'Memories are so fresh': Looking back at Corner Gas, 20 years after its debut
Jan. 22, 2004, remains a fateful day in Saskatchewan. As it marks the original debut of the hit sitcom Corner Gas.
Series creator and star Brent Butt caught up with CTV News to chat on the 20th anniversary of the story of Dog River, a typical Saskatchewan small town with “not a lot goin’ on.”
According to the comic, the last two decades have flown by.
“In a lot of ways, no it doesn't. I mean everything hurts. My hip hurts, my back hurts. In that way, I buy that it's been 20 years,” he remarked. “But also the memories are so fresh in my head. The memories of going to work every day and making this show with these amazing people is so fresh.”
The original series ran for six seasons and 107 episodes – spawning a movie as well as an animated series – which ran for four seasons.
“We all left that table read thinking, ‘Wow, I think this could I think this could be really good.’ The cast was amazing. I think the scripts were really well done. It just felt like at least we're going to make a good show whether or not anybody will watch. Who knows?” Butt explained.
“Certainly none of us expected that it was going to be this big, sort of juggernaut that millions of people watched.”
The series has aired in 60 countries and racked up a multitude of awards during its run.
Looking back Butt says his advice to his younger self in 2004 would be simple.
“I would say buckle up, buddy,” he laughed. “You're not going to believe what's happening. Because like I said, we didn't know that this show was going to have the success that it had and that it was going to resonate with people across the country and beyond.”
With years worth of fond memories on the set and with fellow cast members – Butt said there’s one moment at the very beginning of production that continues to stick out in his mind.
“We did the scouting and we selected the area where we were going to build the gas station. A few weeks later, I came back to that spot to sort of look at the construction of the site that was going on,” he explained.
“There was probably 20 guys building this structure and I thought to myself, ‘Oh man, this has got to work. There's no going back now, we've built the building,’” he laughed.
“So that moment really hit me. There was some gravity to that moment.”
The cast and crew of Corner Gas on location in Rouleau, Sask. (Source: Cornergas.com)
According to Butt, the series helped forge a family between the cast and crew.
“It really became familial. It's kind of a cliché you hear people say that all the time but we really became like a family and we still are to this day,” he said.
And it’s a family that simply wanted to do a good job – all the rest being extra.
“We just wanted to make a show that we were proud of,” Butt added. “The fact that it connected with a lot of people. That was just that was a real surprise. But a wonderful surprise.”
Butt’s full conversation can be viewed using the video player at the top of this story.
--With files from Sabeen Ahmad
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police
A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
DEVELOPING As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.'
Transport Minister to summon airline CEOs as Air Canada set to charge carry-on fees for some passengers
Transport Minister Anita Anand says she will be calling Canadian airline CEOs to a meeting in mid-December after Air Canada says it will charge some passengers for carry-on bags in the new year.
WATCH: Suspects armed with hammers hit Markham jewelry store
Six suspects are in custody in connection with a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in a Markham mall that was captured on video.
Why are some Canada Post outlets still open during CUPW strike?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
Mattel sued over 'Wicked' dolls with porn website link
Mattel was sued this week by a South Carolina mother for mistakenly putting a link to an adult film site on the packaging for its dolls tied to the movie 'Wicked.'
Mitch Marner to wear red and white Maple Leaf as Canada rounds out 4 Nations roster
Mitch Marner was among the 15 players added to Canada's roster for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament Wednesday.
French government toppled in historic no-confidence vote
French opposition lawmakers brought the government down on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a political crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and rein in a massive budget deficit.