I first learned about “The Red Green Show” on PBS back in the mid-’90s from my former roommate in Duluth. It was an amusing show, probably geared more toward guys my dad’s age who liked to do “do-it-yourself” kind of projects, whether or not they’re a good idea. Yet this then 20-something found it funny, with the different bits, such as “Adventures With Bill,” “Handyman’s Corner” or the “Possum Lodge Word Game.”

It was more than 15 years ago when Red Green, aka Steve Smith, a Canadian comedian, came to Marshall. It was when the movie “Duct Tape Forever” came out. I did a preview story on his appearance, reveling in the fact that I got to chat with him, the guy who entertained me back in those Duluth days, and someone my dad enjoys as well.

On the day the movie came to Marshall, I set out to take a photo for the paper. The photo that was used was of where a man was getting a hockey stick autographed by Smith. I quick took the photos and hustled back to the movie theater to stand in line to get an autograph for my dad. The line was long, and it was getting close to movie time. Then it was said that they had to start the movie. But I was determined to get at least something for my dad. I went into the theater lobby, picked up a souvenir newspaper and found Smith, mentioning I had done the story on him coming to Marshall. Yeah, maybe I was a little too bold and daring, but I thought my dad would get a kick out of having an autograph from Red Green. Little did I know that Ross and I were in that same line all those years ago, waiting for an autograph. He was also there to see the movie though.

For the last few years, since the television show ended back in 2006, Smith has been doing a stand-up routine with the character he created. The latest tour is called “This Could Be It,” which is taking him throughout the United States and Canada. One of the stops on the tour was at Prairie’s Edge Casino near Granite Falls. Now that’s just eight miles down the road from Ross. We had considered going to that show, but dilly-dallied too much and the show quickly sold out. There were going to be two shows on April 20 in Sioux Falls’ Orpheum Theatre (one was added on that particular day), so I figured maybe we could go to that one.

So I checked with Ross last week (nothing like the last minute) if he would want to go if I bought a couple of tickets. Fortunately there were a scant few left in the balcony for the 3 p.m. matinee show, so I pulled the trigger on a couple.

Last Saturday dawned to be a nice sunny day with highs near 80. We made plans to visit Falls Park after the show. Anyways, we made it to the theater with some time to spare and perused the merchandise table. There were some T-shirts, socks, DVDs, a copy of Red Green’s book “The Woulda Coulda Shoulda Guide to Canadian Inventions,” a Possum Lodge vest, and a Possum Lodge sign.

We made our way up to the balcony to join the sold-out show. Clips from the show were on the screen, as the fans awaited seeing Red Green in person. A 5-minute countdown appeared on the screen. Everyone did the Possum Lodge oath “Quando omni flunkus, moritati,” which means “When all else fails, play dead.” Then Smith launched into his routine. Some of it was familiar Red Green things, including a phone call from nephew Harold (Patrick McKenna) who got the Possum Lodge van stuck in a tree, to advice for teen boys wanting to ask a girl out on a date. He also showed how to make a popcorn popper out of a hair dryer and other things you may have around your house. There was a lot of chuckles, guffaws and laughter as folks remembered why they found “The Red Green Show” so amusing and relatable.