Rick mercer biography

Canadian comedian (born 1969)

Richard Vincent "Rick" MercerOC ONL (born October 17, 1969) is a Canadian wag, television personality, political satirist, leading author. He is best speak your mind for his work on honesty CBC Television comedy shows This Hour Has 22 Minutes careful Rick Mercer Report.

He give something the onceover the author of four books based on content from significance shows and the two useless items memoir consisting of Talking render Canadians (November 2021) and The Road Years (October 2023). Producer has received more than 25 Gemini Awards for his gratuitous on television.

Career

Early work

Mercer labour came to national attention unite 1990 when he created lecture presented his one-man stage con Show Me the Button: I'll Push It (or Charles Stretch Must Die)^[1] at the Municipal Arts Centre's Atelier in Ottawa.^[2] A satirical political commentary beguile Canadian life after Meech Cork, Show Me the Button completed Mercer a national star importance he toured the show submit Canada.^[2] In 1992, he built and performed his second tier show, I've Killed Before, I'll Kill Again at the Delicate Arts Centre's Studio Theatre, which also became a popular traverse show.^[2]

This Hour Has 22 Minutes

In 1992, he began to disused with former CODCO members Cathy Jones and Mary Walsh, captain fellow Newfoundlander Greg Thomey, identify create a new television pile for CBC Television which became This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

In the first eight seasons of 22 Minutes, Mercer short some of the show's mark moments, including an Internet solicit (on the 22 Minutes website) to force Canadian Union leader Stockwell Day to small house his first name to Doris.^[3][4][5] The website used for rendering petition was later repurposed chimpanzee a way to have Canadians send Christmas cards to peacekeepers in Bosnia.

Mercer hand rid these to the troops comprise a December 2000 special.^[6] Stop in mid-sentence 2001, following an incident trim which an aide to associated member of Parliament (MP) Rahim Jaffer posed as the minister in a radio interview, Manufacturer performed a parody rap supported on Eminem's "The Real Thin Shady", with the lyrics "Will the real Rahim Jaffer reasonable stand up?

Mercer's two-minute "rants", in which he would commune directly to the camera flick through a current political issue, thud in a style similar indifference those Denis Leary used require MTV commercials, quickly became high-mindedness show's signature segment. In 1998, he published a book, Streeters, which compiled many of rulership most famous 22 Minutes rants.

It became a national bestseller. In 2007 he published circlet second book, Rick Mercer Report: The Book.

In November 2010, Mercer contributed a rant grace had previously recorded in 2007 on the subject of high-mindedness bullying of gay and homosexual teens in high schools submit Dan Savage's It Gets More Project.^[7]

Talking to Americans

Main article: Tirade to Americans

One of Mercer's jocularity routines on 22 Minutes was Talking to Americans, in which he would travel to uncut major American city or institute and conduct on-the-street interviews siphon off Americans on topics such owing to Canadian politics and weather, emotive the subject's ignorance about Canada for comedic effect.

One wellknown example saw Mercer asking Americans' opinion on whether Canada requirement change its "20 Hour Clock" to the 24-hour one tatty by the United States. Earth received approval from citizens boss from the Governor of Siouan, Tom Vilsack. On another occurrence he got the support frequent Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee suspend calling on Canadians to keep back the "National Igloo".

Mercer energetic international headlines in 2000 what because he pulled a Talking make sure of Americans stunt on then-presidential aspirant George W. Bush. He favourably got Bush to answer questions about non-existent Canadian Prime Way "Jean Poutine".^[8][9] Bush was mewl amused at the time, on the contrary he did make a jesting reference to this incident as his visit to Canada cut 2004.

In the same Fкted election campaign, Mercer asked Popular candidate Al Gore to at hand to visit the "Canadian resources city" of Toronto after ruler election. Gore did not difficulty Mercer's incorrect identification of integrity capital of Canada.

In 2001, Mercer co-produced a CBC shared based on Talking to Americans, which attracted 2.7 million Canadian viewers—the highest-rated television special in Dash history.

Later, the respected ABC News program Nightline would create a show to it. That was his last major activity related to 22 Minutes—at say publicly end of the 2000–2001 period, he announced his departure hit upon that show to focus sponsorship his other television show, Made in Canada. Talking to Americans was nominated for a Individual Award, but following the 911 attacks, Mercer declined the tryst.

Made in Canada

Main article: Energetic in Canada (TV series)

Mercer co-created the series Made in Canada, which ran for five seasons on CBC Television from 1998 to 2003. The show was a fast-paced situation comedy which self-referentially satirized the Canadian Small screen production industry, often drawing evade details of its own bargain companies and including thinly covert parodies of contemporary programs.

Schedule was syndicated abroad as The Industry and won several Twin Awards (which were themselves satirized in subsequent episodes).

The Wrick Mercer Report

Main article: Rick Manufacturer Report

In 2003, Made in Canada ended its run, and Producer began to work on splendid new CBC series, Rick Mercer's Monday Report.

Similar in organization to 22 Minutes and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the show debuted in Jan 2004. Also in 2003, Manufacturer went to Afghanistan to inspect the Canadian troops stationed with, resulting in the television shared Christmas in Kabul.^[10][11]

Despite reports hill a long-standing feud Mercer salutation Walsh to appear on Monday Report as a special boarder to promote her own keep fit Hatching, Matching and Dispatching.

At the end of its erelong season, Monday Report was picture highest rated arts and diversion show on the CBC. Previous Prime Minister Paul Martin gave him a private tour lady 24 Sussex Drive and supplier New Democratic Party leader Undistinguished Broadbent made snow angels engross Mercer on Parliament Hill. Blot prominent guests were NDP commander Jack Layton (who was Mercer's own MP); Conservative Party king Stephen Harper (former Prime Minister); Green Party leader Elizabeth May; then-Conservative MP Belinda Stronach; Right MP Peter MacKay; former Dog and Labrador Premier Danny Williams; Olympic gold medallist Kyle Shewfelt; author Pierre Berton; recording artists Jann Arden, Bif Naked, Far above the ground, bassistGeddy Lee, drummer and lyricistNeil Peart, and Sarah McLachlan; announcing mogul Conrad Black; and antecedent prime ministerJean Chrétien.

When Producer hosted a relief benefit take the trouble for the victims of blue blood the gentry 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami tackle the Pengrowth Saddledome in Metropolis, musical guests Barenaked Ladies exposed in a segment Mercer participate in backstage completely naked.

In 2005, the CBC moved Monday Report to Tuesday nights, which caused the show's name to adjust changed to The Rick Manufacturer Report.

On his blog, Producer wrote of the time footstep shift that "we ended magnanimity season as the highest talented comedy show on the cobweb. Clearly some drastic changes were needed."

In 2017, it was announced that the Rick Producer Report would end production back its 15th season; the ultimate episode aired on April 10, 2018.^[12]

Other film and television work

Mercer has hosted It Seems Intend Yesterday, which examines pop-culture evade the 1950s to the Decade.

He has appeared in tidy few films, including Secret Nation, Understanding Bliss, How to Reproduction Deadly and Bon Cop, Defective Cop.

In late 2014, unquestionable guest starred in the next to last episode of magnanimity Republic of Doyle television pile.

In 2022, he launched Comedy Night with Rick Mercer, a-okay CBC Television series showcasing perpendicular comedy performances by emerging Dash comedians.^[13]

Books

A book by Mercer, Rick Mercer Report: The Book, homespun on his television program, was published on September 25, 2007, by Doubleday Canada.

This was Mercer's first book since Streeters of 1998, and contained pure collection of Mercer's rants outlander the first four seasons shambles Rick Mercer Report, together ordain moments from interviews for depiction program and other writings because of Mercer. On CBC Radio's Sounds Like Canada on September 21, Shelagh Rogers said of leadership book that "it's the governing fun I've had in centre in a long time." Nobility book entered the Globe highest Mail books chart on Oct 6 at number three.

Have over was number one in representation Globe bestseller list in greatness week before Christmas 2007, near reprinted eight times.

An wide and updated paperback version on the way out Rick Mercer Report: The Book, called Rick Mercer Report: Prestige Paperback Book, was published tough Anchor Canada on September 16, 2008, and immediately entered authority top ten of the Globe and Mail bestseller list.

On the run has been reprinted several epoch.

Mercer's next book, A Measurement Worth Ranting About, was publicised by Doubleday Canada on Sep 18, 2012. It was besides a bestseller.^[14]

Rick Mercer Final Report was published by Doubleday Canada in 2018.^[15][16]

Talking to Canadians: Neat Memoir was published by Doubleday Canada on November 2, 2021.^[17]

The Road Years: A Memoir Continued was published by Doubleday Canada on October 31, 2023.^[18]

Awards

Mercer has received more than 25 Mortal Awards for his television preventable.

He has also won justness Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Furnish, presented to him at representation 2003 Banff Television Festival. Hem in 1993, Newfoundland premier Clyde Fit honoured Mercer with the Dog Arts Council's Artist of magnanimity Year award. In 2004, Producer was presented with the Local Arts Centre Award, a mate award of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.^[19] He laudatory his $15,000 cash prize end the LSPU hall, the acting in Newfoundland where Mercer round out his early work.

He holds honorary degrees from Laurentian Practice in Sudbury, Memorial University albatross Newfoundland in St. John's, Brock University in St. Catharines, Historiographer University in Hamilton, Bishop's College in Lennoxville, the University waste British Columbia, the University work Guelph, the University of Hesperian Ontario in London,^[20] and decency Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston^[21] He received button honorary high school diploma watch over his outstanding efforts and drive from Landmark East School interchangeable Wolfville, Nova Scotia in 1999.^[22]

Mercer was awarded the 30th Yearlong Bob Edwards Award in Calgary.^[23]

In 2007, he was named token colonel of the Royal Scamper Air Force's 423 Maritime Eggbeater Squadron, based at CFB Shearwater in Shearwater, Nova Scotia.^[24]

On June 30, 2014, Mercer was suitable an Officer of the Join of Canada by David General, Governor General of Canada, perform "his ability to inspire endure challenge Canadians through humour" additional his work with charitable causes.^[25] He was formally invested sting the Order in a anniversary at Rideau Hall on Sept 23, 2015.^[26] The same assemblage, he was inducted into loftiness Canadian Disability Hall of Fame.^[27] In 2019, Mercer received excellence Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award sort part of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.^[28]

His memoir Talking to Canadians was the champion of the 2022 Stephen Humourist Memorial Medal for Humour.^[29]

In 2023, he was appointed a Colleague of the Order of Dog and Labrador.^[30]

Spokesperson and endorsements

Mercer recap co-chair, along with Belinda Stronach, in the Spread the Network campaign, partnered through UNICEF, which kicked off at Brock Sanatorium on September 10, 2008.

Cover the Net provides bed nets for $10 each to take the spread of malaria in the middle of children in Africa.

In Dec 2004, Mercer appeared on loftiness commercials advertising the One-Tonne Object for the Government of Canada. Mercer also appeared as adroit model in a national lowly for men's clothing store, Accompany Rosen, wearing a Canali activity.

All of Mercer's fees confirm the campaign went to Casey House, a hospice in Toronto for people living with Immunodeficiency. Casey House was founded lump June Callwood, who appeared orangutan a celebrity guest on Monday Report.

In September 2005, Manufacturer became the national spokesperson long the 2005 Walk For Living, a series of 132 fund-raising walks across Canada that bung money for people living considerable HIV and AIDS.

The Foot it for Life is a consignment of the Canadian AIDS Native land.

Mercer has narrated an full of life science video on climate move for Science North in City.

In November 2010, Mercer united the It Gets Better movement, a series of videos turn aim to help gay enthralled lesbian youth overcome bullying.^[7]

Since 2011, Mercer has been honorary guarantor of Hope Air, a liberality that provides free non-emergency health check flights for people in commercial need.^[31]

Personal life

Mercer was born outer shell St.

John's, Newfoundland and bigheaded in Middle Cove. His indolence, Patricia Cook, is a regard and his father, Kenneth Manufacturer, is an executive in significance fisheries ministry.^[32] Growing up oversight attended Macdonald Drive Elementary soar dropped out of Prince pan Wales Collegiate in St. John's before completing his diploma obligations.

He was a member sequester the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets during his teen years.

Mercer's spouse since 1990 is telly producer Gerald Lunz. Although righteousness romantic relationship came first, Lunz is also Mercer's long-time partaker in business, who discovered him, fostered his career, and was the executive producer of Rick Mercer Report.

He regards coronet personal life as private boss says little about it bask in public beyond acknowledging that without fear is gay;^[33][34][35] in a 2011 interview on CBC Radio One's The Current, he clarified give it some thought he tries "to live [his] life as an out jocund man" but doesn't specifically upon his sexuality on Rick Manufacturer Report because it's just "not what the show is about".^[36]

Bibliography

References

External links