DCP Takes Aim at Everybody Wang Chung

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Can you explain that witticism for us folks who don’t think Moksha is funny? I really want to understand it in order to perhaps broaden my taste in obscure and unattainable comedy.

- Doc

I, too, respectfully request that you explain that witticism, ‘cause I sure ain’t seeing it, either.

Lemme take a crack at it, but first let me conduct a Comedy 101 course. Basic qick-bit comedy follows:

Typically two people, a protagonist (the person reflecting your values) and the antagonist (the person being mocked, usually to deliver the punchline toward, since he’s foolish). The punchline shows how the antagonist’s views are wrong. Most importantly it’s pithy and is easily consumed by the audience. Think Doonesberry for a political perspective, or maybe even John Oliver.

What NOT to do is just straight mock an opponent and try to pass that off as humor. In other words there’s no set-up, and no punchline. Just straight mocking someone isn’t funny, UNLESS, your barb is relatable to the audience. For example, “Ha, Trump is such a cockalorum, but I think he more doddypoll than Domitian!” That’s just a sad sack way of trying to show you’re a smarty pants.

A good way to lay down a witticism is how Gadianton does it. “Yesterday I (protagonist) was taking a walk with my conservative friend (antgonist), and he was bragging about how big was Trump’s last rally, and, rolling my eyes, I said, “Where was it, the federal penitentiary in Columbiana (it’s funny because Trump’s rally was near Columbiana)?”

*time out, I have to do a thing*

- Doc

[canpakes]

Because I don’t have skin in the game. Why do you care?

I dunno. I just wish humans were better to each other.

Be the change that you want to see, Fleming. : )

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

* time in *

So, let’s break down Moksha’s joke:

> Do you think Smac might define his courtroom style?

So, here we get hung up because is Smac a lawyer? A judge? Or is he a defendant? The joke breaks down immediately because we’re missing crucial “set-up” information. It makes no sense in context of Flemming complaining about handles.

> Some names sound fun like Tacenda or relaxing like StarGazer.

Here we get back on track a little because we know these unsernames as they’re vaguely familiar. The problem now is we’re left wondering why we’re taking about them.

> Or well chosen like Juliann's moderator handle Echidna.

Here the ‘joke’ completely falls apart, as we’re now onto the third antagonist coupled with a vague reference to “Echidna.” Most of us, I assume, know who Juliann is, but we don’t understand the Echidna piece; is she being compared to a hedgehog or a Greek mythological monster? And why? Anyway, if one has to go to Google to figure out the inference, and still coming away with questions, then the jokes fails.

Here’s how the joke should go:

As you all might know, Smac is a frequent poster on Dan’s blog; he’s a lawyer and passionate complainer about anonymity. I once suggested gentler names like Tacenda or StarGazer for him, in order to rehabilitate his cantankerous image. Julian suggested Echidna, a Greek monster, but she had forgotten she already took the name. Anyway, Smac declined as the names didn’t evoke enough repulsion.

- Doc

[Flemming]

I dunno. I just wish humans were better to each other.

Be the change that you want to see, Fleming. : )

I’ve been the most polite, pleasant poster here.

[Kishkumen]

I’ve been the most polite, pleasant poster here.

Kudos. Give it ten years, and you may see a real positive difference.

[canpakes]

I’ve been the most polite, pleasant poster here.

Not any more, now that I’m offering you some donuts. But the second place spot can be negotiated.

[Dr. Shades]

So, let’s break down Moksha’s joke:

[SNIP!]

Here’s how the joke should go:

[SNIP!]

Excellent analysis, DoctorCamNC4Me. I wholeheartedly concur. Thank you for typing that up.

[Physics Guy]

My current favorite joke:

Me: "You know why some people can't get a joke?"
Audience: [Anything]
Me: [Raises an eyebrow and wags a finger.]

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

My current favorite joke:

Me: "You know why some people can't get a joke?"
Audience: [Anything]
Me: [Raises an eyebrow and wags a finger.]

Anyone who isn’t PG, would you mind explaining this one?

- Doc

[Physics Guy]

If anyone else wants to try the abnormal psychology of why I think this is funny, they can go ahead. I’ll just say that no-one else has ever found it even slightly funny, not even my family who know me and often laugh at my other jokes, not even after I’ve tried to explain why it’s supposed to be funny. And even though I sort of have an idea what’s kind of funny about it, I’m not sure I can account for just how funny I find it.

My family are just, “Um, yeah, okay.” Oh, well. I don’t get all of Moksha’s jokes, either, but when I don’t, I don’t mind, because they’re short.