ColdTowne Theater

Sigmund Freud says there are three parts to a joke. The expectation, the bewilderment and the illumination. In this 2 hour lecture, attendees will learn comic devices and joke writing techniques that they can carry forward in their comedy careers or just have a deeper understanding of what is going on subconsciously when a joke is presented to an audience. Join comedy veteran Rich Talarico who will share insights on joke writing learned from 30 years in the entertainment business having written monologue jokes for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as well as Key & Peele, MADtv, and SNL.

RICH TALARICO is a Peabody® Award-winning writer/producer with four Emmy® and four WGA Award nominations, best known for his work on Key & Peele. Rich was responsible for K&P fave Substitute Teacher, (“…Ay-ay-Ron?”) which in 2024 was added to The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum Of American History. Rich wrote dozens of K&P faves: Racist Zombies, Karim and Jahar, Hatz, Teaching Center, Obama Greets, Black Ice, and co-wrote many more.  Other credits include: MADtv, The Tonight Show w. Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, and the critically-acclaimed, Review. An alum of Chicago’s Second City and Improv Olympic, Rich also provided punch-up work on Mean Girls and Get Out.  As an improviser, Rich teaches, coaches and performs with long-form group Dasariski. As an actor, Rich appeared on screen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, MADtv, the feature film High Fidelity, and in A&W Root Beer’s classic TV ad, “Mr. Dumass.” Talarico’s extensive experience in the comedy industry has made him a sought-after teacher, writer and consultant. Rich is currently teaching and performing stand up comedy around the US.