It’s been 20 years of “22 Minutes,” and if star Shaun Majumder has his way, the show will see at least 20 more.
“This could last forever,” he said in a phone interview Friday from Halifax, where “22 Minutes” is filmed. “We’ve got three cast members that are not of the original four, and it’s still thriving. Imagine the next generation. It’s the perfect breeding ground for young talent to come through the ranks and keep it alive.”
Majumder and the rest of the “22 Minutes” cast — Cathy Jones (the show’s only remaining founding cast member), Mark Critch and Susan Kent, a Newfoundlander who appeared in the last half of last season and has been hired back for this season — will begin their 20th year Tuesday evening in fine form, poking their usual fun at current events, with a special guest host: Montreal Canadiens defencemen P.K. Subban.
In true “22 Minutes” form, nothing is safe; not Canada’s decision to shut down the Iranian embassy in Tehran, not the American electoral race, not the iPhone 5 and — of course, because how could they leave it out? — not “50 Shades of Grey,” which Jones’ infamous character Mrs. Enid is reviewing.
The group also parodies The History Channel’s “The War of 1812” DVDs, with Kent dressed as character Sir Reginald Heapscoat.
“He’s an old British soldier,” Majumder said. “Susan is funny. She’s a great actress and a wicked writer, and in this one she looks like a hideous old man.”
There’s also footage of Majumder’s recent visit to the Atlantic Pole Fitness Championship, held in Halifax Sept. 7.
“Let me just say this: even in a suit, I can scale a pole,” Majumder said.
The cast will finish shooting Tuesday’s episode today. They’re going into the new season with a new director, some new writers and new confidence, thanks to last season, which was one of their highest-rated ever.
“It does breathe new life into a cast,” Majumder said. “I’m looking forward to making this season pop.”
“22 Minutes” airs on CBC-TV Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.
tbradbury@thetelegram.com
Twitter: @tara_bradbury
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