Rick Mercer Report

Jeff and I started watching the Rick Mercer Report several years ago.  I admit that I am not that into politics, but I love the Canada segments that he does, the fake commercials, and of course, his rant!  I looked into getting tickets to the show last year but I had already missed the deadline.  This year, I was on top of things and actually remembered to go to the web site on the day that the last block of tickets was released.  I had to set my watch to 3:00 so that I would remember to be on-line at the exact time, and when 3:00 rolled around I filled out the on-line form as quickly as possible and then I waited.  A few weeks later I received an e-mail saying that I had been successful!

Yesterday, we left the kids with friends and we headed for the big city of Toronto!  The e-mail I received said that the tickets to the show would be available in the CBC atrium between 6:45 and 7:15.  We finished dinner and thought we would go into the CBC building to see where we were supposed to line-up.  I wondered if people would start lining up earlier than 6:45.  Sure enough, we went in the building at about 6:10 and there were already about 8 people in line.  We joined the line and took turns walking around the building.  Clearly, being in line early is key to getting good seats once inside!

Inside the studio.  We were in the front row!

Studio left-side.  RMR ushers seating everyone.

Studio right-side.

  

Prompter on the main camera.

See?  We had great seats!

Rick Mercer!  As he said himself, he is not very tall!

The producer and Rick going over what will happen during the taping.

Rick noticed this look-alike kid and asked him to come up.

This kid is in grade 7.  Rick let him go up to the 

desk and the camera-man zoomed in on him.

The poor kid look petrified when the camera was on him!

It was fascinating watching the taping.  Rick would introduce one of the pre-taped segments to the audience and then he would leave and we watched the segment on one of the many screens.  Then Rick would come out and they would tape a segment with him talking.  He nailed all of his lines on the first try and there was only ever 1 take.  Maybe that is fairly normal.  We were both so preoccupied with watching the camera-men and the producer that neither of us really remember what Rick said while he taped his talking segments.  It will be fun to watch this particular episode, which airs on January 22nd.

The show is done and people are leaving the studio.

The desk!

We waited around after the show so that we could meet Rick and get my book signed.

We were waiting in the "Comedy Hall of Fame".

The Red Green Show

Corner Gas

Me and my buddy Jim Carrey!

 Mike Myers

Yay!  We finally got to meet him! 

He also signed my copy of his book.

I was trying to imagine if I was on the Amazing Race and if

I was faced with bungee jumping.  Sure, I could jump off of here...

...or NOT!  The thought of jumping from this height terrifies 

me so much that my hands and feet are actually sweating as I type this! 

What a great night!  If we lived in Toronto I think I would spend more time trying to go to TV show tapings.  They are free and fun!  I recommend it!