Season Review: Corner Gas Animated Season Four

 

 

This week a fire destroyed the iconic grain elevator that represented the Corner Gas television show for over 17 years. The structure formerly stood in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, where most of the original live-action series was filmed. Labelled with the fictional town’s name, Dog River, the grain elevator appeared in the opening credits and many establishing shots throughout the series.

The fire is symbolic in its timeliness. The recognizable tower burnt to the ground the same week that Corner Gas Animated had aired its final episode. The cartoon remake of the beloved Canadian sitcom had been holding down the franchise’s reigns while adding nearly 50 more episodes to the already impressive catalogue. With the show’s series finale and the loss of such an irreplaceable set-piece to the franchise, it seems as if Corner Gas has stopped the pumps for good this time around.

Inarguably, Corner Gas has been the most successful sitcom to come out of Canada. The live-action series first aired in 2004 and went on to be aired across 26 countries. Over 107 episodes, Corner Gas cleaned up on multiple accolades, including Gemini Awards and Canadian Comedy Awards. The show spawned more than an animated remake; there was also a full-length feature film, comedy tours, and even a live episode.

Corner Gas features comedian Brent Butt as owner/operator of a gas station in the most rural town in the middle of Saskatchewan. The series explores life in the fictional town of Dog River, where life is as simple as it gets. Honestly, Corner Gas is more a show about nothing than Seinfeld. But much like the popular American sitcom, the series is driven by witty dialogue and real-world situations.

Corner Gas Animated premiered in December 2016, over 7 years after the release of the original live-action series ended. And while that first season managed to rekindle the love for such a cherished franchise, the subsequent seasons have taken Corner Gas to new places.

Advantageously, the show learned to utilize its new animated format. Incorporating unrealistic set pieces and additional scenes, which would have been impossible with the limitations of live-action filming, became the standard. Flashbacks, cut scenes, and elaborate costumes slowly became the norm in Corner Gas Animated. The cartoon spin-off soon established itself as something unique from its more successful predecessor.

As the animated sitcom ended its third season, it seemed as if Corner Gas was once again at the top of their game. Unfortunately, it only made what came next all that more surprising. Earlier this year, with the announcement of the fourth season, showrunner and star Brent Butt shared the disappointing news that it would be the last.

Thankfully, the unfortunate news did not stop Corner Gas Animated from delivering one of its best seasons. Highlights include Brent jumping from an airplane, a spooky Halloween episode, and one heck of a corn maze. Season four did not fail to take the typically formulaic story structure to new places repeatedly over the 13 episodes.

The show also managed to squeeze in some last big-name guest stars, as is traditional. The list of Corner Gas guest appearances is a literal who’s-who of Canadian celebrities. Aside from every acting Prime Minister having a cameo, guests include Michael J. Fox, Chris Hadfield, and Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart. Season four upped the ante bringing in the likes of Rick Mercer, Simu Liu, and Kim Coates. And as far as cameos go, the show may have saved the best for last, as A-list Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds arrives in the series finale.

Speaking of the series finale, it did do justice to wrapping up an entire franchise. Aside from the Grade-A guest star, the episode took the ending seriously. The story involves the in-universe restaurant, The Ruby, burning down. Fitting, as The Ruby, and its owner, Lacey, have always been the audience guide into Dog River and its wacky residents. But additionally, the episode gives each of its main characters the chance to evaluate their lives and what they would do differently if given the opportunity.

The series ends on the note that life in Dog River will never change as Lacey reopens her local eatery. It leaves the doors open for future projects, which is brilliant considering the franchise’s phoenix-like penchant for returning. However, as mentioned above, this is most likely the very end. Corner Gas has almost no media left to explore, aside from potentially a comic book series (Brent Butt does have the skills to pull such a task off.)

Truthfully, as sad as it is that this brilliant comedy will not be returning, CTV may have made the best call for the animated sitcom. As stated, the show was at the top of its game. More than a couple of sitcoms would have been wiser to end at a fourth season, at least in hindsight. For the monumental achievements that Corner Gas has had, it deserves to end on a high note. And it likely will, as it rakes in a few last awards come to the circuit next year.

As a reviewer for Bubbleblabber, Corner Gas Animated was one of my first assignments all those years ago. I have had the fortune to review every one of the 48-episodes and converse with show creator Brent Butt, on more than one occasion. It is tough to say goodbye to this grounded and consistent series. However, like everyone else, I am thankful that the series was there, to begin with, and we got to enjoy it while it lasted.

Thankfully, season four is full of great moments and is likely the best collection of episodes from the cartoon Dog River. The only thing we can hope for now is that Canadian animation continues to progress forward. This show has laid the groundwork for adult-aimed cartoons to be successful in the great white North. Television may not be the same without Corner Gas. Still, it is undoubtedly better for having existed in the first place.

Congratulations to Corner Gas on another successful season and for being one of the best sitcoms ever produced in the country.