Rick Mercer
© Kara O’Keefe

Road show

Rick Mercer’s second memoir goes behind the scenes

by KRISTI YORK

When it comes to Canada, Rick Mercer has seen it all.

That’s because the comedian, author and Costco member spent 15 years travelling across the nation for his CBC-TV show, The Mercer Report. He provides an inside look at these unique experiences in his latest book, The Road Years.

The book picks up where Mercer’s first memoir, Talking to Canadians, left off. The Road Years begins in 2004 with Mercer, a proud native of Newfoundland and Labrador, launching a new weekly show with his executive producer and partner Gerald Lunz. Their mission was to create, as Mercer puts it, “the most unapologetically Canadian TV show ever.” The result, of course, was The Mercer Report.

For 255 episodes, Mercer demonstrated his quick wit and willingness to try anything. He attempted numerous sports alongside Olympians, bungee-jumped into a canyon and allowed a giant swarm of bees to crawl up his neck.

“There were many segments that we described as ‘host in peril’ or ‘host in discomfort,’ ” Mercer recalls in a phone interview from his home in Toronto. “Still, I felt it was my job to go for it—to strap on the skis and go down the hill. I always gave 100%, which was often not nearly enough.”

Mercer’s trademark humour and self-deprecating style are on display as he describes his experiences interviewing celebrities and everyday Canadians. “We had guests who were musicians, athletes and prime ministers, but the real rock stars of our show were oyster farmers, recycling plant workers and local high school students,” he says.

The book never wavers from Mercer’s desire to honour all things Canadian. “The philosophy behind The Mercer Report was to celebrate every town, every province, every territory,” he explains. “It was a great privilege, and I loved doing it.”

These days, Mercer still performs stand- up comedy and is pondering the topic for his next book. “I enjoy writing, and it’s very satisfying to have completed two memoirs,” he says. “Next, though, I’d like to write about someone who’s not me.”

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Kristi York is a freelance writer in Waterloo, Ontario.

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