Back in the day, going to what passed for “comedy school” was pretty simple. You’d just put George Carlin’s Occupation Foole on the turntable for the zillionth time and listen to that bit about “cute little farts” until the needle wore down to a stump. That, or wait for Citytv to play another re-run of SCTV.

These days the kids have the comedy program at Humber College, which has been teaching funny for almost ten years now (or the stuff that can be taught, at least) and which showed off its latest grads to talent-spotters and the local laugherati on May 12 at Second City.

Or some of them, at least. Humber used to put all 50-ish grads into its year-end galas, but this time the cast was pared down amid efforts to improve the overall show.

Getting cut is “a very tough thing,” notes Andrew Clark, the program director, but that’s comedy — a pursuit that he likens to playing rugby, in that it’s incredibly tough but not full-on sadistic.

Working with director Lewis Baumander and producer Lorne Frohman, the 18 who made the cut put on a promising display, though things felt rough early on. But the mix of quickie sketches and stand-up settled into a groove son enough. A daring set about the shared interests of block parents and pedophiles paid off for Doug Pumpkin, and probably helped pave the way for an equally risky but worth-it bit from Bobby Knauff, who took a chance by riffing on retarded people.

Laura Cilevitz, of the troupe 7 Minutes in Heaven, should also be noted for writing some of the night’s stand-out sketches, including a funny take on office small talk and what looked to be a full-cast musical number about skanky high school girls. Points also go to Paul Lillakas for his lively one-manner about Dr. Phil interviewing his favorite person — Dr. Phil.

It’s not easy, Clark remarked after the show, getting a class full of class clowns to work together on a show. “But most of our students aren’t dead inside yet,” he cracks. “They still think life could work out.”

This week’s best bets:

Approximately 3 Peters is three years old, and throwing a bit of a party for itself on May 20 at the Cameron House. With musical comedy by Charity & Chastity and improv by 10,000 to Flight. 8pm. $5. 408 Queen W.

Laugh Sabbath’s Loner Show (the 40th installment, no less) is at The Rivoli on May 18, with solo but not stand-up sets by the likes of Adam Cawley, Rebecca Kohler and Josh Saltzman. 8:30pm. $5. 332 Queen W.

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