Behind the Scenes of Corner Gas: Eric Peterson Tells All
How a Prairie Jackass Became a Canadian Icon
Corner Gas isn’t just a sitcom—it’s a cultural institution. For many Canadians, it’s a mirror reflecting the quirks, humor, and small-town charm that define life in this country. At the heart of the show was Oscar Leroy, a character as gruff as he was beloved.
I recently had the chance to sit down with Eric Peterson, the legendary actor behind Oscar, to discuss the origins of Corner Gas, the impact of the show on Canadian culture, and why fighting for distinct Canadian stories still matters.
The Role That Almost Got Away
When Eric Peterson first got the audition for Corner Gas, he had an instant gut reaction: “I have to play this part.” As a proud Saskatchewan native, he saw the role of Oscar Leroy as something deeply personal.
“They were auditioning people across the country,” Peterson recalled. “I read the script and thought, I’m from Saskatchewan. I have to play this part. You can’t grow up in a province that never has any television shows produced there, and when they finally do, not be in it.”
But securing the role took more than just provincial pride. Eric knew he embodied the essence of Oscar—a cantankerous yet lovable old-timer with a deep skepticism of anything new.
“In my own life, I was at a point where I looked around and thought: everything new is stupid, people are stupid, and the world used to be better. So, I could really get behind Oscar’s worldview.”
That authenticity paid off. During his audition, Peterson went all in. “I told Brent Butt, ‘You have to give me this part.’” And, well, the rest is history.
From Humble Beginnings to a National Phenomenon
Corner Gas was never expected to be a massive hit. According to Peterson, during the first season, cast and crew alike had modest expectations.
“We all thought we’d have a good time, but nobody knew if it was going to be a short time or a long time,” he admitted.
But then the ratings came in. Over a million viewers tuned in regularly, a staggering number for a Canadian show. Suddenly, Corner Gas wasn’t just a comedy—it was a defining part of the cultural landscape.
Peterson was particularly moved by the ways the show resonated with audiences.
“I had people come up to me, soldiers serving in Afghanistan, saying they watched Corner Gas while being rocket-attacked. It was their escape. That means something. That’s the power of having our own stories.”
The Jackass Factor: Creating an Iconic Catchphrase
Few words are as synonymous with Corner Gas as Oscar Leroy’s infamous insult: Jackass.
“It wasn’t planned,” Peterson laughed. “It just grew. Brent, being a stand-up comedian, knew what was funny. Jackass is one of those words that sounds just enough like swearing to feel rebellious, but it’s not. That’s why kids loved it. They’d come up to me and beg, ‘Can you call me a jackass?’”
And Peterson happily obliged.
“It became a staple. First, every few episodes. Then every episode. Then it was nothing but jackasses,” he joked.
A Love Letter to Canadian Culture
For Peterson, Corner Gas wasn’t just another acting gig. It was part of a larger fight for Canadian stories to be told authentically.
“As Canadians, we’re so used to seeing American content. We’re always translating their experiences into our own. But this was different. This was ours. Brent captured something real. The small-town quirks, the rivalries with neighboring towns, the way we all know someone like Hank or Wanda—it was all deeply Canadian.”
That authenticity created a rare phenomenon in Canadian TV: a show that felt owned by its audience.
“In Saskatchewan, people would come up to me in the grocery store and ask, ‘How are the scripts this year?’ Like they were asking about the wheat harvest.”
The Animated Series, The Movie, and Beyond
After six seasons, Corner Gas wrapped up with a movie and an animated series. But for Peterson, saying goodbye wasn’t easy.
“I didn’t want it to end,” he admitted. “I thought, ‘Let’s ride this pony into the dirt.’”
The animated series gave the cast a new way to bring these characters to life.
“My voice stayed the same, but I didn’t have to worry about how I looked anymore. I loved it. And honestly, I learned a lot about acting from my cartoon version of Oscar.”
The Future of Canadian Content
Peterson has long been a fierce advocate for Canadian television, film, and theater.
“Canadian content matters. But we’re at a weird moment right now. There was a time when we fought to get our own shows, our own films, our own stage productions. Now, with the internet, everything is global. But I still believe in the importance of telling our own stories.”
He worries that the era of shows like Corner Gas might be fading.
“We don’t have that one show anymore that brings all Canadians together. The landscape is different. We don’t have that shared touchstone like we did when Corner Gas was airing.”
But Peterson remains hopeful that another distinctly Canadian hit will come along.
“All it takes is a great idea, the right people, and a little luck. That’s how Corner Gas happened. It can happen again.”