Dog River rolled out the red carpet Tuesday as Prime Minister Stephen Harper showed up on set to film a cameo appearance in CTV's Corner Gas.

The storyline is still top secret, but CTV's eTalk confirmed that Harper will be playing himself in a cameo in the Gemini-nominated comedy.

The filming in Rouleau, Sask. was supposed to be a secret, but reporters got wind of the gig.

But the reporters were kept far back from the action, while in the distance Harper faced a scrum of fake reporters -- actors hired for the scene.

"He knew his lines, he had them down pat,'' said Virginia Thompson, an executive producer with the show.

"We had to take several different kinds of shots, but he actually never blew a line.''

Appearances on the show may be becoming a tradition for Canadian PMs: former prime minister Paul Martin also appeared on the show last year, with Corner Gas star Brent Butt asking him for a cabinet position.

Butt explained to eTalk what it takes to make an appearance on the hit comedy: "We'll take anyone here," he said. "I have buddies on the show."

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert and former finance minister Ralph Goodale have also had walk-ons as themselves.

There are 19 new episodes of Corner Gas being prepared for the new season. Harper's cameo will air in the spring.

With files from eTalk and Canadian Press