YYC... Why oh Why?

Campaign Humour

So you think you want to make fun of your local election? The easy way is to just repeat what the candidates actually say in public, but trying to write jokes can also generate some giggles.

For this lesson you will need skills handout # 1... a working computer... a pen or a chizzle... whatever... jot down... cut and paste... photocopy... memorize... or shoot a video of the 15 mayoral candidates in Calgary's civic election... like this...

Craig Burrows
Joe Connelly
Bonnie Devine
Barry Erskine
Oscar Fech
Bob Hawkesworth
Barb Higgins
Sandra Hunter
Gary F. Johnston
Dan Knight
Amanda Liu
Jon Lord
Ric McIver
Naheed K. Nenshi
Wayne Stewart

How do I cartoon and make jokes of the aspirations of these noble civil servants... because I have been one of them... I was a candidate for mayor of YYC... was skewered... with just cause... I continue the proud tradition...

I do have a favourite... only because I always secretly and never with success cheered for the one who might bring sanity to City Hall...

I do believe the higher you go in the polls and eye of the public the more direct and cutting the jokes should be... but insanity and instability... my mayoral nicknames... are fair game...

As an instructor I will be using the basic premise of set-up and punchline as the equation and the skills handout #1 as the variables... I will write jokes based on the events, lies, fiction, half truths, insinuations and condescending speech of the candidates and their platforms as the campaign rolls out......

As students your challenge is to become aware of where and how joke is being used during the campaign... what jokes are being said... blogged... tweeted or printed... are they funny or memorable... what skills are they using...

Do not in any way accept the premise that my views are contained in the jokes... some will... some won’t... I have no grudges... misunderstandings...personal friendships... with any of the candidates... I have nothing... but my rinkey dink jokes...

Nominations close on Sept. 20 2010... let the mocking... ridiculing... exaggerating... etc... begin...