The 'Unofficial Opposition'

Political and social satirist Rick Mercer recently released a book of his ‘rants’ called Streeters. Photo by David Laidley

R ick Mercer got his start in comedy when he was still in high school, strangely enough. It’s strange because he never actually graduated. Then again, maybe it’s why he didn’t.

As a student at Prince of Wales Collegiate, the co-star of This Hour Has 22 Minutes says his controversial involvement with high school theatre proved to be the basis for his future career as an actor and writer.

"We were writing our own shows and entering them into the drama festivals, which was kind of unheard of because they were kind of risqué shows," Mercer said. "Questions were raised about whether or not you could have a punk band in your show. And then we got in trouble because the punk band was called ‘What a Fucking Ugly Truck.’

"We said fuck on stage and all sorts of bad things like that," he added.

They got in so much trouble that PWC’s drama teacher suggested the troupe do its work in theatre and comedy outside the school. It was then that Mercer and co. created their own theatre company called Corey and Wade’s Playhouse, taking their original sketches to various bars and venues.

He can also be seen in his show Made in Canada, shown here with Gordon Pinsent. www.cbc.ca

A nd so began Mercer’s interest in political satire and ranting. In 1991, he started performing one-man shows across Canada, including "Show Me The Button, I’ll Push It" and "I’ve Killed Before; I’ll Kill Again." The shows played to sold-out audiences all over the country and received critical and public acclaim.

They also formed the origins for his famous "streeters." Hard-biting commentaries filmed in black and white for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, these minute-long rants have since become Mercer’s trademark.

"I had a pretty good idea [22 Minutes] was gonna work after we saw our very first show," he added. "I didn’t know whether we’d get a million viewers a week but we were onto something. I knew if I wasn’t on the show I’d be really jealous of it."

The show did work. Mercer says 22 Minutes, a weekly spoof news show that airs on CBC, is perfect for him because he is "a news junkie."

He adds the cast members pride themselves on their originality, especially the "ambushes" when they waylay unsuspecting politicians or celebrities. It’s a "mutually parasitic" relationship, says Mercer.

"We need them, they need us," he said. "Over the years the relationship has changed drastically because at first we didn’t know how well we would serve their needs. We had to make a decision whether we were going to accept that or continue doing it. Some people say you are being co-opted because you are making the politicians look so good."

Such was the case with Reform leader Preston Manning. The first time people realized that Manning "was a human being with a sense of humour" was on 22 Minutes, says Mercer. During one of his more famous ambushes, Mercer asked Manning to operate a child proof lighter and it took him more than 10 minutes to figure it out.

"I think it humanized him," said Mercer. "At that point we realized, it was a mutually beneficial relationship because the audience loves to see the mickey taken out of them. And then at the same time they know their constituents like to see them as human beings. It is a interesting relationship and it is stand off-ish. It is not too cozy by any stretch."

Other ‘humanizing’ skits include Mercer eating lunch at McDonalds with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, and driving around town in a cab with Premier Brian Tobin.

That’s not to say the 22 Minutes never gets in trouble for its skits, though.

"We piss people off all the time," laughs Mercer. "There are a number of lawyers that do nothing but read our scripts on a regular basis. Essentially, the best rule of thumb is if it’s true, then you can say it all you want. If you’re making it up, you’re getting in trouble."

But even then, the complaints can be about the most unexpected things.

"To me, the most vitriolic response was when I did a kind of parody of [figure skater] Elvis Stojko’s McCain’s [juice] ad," said Mercer. "That was the record. We’ve never got more letters in the mail and phone calls in the history of the show."

"We pride ourselves on playing on the edge and when you do that, occasionally you slip off into the abyss," he added.

Rick Mercer recently hosted the East Coats Music Awards show in his hometown of St. John’s. Photo by David Laidley

M ercer continues to play on the edge with his new book, Streeters, which was released last summer. Filled with his 22 Minutes rants, the book has been used in a English satire course at Memorial University along with the works of such classic satirists as Jonathon Swift.

"I would think that I am the example of later, less clever satire, compared to some of the others," said Mercer.

Several critics have even said that Mercer provides the foremost political and social commentary of the university students’ generation.

"I think that is a very bad sign," said Mercer. "I think we are all in deep trouble if that is the only social commentary . . . in terms of a voice for social change for university students."

He has also branched out into other projects, briefly leaving the 22 Minutes anchor desk for his own six-part television series, Made in Canada. Premiering last fall, the show takes a satirical look at the business side of the entertainment industry.

While the show was fictional, Mercer said it did mirror reality - sometimes.

"I think a lot of it was dead on and a lot of it was pure fiction because you are still trying to create something that is entertaining," he said. "I have worked for a number of production companies and people aren’t going around stabbing each other in the back . . . at that rate."

Mercer says he hopes to do another full season of Made in Canada next fall. He is also quick to point out that he is only taking a "sabbatical" from 22 Minutes and will be back at the anchor desk for the last two episodes of the season.

The cast of This Hour has 22 Minutes (l-r) Mary Walsh, Greg Thomey, Cathy Jones and Rick Mercer. www.cbc.ca

H aving won numerous national and international awards, This Hour Has 22 Minutes has made Rick Mercer a household name across Canada. Could the United States be next?

"It’s not something I really say I wouldn’t do," he said. "You go where the work is. Once I left St. John’s, sure I might as well end up in China."

But then he might need to find a new schtick, since a show like 22 Minutes would never work in the U.S., says Mercer.

"I think Canadians are more tuned in to what’s going on around them," he said. "The basic premise when you’re doing satire is that the people watching your show have some idea what’s going on, so they know what you’re talking about."

"It is difficult to perform satire in the United States because they really don’t pay much attention to it. In Canada, people seem to have more of an interest and are more willing to go there."