A man goes to the doctor and says "Doctor, doctor, I've had this uncontrollable urge to sing Barenaked Ladies songs."
Doctor says "That's an unusual condition, how long have you had this problem?"
Man takes a deep breath.
Joke Poo: A Programmer’s Lament
A programmer goes to the IT support desk and says, “My code is acting really weird. It keeps spontaneously writing JavaScript frameworks.”
The support technician says, “That’s an odd bug. How long have you had this framework problem?”
The programmer nervously cracks his knuckles and begins to type: “It’s been…”
Alright, let’s get this joke under the microscope and see what comedic nutrients we can extract.
Joke Dissection:
- Setup: A man seeks medical help for an unusual ailment.
- Premise: The ailment is an uncontrollable urge to sing Barenaked Ladies songs. This is funny because it’s specific, somewhat absurd (not a typical medical complaint), and relies on a potential negative association with the band’s music (subjective, but implied).
- Punchline: The man takes a deep breath. The humor lies in the implication that he’s about to launch into a Barenaked Ladies song right there and then, fulfilling the “uncontrollable urge” in the doctor’s office. It’s a physical gag/implied action punchline. The setup creates anticipation for a musical answer, which adds to the comedic payoff.
Key Elements:
- The Barenaked Ladies: The Canadian band known for their fast-paced, often quirky, and sometimes annoyingly catchy pop-rock.
- Uncontrollable Urge: The loss of control over one’s actions.
- Doctor’s Office Setting: A place associated with medical concerns and professional, sterile environments.
Comedic Enrichment – Option 1: Witty Observation/ “Did You Know”
“Did you know that the Barenaked Ladies originally wanted to call themselves ‘The Bare Naked Ladies,’ but they shortened it due to fears of being confused with a strip club? It’s ironic, really. Because now, after hearing ‘One Week’ for the thousandth time, I’d argue their music is a form of forced nudity of the soul.”
Explanation: This plays on the band’s name, a potential misconception about its origin, and relates back to the original joke by implying that hearing their music excessively is an unpleasant experience – almost a medical condition itself.
Comedic Enrichment – Option 2: New Joke
“A man walks into a recording studio and tells the producer, ‘I’ve got this amazing new band! They’re called the ‘Placebo Parakeets’ and their sound is unlike anything you’ve ever heard!’ The producer raises an eyebrow. ‘Oh really? What genre are they?’ The man pauses, takes a deep breath, and replies… ‘Everything’.”
Explanation: This joke mirrors the structure of the original. The punchline subverts expectations. Instead of breaking into song, the character reveals a terrible, genre-bending band name and artistic intent – a modern day medical condition.
Comedic Enrichment – Option 3: Short, Pithy Remark
“It’s like they always say: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But a Barenaked Ladies concert a day might send you to the doctor.”
Explanation: A play on a common saying. It connects hearing Barenaked Ladies songs to needing medical attention, reinforcing the premise of the original joke.
I hope these comedic enrichments have provided a chuckle and given new life to this joke.