'Riverdale' Director Shannon Kohli Talks About Her New Movie 'All Joking Aside'

Director Shannon Kohli (Riverdale, Supergirl, Nancy Drew) takes the helm of the All Joking Aside, written by James Pickering. The film follows Charlie (Raylene Harewood), a 21-year-old, African-American cancer survivor who dreams of being a stand-up comedian. On her very first attempt of taking the stage she heckled by Bob (Brian Markinson), a forgotten stage comic that was on the verge of super stardom, but fell off right before his big television break could come through.

Charlie is estanged from her mother, who she blames for dashing her father's hopes of being a comedian, while Bob no longer talks to his ex-wife and teenage child because he loved the stage more than his family.

Now the two have a real chance of a connection and to heal from past wounds as a new relationship is forged between the two comics.

I spoke with Shannon Kohli about the film, its limited shooting schedule and is basically a guide in how to become a stand-up comedian. One line that Kohli made sure to include in the film was the heartbreaking line from Bob when telling Charlie, "You can either be funny or happy, but you can't be both."

We touched upon how the character of Charlie does not have to posture up to prove she is a strong, independent, woman, because we figured that out with Raylene Harewood being on the movie poster, having top billing and the majority of the scenes in the movie. I also ask the question of why does Western Society feel the need to infantile our women, while sexualizing our children and how we could find a way to stop doing both of those things.

All Joking Aside will be available November 13 On Demand from Quiver Distribution.

Follow Shannon Kohli on Twitter @shannonkohli and on Instagram @shannonkohli.