The Road Years
A Memoir, Continued . . .
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $32.58
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Rick Mercer
-
Written by:
-
Rick Mercer
About this listen
THE INSTANT #1 BESTSELLER
At the end of his memoir Talking to Canadians, Rick Mercer was poised to make the biggest leap yet in his extraordinary career. Having overcome a serious lack of promise as a schoolboy and risen through the showbiz ranks—as an aspiring actor, star of a surprisingly successful one-man show about the Meech Lake Accord, co-founder of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, creator and star of the dark-comedy sitcom Made in Canada—he was about to tackle his biggest opportunity yet.
The Road Years picks up the story at that exciting point, with the greenlighting of what would become Rick Mercer Report. Plans for the show, of course, included political satire and Rick’s patented rants. But Rick and his partner, Gerald Lunz, were also determined to do something that comedy tends to avoid as too challenging: they would emphasize the positive. Rick would travel from coast to coast to coast in search of everything that’s best about Canada, especially its people. He found a lot to celebrate, naturally, and was rewarded with a huge audience and a run of 15 seasons.
The Road Years tells the inside story of that stupendous success. A time when Rick was heading to another town—or military base, sports centre, national park—to try dogsledding, chainsaw carving, and bear tagging; hang from a harness (a lot); ride the “Train of Death;” plus countless other joyous and/or reckless assignments.
Added to the mix were encounters with the country’s great. Every living prime minister. Rock and roll royalty from Rush to Randy Bachman. Olympians and Paralympians. A skinny-dipping Bob Rae. And Jann Arden, of course, who gets a chapter to herself. Along the way he even found the time to visit several countries in Africa and co-found and champion the charity Spread the Net, which has gone on to protect the lives of millions.
Join the celebration, and revive a wealth of happy memories, with what is Rick Mercer’s funniest, most fascinating book yet.
©2023 Penguin Random House (P)2023 Doubleday CanadaYou may also enjoy...
-
Talking to Canadians
- A Memoir
- Written by: Rick Mercer
- Narrated by: Rick Mercer
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What is Rick Mercer going to do now? That was the question on everyone's lips when the beloved comedian retired his hugely successful TV show after 15 seasons - and at the peak of its popularity. The answer came not long after, when he roared back in a new role as stand-up-comedian, playing to sold-out houses wherever he appeared. And then COVID-19 struck. And his legions of fans began asking again: What is Rick Mercer going to do now? Well, for one thing, he's been writing a comic masterpiece.
-
-
Don't pay for someone to scream at you for 10 hrs.
- By Kiki on 2022-01-09
Written by: Rick Mercer
-
Rick Mercer Final Report
- Written by: Rick Mercer
- Narrated by: Rick Mercer
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rick Mercer can always be relied on to provoke a strong reaction - but what he said one fall day in 2017 truly shocked Canada. In a rant posted on social media, the great Canadian satirist announced loud and clear that the 15th season of the Rick Mercer Report - the nation's best-watched and best-loved comedy show - would be the last. This volume brings together never-before-published rants from the last five seasons of the show, plus a selection of the very best rants from earlier years.
-
-
A newer, truly Canadian satirist.
- By GDokk on 2018-11-13
Written by: Rick Mercer
-
Off the Record
- Written by: Peter Mansbridge
- Narrated by: Peter Mansbridge
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Peter Mansbridge invites us to walk the beat with him in this entertaining and revealing look into his life and career, from his early broadcasting days in the remote Northern Manitoba community of Churchill to the fast-paced news desk of CBC’s flagship show, The National, where he reported on stories from around the world.
-
-
A Stellar Read!
- By Ron on 2021-10-31
Written by: Peter Mansbridge
-
If I Knew Then
- Finding Wisdom in Failure and Power in Aging
- Written by: Jann Arden
- Narrated by: Jann Arden
- Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Digging deep into her strengths, her failures and her losses, Jann Arden brings us an inspiring account of how she has surprised herself, in her fifties, by at last becoming completely her own person. Like many women, it took Jann a long time to realize that trying to be pleasing and likeable and beautiful in the eyes of others was a loser's game. Letting it rip, and damning the consequences, is not only liberating, it's a hell of a lot of fun: "Being the age I am—that so many women are—is just the best time of my life."
-
-
I wish it was longer!!
- By Amazon Customer on 2020-10-27
Written by: Jann Arden
-
The Bittlemores
- Written by: Jann Arden
- Narrated by: Jann Arden
- Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On mean Harp Bittlemore’s blighted farm, hidden away in the Backhills, nothing has gone right for a very long time. Crops don’t grow, the pigs and chickens stay skinny and the three aged dairy cows, Berle, Crilla and Dally, are so desperate they are plotting an escape. The one thing holding them back is the thought of abandoning young Willa, the single bright point in their life since her older sister, Margaret, ran away. But Willa Bittlemore, just turning 14, is planning her own rebellion.
-
-
Would benefit from a professional audio performer
- By SuziQP on 2023-11-10
Written by: Jann Arden
-
Son of a Critch
- A Childish Newfoundland Memoir
- Written by: Mark Critch
- Narrated by: Mark Critch
- Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What could be better than growing up in the 1980s? How about growing up in 1980s Newfoundland, which—as Mark Critch will tell you—was more like the 1960s. Take a trip to where it all began in this funny and warm look back on his formative years.
-
-
Like having Critch riding shotgun!
- By Anonymous User on 2018-12-05
Written by: Mark Critch
-
Talking to Canadians
- A Memoir
- Written by: Rick Mercer
- Narrated by: Rick Mercer
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What is Rick Mercer going to do now? That was the question on everyone's lips when the beloved comedian retired his hugely successful TV show after 15 seasons - and at the peak of its popularity. The answer came not long after, when he roared back in a new role as stand-up-comedian, playing to sold-out houses wherever he appeared. And then COVID-19 struck. And his legions of fans began asking again: What is Rick Mercer going to do now? Well, for one thing, he's been writing a comic masterpiece.
-
-
Don't pay for someone to scream at you for 10 hrs.
- By Kiki on 2022-01-09
Written by: Rick Mercer
-
Rick Mercer Final Report
- Written by: Rick Mercer
- Narrated by: Rick Mercer
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rick Mercer can always be relied on to provoke a strong reaction - but what he said one fall day in 2017 truly shocked Canada. In a rant posted on social media, the great Canadian satirist announced loud and clear that the 15th season of the Rick Mercer Report - the nation's best-watched and best-loved comedy show - would be the last. This volume brings together never-before-published rants from the last five seasons of the show, plus a selection of the very best rants from earlier years.
-
-
A newer, truly Canadian satirist.
- By GDokk on 2018-11-13
Written by: Rick Mercer
-
Off the Record
- Written by: Peter Mansbridge
- Narrated by: Peter Mansbridge
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Peter Mansbridge invites us to walk the beat with him in this entertaining and revealing look into his life and career, from his early broadcasting days in the remote Northern Manitoba community of Churchill to the fast-paced news desk of CBC’s flagship show, The National, where he reported on stories from around the world.
-
-
A Stellar Read!
- By Ron on 2021-10-31
Written by: Peter Mansbridge
-
If I Knew Then
- Finding Wisdom in Failure and Power in Aging
- Written by: Jann Arden
- Narrated by: Jann Arden
- Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Digging deep into her strengths, her failures and her losses, Jann Arden brings us an inspiring account of how she has surprised herself, in her fifties, by at last becoming completely her own person. Like many women, it took Jann a long time to realize that trying to be pleasing and likeable and beautiful in the eyes of others was a loser's game. Letting it rip, and damning the consequences, is not only liberating, it's a hell of a lot of fun: "Being the age I am—that so many women are—is just the best time of my life."
-
-
I wish it was longer!!
- By Amazon Customer on 2020-10-27
Written by: Jann Arden
-
The Bittlemores
- Written by: Jann Arden
- Narrated by: Jann Arden
- Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On mean Harp Bittlemore’s blighted farm, hidden away in the Backhills, nothing has gone right for a very long time. Crops don’t grow, the pigs and chickens stay skinny and the three aged dairy cows, Berle, Crilla and Dally, are so desperate they are plotting an escape. The one thing holding them back is the thought of abandoning young Willa, the single bright point in their life since her older sister, Margaret, ran away. But Willa Bittlemore, just turning 14, is planning her own rebellion.
-
-
Would benefit from a professional audio performer
- By SuziQP on 2023-11-10
Written by: Jann Arden
-
Son of a Critch
- A Childish Newfoundland Memoir
- Written by: Mark Critch
- Narrated by: Mark Critch
- Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What could be better than growing up in the 1980s? How about growing up in 1980s Newfoundland, which—as Mark Critch will tell you—was more like the 1960s. Take a trip to where it all began in this funny and warm look back on his formative years.
-
-
Like having Critch riding shotgun!
- By Anonymous User on 2018-12-05
Written by: Mark Critch
-
Canada
- Written by: Mike Myers
- Narrated by: Mike Myers
- Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Comedy superstar Mike Myers writes from the (true patriot) heart about his 53-year relationship with his beloved Canada. Mike Myers is a world-renowned actor, director and writer and the man behind some of the most memorable comic characters of our time. But, as he says, "No description of me is truly complete without saying I'm a Canadian". He has often winked and nodded to Canada in his outrageously accomplished body of work, but now he turns the spotlight full-beam on his homeland.
-
-
Love Mike Myers but...
- By Jardinpetitbasin on 2021-04-03
Written by: Mike Myers
-
Being Henry
- The Fonz . . . and Beyond
- Written by: Henry Winkler
- Narrated by: Henry Winkler
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
-
-
His hardship in getting parts
- By Lynn H. on 2024-01-08
Written by: Henry Winkler
-
An Embarrassment of Critch's
- Immature Stories from My Grown-Up Life
- Written by: Mark Critch
- Narrated by: Mark Critch
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of Mark Critch's earliest acting gigs was in a Newfoundland tourist production alongside a cast of displaced fishery workers. Since, he's found increasing opportunities to take his show on the road. In An Embarrassment of Critch's, the star of CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes revisits some of his career's - and the country's - biggest moments, revealing all the things you might not know happened along the way.
-
-
Hilarious
- By Donna on 2023-10-18
Written by: Mark Critch
-
Making It So
- A Memoir
- Written by: Patrick Stewart
- Narrated by: Patrick Stewart
- Length: 18 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From his acclaimed stage triumphs to his legendary onscreen work in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises, Sir Patrick Stewart has captivated audiences around the world and across multiple generations with his indelible command of stage and screen. Now, he presents his long-awaited memoir, Making It So, a revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself.
-
-
Such an incredible voice to listen to.
- By ShawAngel on 2023-10-05
Written by: Patrick Stewart
-
A Newfoundlander in Canada
- Always Going Somewhere, Always Coming Home
- Written by: Alan Doyle
- Narrated by: Alan Doyle
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Often in a van, sometimes in a bus, occasionally in a car with broken wipers "using Bob's belt and a rope found by Paddy's Pond" to pull them back and forth, Alan and his bandmates charted new territory, and he constantly measured what he saw of the vast country against what his forefathers once called the Daemon Canada. In a period punctuated by triumphant leaps forward for the band, deflating steps backward, and everything in between.
-
-
Entertaining from start to finish
- By Simon Da Silva on 2020-01-16
Written by: Alan Doyle
-
No Time Like the Future
- An Optimist Considers Mortality
- Written by: Michael J. Fox
- Narrated by: Michael J. Fox
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future; as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties; as Mike Flaherty in Spin City; and through numerous other movie roles and guest appearances on shows such as The Good Wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Diagnosed at age 29, Michael is equally engaged in Parkinson’s advocacy work, raising global awareness of the disease and helping find a cure through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, the world's leading nonprofit funder of PD science.
-
-
A Canadian Hero
- By Dr4star on 2021-04-07
Written by: Michael J. Fox
-
My Name Is Barbra
- Written by: Barbra Streisand
- Narrated by: Barbra Streisand
- Length: 48 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Barbra Streisand is by any account a living legend, a woman who in a career spanning six decades has excelled in every area of entertainment. She is among the handful of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) and has one of the greatest and most recognizable voices in the history of popular music. She has been nominated for a Grammy 46 times, and with Yentl she became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major motion picture. In My Name Is Barbra, she tells her own story about her life and extraordinary career.
-
-
Uggh.......
- By Anonymous User on 2023-11-18
Written by: Barbra Streisand
-
My Effin' Life
- Written by: Geddy Lee
- Narrated by: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Cliff Burnstein
- Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Geddy Lee is one of rock and roll's most respected bassists. For nearly five decades, his playing and work as co-writer, vocalist and keyboardist has been an essential part of the success story of Canadian progressive rock trio Rush. Here for the first time is his account of life inside and outside the band.
-
-
You move me, you move me
- By Jon D'Alessandro on 2023-11-19
Written by: Geddy Lee
-
I Must Say
- My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
- Written by: Martin Short
- Narrated by: Martin Short
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Martin Short takes you on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live and memorable roles in movies such as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride.
-
-
Nothing Short of Spectacular!
- By Justin Lahey on 2020-01-27
Written by: Martin Short
-
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
- A Memoir
- Written by: Matthew Perry
- Narrated by: Matthew Perry
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The beloved star of Friends takes us behind the scenes of the hit sitcom and his struggles with addiction in this candid, funny, and revelatory memoir that delivers a powerful message of hope and persistence. In an extraordinary story that only he could tell, Matthew Perry takes listeners onto the soundstage of the most successful sitcom of all time while opening up about his private struggles with addiction. Candid, self-aware, and told with his trademark humor, Perry vividly details his lifelong battle with the disease and what fueled it despite seemingly having it all.
-
-
so disappointed
- By Cristy on 2022-11-13
Written by: Matthew Perry
-
So, Anyway...
- Written by: John Cleese
- Narrated by: John Cleese
- Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The legendary writer and performer of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fame takes listeners on a grand tour of his ascent in the entertainment world John Cleese’s huge comedic influence has stretched across generations; his sharp irreverent eye and the unique brand of physical comedy he perfected now seem written into comedy’s DNA. In this rollicking memoir, Cleese recalls his humble beginnings in a sleepy English town, his early comedic days at Cambridge University (with future Python partner Graham Chapman), and the founding of the landmark comedy troupe.
-
-
excellent, as expected.
- By Zenith VCR on 2019-11-13
Written by: John Cleese
-
Feeding My Mother
- Comfort and Laughter in the Kitchen as My Mom Lives with Memory Loss
- Written by: Jann Arden
- Narrated by: Jann Arden
- Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jann Arden moved in to a house just across the way from her parents in rural Alberta to be close to them but also so they could be her refuge from the demands of the music business and a performing career. Funny how time works. Since her dad died in 2015, Jann cooks for her mom five or six times a week. Her mom finds comfort in her daughter's kitchen, not just in the delicious food but also just sitting with her as she cooks. And Jann finds some peace in caring for her mom, even as her mom slowly becomes a stranger.
-
-
Good Message but not a captivating story
- By Tanya Vanden Berg on 2018-09-13
Written by: Jann Arden
What the critics say
"[The Road Years] tells the story of the success of The Rick Mercer Report and all the great encounters and other adventures that making the show allowed Rick Mercer to experience. It's a celebration of happy moments told in Mercer's trademark positivism and humour"—CBC Books
What listeners say about The Road Years
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Liz C
- 2024-02-14
RMR memories
it is very interesting to hear the back story of so many RMR memories. Rick summation of what it means to be Canadian is accurate in so many ways. There amazing people in this country
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cheryl Martin
- 2023-11-04
Great read and very informative .
I love it when the author read their books as you can feel their passion about their story. Lots of interesting, thought provoking stories which I’m sure Rick has an abundance of. Looking forward to a sequel.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Henry Lise
- 2023-11-10
Being Canadian
Love Mercer’s conclusion. I didn’ figure out what makes a Canadian but I wouldn’t want to be anything else.
Henry Lise
Proud Canadian
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Laurie Mann
- 2023-11-11
Fantastic
Rick was great love his stories he is Canada! I will always be a fan.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alehandro
- 2024-02-18
a great read/listen
thanks Rick for the book! I really enjoyed listening to it. I really enjoyed your perspective on Canada. funny enough, being an immigrant to Canada one day I started wondering the same question, what is it that makes us Canadian. any where I've traveled to everyone seems to be fond of Canada and it's people but nobody would ever say anything more than the cliches... the answer is still a little blurry but you probably came closest to answering that question.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-12-07
Ricks delivery is just as good as on TV.
I loved a peek behind the curtain, often not what you would expect. Rick's usual auditory delivery is just as effective as watching him on TV, you can easily visualize Rick’s delivering every punchline. I often hung off every word, phrase, and cliffhanger, waiting for a full-on belly laugh. I miss Rick’s face on TV, but loved his oration of so many funny moments we would never have expected.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-12-07
Rick Mercer is Wonderful
I feel so fortunate to have followed Rick’s career in entertainment and as a great Canadian. This book was a lot of fun. Thanks Rick! 
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sara Lundrigan
- 2024-02-25
never disappoints
Rick Mercer reading Rick Mercer. it doesn't get much better than that. Especially the Jann Arden chapter.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Paul N
- 2024-02-02
Didn’t want to stop listening
Loved the book. I listened while walking the dogs and sometimes driving in the car alone and there were moments when I would literally laugh out loud. I was sad when RMR went off the air but now every once in a while I can listen to a book, watch reruns and YouTube videos to get my fix. The book is great, some short stories, thoughts and behind the scenes look at things you’d never know about. I learned a thing or two as well and have a whole new respect for Belinda Stronach.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2023-11-15
A great listen that will keep you laughing
I really enjoyed listening to Rick and catching those small wise cracks that are intertwined throughout the book. I’m off to find his other books.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful