It’s (Never) Just A Joke

What is a punchline, and how does it relate to a premise? Why do funny things always happen in patterns of three? Why do so many jokes take place in bars, psychiatrists’ offices, and confessional booths? And what is with that peripatetic chicken, anyway? Juno-nominated comedian Charlie Demers has been a stand-up comic for nearly 18 years. In that time, he’s been a regular on CBC radio’s The Debaters, opened for the likes of Sarah Silverman and Marc Maron, and taught comedy writing at the university level. In this intensive, we’ll explore joke structure, the timeless rules of comedy, the uses and abuses of humour, and more.

Speakers