HANCOCK, Mich. — I’ve been out of some loops for two weeks, but apparently the big joke on the CBC’s comedy shows (Air Farce, 22 Minutes) last week was Air-Canada’s hiring Celine Dion to be a part of its new ad blitz. We’ll see if Rick Mercer’s Monday Report mentions it in a few minutes for the sweep. Edited to add — Yep, first joke on the programme.

They just announced the deal and Air Canada has already started the new commercials. I saw one tonight during The Greatest Canadian. I was surprised about how quickly they started the ads.

The ads were alright — nothing too astounding. A bunch of people doing their thing around the world with clear “airplane” window frames floated around them. Dion’s song is pretty typical of her other work. Apparently, the airline’s message is that Air Canada is the best service for travelers of all sorts.

An aside — Although I’m just getting acquainted with the Top 10 list of the Greatest Canadians, I don’t think CBC personality and former NHL coach Don Cherry merits the top spot. Cherry’s certainly a dynamic and vibrant commentator who stokes Canadians’ emotions on and off the ice, but he simply doesn’t compare to historic figures who have innovated or led the nation through periods of tremendous strife.

I’m sure I’ll change my mind a couple of times, but right now I’m leaning toward former PM Pierre Trudeau or telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell (yes, he’s Canadian).