Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Rick Mercer Road Years Book Review

The Road Years: A Memoir, Continued… a book review.

In my review of Rick Mercer’s first book, Talking to Canadians, I said “…anyone who is familiar with Rick's television programs and comedic abilities will love this book. If you know his work, you will particularly enjoy learning about his background.” In his latest book, The Road Years: A Memoir, Continued…, I came away feeling that it was a bit less memoir and a bit more the story of his second television program, the Rick Mercer Report (RMR), which spanned fifteen very successful television seasons.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in which you are privileged to join Rick's journey to discover what a Canadian is. Whilst on that journey, you will discover what happens behind-the-scenes of his encounters with Canadians that have included the likes of the (much younger then) current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; the former Prime Minister Jean Chretien; the world renown members of the rock band Rush including Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart; the guitarist, singer and songwriter Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and Bachman Tuner Overdrive; and, the singer, songwriter, author and comedian Jann Arden. Not all of the spots are about famous Canadians. Instead, they might be about Canadian things and places including animals, cities and famous destinations.

A bonus with this book is that after you read about one of the episodes, you can google the Rick Mercer Report and the relevant individual or item and watch the original television spot.

RICK MERCER REPORT VIDEOS


TAGGING BEARS IN ALGONQUIN PARK   

You can read about and then watch Rick’s spotlight on Algonquin Park in which he is invited to help the bear experts tag wild bears:


WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CN TOWER WITH JANN ARDEN

Or you can read about and then watch Rick and Jann Arden outside on the ledge of the tallest freestanding structure in the western hemisphere, Toronto’s CN Tower.


TAKING DRUM LESSONS WITH RUSH'S NEIL PEART

Finally, you can read about and then watch the episode that included the iconic musician and Rush’s drummer, Neil Peart. According to Wikipedia, Peart was known for his extreme “technical proficiency and the exacting nature and stamina of his live performances” and  was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. Watch here:


Anyway, these videos will give you an idea of who Rick Mercer the comedian is and will reveal some of the contents of the book in which Rick celebrates our beloved Canada and shares how the Rick Mercer Report show was made.

WHO SHOULD READ THE ROAD YEARS: A MEMOIR, CONTINUED...


Once again, I highly recommend this book for anyone with a Canadian connection, who watched the Rick Mercer Report and/or who simply enjoys Rick’s comic talent.

CBC Books says, this book "tells the story of the success of The Rick Mercer Report and all the great encounters and other adventures that making the show allowed Rick Mercer to experience. It's a celebration of happy moments told in Mercer's trademark positivism and humour.” I agree.

I highly recommend you set out on this road trip with Rick or that you gift it to a family manner. It is an easy and very entertaining read especially for anyone who was a regular watcher of the very popular television program.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


8 comments:

  1. It is obvious from your review that Rick Mercer is a very popular Canadian TV personality and now an interesting author. It was fun getting to know him through your review. Thanks, Brenda.

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  2. I watched the video and was very entertained by his humorous approach to interviews. I was quite tickled by his "motorcycle" in the video with Neil Peart. I can see why he has been so successful and is loved.

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  3. Thank you for your review of Rick Mercer, it was interesting learning about him as a Canadian comedian, TV personality and author. I can see how he connects well with audiences.

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  4. My husband and I listened to the audiobook version of “Talking to Canadians” after reading your review of that book and loved it, even though we didn’t get every reference (not being Canadian). This one will go on our to-read lis, too.

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  5. My husband and I listened to the audiobook version of “Talking to Canadians” after reading your review of that book and loved it, even though we didn’t get every reference (not being Canadian). This one will go on our to-read lis, too.

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  6. Thanks all for your visits. If you do read it, I hope you enjoy it, too.

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  7. I love Rick Mercer, I could listen to him all day long. There's something about him that just feels like home to me - my Canadian family roots go back to 1600(ish) on my dads side, and on the other sides to the 1836, and 1900s. Proud Canadian here - my hubby's family is from Nova Scotia, and I have relatives from coast to coast here. Thanks for the intro to his book, sounds fabulous.

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  8. Rick Mercer is a great Canadian icon and we have enjoyed his brand of comedy for years as well. I have not read his books yet, but in the New Year I will definitely give them a read. Thanks for this recommendation Brenda!

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