TORONTO — CBC-TV's long-running comedy show Royal Canadian Air Farce is reaching the end of the road after 15 years on the air.
The producers of Air Farce have informed the cast and crew that there will be a truncated, 10-episode farewell season starting in the fall. The final show of the sketch comedy series will air on New Year's Eve.
Don Ferguson, one of the stars of Air Farce, speculated that the new regime of programming executives at the CBC likely felt the show had passed its prime, but said he was happy to move onto new things.
But he acknowledged others on the show, including Luba Goy, were upset that the show was ending its run.
Air Farce cast (From left to right)Craig Lauzon, Alan Park, Roger Abbott, Luba Goy, Don Ferguson, Jessica Holmes (Andrew MacNaughtan / CBC)
The show debuted on CBC Radio in December 1973 and boasted more than 600 radio broadcasts over 24 years before making the leap to television in 1993. Its last radio broadcast was in 1997.
In 2007, it returned to a live format with Air Farce Live.
No doubt...when it was Ferguson, Abbott, Goy and the elder statesmen, it was a top-notch show. Unfortunately, they tried to get younger and be "hipper" but the show never really kept up. It's unfortunate, but Mercer is just so far ahead of them all now...
Sadly, Air Farce makes MadTV look like Monty Python. Even if this ends up being another dumb April Fool's press release, Air Farce should look at hanging it up.
"Mike, From Canmore", "Get Stuffed!", the "4 Hosers In A Tim Hortons" sketches....all were gold. Roger Abbott's Chretien impersonation, Don Ferguson's Preston Manning..."I love that word REEEEEEEFOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMMMMM..."
Despite suggestions Tuesday that CBC cancelled the program, despite its 35 years on radio and TV, the truth is that creator/actor/producers Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson decided to call it quits while there was still life in the old war horse. Air Farce did not crash and burn in the ratings, nor was it grounded by pilot error. The decision was reached by mutual agreement between the producers and the network.
Despite suggestions Tuesday that CBC cancelled the program, despite its 35 years on radio and TV, the truth is that creator/actor/producers Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson decided to call it quits while there was still life in the old war horse. Air Farce did not crash and burn in the ratings, nor was it grounded by pilot error. The decision was reached by mutual agreement between the producers and the network.
Miked Up - "mutual agreement", or so they say. Just the way things are going at CBC these days, and reading between the lines of that press release, it sounds like management may have given 'Air Farce' a little nudge in the ribs and asked "so, are you guys still planning on hanging around, or what?" Hey - 15 years is a great run for any show. I think there was probably a season or two left in the old war horse, but as they say in showbiz, best to leave the audience wanting more.
I think they should still do their New Year's Eve specials...a Canadian institution! But I agree, the young ones changed the mix too much. Still...I'll miss 'em.
Jessica Holmes is about as funny as a cold sore. I agree, the whole "youth movement" kind of backfired. Seasonal specials aren't a bad idea. At least they'd have more time to come up with good material.
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Some great memories there...