What Is This Hour Has 22 Minutes All About?
This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a Canadian satirical news and sketch comedy television show that has been airing since 1993. Produced by the CBC, it is one of the longest-running comedy programs in Canadian television history. The show blends political satire, fake news reports, interviews, sketches, and street segments to poke fun at national and global events. It has become a staple of Canadian culture, offering a comedic lens through which viewers digest the weekly news. Unlike traditional news programs, 22 Minutes doesn’t just report events—it critiques them, lampoons them, and often skewers the powerful people behind them.
From its earliest episodes, the show has positioned itself as a sharp and irreverent voice in Canadian media. With its clever writing, bold performances, and unapologetic tone, 22 Minutes set out not just to entertain, but to hold leaders accountable and reflect the absurdities of public life. It manages to do this with a tone that is both intelligent and accessible, appealing to a wide range of viewers across generations. At its best, it delivers biting commentary with enough humor to inspire laughter, while also provoking serious thought.
Who Were the Original Cast Members and What Made Them Special?
The original cast of This Hour Has 22 Minutes included Mary Walsh, Cathy Jones, Rick Mercer, and Greg Thomey. These four performers came together to create a unique chemistry that helped define the tone and identity of the show. Each brought their own comedic style and regional perspective, representing different parts of Canada and contributing to the show’s pan-national appeal. Mary Walsh, with her alter ego Marg Delahunty—”Princess Warrior”—became especially iconic. Clad in a Valkyrie costume, she would ambush politicians and public figures in real-life interviews, fearlessly mocking them with sharp wit and a booming voice.
Rick Mercer quickly emerged as a standout, particularly for his rants, in which he walked through alleyways delivering rapid-fire monologues about political issues. His writing was fast, furious, and focused, becoming a model for political comedy in Canada. Cathy Jones took on a wide variety of characters, often challenging gender roles and societal norms with subversive humor. Greg Thomey brought a dry, understated energy to his segments, rounding out the dynamic group. Together, they created a foundation that allowed the show to thrive and evolve over decades.
How Did the Show Change the Way Canadians View Politics?
One of the greatest strengths of This Hour Has 22 Minutes is its ability to demystify politics. By turning political discourse into comedy, the show makes complex or frustrating issues more understandable and engaging. Viewers are not only informed, but entertained, often learning more about current events through satire than from traditional news sources. The show strips away the jargon, hypocrisy, and pretense of political life and replaces it with clear, comedic critique.
In a country where political engagement can sometimes feel low-stakes compared to other parts of the world, 22 Minutes keeps the conversation alive. It reminds viewers that political decisions have real consequences and that public figures should be held accountable—even if through laughter. Through sketches, fake newscasts, and character bits, it creates a shared language of political commentary. And unlike other comedy shows, which may shy away from local content, 22 Minutes leans into it, making jokes about provincial politics, municipal scandals, and Canadian cultural quirks.
What Sets Its Comedy Apart from American Satire?
While often compared to American programs like The Daily Show or Saturday Night Live, This Hour Has 22 Minutes has a distinctly Canadian flavor. Its humor is less aggressive and more self-deprecating. It’s not interested in creating media sensations or going viral for shock value. Instead, it thrives on subtle irony, clever wordplay, and character-driven sketches that reflect the country’s sensibilities. The tone is often more inclusive, allowing for critique without vilification. Canadian satire tends to punch up without becoming cruel, and 22 Minutes embodies that ethos.
The show also deals with the unique political and cultural landscape of Canada, which doesn’t always translate well to international audiences. From bilingualism and health care to Indigenous rights and climate policy, the show digs into topics that are highly specific to Canadian life. It also pokes fun at how Canadians see themselves—often as polite, overlooked, or stuck in the shadow of their southern neighbor. That introspection, mixed with humor, creates a space where Canadians can both laugh at and appreciate their national identity.
How Has the Cast Evolved Over Time?
As the original cast members began to move on, 22 Minutes ushered in a new generation of performers. Writers and comedians like Shaun Majumder, Susan Kent, Mark Critch, and Cathy Jones (who stayed for many years) kept the spirit of the show alive while injecting new perspectives. With each cast change, the show evolved to reflect contemporary issues and sensibilities. The new cast members brought in fresh characters, different sketch styles, and updated formats that kept the show feeling modern.
The rotating cast has allowed the series to stay responsive to the times. For example, newer members have brought increased attention to issues of diversity, gender, and race. This reflects not only shifts in Canadian society but also changes in what audiences expect from comedy. Yet, despite the changes, the show has maintained its core mission: to critique power through humor and tell Canadian stories with intelligence and irreverence. The ability to retain this mission while adjusting to modern tastes is a key reason for its longevity.
How Has the Show Handled Major Political Events?
Throughout its long run, This Hour Has 22 Minutes has covered nearly every significant political event in Canada and many abroad. From the Quebec referendums and federal elections to the rise of populism and the COVID-19 pandemic, the show has consistently offered a comedic take on serious issues. It has mocked party leaders, dissected budget announcements, and satirized parliamentary debates. What makes this approach so effective is its ability to find humor in the contradictions and absurdities of governance.
Rather than simply mocking politicians, the show often highlights the deeper ironies in their rhetoric and behavior. When a leader makes a bold claim and later contradicts it, the show doesn’t just play the clip—they construct a narrative around it that exposes the pattern of deception. During crises, such as the pandemic, 22 Minutes offered viewers a form of comic relief that helped alleviate anxiety while still pointing fingers at bureaucratic missteps. Its political sketches, while humorous, often feel like truth-telling in a way that news reports do not.
What Role Does Regional Humor Play in Its Success?
One of the unique features of This Hour Has 22 Minutes is its embrace of regional humor. The show originated in Newfoundland and Labrador, and that cultural flavor still permeates many sketches. The use of accents, rural settings, and coastal sensibilities allows the show to represent parts of Canada that are often underrepresented in mainstream media. By including content that speaks to small towns, remote communities, and regional dialects, the show paints a fuller picture of the country.
This regional focus isn’t limiting; instead, it adds authenticity and warmth. Viewers from urban centers might laugh at the contrast, while those from rural areas see themselves represented. This inclusivity fosters a sense of national cohesion. It’s a comedy that reaches across the Rockies, Prairies, Maritimes, and territories, connecting Canadians through shared laughter. At the same time, it remains unafraid to tease those very regions, always walking the line between mockery and affection.
What Are Some Memorable Moments from the Show?
Over the decades, This Hour Has 22 Minutes has produced a wealth of memorable moments. One of the most talked-about was when Mary Walsh, as Marg Delahunty, confronted Toronto Mayor Rob Ford at his home. The resulting incident made headlines and sparked debate over satire’s place in public discourse. Rick Mercer’s rants, especially one that urged young people to vote, were widely shared and credited with increasing political engagement among youth.
There have also been sketches that took aim at Canadian bureaucracy, the monarchy, U.S.-Canada relations, and even Canadian pop culture. Whether it’s parodying heritage minutes, mocking CBC’s budget woes, or satirizing celebrity scandals, the show has consistently found the funny in the familiar. Its ability to blend timeless humor with timely references is what allows these sketches to resonate long after they first air.
How Has the Show Adapted to a Changing Media Landscape?
In today’s media environment, where streaming platforms and viral videos dominate, traditional television faces enormous pressure. This Hour Has 22 Minutes has managed to stay relevant by adapting its content for digital consumption. Clips are regularly posted on social media, and the show maintains an active presence on platforms like YouTube and Twitter. This online reach allows it to connect with younger viewers who may not watch broadcast TV but are interested in satire and political comedy.
At the same time, the show has remained true to its roots. It continues to be filmed before a live audience and retains its sketch-and-news format. Rather than trying to chase trends, the show focuses on quality writing, relevant topics, and strong performances. This consistency builds trust with long-time viewers while the digital outreach brings in a newer audience. In an age of rapid media turnover, the show’s ability to evolve without losing its identity is a remarkable achievement.
Why Does This Hour Has 22 Minutes Still Matter?
This Hour Has 22 Minutes remains relevant because it addresses the issues Canadians care about with honesty and humor. It provides a space where politics, culture, and media are examined through a satirical lens, inviting audiences to question authority while enjoying a good laugh. Its commitment to intelligent comedy, rooted in real-world events, makes it more than just a sketch show—it is a barometer of Canadian society.
For over 30 years, the show has weathered changes in government, media, and public opinion. It has outlasted trends, navigated controversy, and adapted to a rapidly changing cultural landscape. And through it all, it has remained fiercely Canadian, proud to lampoon its own people and institutions. In doing so, it has earned a permanent place in the hearts of viewers and a significant spot in the history of television. More than just a show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a national conversation—funny, flawed, and completely necessary.
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