Whatever's making headlines in Canada; you can be sure Rick Mercer has something to say about it. His show, The Mercer Report, mixes parody and politics like no one else in Canada.So, where did Rick get his start? Born and raised on The Rock—St. John's, Newfoundland, Rick grew up with a love of performing. As a teenager, he co-founded a comedy troupe called Corey and Wade's Playhouse. And a couple of years later, dropped out of high school to join a clown troupe. By 1990, he was discovered by producer Gerald Lunz. Together, they created Rick's first one-man play, called Show Me the Button, I'll Push It. They've been working together ever since.A short time later, Rick joined Mary Walsh, Cathy Jones, and Greg Thomey in launching This Hour Has 22 Minutes. 22 Minutes made Rick famous. But Rick's 2001 comedy special Talking to Americans made him a superstar. The show drew 2.7 million viewers, and convinced the CBC he could carry his very own show, The Mercer Report.Mercer has received more than 25 Gemini Awards for his work on television.
Received the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
Best known for his satirical on-the-street interviews with real Americans that demonstrate Americas general ignorance of Canada. This gimmick reached its height in 2000 when Mercer interviewed then-presidental candidate George W. Bush and got Bush to congratulate newly elected Canadian Prime Minister "Jean Poutine." (The PMs name is actually Jean Chretien, while Poutine is a Canadian dish.)
Portrayed (spoofed) on his former show "This Hour has 22 Minutes" by Colin Mochrie
Was voted #50 by Canadians in the "Greatest Canadian" contest sponsored by the Canadian Broadcasting Company.
(November 2005) He is currently starring in his new show The Rick Mercer Report.
(January 2004) He is currently starring in his new show Monday Report. It has been a huge success around Canada.
[one view of our political future] Candidates will outdo each other in,an attempt to show how gay-positive they are. Young men in MP offices,all over Parliament Hill will be ordered to randomly marry each other,so candidates can be seen attending their weddings.
On my job I end up jumping out of planes. Last week I got in an 18-wheeler and drove down a runway onto a skid track. The week before that they put me in a car and sunk me to the bottom of a lake to see if I could escape without an oxygen tank. .
