Canadi-antics
This comedic couple proves
Canada is the True North strong and funny.
Matt Baram is an Edmonton comedian who got his start at The Second City in Toronto and stars in the new City comedy “Seed.” Naomi Snieckus, a KitchenerWaterloo, Ont., native, also got her big break at The Second City. She now plays Bobbi on CBC’s “Mr. D” and regularly appears on “George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.” Together, the comedic Canadian power couple has started a theatre company through which they star in the play series Impromptu Splendor. We questioned them about all things Canadian and, of course, hilarity ensued.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING CANADIAN?
Matt: You’re not Canadian. Naomi: What do you mean? I am Canadian. Matt: You’re Lithuanian. Naomi: But I was born in Canada. Matt: You were?! Naomi: You should know this about me. Does that change things? Matt: I used to find you exotic. Naomi: But I’m Canadian. That’s exotic. Matt: Not really. I’m Canadian too. It’s not that great. Naomi: Land of the silver birch. Silver is exotic. Home of the beaver. Matt: Say no more.
WHICH CANADIAN STEREOTYPE DESCRIBES YOU?
Matt: I’m a nice guy. Naomi: I don’t think you can put that in an article. Kinda boring. But sure, I think we’re considerate of other people. Matt: I think so too. Naomi: Oh, you like hockey. That’s a stereotype. Matt: Yes, I do. We both like camping. Naomi: We’ve never gone camping with each other. Matt: No, but we both like the idea of camping. Naomi: Not enough to go camping. Matt: We both like cottaging. That’s Canadian. Naomi: But that’s not camping. That’s housing. Matt: Potato, potahto. Naomi: I think our stereotypical thing is being considerate of other people.... Matt: And staying over at their cottages. Naomi: Yes, we like to give other people the opportunity to be considerate to us.
WHO IS THE FUNNIEST CANADIAN?
Matt: I could name dozens. Martin Short. John Candy. Jim Carrey. Catherine O’Hara. Andrea Martin. Naomi: I think we’ve come to the point where if someone is funny, you automatically think they’re Canadian. Matt: Yes. It’s the best kind of racial profiling. Naomi: You’re right. Matt: Do you really think those guys are funnier than me? Naomi: I think you’re the funniest guy ever. Matt: I’m going with John Candy. Naomi: I’d like to change my answer please.
WOULD YOU RATHER EAT POUTINE OR A BEAVER TAIL?
Matt: Well, you’re Lithuanian, so you probably ate real beaver tail once, right? Naomi: I am not Lithuanian. I was born in Canada. Matt: What is a beaver tail anyway? I don’t think I’ve ever had one. Naomi: What? You don’t know? Maybe you’re not Canadian.
WOULD YOU RATHER LISTEN TO JUSTIN BIEBER OR SHANIA TWAIN?
Matt: I’m gonna go with Shania Twain. I really identify with her song “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” Naomi: You identify with that song? Matt: I identify with the fact that she feels like a woman. Naomi: That makes no sense. Matt: Neither does, “Baby, baby, baby.”
Matt: This was fun. I learned so much about you that I didn’t know. It makes me want to learn even more about you. Maybe we should travel to your homeland. Naomi: Kitchener-Waterloo? Matt: No, Lithuania. Hey, maybe there’s a magazine called Lithuanian Living. You should look them up when we’re in Vilnius.