Posted by
Sarah Gopaul
The hit CTV series’ creator and star Brent Butt announced the sixth season would also be the last.
The Dog River residents had accumulated six Gemini awards, including three for Best Comedy Series; as well an audience in 26 countries and a viewership that frequently exceeded one million on Monday nights. This is an exceptional feat for a made-in-Canada sitcom in a prime-time slot.
“It was a very tough decision to make, but it was time,” said an emotional Butt, who is also the series’ director and executive producer. “The only way for you to end the show in a way that people are not going to think it’s too soon is to do it when it’s too late. And Corner Gas, it’s too special. I couldn’t stand to watch it get to where people were ready for it to leave.”
CTV president Ivan Fecan was also somber but understanding of Butt’s desire for fans to remember the show at its peak. “I didn’t want it to end, we don’t want it to end, but his reasons are actually pretty good… He wants to go out at the top.”
Nonetheless, Butt assures viewers nothing is going to change in the small Saskatchewan town. “We’re not writing towards a specific end,” he said. “Nobody is leaving Dog River.”
The last season goes into production next month with the final episodes airing in spring 2009.
When asked if there would ever be a Corner Gas movie, Butt was optimistic. “We’ve talked about making a movie and everybody likes the idea, it’s just a matter of timing and when. I’d love to see it.”