Editing Talking to Americans (section)

==2001 special==
The special was a co-production between [[Island Edge]] (Rick Mercer's production company) and [[Salter Street Films]] (at the time the producer of ''22 Minutes''). It was produced and directed by Geoff D'Eon, who also produced and directed the segments for ''22 Minutes''. It used both previously broadcast clips from ''22 Minutes'', and new material shot exclusively for the special. 

''Talking to Americans'' attracted 2.7 million Canadian viewers, making it the highest-rated special on Canadian television that year.<ref>"2.7 Million watch Talking to Americans". ''[[Waterloo Region Record]]'', April 5, 2001.</ref>

The show received two [[Gemini Award]] nominations at the [[16th Gemini Awards]] in 2001, for Best Music or Variety Program or Series and Best Host in a Variety Program or Series.<ref>"CTV mini series Nuremberg leads this year's Gemini nominations: East Coast Music Awards show receives three nominations". ''[[Journal-Pioneer]]'', September 18, 2001.</ref> However, Mercer thought it was inappropriate to make fun of American-Canadian relations so soon after the [[September 11 attacks]], and requested that the [[Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television]] pull the nominations.<ref>"Rick Mercer refuses Gemini nods for Talking to Americans". ''[[Timmins Daily Press]]'', September 20, 2001.</ref>