Figure Skating for Dummies

[Artemis]

Well, ok, Rick Mercer is no dummy, but he adopts that "treat me like I'm an idiot" mode whenever he does these types of segments.

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_Rick_Mercer_Report/ID=1396986465

Loved the part at the end where he tries his hand at syncro.

[mdvask8r]

What a hoot!! Thanks for posting this.

[Isk8NYC]

I loved it!!! He's my new TV hero - watch out or the US will steal him away from Canada.

The synchro skating bit had me cracking up out loud - the kids came to see what was so funny.

Awesome, thanks for sharing it!

[sk8tmum]

NEXXICE has some skaters from my home club ... absolutely wicked to see "our girls" on there, thank you for sharing!

[Artemis]

I loved it!!! He's my new TV hero - watch out or the US will steal him away from Canada.

LOL. The mind boggles at the thought -- he's just sooo Canadian. But it's funny you should say that. In his previous show he used to do a recurring bit called "Talking to Americans." He'd go down to an American city, say some completely outragous thing about Canada, and get American people's reactions. Like "What do you think about Canada passing a new law allowing women to vote?" or "Do you think Canada should repeal the legislation that requires seniors to be put out on ice floes?" Here's a sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo Funny but kinda cringe-inducing in my view and a little bit mean, so I'm glad he doesn't do that any more.

But seriously, you can't have him. If you try, there will have to be war. And the last time Canada & the US were at war, we kicked your butts and burned down your White House. :P

I'm glad you liked him, though, and I'm willing to share. There's tons more of him online, all his shows in fact, but a couple of my favourite clips are:
~ his rant on credit cards: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_Rick_Mercer_Report/ID=1384402200
~ when he tries roller derby: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_Rick_Mercer_Report/ID=1348216056
~ his rant on using soldiers as political props: http://www.youtube.com/mercerreport#p/u/2/kCadyzQ4w1k
~ my all-time favourite, when he goes bear tagging in Algonquin Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz4iXyIYvgk&feature=PlayList&p=12E4BD1ECBA53DF9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=57

[Isk8NYC]

Well, this gives me a hobby - watching videos of a zany canuck, lol.

I love his accent. It's different from most canadians, to my ear, but I guess I'm used to hearing canadian ex-pats speak. They've probably lost some of their inflections.

Thank you!

[Artemis]

I love his accent. It's different from most canadians, to my ear, but I guess I'm used to hearing canadian ex-pats speak. They've probably lost some of their inflections.

No, your ears aren't failing you. He's a Newfoundlander, and their accents are quite different from anywhere else in Canada (although his accent isn't nearly as pronounced as some Newfies). The accent is not entire dissimilar to the strongest Maine or Mass. accent.

[Isk8NYC]

In the first video, with the synchro girls, he sounded almost as if he had a brogue.