by Rich Bolas (Thursday, Sept 16, 2010)

Carl Olien likes to joke that he’s been doing stand-up comedy since the days of Abraham Lincoln.

So when the 80-year-old Sun City West resident heard about Bryan Emler’s comedy workshop, he decided it was time for a refresher course.

“I’ve always enjoyed comedy,” said Olien, a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee. “I was always a big fan of Red Skelton. When I heard about this class, I thought it would be fun to learn about what it takes to be a comedian.”

Seven workshop participants received a comedy primer Tuesday morning inside the Chez Nous Center and Cafe in Sun City West.

Sue Randall, left, laughs as Carl Olien, standing, tells a joke. Seniors gathered at the Chez Nous Center and Cafe for a workshop on stand-up comedy led by Bryan Emler

During the next three weeks, they will each construct a five-minute comedy routine, culminating with stand-up performances at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at the restaurant.

“As you get older, you have more experiences that you can use as material,” said Emler, a Scottsdale resident who has performed comedy since 1996. “Doing comedy can take the place of therapy — and it’s a lot cheaper.”

Students jumped directly into the comedic fire during their first class, working on bits that will form the foundation of their five-minute performances.

With their fellow students and teacher as the audience, they launched into their work, developing routines on everything from their spouses, pets and life as senior citizens.

The would-be comedians even provided entertainment for passers-by inside the busy cafe and senior center.

At one point, women trekked past the workshop, watching the comedy class with a mixture of curiosity and amusement as they carried cups of coffee and glasses of water to their adjacent card room.

On another occasion, students delivered their lines while Chez Nous employees scurried behind the scenes in preparation for the lunch-time crowd.

Don Rasmussen has never had problems speaking in front of audiences.

As one of the founders of ESPN, the sports broadcast giant, the Sun City West man has a background in radio and television, including some work as a play-by-play broadcaster.

Rasmussen said he became intrigued with the comedy workshop after reading, “Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live.”

“This workshop came at the perfect time for me because I just finished the book,” he said. “I wanted to learn about the processes that go into making comedy.”

Emler said creative genius can come at any time or place.

That’s why he recommended that his would-be comedians always carry a pen, paper or voice recorder on their daily travels.

“Sometimes, my best moments for material come when I’m trying to drive through traffic on the way to other side of town,” said Emler.

He encouraged them to use attitude and emotion to sell their jokes.

He also reminded them of the fringe benefits that come with the class.

“The tools that you learn during the stand-up workshop can be used during all aspects of your life,” Emler said.

“It can help your confidence at a party or event, even a job interview.”

And that’s no laughing matter.

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