Arrested development

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This article was published 14/05/2011 (5437 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a pretty sharp jolt, switching from collaring cop-show perps to generating comedy-crowd giggles, but Shaun Majumder thinks he’s got a handle on it.

“It’s definitely a bit of a transition,” says Majumder, who recently wrapped up a co-starring role in the ABC drama Detroit 1-8-7 and immediately began preparation for This Tour Has 22 Cities: The Road to Majumder Manor. “It’s totally a different muscle, completely and utterly a different headspace, and it’s taken me two or three shows to get going — coming from being on the set, so focused on acting, to doing standup in a sold-out theatre.

“First couple of nights, it was like getting back on the horse; by the third show, it felt really great.”

Majumder, 39, who has spent much of the past decade living and working in Los Angeles while still maintaining a career presence in Canada, regards his first solo cross-country standup-comedy tour as an important next step in his evolution as a performer.

“Basically, we’re shooting this tour as a feature-length documentary, including the (May 6 and 7) shows at the Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto, which will be shot for DVD release,” he says. “I’ve never put out a DVD or any kind of performance on film, so this is a big deal — sort of a concert DVD/road-trip documentary all in one, and I want to make sure it’s just the right mix of material.”

That Majumder’s focus is partly on what’s being filmed is no surprise. The Newfoundland-born performer has made a considered decision to transition his career toward TV and film acting.

“There’s definitely a relationship between acting and comedy and standup, and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do all of them,” he says. “For example, working on 1-8-7, I think being a standup has informed my (acting) work for both better and worse. I like things to be loose and in the moment when I’m acting; I draw from my improvisational days, and I try not to be too tied to the words unless the director is very explicit about that.

“Even though I’ve done so much comedy in Canada — sketch, improv, standup — I feel like, in my heart of hearts, (dramatic) acting is where it’s at for me. It’s what I love the most, and it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Majumder’s role on the gritty ABC drama found him co-starring with TV veterans Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) and James McDaniel (NYPD Blue); the show drew critical praise but failed to connect with viewers. Detroit 1-8-7 hasn’t been officially cancelled, but most TV observers agree there’s very little chance it will return for the 2011-12 season.

Majumder called his role as Det. Vickram Mahajan a career breakthrough — a character whose race was completely secondary to the show’s storylines.

“It’s definitely the most satisfying role I’ve done,” he says. “It was a breakthrough, though it was mostly a matter of being in the right place at the right time. I’ve been in L.A. for 10 years now, and you wouldn’t believe the number of auditions I get where it’s ‘His name is Ahmed,’ or ‘His name is Bupinder’; I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me? Let me guess — is he a doctor?’ I mean, seriously. I would just say no to that stuff.

“So this role was a big relief. It was really great. I felt like I could breathe again.”

With Detroit 1-8-7‘s fate all but sealed, Majumder has already moved on, having recently completed shooting a sitcom pilot called Bad Mom, which stars Jenna Elfman (Dharma & Greg, Accidentally on Purpose).

In Canada, of course, Majumder is best known for his comedic contributions to CBC’s long-running This Hour Has 22 Minutes, most notably his regular appearances as flop-sweat-soaked sports reporter Raj Binder.

Majumder said Raj won’t make any onstage appearances during the current standup tour, but he will have a presence in the foyer before and after the shows.

“I’m doing straight-up comedy on this tour, so you won’t see Raj onstage,” he explains. “But if you go to my Facebook page, you will see the army of Raj figures that are being shipped from China as we speak. There will be Raj Binder bobbleheads for sale during the tour, so, yes, he will be making an appearance.”

Unlike the perpetually perspiring Raj Binder, Shaun Majumder isn’t feeling any pressure.

“My confidence level, in the world of drama and comedy, on film and TV, is through the roof right now,” he says. “After doing a season on a network-TV drama series, I feel like I can do anything. With standup, I don’t have that feeling yet, but my confidence is growing… and I will always do standup, as many times a year as I can when my schedule allows.”

brad.oswald@freepress.mb.ca