Corner Gas

This show is a rarity in Canadian television - it's good! Too much of Canadian programing is slow, dry and boring - and aside from NHL hockey, there is not much else worth watching. A few shows have made attempts at being clever comedies, but have always failed because Canadian programming always tends to alienate the main audience by becoming too political, historical or just plain arrogant (vis-a-vis the CBC and CRTC).

But this show has succeeded and, more importantly, is extremely entertaining because its focus isn't on some political agenda, but rather on the art of entertaining. Brent Butt has figured out the formula that has made this series a hilarious success - and I think I can identify what some of those criteria are.

1. It has great characters - And character development. Just like other successful comedies (Seinfeld, The Office, Cheers, etc.) quirky characters are fun to watch.

2. It has great writing - The stories seem to be about nothing - but even nothing is something!

3. It has excellent pacing - It does not slow down at all, and continues to improve its pacing as the seasons go by. The more jokes you can fit in to the half hour, the better.

4. It is not sentimental - If anything, most of the characters are less than sympathetic, and that type of darkness of the human psyche is far more appealing and funny when you are making a comedy about quirky people in a quirky little town.

5. There is NO winter!! - Have you seen any snow yet in Dog River? This is critical for a successful Canadian comedy - because snow complicates things. It is bleak, uninteresting, and unfortunately too much of a reminder of reality for those of us who have to live with it for 10 months out of the year. In fact, with out the snow - it makes this small town in Saskatchewan look quite charming, and all the more interesting and lovable.

Now these are just my opinions - but if you want to take a chance on a Canadian TV show - this should be the one. Canadians should be (and are - for the most part, I think) proud of this series. I, for one, try not to miss it each week, and I own all the DVD's too...its just a fun show to watch, and I would rank it up there as one of the best new comedies on TV right now.

I saw a re-run the other day and this show still makes me laugh. I wish they hadn't cancelled it. the corner gas movie was hilarious too. Best canadian show ever made.

I admit that I didn't set out to watch this show, it was on before "American Idol" one night. But I was converted into a fan with one episode.

I really like the quirky humour and the way that the characters interact with each other. And how the characters stay true to themselves.

I'd never heard of Brent Butt, or anyone else in this show, before. Doesn't matter. They make a good ensemble.

So Canadians are capable of producing a good TV show themselves! You don't have to be from the prairies to understand the flavour of small town Canada.

I have only just discovered this brilliant programme on amazon prime (i am english and only just seen it on prime). Watched the whole series in a few days as when i started watching i couldn't stop. I loved every episode, funny, witty and down to earth, it cheered me up no end. Just wish i had known about it years ago as when i started watching it i didn't realise it was nearly 17yrs old!! Love all the actors and the characters and Canada and love the Programme!!

Well, this show has been renewed for a second season, and I couldn't be happier. We, from Saskatchewan, are proud of this show because it shows the way we live (exaggerated of course), and locals have been used for extras (a guy from the town next to my home town, but went to high school in my home town was an extra and had one line). The show doesn't make people from small towns look like retards or inbred freaks, but focuses on how we know everybody, and as a result, trust everybody.

I love the interactions that the town of Dog River had with Lacey, in the beginning. It was so true the way they were suspicious of the girl moving from the big city to this tiny town. But once she showed she was planning to stay in the town, they warmed up to her. This happened to my family when they moved to my home town. The town warmed up to my parents when they had me and my brother because they knew we were staying and not going to leave.

I also love Oscar, the old and senile man who is so easily controlled by his stable wife. Honestly, I know a few people like Oscar. I loved the episode where he kept winning the stuffed animals from the claw machine.