Memories of a curling comedy remote, filmed 20 years ago at the 2005 Olympic Trials right here in Halifax
HALIFAX – 20 years after Shaun Majumder’s hilarious appearance at curling’s Olympic Trials, I was privileged to be invited to a live taping of the CBC comedy show 22 Minutes.
The Lighthouse Arts Theatre, located almost literally beside the Scotiabank Centre – once again hosting this year’s Trials – was packed (there were numerous curling fans in attendance) and the show, which aired Tuesday night on CBC, was a riot.
For those unaware, 22 Minutes is Canada’s long-running political satire show with hints of Saturday Night Live thrown in.
As it turns out, 22 Minutes attempted to film a learn to curl piece at this week’s Trials, however there were too m any variables at play to make this happen. In the end, Rachel Homan, Brad Gushue and Brad jacobs were filmed for a potential appearance for an upcoming episode.
Things were different 20 years ago. Then known as This Hour Has 22 Minutes, the cast featured a sportscaster character, Raj Binder, portrayed by actor/comedian Shaun Majumder… and Curling Canada allowed him to run wild at the Trials during round robin play.
Binder was in the tunnel with the athletes before being piped on to the ice surface.
Then he was on the carpet, right next to the ice, interviewing players during their practice sessions. He baffled and bewildered, and openly mocked some of them – all in good fun, of course.
The profusely sweating Binder then moved into the seats, inviting fans to help him create his own Russ Howard-esque curling screams.
He finished his segment in exclusive players’ seating, in the front row beside an end sheet, precisely as Howard unleashed an epic howl to his Team Gushue brushers.
Eight years later, Will Ferrell’s Anchorman character – Ron Burgundy – attended the opening draw of the 2013 Olympic Trials in Winnipeg. Ferrell’s appearance was live, and funny, but Binder’s more low-key appearance is still remembered with affection.
(Ferrell was hyped in advance and the gig proved to be a bit of a nightmare for the event organizers, possibly leading to 22 Minutes’ limitations at this year’s Trials.)
Majumder’s segment aired in December of 2005 but had not been seen since – until 18 years later, when The Curling News reached out to the showrunners.
The folks at 22 Minutes graciously offered to supply the segment for exclusive hosting on The Curling News YouTube page, where it has logged more than 35,000 views.
On this 20th anniversary of the segment, and my first live show taping, I’d like to once again thank 22 Minutes and congratulate them on another 20 years – 33 years in total – of excellent comedic craft.
