Saturday Night Live, late night talk shows, and comedy at large may be a little sad the Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was “called to clear the field” and dropped out of the GOP race for president. Walker was a wonderful target for parody. But there is a big upside for comedy with Walker bowing out. Because Walker was the only candidate who wanted to build a wall not just between the US and Mexico — Walker also wanted to build a wall between the US and Canada. Had Walker had his way, it would have been disastrous for comedy. If history is any guide, Walker’s wall would prevent the next wave of future comic greats from getting to LA, New York and Chicago.
What, after all, would American comedy have looked like over the past half century without Canadians? Let’s be honest — there’s no way John Candy is climbing over a wall. Other Canadian-born comic greats we’d have to do without if Scott Walker had his way?
- Jim Carrey
- SNL creator Lorne Michaels
- Samantha Bee
- Michael Cera
- Tommy Chong — no way he’s getting in
- Will Arnett
- Michael J. Fox
- Norm Macdonald
- Howie Mandel
- Mike Myers
- Caroline Rhea
- William Shatner — he’s a comedian, really
- Martin Short
In fairness, it has been said that Walker has very little sense of humor. So maybe this was his plan. Could Fiorina or Trump take up the Canadian border wall idea?
