Air Farce final show – Dec. 31

From a media release:

ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FARCE ENDS 16-YEAR RUN WITH AIR FARCE NEW YEAR’S EVE FINAL FLIGHT, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31, AT 8 P.M., ON CBC TELEVISION

After an unprecedented 16-year run on CBC Television, following two decades on CBC Radio, Royal Canadian Air Farce will be signing off with their annual New Year’s Eve Special.

Looking back over the politics and shenanigans of 2008, and predicting some of the major stories of 2009, AIR FARCE NEW YEAR’S EVE FINAL FLIGHT will be one of those not-to-be- missed shows in the annals of Canadian television. It airs Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m., on CBC Television.

“Our New Year’s Eve show is always the most popular,” said Roger Abbott, one of the troupe’s original members. “And we have the Chicken Cannon, so we’ll be going out with a bang. It’s been a great run—none of us ever envisioned doing this show for 16 seasons.”

Paying tribute to Air Farce’s achievement, CBC’s executive director of Network TV Programming, Kirstine Layfield said, “The Air Farce is a pioneering comedy show on CBC Television—the first of our political satire shows. Over the years, it has brought delight and insight to millions of Canadians. I want to thank Air Farce veterans Roger, Don and Luba, and everyone involved over the years with this wonderful show for their record-breaking contribution—they’ve kept us entertained for so long.”

In this farewell special, Air Farce will take a fresh look at some of the top stories of 2008: besides Ottawa’s political chaos with Harper, Dion and Ignatieff, expect to see Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, James Bond, ‘Guitar Hero’, the faltering economy, and much more, all served up in inimitable Air Farce style. There will be an up-dated film classic, It’s A Wonderful Investment, and the legendary donut shop will open one last time.

“We’ve invited some Canadian icons to help send us off in style,” said Don Ferguson. “We’ll have guest appearances from Ron MacLean and Peter Mansbridge, and cameo visits from Air Farce veteran Dave Broadfoot, Margaret Atwood and Johnny Bower!”

The show will end with the traditional firing of the Chicken Cannon, when 2008’s most odious newsmaker is splattered in a reeking mess. And then, Roger Abbott, Don Ferguson, Luba Goy, Jessica Holmes, Craig Lauzon, Alan Park and Penelope Corrin will bid the audience a final adieu.

Some Air Farce Facts:

On CBC Radio:
Dec. 9, 1973 to May 25, 1997 (612 episodes)

New Year’s Eve Specials:
Dec. 31, 1992 to Dec. 31, 2008 (16 specials)

Friday Night Series:
Friday, Oct. 8, 1993 to Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 (332 episodes)