MY RICK MERCER REPORT

After two blog entries on the concept of a free pass, you probably understand my ambivalence about the topic. However, any uncertainties I may have had about the merits of a free pass were instantly dispelled by an e-mail I received this past week. It was a confirmation for two tickets to the taping of the Rick Mercer Report. Sent anonymously, I want to thank the kind person who set this up for Terry and me. Talk about life imitating blogging.

Yes, my 2011 New Year’s resolution was to meet Rick Mercer and yes, it was a very frivolous wish, but heck, can’t a guy have fun sometimes?

Last night, Terry and I made our way down to the CBC TV Facilities, a short 10 minute walk from Union Station. We waited patiently in a large atrium with about 200 people before being taken up by elevator in groups of 15 to Studio 42 located on the tenth floor. The 22 minute and 11 second taping was scheduled to begin at 8 pm.

At precisely 8:01 pm, the star of the show made his appearance and, although much shorter than I had imagined, Rick Mercer was engaging, entertaining, energetic and professional all at the same time.

I was so impressed by the way the show is packaged and Mercer was flawless at delivering his lines until he hit the word shipbuilding. After two runs at it, he quipped,

“And all this job requires is Grade 3 reading and Grade 3 comprehension.”

After a failed third attempt, he lamented, “I think I’m having a stroke.”

Mercer continued his friendly banter with the audience between takes and before we knew it, the show was over. As we exited the studio, I was a bit disappointed that we wouldn’t be getting a chance to meet the star like my friend Anne J. had a few weeks earlier. But then we realized that there were two lines heading out, one to the elevator and one to meet Mercer. After standing for about 30 minutes in the reception line, I got to shake Rick’s hand and thanked him for patiently waiting to meet so many fans like me.

As we set up for a photo, I quickly added, “You were my New Year’s resolution this year. I wanted to meet you and would have done it a lot sooner had it not been for a bout of cancer.”

Rick looked at me and said, “Well, it sure looks like you’ve bounced back.”

I guess I have bounced back. Not all the way, but certainly I’m on the right track. I know there may be a few more bumps on the road but for tonight at least, it’s good to laugh and see life from the top of the roller coaster.