Wednesday, December 31, 2008

My favourite memories of the Royal Canadian Air Farce

My first memory of the RCAF was hearing a late night show while camping when I was about 6 years old. I didn't get all the jokes, but that prompted me to question my Dad what was funny, and I learned some things. I think the show had a skit about a radio announcer in Quebec trying to work the word "separation" into the broadcast in EVERY possible way, e.g. when talking about brassieres.

Another one I didn't get until my Dad explained, was a skit where the provincial premieres were having lunch with the PM. Peter Lougheed wanted an apple pie - the whole pie, for himself. But everyone else wanted "a piece of that pie." When my Dad said the pie was really Alberta oil revenues, I began to understand. To this day whenever pie is shared at a family get-together, I'm reminded of that.

And who can forget the election that ended in a tie between a PC/Social Credit coalition and a Lib/NDP coalition - leaving the Honourable David J. Broadfoot, MP for Kicking Horse Pass, holding the sole balance in a single vote? "I abstain!"

That first show introduced me to political satire, and I've loved it my whole life. And that love reinforces my conviction that I can question anything and to keep an open mind. But that also means living with others of different opinion. They should be equally free to question me, and justify my own opinions. Tonight I'll have a drink to a new year of conflicting opinions and remember how precious that is, that it doesn't disappear.

IMHO I loved the old radio version better than the TC version, but the new cast members have really added a lot. Rick Mercer isn't what he used to be, but 22 Minutes seems to be holding its own. I think the RCAF departure leaves room for one more troupe.

Don't forget - tonight is the last RCAF show ever! Don't miss it.

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