine (Cretien). As a Presidency hopeful he shocked many by sending a warm message on to Mr. Poutine (a man any political leader or hopeful should have known not to exist). Now Bush had no chance to laugh at himself with Canadians until he made a visit to Pier 21, Halifax in December of 2004, where he said, "I was hoping to meet Jean Poutine." The speech was littered with jokes, which can be seen here. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20...20041201-4.html

Here are a few YouTube links of the CBC's humanization of politics. It is an amazing feat, one of which I cannot imagine happening anywhere else on earth. To start, we see Mercer dryly criticizing the Liberal Gov., then being invited into the PM's home to talk about the drafty windows (I bet there are none of those in the White House). It spuppiess a trip to Canadian Tire for a 3M plastic window wrap pickup. Notice the complete lack of security and mobs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiCle1Vk4Sg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA8K6MtKpws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofZ9gB_kxeE

I'll find some more examples after lunch. (very slow day at work today

)

(why the hell doesn't this board support embeded links?)

How the CBC saved Canadian Politics (funny, not political)

Reply #1 – May 03, 2007, 07:50:30 AM

LOL!

That's hilarious! You crack me up dude. Thanks for sharing!