Mario Jean has over thirty years of experience. During his numerous projects as a comedian and actor The newspaper review certain important moments with him.
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The beginnings of Ti-Guy Beaudoin
At the beginning of his career, when he left the National School of Humor in 1991, Mario Jean became known to the general public with his role as newspaper delivery boy Ti-Guy Beaudoin. Beneath his appearance as a simple man was a character who “despite everything was intelligent and could report on current events,” says the comedian. His idea for Camelot came from a person he knew who often rode around on a moped. “Everyone laughed at him, but if you took the time to talk to him he said great things, he had a beautiful world.”
After doing this in his first three solo exhibitions from 1995 to 2003, Mario Jean decided to put Ti-Guy and his popular mascot aside because “the characters were out.” But after fifteen years out of the spotlight, he may be thinking about bringing his Ti-Guy Beaudoin back to the stage. “There is a certain nostalgia these days. Seems a bit out of step with the times [les personnages]. I feel it. It's no longer in the closet, but at the corner of the desk. I'll see what I can do with it sometime. […] But for me to bring it back we would have to have really concrete lyrics for it to be very good.
Ti Guy Beaudoin. Archive photo
Side by side with legends The parliaments
In 1994, before starting his first solo exhibition, Mario Jean was invited to take part in the first edition of the collective exhibition Les Parlementeries. His Ti-Guy Beaudoin had played the Minister of Deposits and Withdrawals. A memory that humor still treasures today.
“It was magical,” he said. I, the little one, find myself with Michel Barrette, Daniel Lemire, Yvon Deschamps, Michel Courtemanche, Pierre Légaré. I pinched myself. Let's see, that can't be right! […] Everyone left their ego there [à la porte]. It was a group outing. We did a show together.”
“I have always admired those who were there before me. I was inspired by it. That is the memory I have of the parliaments. The first ones were the most beautiful. We tried again later but it wasn't the same. The magic was less there.”
Ti-Guy Beaudoin played the Minister of Deposits and Withdrawals in the first edition of Parliamenteries.
Two anniversaries for series that are close to his heart
This year marks two important anniversaries for series that Mario Jean has worked on. The first had his name: The Dream Life of Mario Jean. The show, which aired in 2004, only had one season. But the comedian has very fond memories of it.
“It was a great experience for me. I was really proud of this series. But she found herself in a somewhat strange situation. It was inspired by La vie, la vie and played before Les Bougon. It was like a collision. I had made a lot of compromises. What I admired about Martin Matte [avec Les beaux malaises], is that he didn't do anything. He went all in.”
“There had been a changing of the guard at the program level [de Radio-Canada], he adds. After that everything collapsed. It must also be said that there were other similar shows with the Mecs Comiques [3 X rien], and Curb Your Enthusiasm, in the United States. Dominic and Martin also had a show on TQS. They all looked a bit similar. The originality has been diluted. […] They decided not to renew and we moved on. But to be honest, I would have done other seasons with it. If Take 2 could happen again, I would love that too. [rires].”
Courtesy of Radio-Canada
February 2 also marked the 25th anniversary of the first broadcast of the sitcom Histoires de Filles. Mario Jean took part in the first five seasons. “It was one of my first recurring roles. “I’m still very close to the girls,” he says. I would have to talk to them again to see if we can do something for the 25th anniversary!”
Mario Jean with the Histoires de Filles team (Michel Laperrière, Guy Jodoin, Marie-Chantal Perron, Catherine Lachance, Marie-Lise Pilote and Nathalie Mallette). Free VAT
“One of the best Les Olivier Galas ever”
During his career, Mario Jean hosted the Les Olivier gala three times: in 2001 together with Claudine Mercier, in 2002 and 2013. He has very different memories of his last two events.
“The second [qu’il a animé, en 2002]I say it in all humility, it is undoubtedly one of the best galas ever. We pretended it was a party in my basement. Maman Dion played the hostess. There was the “fight” between Martin Matte and Patrick Huard. It was crazy. It was a big gala caliber. I was proud of that.”
“The one I did after that [en 2013]They didn't know who to hire as host anymore and asked me to do it again. It was like a year of transition. I was disappointed with the atmosphere there. The word was a bit “deep in the pockets” in the industry back then. Everyone pulled the cover a little. […] Before, it was really a group outing. It was really trippy. Everyone wanted to come and perform. It was generous.”
“I found it difficult and told myself I would take a small step back from it [les galas]. Since then, we, the older ones, seem to have lost our place there. It helps the youngest to promote themselves. To be honest, I don’t know how to interpret that.”
“Even if I apply for the nominations, I don’t know if it’s still worth it. Galas are very subjective. It's not true that one comedian is better than another. Everyone has their audience. […] Galas are designed to entertain and promote our industry. Nobody has a basic need for Mario Jean. But everyone needs to laugh and have a nice evening.”
Mario Jean hosted the 15th edition of the Les Olivier Gala in 2013. PHILIPPE-OLIVIER CONTANT / AGENCE QMI