Mercer embraces the achievements of Canadians

Learning how to pronounce sesquicentennial should be at the top of things to do for all Canadians this year.

So says Rick Mercer, the country’s “unofficial opposition.”

Mercer sold out the theatre-setting small bowl at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge Saturday night as part of his “Canada 150th Coast to Coast” tour. And the wellknown comedian and TV host wasted no time getting into what it means to be Canadian. He still has no idea. “Fifteen years later, I’m more confused than I ever was,” he told the crowd.

Is it listening to the Tragically Hip over clips of his own show? Is it watching reruns of “The Beachcombers?” Is it interviewing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa live on New Year’s Eve?

Maybe to the first two. No to the third.

“A couple of days before, there was a change of plans and he couldn’t make it,” Mercer explained. “I said why? ‘Top secret, classified.’ Which is code in Ottawa for ‘he had to go to fantasy island in the Caribbean.’”

Mercer didn’t go into any full-out two-minute rants that he’s known for, nor he did get too up-to-date topical. He basically stuck to his rehearsed show about Canada’s age — which is still relatively young, compared to many nations worldwide, he says.

“We’re barely old enough to have crumbling infrastructure. But I’m pleased to report that Canada 150: our second-rate public infrastructure is second to none,” Mercer joked, adding that David Suzuki would say Canada is much older.

“That’s what we do in Canada. We make up numbers and we stick to them. Finance ministers have been doing it forever.”

The last time Mercer was in Lethbridge, to film a segment with Olympian Jim Steacy, he said his cameraman told him this is the only place in the country where his hair moves. Wind jokes play well here.

The Steacy segment was one of many memorable moments from the 250 episodes of the Rick Mercer Report he has done in the past decade and change. On Saturday, he showed many more clips — actually, almost about a half hour of his 90minute set was the airing of previously-seen TV.

I’m not writing this to criticize Rick Mercer. Who am I to do so?

I’m just merely pointing out that people paid good money to see Rick Mercer in person, not Rick Mercer in person watching clips of himself. Sure, they are hilarious bits. But I found using that many of them seemed moderately vain and lazy.

For every moment I felt that thought, however, the next moment I joined the rest of the crowd in full-out laughter.

One of his top stories was about a time he was writing with Norman Jewison. While using the famed director’s bathroom, he saw a picture of Jewison with Steve McQueen. He recalled his mother being a huge fan of McQueen. Not thinking about a possible reflection from the glass, he took a photo with his phone and sent it to her.

She didn’t respond to the message. Mercer later checked the photo a little closer. Those who were there Saturday night can fill in the rest of the joke.

Mercer then went in to great detail about war veterans and how he got into show business. At times, it felt a bit long and non-comedic.

He talked about meeting with Fort McMurray high school students after the fire, and raising money for malaria nets in Africa, and seeing frontline workers across Canada do important work.

Those points all worked as part of the greater Rick Mercer product. He’ll make you laugh, but he’ll also make you think — sure signs of a great comedian, and a great Canadian. It’s about timing and topics, such as travelling across the country by car.

“I looked on Trip Advisor and Google Search, and Lonely Planet,” Mercer said. “I put in ‘what’s the best way to drive across Canada?’ Every single one of them said: ‘cut through the United States.’ How’s that for national pride?”