Harry Shearer to Discuss Art of Comedy at Loyola, 11/18

Loyola University New Orleans artist-in-residence Harry Shearer will lead a discussion on the mechanics of comedy in cinema during "What's So Funny About That," a public forum Monday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. The event is free, open to the public and will take place in Nunemaker Auditorium in Monroe Hall.

Hosted by Jim Gabour, Loyola extraordinary professor of video technology, the forum will feature excerpts from three classic films selected by Shearer: "Dr. Strangelove," "To Be or Not to Be" and "Taking Off." According to Gabour, all of the movies deliver a serious message while still cloaked in wildly funny action and dialogue.

Shearer, who serves as a source of professional advice and guidance in filmmaking for Loyola students, has frequently made appearances at Loyola in the past years. He will also offer several workshops on writing, acting and directing in the days following the forum.

Shearer made his first on-screen appearances in "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars" and "The Robe" in 1953 at age 7. In a career spanning more than 60 years since then, he has worked as a writer, producer, director, actor, radio host, author and voice-over talent. His work today includes a recent five-month tour of stage performances in the U.K. and continuing roles on "The Simpsons," the longest-running sitcom in American television history.