Talking to Americans

Probably the most watched comedy special on Canadian television, this show has brought on so many harsh reviews from Americans. This isn't a documentary. It's not someone's political campaign. It's a satire. Why are Americans so touchy about this show? W hen South Park sang "Blame Canada" did you see us sulking? When Bart Simpson said that it's easy to join the Canadian Olympic basketball team, did you hear us complaining? We just sat back and laughed. Lots of American movies and television have material that is offensive to other countries. Why isn't it funny when other people make fun of you? Have a sense of humour! This is just a TV show.

I loved it and am going to send a copy to my aunt in Dallas. Luckily she's educated her American friends somewhat over the years, but they'll even enjoy it and find themselves getting "suckered in". Note to Raelon - I also can name the first 3 Prime Ministers, know exactly the beauty of the Bluenose and the gracefulness of our native large cat! I also can tell you the names of every single American state and its capital! I vividly remember taking entire semesters in American history, the War of 1812, The American Civil war as well as its geography (including the Mississippi river system IN GREAT DETAIL), its economy and role in the World Wars along with all the other allies. I think we're taking a humourous, good-natured jab at our friends to the south (as well as a few shots to ourselves!) with this and its all in good fun, but also insightful.

They're might have been a couple of people that went along with it, or were intimidated into agreeing by the camera (rare for Americans - most will speak their mind) but for the most part, you can tell they haven't a clue what we're doin' up here! I wanted to hug the kid who knew we had provinces and not states! I highly recommend viewing this whilst wearing your Leafs jersey, sitting in your cozy igloo, eating your back bacon sandwich with a Labatt's, finishing with rolling up the rim on a Tim Horton's and a box of 20 TimBits with your friends eh!!

It's not just Canada...how can you justify not knowing the continent of Australia? (Google media putfile and search for a video On-The-Streets-Of-America-3)Please - don't get me wrong - I understand that not all Americans are this ignorant. What I find so disturbing is that there are grown adults (with the right to VOTE!!!) who advocate DECLARING WAR on a country when they have no clue where on the face of the planet said country is located. How do these people discern whether an invasion is justified? Hmmmmm..... to answer my own question - they DON'T - just look at the horrific mess in Iraq! This is my first posting, and wow! What's this 10 line minimum requirement all about? Sheesh - I've always appreciated comments that are brief and to the point

A little harmless fun. Some segment are hilarious. I want to see all the outtakes, though. The only real danger here is assuming that this program has a point. Consider how it started:

Rick Mercer: Talking to Americans -- the segment --came about like Cornflakes. It was an accident that happened in the lab. We were down in Washington, D.C. We were shooting and I had kind of run out of things to do. We'd gone to the White House and goofed around at the Canadian Embassy. We just had some time to kill.

There were other news people there asking questions about important matters of the day. So I just started doing the same thing. I started talking to them about the Benmergui Clinton Summit. Should it be called the Benmergui Clinton Summit, or the Clinton Benmergui Summit?

I didn't know if the piece would have legs or not, but it sure did. The response has been phenomenal.

(from radio.cbc.ca)

Rick Mercer from "This Hour has 22 Minutes" hosts a one hour special interviewing Americans asking them about fake Canadian issues. For example: the Canadian hour only lasts 22 minutes (an obvious reference to Rick's show), why Canada has a Navy even though it doesn't border the sea, building the chunnel to China, Saskatchewan rebellion from Russia, and deporting senior citizens on iceburgs.

The results make any Canadian watching this speachless. Americans believe this trash so easily! The wooly rhino hunt in Toronto?! That's like saying the Stegasaurus hunt in West Virginia. Rick Mercer even has a Govenor (forget which state) congratulate Canada on preserving it's national igloo! *facepalm* Not even George W. Bush is safe. Watch in glee (or in horror) as he thanks Prime Minister Jean Poutine for backing up his nomination.

Overall: The show is hilarious, if not disturbing. Everyone should watch this.