Thesis Statement:
Rick mercer changed the way of political comedy and made a difference not only in Ontario but all over Canada by his sharp political satires and shows. Rick mercer has an opinion about everything that is in news. By this paper, you will learn about Rick mercer, his life, career, and achievements.
Rick mercer is a known political satirist, writer, television star, journalist and comedy legend of Canada. Rick is a real hero of Canadian television and has anchored several famous television shows of the Canadian television history. Rick mercer was born in middle cove, St. John’s, Canada on 17th October, 1969. Rick mercer grew in Newfoundland. He was a born performer and always wanted to perform wherever and whenever he got a platform for it. During his childhood, he co-founded ‘Corey and wade’s play house’, a comedy troupe. Rick left his studies during his high school days and joined a troupe. Lack of resources compelled Rick to do a job at a restaurant when he was just thirteen years old. His Childhood was not comfortable like other boys and Rick witnessed hardships of life in his teenage. In the year 1990, Rick mercer started gaining fame at national level from his show ‘Show me the button, I’ll push it’ (Charles lynch must die). He was just 21when he used to perform at Ottawa’s national arts centre but his appropriate political satire and focused commentary impressed audiences and George Anthony was also one of them. George Anthony, who worked formerly for The Toronto Sun as entertainment editor and also ad headed Canadian broadcasting corporation’s arts, variety and entertainment wing, recognized the gem in the rough and contacted Rick. George offered Rick a job to work and act in Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s coming comedy show, ‘This Hour has 22 minutes’ (Mercer, Rick Mercer's Blog, 2007) PARA1.
This show made him extremely popular and Rick became the most successful name in Canadian television world. People loved seeing him on television and his show kept politicians very attentive during the show. He became a trademark in the comedy world and Rick, being a down to earth person, gave the credit to George Anthony. Rick, in ‘Rick mercer Report’ writes about the success of ongoing super hit CBC show. He writes “George Anthony gets the credit or the blame” (Cardwell, 2010, 2) SQ1. ‘Talking to Americans’ is a routine comedy show of Rick’s this hour has 22 minute series wherein he used to pull legs of Americans by asking simple questions. He used to visit one American city and asked questions from people of America. Americans, unable to answer his questions, were poked in this show. Some episodes of this show, pointed with political satire are landmark in the television history of world. Once He asked whether Canada should modify its clock hours from 20 to 24. Several People including governor of one American province gave their consent. Once in the year 2000, Rick on his show, while talking to American president George Bush made him to answer about Jean Poutine, an unreal Prime Minister of Canada (Mercer, 2012). Once he invited US vice president, Al Gore to visit Canadian capital Toronto and gore agreed without paying the attention o the capital of Canada. Rick co-produced one special show of talking to Americans which gained viewership of whooping 2.7 million and created a new record in the Canadian television. When he informed people about leaving this show, people were shocked and sad. Remembering his talking to an American show, Rick says “But they were very good about it. I never got a single vitriolic call or e-mail. I only tend to get flack from young political assistants here in Canada, who get mad when I poke fun at their masters” (Cardwell, 2010, 3) LQ1.
After his departure from 22 minutes show, he produced another hit television show, ‘Made in Canada’. Rick’s new venture was a comedy, based on Canadian film and television industry. Made in Canada ran for 65 episode and Rick ended it but the series got wide response from all parts of Canada and was nominated for every big award in several categories. The show got very good response but in order to work on another venture by CBC, Rick ended ‘made in Canada’ in the year 2003. Rick’s new television series was ‘Rick mercer’s Monday series. Rick Mercer’s Monday series created new milestones in Canadian television history. The show moved Tuesday nights from Monday and was dubbed several times. Even after years of its launch, the show continues to be the highest rated television show on CBC. Rick mercer hosted guests from across the world on his show and even invited his competitors on his show. Apart from working in these super hit series, Rick also worked with ‘I’ve killed before, I’ll kill again’, ‘seems like yesterday’. Rick appeared in films also, authored some famous books including ‘Streeters’ and Rick mercer report (Mercer, 2012) SUMM1.
Rick’s well scripted and well expressed rants are so effective that these rants compelled politicians to think about issues. Rants were trademarks of Rick’s shows and trough these rants he used to address several severe issues of social national and political interest. His rants were compiled in form of a book named ‘Streeters’ and readers enjoyed these rants. He specifically wrote a book named, ‘a nation worth ranting about’. Rick mercer has received several prestigious awards for his performances. He has received Gemini award for more than two dozen times and sir peter award for comedy. Rick is honored by several universities and awarded honorary degrees of numerous prestigious universities. Rick regularly participates in programs for social causes and contributes enormously. He co-chairs organizations and works as spokesperson for organizations like Canadian AIDS society. Rick has also worked for organizations like UNICEF. Rick mercer is uncrowned king of Canadian television and comedy world. He has a big heart and his contributions for the society, social causes and people are not lesser than what he has achieved in his professional field. Rick refused to nominate his show talking to Americans because of 9/11 attacks. He went to Afghanistan to encourage Canadian troops and donated enormously for the victims of tsunami in India. He called his competitors on his show and allowed them to publicize their shows. Rick, due to his mild and pleasant behavior, is extremely popular among the youngsters of Canada.
References
Cardwell, M. (2010, July). Born to Rant. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from www.markcardwell.ca: http://www.markcardwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/CAp18_19_20_RickMercer.pdf
Mercer, R. (2012). A Nation Worth Ranting About. USA: Random House LLC.
Mercer, R. (2007, January 30). Rick Mercer's Blog. Retrieved October 14, 2013, from Rickmercer.blogspot.in: http://Rickmercer.blogspot.in/
