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Interview Features (07.12.2010)

Now in it’s 10th season — of the Next Generation, that is — you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who isn’t at least a little bit familiar with one of Canadian television’s most successful series. I’ve been a fan of Degrassi since its original 1979 incarnation, and it remains one of my online TV study break staples. It does go there, after all; Drake getting shot in the school hallway will forever be enshrined in Canadian film and television history. This year’s breakout star of Degrassi, Munro Chambers, has some storylines that would give even Jimmy Brooks a run for his money, and he’s almost as mysterious as his oh-so-misunderstood character, Eli.

What we do know: an industry veteran, this Kardinal Offishall lovin’ actor has been working in Canadian television for over 12 years. He has a twin brother, and they both were nationally ranked trampolinists in their youth (who knew such a thing existed?). He has a very close, very unexpected — and very bad ass — tie to the TV series Whose Line Is It Anyway? We can also say with relative certainty that Eli’s tortured self will continue to grace the Degrassi Community School hallways in the series’ 11th season.

Since we’ve only ever done interviews with American actors, it’s definitely about damn time to give some love to our very own homegrown talent. And it only makes sense to start with what has become one of the most internationally recognized Canadian television shows of all time. So, for all of you who’ve ever watched Degrassi (cough*all of you*cough), it’s now time to take 10 minutes out of your finals studying-induced hell and relive your youth.

Your character has some pretty intense shit go down in Season 10. How do you prepare for all that — especially for that episode in which we learn that Eli’s a hoarder?
Munro Chambers: I was so grateful that I could take on a challenge like that. Fortunately, someone on our set was an actual hoarder, so I got to talk to him personally. With any kind of disorder or difference — like the transgender storyline with Jordan Todosey — you have to make sure that you don’t mock it. You gotta do it justice.

Were those your most challenging scenes to film?
MC: Well, there’s still a lot more to come this season. But those scenes were a lot of fun and I was excited to do such an intense scene. In the rest of the season [returning February 2011], certain people will come back, which will force Eli to become a little bit protective. I don’t want to say too much, but Eli’s going to venture deeper into a dark past.

It’s hard to imagine your character getting even more dark and twisty. Eli already drives a hearse…how much further can you go?
MC: [Laughs] You’d be surprised!

Speaking of, do you actually drive that thing?
MC: I do. It’s a ’63 Cadillac from Newfoundland. It’s a beast of a car.

So, did you watch Degrassi before you were cast on the show or what?
MC: I watched a little bit of it — [seasons] 7 and 8 and a bit of 9. But I definitely knew how iconic the show was in Canada and the U.S.

Favorite character or storyline of years past?
MC: Definitely the Alli Bhandari [Melinda Shankar] storyline where she thinks she might have an STI. And then— although it was in the earlier seasons — the bipolar storyline with Craig [played by Jake Epstein].  His sort of resembles my character, in that he’s also got a mental disorder. And he did just a phenomenal job.

If you could hook up with anyone on the cast — past or present — who would it be and why?
MC: Probably Jake Epstein’s character. He’s just so deep.

Aw, but what about Ellie? [Anyone else remember her gothy, self-mutilating ways?]
MC: If Eli was a couple years older, who knows…[Laughs]

Give us the Degrassi gossip. Who is least like their character?
MC: If we’re talking technically, Jordan Todosey is nothing like Adam. [Laughs] No, but also personality-wise. She’s so bubbly and happy whereas Adam has had a rough time dealing with being transgender.

Most like their character?
MC: I don’t want to say Luke Bilyk [who plays Drew Torres] because Luke’s a really nice guy. But when it comes down to it, he’s really good at sports and he’s really pretty.

He’s very pretty.
MC: Quite pretty. [Laughs]

Biggest flirt?
MC: Probably Luke. Luke or Ray Ablack [who plays Sav Bhandari.] Ray just loves everyone. He just wants hugs — hugs and kisses. That’s all Ray wants in life.

Confession: Degrassi is our guilty pleasure. Your pop culture guilty pleasure is…
MC: Reality shows. Aw yeah, Jersey Shore, yeah! It was just so entertaining, so ridiculous. They take the drama you get from Degrassi and Gossip Girl, but it’s real life. Well, maybe it’s not real life because it’s scripted — but it looks real!

Have you seen the Toronto equivalent yet?
MC: I’ve heard about it. It’s called Lakeshore, right? Yeah. Wow. That’ll be interesting.

Other than your love for the Jersey Shore, what is one thing that no one knows about you? And you can’t say you have a twin because I read that on Wikipedia.
MC: Aw, you took it right out of my mouth!  My uncle is Colin Mochrie [of Whose Line Is It Anyway? fame] and my aunt is Debra McGrath. They were like second parents to me growing up, and really helped me to understand the industry.

We know Degrassi films in Toronto, and Toronto’s great and all, but…best Montreal memory?
MC: Well, my first acting job ever was in Montreal. I was 7 and I did an audition and a McDonald’s commercial there. That was a cool little Montreal moment for me. Although, you know, our Toronto Maple Leafs don’t really like you guys. I’ll be content for this interview but when we play each other, I’m gonna be bitter.

Fine, we can be friends until we get to the arena. I guess I can understand that you gotta represent…
MC: I have to, I’m sorry. No offense to Montreal but Toronto Maple Leafs — I gotta “beleaf.”

That was both so awesome and so lame. I went online to find out your age to make sure that I could ask you all of our infamous college questions, but then totally found myself caught up in all the dramz. Is he 17 or 20? 1993 or 1990? What’s up with all of that?
MC: [Laughs] I don’t know! I like to see the fans get all angst-y about it. I don’t understand why it’s such a big deal, but people on Wikipedia and fan blogs were all asking and then sort of made up my age. When I saw people making such a big fuss about it, I was like, “okay, I’m gonna run with it!” Also, I kinda want them to see my age for the character I’m playing.

Well aren’t you just a man of mystery.
MC: I’m like Batman in the age department.

Well see, we ask everyone about their drink of choice.  So, this could be your age outing moment if you would like it to be.
MC: Hmm…just Coke. Coca Cola. Love that stuff.

Ecrit par brucas59 

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Ecrit par brucas59 
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