9 Sleeps Til Liquor Day!
New Year’s Eve isn’t officially Liquor Day but it could be for you. No better way to nurse your hangover than with a rum/coke and a few laughs from Sunnydale’s surliest residents – The Trailer Park Boys. Submit your favourite Canadian comedic export and you could steal both Trailer Park Boys flicks – “The Movie” and “Countdown to Liquor Day.”
Win these guys's movies - weed plants and rum/coke not included
You want some of this?
Cuff em, Stuff em, & Set Bail
Some of your wise-guys already scored the whole TV series on DVD – in a grass stash bag no less – so double down to complete your TPB “library” – if you can call it that without sounding all fancy.
Here’s how to win:
1. Contemplate Canada’s stunning comedic contributions
2. Submit your favorite Canadian comedy export – choose a TV series or movie which amuses, surprises and inspires you – and stick it in the comments
3. Pour yourself a drink and relax til Jan 4th when we choose 4 DVD pack winners based on creativity, your reasons and surprise quotient
A brief history of Canadian Comedy
Canada is known for a few things: Poutine, Hockey, Politeness, Beer and Comedy {Ed note: Also formerly known for progressive environmental policy}. In fact, Canadians take great pride in seeing Canucks’ comedic creations take off in the States and there have indeed been a few pieces of filmed entertainment which built cult-like audiences of Americans.
In case you’ve been in lock-up for the past year, here’s a Review of Countdown to Liquor Day and the Trailer:
Along with these reprobates from Nova Scotia, here are a few ideas to shake your brain, but you will be graded on originality as well as awesomeness so put on your thinking toque and choose wisely.
Kids In The Hall... back and busty
Kids in the Hall – Nerdcore comedy troupe taught you the joys of squishing heads, cross-dressing and Brain Candy. Now the Kids are returning to CBC with Death Comes to Town, plus 2 Kids (Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald) are in development for a TV show about a 80s New Wave band reuniting in current times
SCTV - Like Saturday Night Live except without the cheesy guest hosts who usually stink up the place. This fictional TV network’s shows launched careers of Martin Short, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Joe Flatherty … if you don’t know who these guys are, you’re disqualified – PS Hey SNL, you’re welcome for Mike Myers and Dan Ackroyd
Bob and Doug - It’s worth noting among the classic sketches from SCTV was Bob and Doug McKenzie – originally made to fill time and make fun of stereotypes, these affable hosers made the classic movie Strange Brew and became the most famous Canadian ambassadors until Jason Priestly & Michael J Fox took over – guess the torch now goes to Seth Rogen and Ryan Reynolds
Canadian Bacon – Before Michael Moore was a super-famous documentary lightning rod, he made an odd-ball comedy with a who’s-who of Canadians and those who want to be. Joining Mssrs. Candy and Ackroyd were Alan Alda as the US President reluctantly seeking a new enemy and Carla from Cheers as a gun-lovin renegade cop.
Stared down by Nick Adonidas
The Beachcombers – Not exactly a comedy but once you see Greek-Canadian leading man Bruno Gerussi’s chest hair and medalion, you’ll be laughing. He was the everyday hero in small town coastal town of Gibsons – Not saying Northern Exposure was a rip off, just that it is oddly similar and not as good. Note: Still huuuge in Germany – as big as the Hoff anyhow
Degrassi Junior High – Saved by the Bell/90210 but in a pleasant after-school special kinda way – overshadowed by 21 Jump Street which was almost entirely Canadian except for whatshisname … Depp something .. ahh he’ll never amount to anything
Bonus: This Hour has 22 Minutes/Rick Mercer Report – While fascainated by the glamour and infidelity of US politics, the northerners also enjoy reflecting their own civil situations in Daily Show-like format – cynical = yes, funny = usually.
Need more?
Rumors say that Canadians Jim Carrey, William Shatner and James Cameron are pooling their money to actually buy the entire country – stay tuned for details. And, for the record we have formally voted Celine Dion off the island and the Canadian government has apologized for Bryan Adams on numerous occasions. Finally Terrance and Phillip of South Park fame are still roaming the frozen north in relative anonymity.
45 Comments
Strange Brew takes the cake for me. Also Canadian Bacon. I think I am effected by the timing of my birth in terms of what Canadian comedy I love but hey who isn’t.
Great Article Dave-O
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Thanks Kemp – two great films (both in my collection)
Reply
Yes, they’re all great Canadian comedic performers but outside Canada I don’t think their nationality is stressed very much.
When someone mentions “Canadian comedy” my Pavlovian reaction is to think of Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles from Whose Line Is It Anyway. Probably because every week Clive Anderson would remind us that they were Canadian. Both it seems (just doing my research here) have strong Vancouver ties although neither were actually born in Canada.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I like your insight here. Indeed, most in the US don’t know or care if they are Canadians or not – just if they are funny. Double points for Whose Line is it Anyway reference.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Something about improv comedy is very Canadian. Maybe how you have to cooperate and play nice ;-)
Reply
Charlie Farquharson.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Ok *this* is a cool reference – i’m impressed at your astute sense of Canadiana indeed
Reply
I have to say that Jim Carrey takes it for me. This scene sums up why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKRtdgQhVbw
Reply
good day eh, Strange brew is the best
Reply
I guess they quit making it, but I used to LOVE watching “Corner Gas”. I believe the only channel I could ever find it on was WGN and I think they quit showing it about a year ago. I;ve rented several of the Trailor Park Boys from Netflix and I like them quite well. BUT, I will say to all ~ if you like “really quirky charactors” in a VERY small town, than you need to find and watch Corner Gas.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Corner Gas finally finished this year – really turned into a phenom – was wondering if Americans saw it. Brett Butt has a new show in the works.
Reply
Canadian Bacon is sure out there. It is unique and enjoyable!
Reply
that would most undoubtly b strange brew eh!
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
i have this movie almost memorized and even have B&D action figures who say “It’s a jelly!”
Reply
Kids in the Hall are my favorite, so many classic characters and lines came from that troupe.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Curious to see how “Death Comes to Town” turns out – plus this new Big in the 80s pilot should be funny with Dave Foley and Kevin McDonlad
Reply
Where’s ‘the bitter end’? Vanessa Matsui, Daniel Beirne and Brent Skagford do incredible improv work especially given the total webcast budget of about $6.98. They deserve a mention so I’ll do that. Eh?
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Wow nice one. i’m totally subscribing
Reply
My favourite Canadian comedic export is Rick Moranis. He was really funny in Ghostbusters as the nerdy neighbour. When SCTV was screened in the US, they finally admired his comedic characters of; kid-brother amateur comic Skip Bittman, and motor-mouthed film producer Larry Siegel. Love him then, and love him now!!!
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
@SUSAN K., I really liked Rick’s character “Jerry Todd” on SCTV – the goofy TV talk show host/producer
Reply
In my household we like Corner Gas — even my 13 year old daughter is a fan. Thanks for the great giveaway:) Happy holidays
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
@Marlene V., Corner Gas really turned into a international classic – somehow it reminds me of MASH with the witty banter
Reply
I still like Doug and Bob McKenzie, I hear the “12 days of Christmas” song all the time but my favorite is much rarer. “Take Off” (to the great white north) featuring Geddy Lee and Rush…now that’s a “beauty way to go.”
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Geddy’s lil talking bit in the GWN is classic too – “5 bucks is 5 bucks”
Reply
well where is celine going if they kicked her off the island – oh yeh vegas
I love the canadian actors- they are talented and funny and make me tinkle my pants because I laugh so hard- ok so maybe not tinkle but it sure feels like I have to-
this is a strange brew
Reply
“The Kids in the Hall” is the best Canadian export since Ice Hockey.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
@Peter, what do you think of the Kids new show “Death Comes to Town”? Looking forward to it?
PS I’m watching the World Junior Ice Hockey tourney now
Reply
SCTV did it for me. Dave Thomas etal worked magic.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
@Bruce, a stallar ensemble – i heard that each episode required sooo much work with on location shoots, multiple characters/costumes and always pushing new creative ideas. lightning in a bottle
Reply
Kids in the Hall are my favorite Canadian Comedy Import, a flying pig, chicken lady, putrid soup, Buddy – laughs a-plenty! The new “Death Comes to Town” is filmed in North Bay Ontario – it should be a riot!
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
@John, ahh in North Bay eh. What else you do know about Death Comes to Town?
Reply
michael j fox. need i say more.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
@john moldt, he even build a theater centre in Burnaby which carries his name
Reply
My all time favorite is Kids in The Hall. I LOVE the Chicken Lady!
heartsnflowers72@gmail.com
Reply
I’ve always enjoyed the Red Green Show. Red Green is hilarious. He so reminds me of one of my brothers. He can fix anything with duck tape. He also has many mishaps; he’s kind of the Tim the Toolman of Canada. His motto is “If the women don’t find you handsome, at least let them find you handy.”
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
@Janice Wright, i love that line! he is a national treasure as he chronicles a unique slice of Canadian life on the lake at the lodge
Reply
SCTV is the greatest! I am drinking my Chardonnay, and I am certainly relaxed. Thanks!
Reply
Russell Peters i think is the funniest. He is a stand up comedian who always makes references to his Indian Heritage. Although he hasn’t starred in any tv shows, his comedy acts always sell out and he has been in quite a few movies.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
@angela, yeah his career is on the rise. funny to hear his take on his own culture
Reply
Royal Canadian Air Farce. It is like the Canadian Saturday Night Live. Focuses on Canadian events and affairs.
Reply
Dave Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
@maria b, yeah this is a venerable show with bang-on impressions.
Reply
Bob and Doug of course, they rock eh!
Reply
Kids in the Hall is my fav :)
Reply
It is hard to pick a favorite Canadian comic. They are so great.
Reply
Mike Myers does it for me!
Reply
Like Mike Meyers
Reply
✿ⓢⓗⓞⓤⓣⓞⓤⓣ ⓣⓞ✿Corner Gas and Trailer Park Boys
Reply
Long time fan of the Kids in the Hall.
Reply
Definitely SCTV!
Reply
Bob and Doug are my favorite
Reply
I love Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber.
Reply
Too many to choose from , the late greats: Phil Hartman or John Candy.
We can’t ever forget Tommy Chong, Donald Sutherland, Jim Carey or Leslie Nielsen. But for the purpose of Trailer Park Boys, it has to be Tommy Chong in
“Up In Smoke”.
Reply
I enjoy Jim Carrey and Strange Brew. Many great comedians have come from Canada. It must be something in the water.
Reply
kids in the hall came to mind first
Reply
Awesome blog and thanks for the giveaway!….I would love love love to win this…. =]
Reply
love Michael J Fox’s comic timing, genius
Reply
The only Canadian Show I have ever really watched was Trailer park Boys, but man do I love that show. I got hooked after I saw the movie. Thanks for the chance
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
Reply
I like to add this to my collection
Reply
I would have to say Mike Meyer’s and all the Austin Power movies. Thank you.
Reply
For Comedy I will have to go with Kids in The Hall, but I got to say, I been watching Degrassi Junior High since the eighties.
Reply
Every single thing about the Trailer Park Boys makes me belly laugh- from drink in hand Julian & Mrs. Peterson’s Dog Sparky- that one kills me- to Steve French… I saw TPB in the US & it sort of helped get us through a dark time with some laughs. Not only are the characters endearing with their hilarious quirks like Ricky’s close but not quite renditions of sayings, phrases & words but even the small things like the inexplicable attacks by loose gangs of the bottle kids… The war with Lahey- Randy’s cheeseburger addiction… stolen shopping carts…. the kittens. & the TPB Pièce de résistance- Conky. It’s making me smile just typing it – what I loved about Conky is how committed all of the characters were to making it work. There’s even a scene where the actor who plays Julian almost just can’t quite handle it- but the whole thing works because they all treat Conky like he’s absolutely alive & a true force to be reckoned with. The show just made half fun of a genre that needed to have a gentle mockumentary done about it (“reality programing”) and I love the down low subject matter. And I didn’t even get to JRock! :D Brilliant & totally enjoyable, refreshing show. Love it.
Reply
My favorite comedy is Curb your Enthusiasum and Seinfield. I think Larry David is a genius!! But I live my TPB funny and so Canadian!!
Reply
Sorry should be love not live and I agree Go Conky Go!!
Reply