A year and a half later, I’ve learnt a lot.  I’m not saying I know everything there is to do about the industry, but I know a lot more now than I did a short while ago.

There are a more than few people that helped guide my way into the program, but the four big ones are: Conan O’Brien, host of “Conan” on TBS, Rod Phillips, former Play by Play voice of the Edmonton Oilers, Kevin Smith, Director/Podcaster, as well as Tim Micallef and Sid Seixerio from The Score Television Network.

First, let’s talk about Mr Conan Christopher O’Brien.  I remember the very first time I ever stayed up to watch “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”.  It was the summer of 2002, and my favourite band at the time, Dashboard Confessional, was appearing on the show.

I didn’t know much about the late night world, other than my mom had occasionally stayed up to watch David Letterman.

When the first drum line from Max Weinberg kicked in, and the opening credits began to roll, I was hooked on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”.  That was 9 years ago, and I still remember being 12 years old in my basement, thinking to myself: “Holy crap! This guy gets it!”  I had never seen a performer like O’Brien.  The quick wit, the self-deprecating humour, and the intelligence.  He had the entire package.  After that, I began watching and following other late night hosts. Letterman, Kimmel, Kilborn, and Ferguson. I started watching how they crafted their shows, and the routines they got into.

It was the summer of 2002 when I realized I wanted to be an entertainer.  Conan O’Brien has continued to be a mentor, as well as a source for motivation for me.

When I enrolled in RTA, I wanted to make people laugh like Conan O’Brien.  When I had the chance to host my own “After-Hours” show on NR92, I jumped at the chance.  I thought, “This was my chance to host my own late night show!”

Sure, it wasn’t on NBC like I dreamed as a kid, but it was something.  Every Sunday, for a year and a half, I did my best to entertain my few, by loyal listeners.  I tried to go outside the box with my thinking, with such bits as “Can ‘Duel of the Fates’ make anything interesting?” as well as “Horrible Songs by Great Artists”.

Conan O’Brien on his last night hosting “The Tonight Show” said “Nobody every gets exactly what they want, but if you work hard, and you’re kind to be people, amazing things will happen.”

I worked hard on that show, and the odd time that one of my friends would stop me and say “Hey, I caught your show this week, it was really funny!” THAT was an amazing thing to me.  I want that to happen on a daily basis, not just every Sunday.  I want to work my butt off to entertain people, regardless of the platform.

The RTA program was perfect for me, because it let me exercise a lot of muscles that I knew I had, but hadn’t had the chance to work out before.

Rod Phillips is a big inspiration to me.  I was born in 1989 in Edmonton, so by the time I was able to understand who and what the Edmonton Oilers were, we were lead by Shayne Corson and Jason Arnott (a little to late to see Gretzky, Messier, Kurri and Coffey).  But, in 1997, lightning struck, and the Oilers made the playoffs.

I was only 8, so I couldn’t stay up late to watch the epic battles between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars that season, but, luckily, I had a radio in my room. I stayed up late, with my radio, and listen to Rod paint a wonderful image in my head.

I couldn’t believe that with no picture, it was still clear as day.  Phillips had a way with words that was unlike any other play-by-play man I had ever heard.  He had the passion of a fan, and the voice of a king.

“HE SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRREEEEESSS” will always bring a smile to my face.

Flash forward to a couple years later, and I’m 10 years old.  My dad had to work out of town a lot, and one job in particular kept him in Saskatchewan for 3 or 4 weeks at a time.  The few bonding moments my dad and I would have during the long stretches when he wasn’t in town came on Oiler game nights.  This was before the days of Sportsnet having 67 channels, and you were actually excited when an Oiler game was on (You didn’t just assume it was).

My dad didn’t have a TV where he was staying, so it was my job to be play-by-play for the Oilers while my dad was away.   I thought than that this would be the greatest job ever. Play-by-play man for your favourite team? That sounds like the greatest job on the face of the earth!

My first actual play-by-play job came when I started in RTA, and started doing play-by-play for the NAIT Ooks hockey teams, both mens and womens.  I earned a new respect for Rod, which I thought was impossible! I already loved the man!  The art of play-by-play is incredibly tough, so the hard work, passion and dedication that Phillips put into his career is something that I strive for.

Rod Phillips called his last NHL game this season, and through hell or high water, I made sure I was in attendance at that game.  I even made sure that I brought a walkman with me inside Rexall Place to make sure I could hear Rod call his final game.

Although Jack Michaels looks to be in the big chair for the next 20+ years, I’ll always be shooting for the play-by-play job for the Edmonton Oilers.

Kevin Smith is an inspiration to me, because he turned his hobby into his profession.  Smith turned a weekly podcast (SModcast) with friend/producer Scott Mosier, and was able to get his own podcast theatre (SModcastle), as well as many tours based on his podcasts. Eventually, Smith started his own Internet Radio Station called “S.I.R.” that will debut on May 9th.

He grew SModcast into an entire network, and it spawned many other new shows.  Smith started growing the SModcast network through Twitter, with his 1.7 million followers.  He also used his Twitter followers to promote his upcoming movie, “Red State”.

I think that’s so revolutionary.  He was able to finance his movie, create his own theatre, and the big kicker: the podcasts are free.

Free entertainment.  Smith has made a living from his fans, paying to see all of his movies, and buying all his DVDs, that he returned the favour with the “SModcast Podcast Network”.

I want an idea like that.  I really think podcasting is about to take off in a big way.

When Tim Micallef and Sid Seixeiro from “The Score Television Network” went to podcasts, they immediately found themselves near, or at the top of iTunes “Top Ten Most Downloaded Podcasts”.

There are more and more examples of how many people have made a living based on podcasting, and I really believe that in the next two or three years, the idea will be bigger.

I really believe that social media is here to stay, and it’s all about how people can utilize that to their own benefit. It can benefit anyone from Joe Q Blogger, to radio stations.  Facebook, Twitter, iTunes, MySpace, it doesn’t matter.  There are billions of people on the internet, and it’s all about getting your message across to them

I’m very eager to start my own career.  I don’t know to what part of the world it’ll take me, and I don’t know what kind of people it will introduce me to, but I do know…

“…if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”

- Conan O’Brien

The show on January 30th went off without a hitch.  We talked Coachella, acoustic music, and I dropped a folk cover of an Eminem song on you guys.  No show next week (due to the Super Bowl), but MAKE SURE you tune in on February 13th.  I’m in the midst of working on getting a huge guest for the show! Stay tuned to the Facebook Page for constant updates!

Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab For Cutie

Don’t Wait by Dashboard Confessional

Run by Vampire Weekend

New American Classic by Taking Back Sunday

Tonight, Tonight by Passion Pit

The Cave by Mumford and Sons

Age of Adz by Sufjan

Part 4 by The Februarys

The Scientist by Coldplay

Slow Dancing In A Burning Room by John Mayer

Goodbye by Greg Laswell

Brain Damage (Eminem Cover) by Jeffrey Lewis and Laura Marling

Basket by Dan Mangan

Danny Glover Ain’t My Lover by Everyone Everywhere

All Along by Kid Cudi

Memory by Sugarcult

2011 is here! 2010 can suck it!

“The Marc Majeau Show” got 2011 off with a tribute to a very under rated state. The Garden State. New Jersey.

The State of New Jersey has given myself quite a bit of awesomeness.  From Bruce Springsteen, to Kevin Smith, the New York Jets, to “The Sopranos”. I have no complaints about Jersey.

I told a couple stories about my connection to New Jersey.  One involving Kevin Smith, and the other involved Taking Back Sunday.  But, if you want to here them, you SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE SHOW.  But, good thing about radio shows is that you always get a second chance.  Tune in NEXT SUNDAY to “The Marc Majeau Show”, only on NR92.com!

Kevin Smith hails from Red Bank, NJ, and is my favorite director.  I had the chance to share the stage with him once.  Unfortunately, I don’t have video of that. But, I DO have video of him talking about the script for Superman that never was.

And finally, Springsteen and The Gaslight Anthem. Need I say more?

Now, here’s the set list!

Atlantic City by Bruce Springsteen

I’m on Fire by John Mayer

Celebration by Kool and the Gang*

Life’s Been Good by Joe Walsh

Tougher Than Leather by Run DMC

The Greatest Man That Ever Lived by Weezer

Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi

Distraction by Angels and Airwaves

Divine Intervention by Taking Back Sunday

Orphans by The Gaslight Anthem

Don’t Stop Believing by Journey

Where The Streets Have No Names by U2

Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z (With Alicia Keys)

*Played in honor of the New York Jets beating the New England Patriots. Also, it turns out “Kool and the Gang” is from New Jersey. Who knew?

Tune in EVERY SUNDAY at 7PM on NR92.com for more Edutainment from “The Marc Majeau Show”!

“Oh Come All Ye Faithful” by Twisted Sister

“Down” by blink 182

“REVOFEV” by Kid Cudi

“The Gift of a Black Heart” by Said The Whale

“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home” by Death Cab For Cutie

“Linger” by The Cranberries

“Ultraviolet” by U2

“Heroes” by The Wallflowers

“My Hero” by Paramore

“Miss Sweeney” by Weezer

“Suck it up, Princess (Jazz Redux)” by Ten Second Epic

“Just a Friend” by Biz Markie

“Mean” by Taylor Swift

“Get Behind Me, Santa” by Sufjan Stevens

“Lasting Impression” by The Starting Line

“Yellow Brick Road” by Raine Maida

“Go Let It Out” by Oasis

“Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Let me tell you something, I had one hell of a week.  I was at a bunch of Grey Cup events here in the city, making videos and stories for the Grey Cup’s Twitter page (@HuddleWithEarl), as well as the Edmonton Journal’s website.  Being a part of the Twitter Team was a great way to spend Grey Cup weekend.

You can check out some of the stuff I did here, and here!

I was running around downtown Edmonton for 4 days, collecting stories, talking with fans from all over this beautiful country, and interviewing a couple of celebrities (Well… at least I think they are celebrities.)

Here is me with WWE Superstar (and in his part-time, Rock star) Chris Jericho.

Canadian Sports Broadcast LEGEND Brian Williams and myself.  This was one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do.

And finally, the “Twitter Team” made it on Global News on November 25th, and this man felt it was OK to jump in front of my while I was on camera.  I tried my best not to laugh, but it was just too hard.

But, after all this, I had a show to do!  I hope you all enjoyed hearing my stories, and song selection!  See you next week! First show in December!

Accidents by Alexisonfire

Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

Kids by MGMT

Hold Me Down by Motion City Soundtrack

Takin’ Care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive (In honour of half-time at the Grey Cup. Check it out! Although, there is no Overdrive at this performance.)

Wrecking Hotel Rooms by MxPx

Tougher than Leather by Run DMC

Whatever Happened To by The Strokes

12 Days of Christmas by Taking Back Sunday

Bad/40/Where The Streets Have No Names (Live from Boston) by U2

Heart Songs by Weezer

Common People by William Shatner

Silver Bells by Twisted Sister

Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens

Check the O.R. by Organized Rhyme

I just realized I forgot to post the set list from the show on the 21st.  My bad!  Here you go!

For the record, I was horribly sick for this show.

Glory of Love by New Found Glory

Last Night by Motion City Soundtrack

Hey Hey, My My by Neil Young

Brooklyn by Taking Back Sunday

Limelight by Rush

Such Great Heights by Iron and Wine

I Won’t be Home For Christmas by blink 182

Let It Be by The Beatles

The Times They Are A Changing by Bob Dylan

Sex Over The Phone by The Village People*

The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel

Hey Thanks by The Wonder Years

Happiness By The Kilowatt by City and Colour

Vindicated by Dashboard Confessional

Till Kingdom Come/Ring of Fire by Coldplay

Christmas in July by Sufjan Stevens

Do You Feel Like We Do – Peter Frampton

Also, Peter Frampton just might have my favorite cameo on “The Simpsons” ever.

“Oh, this is just great. First Homer Simpson wrecks my pig, then Cypress Hill steals my orchestra, and now Sonic Youth’s in my cooler. Get out of there!” – Peter Frampton

*Denotes hilarious.

That was my best Howard Dean impression. Hey guys, what’s up?  The show on November 14^th had a little bit of everything: talk of song plagiarism, talk of Conan, of course, a song by Death Cab for Cutie, aaaand, “The Marc Majeau Show” got your holiday shopping started.

“C.O.D. Talk with Freeza LAPD” is a segment I debuted this week with video game expert Eric Morin.  Eric was good enough to set his xBox controller down, and call the show to give us a quick review of the new Call of Duty game, and also to talk about other new video games out just in time for Christmas.

And finally, my favorite football team is probably better than yours.  The New York Jets stretched their record to 7-2.  Yep… They are probably better than your favorite team.  In honor of that, I started off the show with a very fitting song.

See you next week guys n gals!

“Jet” by Paul McCartney

“I Wish It Was Christmas Today” by Juliana Casablancas

“Goonies Never Say Die” by Set Your Goals

“Breakfast (with Kate Nash)” by Chiddy Bang

“Something Is Not Right With Me” by Cold War Kids

“History of Rap” by Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots

“Basket” by Dan Mangan

“All Along” by Kid Cudi

“Invisibility As A Disability” by The Februarys

“Twenty Flight Rock” by Jack White, Conan O’Brien, and the Basic Cable Band

“Life’s Been Good” by Joe Walsh

“Santa Clause is Coming To Town” by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

“Blacking out the friction” Death Cab For Cutie

“The Diamond Church Street Choir” by The Gaslight Anthem

“Good Times, Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin

“Old Time Rock N Roll” by Bob Seger

“Slide Away” by Oasis

“It’s All About The Benjamins” by whatever Puff Daddy is calling himself these days.

The show on November 7^th was basically just a way for me to talk about this video.  It involves Hulk Hogan, his daughter, and Hogan’s junk. Skip to the 50 second mark.  That’s where the LOLs kick in.

I still don’t get it…

Anyways, make sure to tune in next week! “The Marc Majeau Show” helps you with Christmas Shopping with a brand new segment I’m debuting NEXT SUNDAY, so make sure you tune in!

See you next time, homies!

Same bat time, same bat channel!

Lovers in Japan by Coldplay

Badlands by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Fire and Rain by James Taylor (Still one of my favorite cameos on “The Simpsons” ever.)

The Funeral by Band Of Horses

We Rule The School by Belle and Sebastian

There Is by Box Car Racer

Private Eyes by Hall and Oates (For the Edmonton Oilers, and their 2-1 win over the defending Stanley Cup Champions)

Remember To Breathe by Dashboard Confessional

Elementary Song by The Februarys

The San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series last week. So, one might say they are Greater than Giants? Congrats to Tim Lincecum, and the rest of the San Francisco Giants!

These Kids Are Acting Like Kids by Greater Than Giants

Takin’ Care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive

Peter Piper by Run DMC

Hallelujah by Paramore

Sleepyhead by Passion Pit

1999 by Prince

Brand New Colony by The Postal Service

Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G. (In honor of The Hulkster)

Heroes by The Wallflowers

Can’t Stop Partying by Weezer feat Lil Wayne (Lil Wayne was released from jail! Normally, I wouldn’t care. And I don’t.  But I like Weezer… So I played this song.

Hey guys n’ gals,

Happy Halloween! After a week off due to technical difficulties, I was back in full force on October 31st!

I went to Vancouver this past week, but, I was hit with an insanely brutal case of the 24 hour flu.  So, I missed the majority of the Sufjan Stevens show that I was there to see.  But, I’m not going to complain.  From what I saw, it was a great show.

Also, help spread the good word of “The Marc Majeau Show”! Become a fan on Facebook! Tell all your friends!

“My Doorbell” by The White Stripes

“Nothing on We” by Chiddy Bang

“Thriller” by Ben Gibbard

“January Jones” by Hoodie Allen

“The Girl” by City and Colour

“Mean” by Taylor Swift

“A Movie Script Ending” by Death Cab For Cutie

“One” by Johnny Cash

“Ghost Man on Third” by Taking Back Sunday

“Logan Circle: A New Hope” by The Wonder Years

“Further Now” by Ten Second Epic

“All Apologies” by Nirvana

“Vesuvius” by Sufjan Stevens

“Lions of the Kalahari” by Sam Roberts

“Tool Sheds and Hot Tubs” by Straylite Run

“Macho Thing” by Macho Man Randy Savage

“Macho Man” by The Village People

See you next week, peeps!

-Marc

See you next week!!