The Red Green Show

...and you might come close to getting the essence of what made "Red Green" so enjoyable. Never mind "The Man Show", THIS was the real deal!

What originally attracted me to the show was that it was indeed funny (in a bemused, Newhart way), but it also had a bit of an edge to it. There were some genuine barbs and mean-spirited feelings, some real cynicism and misanthropy concealed in the campfire songs and moose-poop jokes. In the last few years, that edge sort of went away (similar to the way "The Simpsons" lost a lot of their original venom after more than 10 years), but it was always funny and packed with clever word plays and tongue-in-cheek observations of the male psyche and character.

Many characters came and went over the years mostly wonderfully played by talented actors; the one I missed most was 'Garth Harple', the first "Animal Control Officer", whose sad sack demeanor and heavy handed irony ( his motto, "Another Super Day!!" could be teaser for every awful work assignment you ever had) was perfect for the show.

I admire Smith and company for quitting when they were still ahead...it must have been hard to abandon the money machine and a relatively sure thing, but to admit that you need to move on to other projects is the hallmark of true craftsmen at their best. Many many thanks to "The Red Green Show" for innumerable moments( over more than a decade) where I would almost snort beer (or milk) out my nose at some well done jape, sight gag or pratfall.

As you know I'm Canadian, and very proud of it, we have quite a few popular musicians and a couple big name comedians, and we have a couple of TV shows that make it big. One of those TV shows is "The Red Green Show". I remember watching the very first episode of Red Green, and I loved the show. It is very funny, and the cast is hilarious. The show is about a guy, Red Green (Steve Smith) who holds a meeting every day at the Possum Lodge, that's where the show takes place. Every show Red Green teaches the audience something, whether it's lessons on life, campfire songs, or how to make something out of nothing in Handyman Corner. As well as Mr. Green there's his nephew Harold (Patrick McKenna), Dalton Humprey, Mike Hammer, Old Man Sedgwick, a bunch of others and of course Bill. I love watching Adventures with Bill, and I kind of feel sorry for him, because in every episode of Adventures with Bill, something always happens to him, or to Red Green. One of my favorite segments is Handyman Corner, because he comes up with the neatest ideas. I remember this one-time it was a Christmas episode, and Red was making an advent calendar. You'll have to see the episode, because it's hilarious.

I can't help but watch this show, and I am a girl, but find it so funny. The humor is original to me.. And they are all a riot!! I can't help but wonder if in real life they all act like that, silly? And, I was wondering, would Steve Smith ever consider being in a serious movie on TV, or film? I think he could play a serious role, not sure what type, but I just feel he has all the qualities needed. I also wonder, is there a lodge like that, that is on this show? And, where is this show filmed in Canada? The humor is unique!! I really like the show a lot..The best part is when they read letters and ask questions to the experts! Funny stuff!

I have been watching for a few years now, I accidentally tuned into the show while in a cabin with my wife. She was not thrilled... My wife only finds small bits of humor in this show. (No accounting for taste =) ). I have heard her crack up a few times watching it though...

I think it is a great show and I enjoy cracking up to it each time I watch it. I enjoy handyman corner and the vintage film look of the narrative portions where Red tells a story to what is going on in the silent video. How do they come up with the inventions they show off on the show? I was fortunate enough to visit Toronto to see a live taping of the show this year. I was sad to learn the show is ending after fifteen seasons! It was a great treat to see how a television show is made. I would be anxious to get in line to buy a box set or seasons of this show on DVD. I would buy them all!!! Silly humor like this is priceless! Thanks Steve and crew for 15 great seasons!!!!!

...but it helps to know what the "Canadian Content Law" and other Canadian references mean. Lucky me, I am and I do.

Even so, The Red Green Show is a human cartoon with all of the pitfalls, screw-ups, lapses of judgement and fun that one could expect from The Simpsons, Warner Brothers and Family Guy.

Besides that, Red Green is a parody of everything that men are expected to be by either gender. Red's Handyman's Corner shows a man more obsessed with getting the job done quickly and cheaply, and have his project stay together just long enough to be effective.

And while his projects somehow survive, nothing else seems to fall the way of the gang at Possum Lake. Their get-rich-now schemes verify the wisdom of the adage "Those who strive to create a fool-proof plan too often underestimate the ingenuity and persistence of fools".

Red may keep his stick on the ice, but his head and those of his friends, God only knows where they've gone.