Canada is often known as our laid-back neighbors to the north. They don’t crave the spotlight, don’t have an obsessive need to be #1 and it often appears that their national motto could be “relax, eh.”
But the Vancouver Olympics showed us a different, more competitive side to this nation, and Sunday night’s closing ceremony, less than two hours after the Canadians captured the coveted gold medal in men’s hockey, reminded us that a lot of celebs hail from Canada — and they are pretty funny, too.
The always hilarious Catherine O’Hara — best known to some as the kooky redhead in Christopher Guest’s films, to others as Macaulay Culkin’s mom in Home Alone — made an entertaining entrance at the ceremony with the help of two curlers who “swept” her path clear as she jokingly barked orders while walking forward in heels.
She then poked fun at Canada’s rather apologetic nature, announcing, “We’re sorry you can’t stay with us forever. No, we’re not. We just like to say we’re sorry.”
O’Hara took part in the “I am Canadian” section of the spectacle, which included appearances from William Shatner, Michael J. Fox, Michael Buble and others, and was named for the popular Molson beer slogan of the mid-1990s.
According to the New York Daily News, Shatner kicked off the segment by announcing “I’m Bill and I’m proud to be Canadian.” The Star Trek star then jokingly referred to Canada as the “final frontier” and that its citizens should be proud because they are “people who know how to make love in a canoe.”
Michael Buble, meanwhile, treated fans to his signature silky sound, but according to MTV amusingly came out dressed as a Canadian Mountie before ripping off the ensemble to reveal a white tux underneath.
The closing ceremony even humorously atoned for its opening ceremony error, when one of four Olympic cauldron legs failed to rise due to a technical snafu. According to TV Guide, a mime wearing an electric tool belt successfully “fixed” the leg, allowing speed skater Catriona LeMay Doan to finally light the flame she was denied two weeks ago.
Sunday’s closing ceremony capped off an emotional, memorable and much-watched two weeks worth of Olympic games. It was quite a ride.
Thank you, Canada, for your gracious hospitality, and for reminding us that we’re pretty lucky we’ve got you right next door, eh.
Photo by Sue and Marty via Flickr.
