They answered in four rings
Okay, here’s my “Joke Poo” version, riffing on your Audi joke:
Joke Poo: The Plumber’s Lament
I called the septic tank company.
They answered, but the call dropped four times.
Explanation of Changes and Similarities:
- Original: Relies on the pun “four rings” referencing the Audi logo.
- New Joke: Relies on the frustration of a dropped call being a common, but frustrating experience when dealing with a Plumber. The core idea is a frustrating situation with a company.
- Shift in Context: I’ve moved from a luxury car brand (Audi) to a more mundane and often necessary service (septic tank).
- Similar Comedic Structure: Both jokes use a simple “I called X… They answered…” setup.
- Twist: The humor in both lies in the unexpected “punchline” after the setup. In the first, it’s the pun, in the second, it’s the frustrating outcome that is both relatable and creates a sense of exasperation.
- Tone: Both jokes are fairly dry and rely on understatement for their comedic effect.
Alright, let’s break down this Audi dealership joke and see what comedic gems we can unearth!
Joke Analysis:
- Premise: The joke plays on the double meaning of “rings.” On one level, it’s about the act of a phone ringing. On another, it’s a direct reference to Audi’s iconic four-ring logo.
- Punchline: The humor stems from the expectation of a mundane phone call being elevated to a subtle brand reinforcement. It’s the unexpected application of Audi’s brand identity to something as ordinary as answering a phone.
- Target Audience: People familiar with cars, especially the Audi brand, or those who appreciate puns and subtle humor.
- Type of Humor: Puns, subtle humor, brand awareness.
Key Elements:
- Rings (Phone): The auditory signal indicating an incoming call.
- Rings (Audi Logo): The four interlocking circles representing the merger of four independent automobile manufacturers: Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer.
- Audi Dealership: A place of business representing a luxury car brand.
Now, let’s use these elements to create something new!
Option 1: Witty Observation:
“I always thought the four rings on an Audi represented its build quality. Turns out, it’s just how many times they check your credit score before letting you test drive.”
Why it works: This builds on the original joke’s implied luxury and expectation of quality, then subverts it with a cynical, relatable truth about car buying.
Option 2: Amusing “Did You Know?”
“Did you know that the Audi rings logo almost caused a crisis in China? Early versions of the Olympic rings were remarkably similar. Luckily, Audi assured the Chinese government that their rings were just for driving, not competing in the 100-meter dash.”
Why it works: This plays on the visual similarity of the Audi and Olympic rings, then injects a bit of playful absurdity by imagining a brand identity conflict with a major international event.
Option 3: New Joke:
“Why did the Audi owner name his parrot ‘Rings’? Because it only knew how to say ‘Quattro! Quattro! Quattro! Quattro!'”
Why it works: This utilizes the Audi’s iconic all-wheel-drive system, “Quattro,” and humorously links it to the four-ring theme and the repetitive nature of parrots.
Option 4: Expanding on the Original Joke
I called the Audi Dealership.
They answered in four rings.
And put me on hold, forever bound in their infinite circle of automated apologies.
Why it works: This takes the initial premise and uses the imagery of the rings to imply a deeper, perhaps frustrating, experience of dealing with a large company. The “infinite circle” is both literal (visually representing the rings) and figurative (representing the endless loop of being on hold).