Joke Poo

First they came for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Posted on by Joke Poo

Next they'll come for viewers like me

Okay, here’s the original joke and then my “Joke Poo” version:

Original Joke:

First they came for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Next they’ll come for viewers like me.

Joke Poo: First they came for the artisanal sourdough starter…

First they came for the artisanal sourdough starter…

And there was no knead to protest.

Explanation of Changes and Why it Works (Hopefully!):

  • Key Element Changed: I replaced the “Corporation for Public Broadcasting” (a symbol of cultural or educational funding) with “artisanal sourdough starter” (a current cultural obsession and a somewhat precious, almost comical item).
  • New Core Assumption/Twist: The original joke plays on a fear of censorship or targeting of individuals. My version pivots to a pun. Instead of fearing being targeted, the punchline is a wordplay on “need” (a need to protest vs. a kneading motion for bread).
  • Comedic Structure Maintained: The joke still follows the two-line structure of a statement followed by a reaction or conclusion.
  • Humor Riff: The humor comes from the unexpected pun and the slightly absurd idea that someone might be intensely worried about the fate of sourdough starter. It plays on the current cultural trends of artisan baking. It’s a “Joke Poo” because it hopefully captures some of the spirit of the original, even if it’s in a silly, somewhat less serious way.

Alright, let’s break down this joke and then build on it!

Joke Dissection:

  • Core Structure: This is a parody of Martin Niemöller’s famous quote, “First they came for the Socialists…” which is a powerful statement about the dangers of apathy and allowing injustice to happen unchecked.
  • Target: The humor comes from substituting a politically loaded target (Socialists, Trade Unionists, etc.) with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and then individual viewers.
  • Humor Type: Irony and dark humor. It juxtaposes the gravity of the Niemöller quote with the arguably less dire (but still potentially serious) issue of public broadcasting funding and access. The humor also leans on the relatable anxiety of feeling targeted or affected by political decisions.
  • Underlying Assumption: The joke assumes the audience is familiar with the Niemöller quote and has some awareness of debates surrounding the funding and purpose of public broadcasting.

Key Elements:

  1. Niemöller Quote: The historical and emotional weight of this quote is essential.
  2. Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB): A US organization that funds public television and radio stations. Its funding is often a political football.
  3. Vulnerability of Viewers/Listeners: The joke emphasizes the feeling of being a target, of being affected by broader political actions.

Comedic Enrichment: New Jokes and Observations

Based on these elements, let’s craft some new humor:

1. Amusing “Did You Know?”

“Did you know that Mr. Rogers, a staple of PBS (funded by the CPB), was actually a Presbyterian minister ordained in 1951? So, when someone threatens to defund public broadcasting, they’re not just coming for Big Bird; they’re coming for the holy land of wholesome children’s programming, orchestrated by a man who could probably out-debate any politician using only puppets and gentle life lessons.”

  • Analysis: This builds on the CPB element. It highlights a beloved program and adds the unexpected twist of Mr. Rogers’ background. The absurdity of politicians being outsmarted by puppets amplifies the humor.

2. Alternative Joke:

“First they came for the pledge drives… and I didn’t say anything because I fast-forwarded through them. Then they came for Masterpiece Theater… and I still didn’t say anything because I had Netflix. Now they’re coming for Sesame Street… and fine, I’ll donate. Elmo’s got kids to feed!”

  • Analysis: This plays on procrastination and the temptation to let others handle things. It acknowledges that pledge drives can be annoying and then uses this contrast to highlight the affection for a character, Sesame Street. The humor is light and relatable.

3. Witty Observation:

“The CPB is like the Switzerland of the airwaves – it tries to remain neutral while everyone argues about whether Arthur should be more or less politically correct. But, hey, at least it’s not another reality show where people yell at each other while renovating a kitchen.”

  • Analysis: Here, the political neutrality of the CPB is likened to Switzerland (which may be an oversimplification of reality, thereby adding to the humorous comparison). Then, a contrast is drawn between public broadcasting and reality tv, highlighting its purpose, that is not always about entertainment.
    The comparison is intentionally exaggerated to bring a more comedic feel.

4. New Twist on the Original Joke:

First they came for the CPB, and I did not speak out because I streamed everything.
Then they came for Ted Lasso, and I did not speak out because I was watching it.
Then they came for me… because I was still paying for cable.

  • Analysis: The joke adds in an updated element that is “Ted Lasso” in place of something traditionally found on PBS. This also adds a final line that many people would relate to, paying for cable even when there are several other streaming options. This highlights that there is always something “better” coming along.

These examples utilize the core elements of the original joke while layering in factual information, updated cultural references, and relatable experiences to create new and hopefully amusing content. The goal is to enhance the original joke and bring new perspective.