Eating Our Own - the Sad End of The Canadian Tire Guy

Apparently I'm the only one out there who actually liked The Canadian Tire Guy. Imagine that - a big corporation like Canadian Tire putting on eight years of commercials just for my benefit. Their audience of one. Since recently being unceremoniously dumped by Canadian Tire, it seems the whole country has been rejoicing. Including people who should know better. Yes, I'm talking to you, Prime Minister Harper. .... Now, I may not be much of a handyman - but I know a fair bit about tools. And I know what I like. And I like that Canadian Tire Guy. But those fickle Toronto media types had it in for him (jealousy can be the only reason - after all, the man was a bonafide national icon.) and last summer some smarty-pants at Macleans and The Globe and Mail started to make fun of him. The called him 'insufferable,' ' a neighbourhood Mr. Know-it-All' and "the Ned Flanders of Home Improvement." It wasn't long after, that he was named by a poll to be "the most obnoxious man in Canada." Not just the most obnoxious person on TV or the most obnoxious guy in a television commercial - but in all of Canada. Talk about over-reacting. It's only a TV commercial, people! If the sight of him offends you - turn the channel. That's what that remote is sitting in your hands for. ..... And since when does being obnoxious preclude you from being in a television commercial? What about Canadian Tire's previous campaign featuring 'Scrooge?' What about that annoying Scottish guy in the beer commercial who looks like a child-pornographer? What about Red Green? Don Cherry? Or the most annoying Canadian huckster on TV - Mr. Hockey, himself - Wayne Gretzky? Geez, after the guy retired, I thought we wouldn't have to put up with seeing him on TV anymore endorsing an endless line of products. Instead, he started making more of them. And now we know why the multi-millionaire (former billionaire) has to work so hard. ................... I never found the Canadian Tire Guy obnoxious. In fact I'd love to have someone like that in my neighbourhood. He's always there when you need him. You got a flat tire - you just know it's only a matter of time before he shows up and gives you tips on how a new Canadian Tire product can fix that sucker in minutes. You got snow three feet deep to shovel? He'd be over in a matter of minutes with the new 'Snow Vac.' You're having problems with your job or your marriage - he's there with a shoulder to cry on and some helpful advice. Really, just look at that mug of his. Who couldn't confide to someone with a face like that? The truth is, dear Reader - that I think I love The Canadian Tire Guy. And I'm going to miss him. Let us now bow our heads and pray. Alas, the Canadian Tire Guy and his perky auburn-haired wife are no more. And Canada is a poorer place for it. Amen.