Revealing Shaun Majumder

Iconic comedian Shaun Majumder is coming to Fort McMurray for a show in support of BSM MANOR, a not for profit fund that will eventually provide business support to entrepreneurs in the Burlington-Smith's Harbour-Middle Arm area in Newfoundland and Labrador.  I would encourage you to visit www.shaunmajumder.com to find out more.

A buddy of mine has been helping Shaun arrange his show at Keyano Theatre on May 12th at 7:30 pm. He hooked me up with Mr. Majumder by email and in the spirit of one of my favourite features in Vanity Fair magazine - an interview with a star that always appears on the last page - I thrust a couple of mind-probing questions his way to give us insight into the man, the myth, the Majumder.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?  25 degree Celsius. Ocean. Blue sky. White puffy clouds. Summer smells with my girl by my side. Wait, did I just write a country song?

What historical figure would you most like to have a coffee with?  The Egyptian Pharaoh  Akhenaten.  When he became Pharaoh he took a completely different approach to leadership.  Worshiped one god - the Sun - and focused on the arts. Awesome!

What would be your first question (to the Pharaoh) ?  Who built the pyramids? Aliens? Or Newfs?

What has been your favourite trip?  We have had so many. Most recently, we went to Bali and Asia over Christmas.  That was amazing!  India is also tops.  But, if you ever travel to India, go 5-Star all the way.  It's not insanely expensive and if you are traveling with a lady partner, she will thank you for years.  It's a different kind of "3-Star" in India.

When you look in the mirror, what is the first animal that comes to mind?  First human...then the actual Muppet "Animal"...weird!

What word or phrase do you most overuse in your act?  I have no idea?  It is always a different show for the most part.  I would have to have a statistician to look at that and keep tabs.

What is your biggest regret?  Don't have many.  Not inventing Facebook?

What is your greatest joy?  Traveling with my girl.  Playing with my dogs.  Going for a ride in my Zodiac in Newfoundland - I could live on the water.

How many people from Newfoundland do you know that are in Fort McMurray?  I have some family there and many people from Baie Verte Peninsula I know are there, some permanent, some are back and forth.

What do you love the most about rural Newfoundland?  For me, the heart and soul of Newfoundland and Labrador is RURAL.  It's where stories are born.  Storytellers are rampant.  It's unfiltered life.  What you see is what you get.  And, to go there and leave wherever you are from, is like visiting another planet.  Even for townies (people from St. John's), time takes on a whole new meaning, and the feeling like there's always something to discover is ever persistent.  That's how I feel anyway, and that's the driving force behind the Burlington project - love of place, and wanting to share it with as many people as I can.

Taking the red eye from St. John's to Fort McMurray, do you sleep, watch a movie or read a book?  Gravol. 

What's on your bedside table right now?  A remote control for the TV and a bottle of Nyquil. My girl ain't feeling well.

Who makes you laugh?  Ricky Gervais, Louis CK, Mark Critch, Will Ferrell.

Greatest comedian, alive or dead?  I grew up watching SCTV, so I would have to say one is dead, and one is alive.  John Candy and Marty Short.  Of course, the old greats as well, Andy Kaufman, Lenny Bruce, Karl and Rob Reiner.

If you could be Prime Minister for a day and do anything you please, how would Canada change?  Hard to say. There are many many things....Oh! I got it!  Invade Turks and Caicos and make it our HOT PROVINCE. 

Boxers or briefs?  Was briefs growing up, went to Calvin boxers, and now I am a fan of old school briefs again.  Full circle!

Which side of the bed do you sleep on?  Depends on where the dogs are.

How do you like your Timmie's?  Double single.

Do you think time wasted in the Timmie's line-up is a national crisis or an integral component of our national identity?  You have to earn that breakfast sammich!

Who is your favourite movie actor and actress?  I have to say when I see Daniel Day-Lewis in anything I am beyond inspired.  And actress? Big fan of Kate Winslet for her ability to do both comedy and drama.

Who is your favourite Canadian writer?  Keepin' it in my wheelhouse, I love Paul Haggis.

Do you think the Maple Leafs will ever win another Stanley Cup?  Yes.  I am a big fan.  I will always believe.

If British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan ever merged to become one province, what would you call it?  WeedOilCanolaton.

What is it that you most dislike?  Olives.

How would you like to die?  Peacefully, surrounded by everyone I love.  In a warm ocean would be nice.  But now, that sounds like it could be on a yacht we rented in Jamaica for a family reunion and someone forget to plug the hole. Shit! Now I don't know.

What is your life's mantra?  Live in the NOW as much as possible.

This is going to be an awesome show, with all net proceeds going to BSM MANOR to promote, support and encourage the rural Newfoundland life that Shaun is so passionate about.  You can buy your tickets online by clicking here.