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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12387-Bad-Jokes.html
Comedy: January 31, 2024 Issue [#12387]




 This week: Bad Jokes
  Edited by: Waltz Invictus Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

I don't mind making jokes, but I don't want to look like one.
         —Marilyn Monroe

Everyone has a sense of humor. If you don't laugh at jokes, you probably laugh at opinions.
         —Criss Jami

A joke is an epigram on the death of a feeling.
         —Friedrich Nietzsche


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

You want your jokes to elicit a reaction.

Ideally, that reaction is laughter, or at least a smile. I generally have to settle for groans and thrown vegetables, but at least that's a reaction. An offended tirade is also a reaction, but hopefully that wasn't what you were going for (I covered that back in October, in "SorryOpen in new Window.).

But the absolute worst thing, the nadir of a comedian's life, is when they tell a joke... and get no reaction whatsoever.

Now, some people think puns are bad jokes. Those people are wrong. My father always told me that a pun was the lowest form of humor (which is why you'll never catch me calling them "dad jokes"). No, puns require mental gymnastics and creativity. Like this oldie: "When is a door not a door? When it's ajar."

Try to think back to when you first heard or read that one. If you shook your head and/or put palm to face, that was a reaction.

No, what you want to avoid isn't wordplay; it's jokes that aren't jokes.

It's actually tough for me to come up with an example, but I'll try: "Why is a hat like underwear? Because you can wear them both on your head."

Bad. Terrible joke. Not funny. Don't do that.

But it's inevitable, when you make attempts at humor, that some of them are going to fall flat. This is embarrassing, especially if you're trying to impress someone with your wit. They'll be tempted to put you in the witless protection program.

Maybe it's just not a good joke, like my example. Maybe you told a joke about math to someone who just doesn't understand math. Or made a Star Wars reference in front of some benighted soul who had never seen the movies. Whatever it was, now everything's awkward.

What can you do? Well, you know the adage: when you've dug yourself into a hole, stop digging. Don't try to cover it with another joke; you're going to risk digging deeper. Dig deep enough, and they'll start kicking the dirt back into the hole, with you in it. Okay, so I strained that allegory past the point of usefulness, but my point stands.

I don't have an answer for it. It depends on the circumstances, and who you're talking to. But in general, a change of subject is called for. Ask them where they got their shirt; I don't know.

But don't take off your underwear and put it on your head. That's frowned upon in polite society.


Editor's Picks

Some (hopefully) funny things:

 
Image Protector
CRAZY FOR EWE- by MOOdonna Open in new Window. [13+]
I've never had goat milk quite like this, is that Brand new?
by InkWellspring66 Author Icon


 A Thorny Landing Open in new Window. [E]
Flash fiction contest entry.
by L.A.Saxe Author Icon


 The New Partner Open in new Window. [13+]
Getting into the act.
by Sailor M Author Icon


 The Stand Off Open in new Window. [18+]
A boys birthday gift leads to a standoff of wills.
by Audrelia Author Icon


 Behind the scenes Open in new Window. [E]
Rogers and Hammerstein iron out a few details written for Flash Fiction
by Hyperiongate Author Icon


 
Image Protector
It Wasn't a Good Idea Open in new Window. [E]
The sudden end to my budding career as a scientist
by Con Author Icon


 
Image Protector
The Obituary Open in new Window. [18+]
What would happen if you found an obituary for yourself?
by Author Ed Anderson Author Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

As there were no comments on my last newsletter, "New Year, Same PersonOpen in new Window., I'll just assume it was perfect.

So that's it for me for now! See you in a month. Until then,

LAUGH ON!!!



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