U.S. election meets Canadian wit in 22 Minutes comedy special

This Hour Has 22 Minutes has done it again. A special double-length episode looking ahead to the imminent U.S. election just dropped on CBC Gem at 7 pm ET and it is a banger. 

The episode features the award-winning ensemble cast including Aba Amuquandoh, Stacey McGunnigle, Trent McClellan, Chris Wilson and Mark Critch in studio. We will also see comedy news correspondents Dan Dillabough, Clare Belford and Abdullah Usman as they crisscross the United States to cover all the major issues and antics. 

Are Americans less concerned about this election than the last?

"I feel like people are a lot more blasé about it, in a way," says Dillabough who's had a front-row seat at election rallies and events, "maybe Trump has just been around so long, he's like the Nickelback of American politics. He's just worn everyone down and many have reluctantly started to embrace him. Shockingly."

Dillabough witnessed the insanity first-hand at a JD Vance (Trump's running mate) rally where he chatted with some of the attendees — and asked about finding a date. 

"I think if people agree to talk to me, it's usually because they have a lot on their mind and they really want the world to know about it, he says, "the bigger challenge is to get people to STOP talking!" 

He's met all kinds of characters in his travels, but the most memorable was a man from Toronto who didn't know who Justin Trudeau was. "I remember thinking, "What wouldn't I give to trade places with that man for just one day." I mean, a Canadian guy from Toronto! A very disengaged man. I thought that was funny!"

How are American elections different from ours?

There's no question that American politicians are more popular than Canadian ones, even here at home. "Americans do huge drawn-out campaigns that take over the news cycle for years. There's just more to make fun of in American politics because there's more exposure to it all," says Chris Wilson who's known for his sharp portrayals of Canadian politicians and rivals Pierre Pollievre AND Justin Trudeau. 

Wilson tries to incorporate real things his character might say and do in his impersonations. "I love playing Trudeau as the kind of person who is really into martial arts and might say the phrase 'huzzah' casually." It's that kind of absurdity-meets-relatability that makes his impersonations so viral. 

But all jest aside, he doesn't believe Canada is headed down a similar political road. "It's tough to imagine Canada ever embracing a truly Trumpian figure," says Dillabough. "We don't have this kind of massively right-wing mediascape that turns normal conservatives into insane grievance monsters. I feel like if a Trump started to rear his head, we would just nip it in the bud." 

Why is political satire an important part of the conversation?

Both feel that political satire plays a crucial (and hilarious) role in democracy. 

Politics can be so boring and tough to connect with, especially for a young person," says Dillabough, one of the cast's youngest members. "I don't think a show like ours will give you an education in politics or anything, but hopefully it's at least kicking the door open. It's a way in."

Where can I watch the episode?

Watch the U.S. Election Special from This Hour Has 22 Minutes on CBC Gem now.