Campus Events

Featuring interviews with comedy legends Janeane Garofalo, Jim Gaffigan, Margaret Cho, and many more, this film shadows one comic's (Tom McCaffrey) experiences doing stand-up and the harsh realities that come with following his dreams at any cost.

The most nerve wrecking thing next to teaching is to stand up and attempt to make people laugh. Both activities require unflinching courage and an ability to choose the right words at the right time. So, if you can do teaching, you d think stand-up comedy would be a breeze? Well, yes and no. Recorded back in 2005, here's a chance to watch a selection of teachers from all over the country try their hand at making you smile! There is a great array of comic styles on show, linked together by Peter Curran's wry observations. The quickfire one-liners about bodily function are set alongside elaborate plays on language, misspelling and grim pronounciation. the strange sounds from teachers brandishing ukuleles that hover somewhere between music and a fire alarm. There are gags about regional differences, observations about the accommodation, the technology and the maddening everyday frustrations of teaching life.

This star-packed episode features fresh interviews with Jerry Seinfeld, Roseanne Barr, Tim Allen, Ray Romano and Bob Newhart. The program reveals how America's top standup comics made the transition to the sitcom format and includes dozens of clips from Seinfeld, Home Improvement, Everybody Loves Raymond, Roseanne, and more.