Posted on 04/07/2006 9:40:11 AM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
The Red Green Show's farewell episode is called Do As I Say -- the "not as I do" part is left unsaid. It's the kind of wry, self-deprecating humour that has made Steve Smith's homegrown gadget man a faithful standby in Canadians' homes for 15 years now, and 300 episodes.
It's a little late to win new converts, and the farewell episode doesn't try. Instead, in its own humble way, it's perfect for what it is. No big-bang moment, no after-death revelation -- not even an extended episode, beyond its usual half-hour running time.
Green (Smith) and his man-child nephew, Harold (Patrick McKenna, one of this country's most versatile and confident performers), take a final bow before the camera, tie up loose ends, so to speak, and riff on life's small uncertainties. There's a wedding -- TV finales almost always have a wedding -- and the remarkable thing is how it manages to be sweet without being cloying.
In its 15 years, The Red Green Show was part fishing show, part fix-it show and part men's advice program that did its best to live down to Possum Lodge's motto, Quondo Omni Flunkus Mortati, which, loosely translated, means, "When All Else Fails, Play Dead."
"This show you're watching now," Green tells his audience in the opening sketch, "at least until you find the remote, is our 300th episode."
And last.
The Red Green Show deserves a special Emmy, Green opines: "Other shows ran almost as long, but they were good." 7 p.m., CBC
Let's recite the men's prayer one last time: "I am a man; but I can change."
Keep your stick on the ice Red.
If she doesn't find you handsome, she may as well find you handy.
You still need to learn the whole prayer!
"I'm a man,
But I can change,
If I have to,
..... I guess."
Red's great, and his appeal is to both sexes. After all, as he observed, "Men are all in the same boat.... and the women are waving from on shore."
I'm sad to see him hang it up. Unfortunately, we don't get his shows on PBS in Texas, but I did catch a few when I was in Kansas a few years back. Hilarious stuff so I bought 2 of his DVDs. Guess I need to buy more now.
One of the best things ever to come from our Northern neighbor.
You're right about the prayer, of course -- except that us older married guys realize that the last part goes without saying. :-)
Sigh ping. I'm gonna miss him.
"If it ain't broke, you're not trying."
"We hope you'll continue to support the show wherever it shows up. You haven't seen it all till you've seen every one of the 300 episodes. Maybe together we can keep it on the air for your children and your children's children. They don't deserve to get off any easier than you did.
"Again thanks for everything and keep your stick on the ice."
- Red Green
By the way, Rick Green, who played Bill, was in the zany Frantics comedy troupe ("Boot to the head")
What a hoser, eh?
Sorry, I don't recognize him.
Red Forman from That 70s Show.
Then that's why I don't recognize him; I've never seen it.
Good clean humor.I always enjoyed his show.He will be missed.Thanks for the laughs.
Red Green will be missed. One of my favorite lines was "Now is the winter of our discount tent". (LOL!) Good, clean humor is a rarity, and they did it well. I'm going to have to buy the DVD's.
one last shout of Carpe Ductus
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