TORONTO – CTV is celebrating the 10th anniversary of popular homegrown series Corner Gas with a special broadcast of its first and last episodes on January 25 at 9:00 and 9:30 PM ET.
It was on Thursday, January 22, 2004 that 1.15 million viewers had their first taste of the comedy about a bunch of nobodies who got up to a whole lot of nothing in the fictional prairie town of Dog River, Saskatchewan. The popular series would continue for six seasons and 107 episodes, ending on a high when a record-breaking 3.02 million viewers tuned into the series finale on April 13, 2009.
Originally developed by Brent Butt for CTV and The Comedy Network, Corner Gas began production in the summer of 2003 and its premiere was supported by a weighty PR and promotional push, headlined by the ‘Corner Gas Free Gas Giveaway Event’, which saw $15,000 worth of free gas given to the first 400 cars at a downtown Toronto gas bar.
The series, which aired in over two dozen countries worldwide, went on to spawn two chart-topping books, sold-out comedy tours, a line of clothing and merchandise, a series of DVDs, a Christmas special and song, several notable guest stars, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and a thriving tourist industry in Rouleau, Saskatchewan.
Corner Gas has been nominated more than 80 times for awards that include an International Emmy, Gemini Awards, Leo Awards, Director's Guild of Canada Awards, Canadian Screenwriting Awards, and Canadian Comedy Awards. The series won six Gemini Awards, including Best Comedy Series.
Encore broadcasts of Corner Gas currently air Monday – Friday at 9:00 and 9:30 AM ET/PT on CTV Two and Monday – Friday at 4:00 PM ET/PT on Comedy.
www.ctv.ca
