"Corner Gas" star and creator Brent Butt has declared that the pumps are closed as his hit comedy is ending its highly successful run on CTV.

"I didn't want the show to go too long," Butt told Seamus O'Regan during an interview on CTV's Canada AM.

"The only way to do that was to keep my eyes and ears open... I really think the time is now."

Brent Butt stars in "Corner Gas" as the loveable oaf Brent Leroy, whose sharp wit pokes fun at his Dog River community. The series also stars Eric Peterson, Janet Wright, Gabrielle Miller, Fred Ewanuick, Lorne Cardinal, Tara Spencer-Nairn and Nancy Robertson.

Only 19 new episodes of the No. 1 Canadian comedy series will be produced this summer when the show goes back into production in Regina and Rouleau, Sask.

"It was a very difficult decision, because the show is very special to me and it's special to a lot of people," said Butt.

President of Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. Susanne Boyce  is proud of what "Corner Gas" has accomplished.

"Brent and his team have accomplished something that has never been achieved before," Boyce said in a press release.

"The series has paved the way for other Canadian productions by proving that if you make great TV, Canadians will watch."

"Corner Gas" premiered on CTV in January 2004 to an audience of 1.15 million viewers, and saw rise to passionate fans that would even trek to Saskatchewan to visit the set.

The former stand-up comedian explains that he wanted his series, which still regularly snags over a million Canadian viewers on Monday nights, to avoid overstaying its welcome.

"It's like leaving a party, and nobody is sad -- it's a good sign that you've stayed too long."

Not only a hit with audiences, "Corner Gas" was also lauded by critics and went on to win six Gemini Awards, including "Best Comedy Series."

Butt says he's not going to do anything different for the show's final season, and is choosing to instead carry on like any other year.

"We're not writing towards a specific end," says Butt. "Nobody is leaving Dog River."

After the finale wraps, Butt will continue to develop projects for CTV and the Comedy Network.

When asked if there will ever be a "Corner Gas" movie, Butt was optimistic.

"We've talked about making a movie and everybody likes the idea, it's just a matter of timing and when. I'd love to see it."

"Corner Gas" airs Monday nights at 9:30 p.m. on CTV.