I binge watched this show recently, thanks to Amazon.
20 minute episodes -- each a jewel. It becomes addictive. I couldn't stop watching them: "Just one more, please, sir!" There's not a single episode I didn't enjoy.
Firstly, just let me state that watching this made me realize that I don't smile much in my life, much less laugh. Life is hard. And it is often way too serious and unfunny. "SAD!" as the man who I shall not name says. But it is true, if pathetic.
In many ways and forms, this show deals with serious and very scary subjects: the loss of small towns, and small town life, across Canada and (if I may add) the United States. Due to economic, social, civil and other pressures, these tiny little places are disappearing and as we are informed (over and over again) this is not a good thing. It is not good for the people who live in these towns, and it very likely is not good for our society as a whole. In the process other topics such as racism, gender inequality, and slavery are touched upon. It's not like being hit on the head, but there is an undercurrent of morality in these shows, and it is good. Very good.
The show is informative and in each episode there is some history to be discovered. You learn things and that is always good as well. It is too tempting to live in our little caves, knowing only what we want to know and seeing only what we want to see.
But what really shines out brightly in this show are all the people living in these small towns. The people we meet thanks to the wonderful, marvelous, funny (not in a mean way but funny in a safe way, thank goodness) Jonny Harris.
Jonny Harris is a national treasure and in fact, after careful consideration, may be the most wonderful man on the planet. He is sweet in the true sense of the word: kind, funny, caring, charming, charismatic. He seems self-effacing and humble. His presence doesn't overwhelm you in this show. He treads lightly and lets others talk while he listens. Maybe this sweetness is his shtick as a stand-up comedian, but I want desperately to believe he is as he comes across.
I want to hit again on something I wrote earlier -- this is not mean, insulting and nasty comedy. I am so tired of people being mean to each other. You see it in a lot of current comedies and I do not find it funny at all. In fact, I don't tolerate it. Jonny Harris does not, I think, have a mean bone in his body. While his humor can be a bit cutting, it is clearly based in love and respect.
Jonny is also very generous, and he gives over much of each episode to other people... some of these people are funny, some of them are grumpy. They are old and young, smart, eloquent and often very, very thoughtful. They can be quirky. Some are artists. Some are hunters Some are entrepreneurs. They all are survivors. They are people caught in a vice of Change (Change with a capital C). Their way of life is disappearing and sadly, as most of them seem to understand all too well, that's pretty much set in stone. You can't fight progress. We all know that to be true.
We get to meet some amazing characters and it gives me hope that people like that still exist. They are living their lives as best they can, and we are able to share just a tiny bit of it with them as we watch Jonny talk (and listen).
The real reason to watch this, though, is Jonny Harris. He is simply brilliant. I first noticed him in the Murdoch Mysteries. What a wonderful piece of casting! I think he started out as comic relief but he is now an integral part of that series. What a joy it has been to discover this side of him. People are just so talented, aren't they? He does stand-up. He obviously can act. He plays musical instruments. He sings. He dances.
We're lucky to have him and this show. Watch it if you need to laugh.
As a final note, I find myself wondering about these towns we visit and the people we meet. Here it is, four years later and I can't help but be curious. How are they doing? Are things better or worse? Does optimism still thrive? Are they still smiling? I sincerely hope they are doing okay.
