CityNews cartoonist PAUL DORIN gets his laughs from the usual suspects, but in his serious role as a senior first responder some of his favourite moments are back at the fire station, “where shared laughter creates an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their emotions, vulnerabilities and their best (and worst) jokes.” 

People say laughter is the best medicine. I think I have what I’d call a “quirky” sense of humour, probably not surprising for a cartoonist.

My brain is a crowded apartment filled with over-caffeinated doodles, each one desperate to be the next punch line. My goal is to make others laugh or at least chuckle.

I love clever comedy, and I’ve come to realise that humour is different for everyone. What I find funny may not be your cup of tea – and vice versa.

Sometimes there’s that great “aha” moment when a reader instantly gets the cartoon, and it clicks perfectly. But I also know that not everyone who reads my cartoons is going to find them funny, and that’s okay. Comedy is wonderfully subjective, and that’s part of what makes creating it so interesting.

So how do I get my dose of laughter medicine?

I get my laughter the same way I give it: by noticing the silly, the unexpected, the wonderfully ridiculous moments hiding in the corners of everyday life. My Uncle John had the gift too and always made me laugh.

I love shows such as Have You Been Paying Attention? and The Cheap Seats. They deliver news in a funny, light-hearted way and sometimes even spark ideas for new cartoons.

Kath & Kim is another favourite. The humour was a unique blend of brilliant comedy and hilariously clever television. Observational and situational comedy works every time for me, and that show nailed it. It’s famous for its sharp satire of suburbia, capturing everyday moments and would never fail to crack me up.

And then there’s Seinfeld, a show about nothing, mostly the things no one would consider important but that’s exactly what makes it hilarious, even decades later. Thanks to reruns, Seinfeld is still hilariously funny today and great for a laugh.

Cartoonists who’ve given me a laugh over the years and who I personally think are genuinely funny: include several editorial greats such as Paul Zanetti, Alan Moir, Warren Brown, Bill Leak (1956-2017), and Frank Benier (1919-1998).

I’ve also always enjoyed classic comic strips such as Swamp by Gary Clark, Footrot Flats by Murray Ball (1939-2017), and Snake Tales by Allan Salisbury. Their styles, characters, and wit have all played a part in shaping my own sense of humour.

You can always count on comedians for a good laugh, and the ones who never fail to crack me up are Carl Barron, Dave Hughes, Glenn Robbins and Nazeem Hussain. Each has a style that hits me in just the right way. Watching them is like stepping into a world where everyday situations become hilariously relatable, and they never fail to lift my spirits.

Being a first responder has shown me just how powerful humour can be in managing stress. Humour acts as a release valve for the pressure that builds during traumatic events. For many first responders, the ability to laugh isn’t about ignoring what we face; it’s about processing our experiences and maintaining emotional resilience.

Some of my favourite moments happen back at the fire station, where shared laughter creates an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their emotions, vulnerabilities, and, of course, their best (and worst) jokes.

My station is full of jokers and fun characters, and humour is one of the most effective ways we strengthen bonds and build camaraderie. I have had so many belly laughs.

A new recruit mentioned to me recently that he’d noticed something interesting: the way firefighters can be laughing one minute, then turn completely serious the moment the bells go off. It’s true our ability to switch modes so quickly is part of the job. The laughter helps us breathe, and the seriousness helps us serve.

Life is always better when you’re laughing!