The Red Green Show

The Red Green Show frames its comedy as a send-up of outdoor and do-it-yourself programming, anchored by Red Green, the earnest, bumbling president of Possum Lodge. Episodes stitch together mock instructional segments, short sketches and sitcom-style scenes that follow Red's questionable repairs, fishing misadventures and Lodge meetings. The humor comes from absurd gadgets, duct tape solutions and the eccentric regulars who drop in with their own quirks. Rather than relying on high-stakes plots, the series favors low-key jokes, running gags and character-driven sketches that make small-town routines feel like ongoing sketch material. It keeps things light and unfussy, with a wink at traditional masculine hobbies.

Created by Steve Smith, Rick Green and David C. Smith, the series debuted in 1991 and stayed on the air until 2006, eventually finding a long run on CBC in Canada and a steady U.S. audience on public television. Steve Smith leads the cast as Red Green, joined by Patrick McKenna, Rick Green, Albert Schultz and Bob Bainborough.

Its catchphrases, especially lines like "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy," and the sign-off "Keep your stick on the ice," became widely recognized among public-TV viewers. Possum Lodge imagery, the duct-tape repairs and deadpan how-to bits spawned live tours, branded merchandise and a loyal fan culture that kept the show alive well after new episodes stopped airing.

Reception tended to highlight the show’s warm, self-mocking tone and its steady blend of sketch and sitcom elements. Critics and viewers liked the way it lampooned DIY macho posturing while celebrating friendship and practical ingenuity. Fans have given it solid ratings, and its humor still reads as gentle satire rather than sharp parody.

The program didn’t sweep international awards, but it earned respect within Canadian broadcasting and secured a devoted following across North America, securing its place as a distinctive fixture of public television comedy.