I said, “C’mon babe, you know I’m a mandated reporter.”
Okay, here’s my attempt at a “Joke Poo” version:
Joke Poo: The Taxidermist’s Tale
My husband cornered me at the zoo and asked why I always make a point of letting people know I used to date a taxidermist.
I replied, “Well, darling, you know I’m legally required to mount them.”
Alright, let’s dissect this joke:
Core Elements:
- The Premise: The wife is annoyed the husband keeps mentioning past relationships with a journalist. This hints at insecurity or perhaps the husband showing off.
- The Pun/Wordplay: The punchline leverages the double meaning of “mandated reporter.” In everyday conversation, it implies someone who feels compelled to share information, but it’s twisted to refer to the legal term “mandated reporter,” someone legally obligated to report suspected abuse.
- The Humor: The humor derives from the incongruity of comparing former relationships with the serious legal definition. It’s absurd and implies the husband views not sharing this information as akin to covering up abuse, which is, of course, ridiculous.
Analysis:
The joke works because it’s unexpected. The audience anticipates a justification rooted in ego or past feelings, but instead gets a legalistic, overblown, and entirely inappropriate reason. It’s self-deprecating, suggesting the husband knows he’s being absurd.
Comedic Enrichment:
Let’s leverage the “mandated reporter” element and journalist element for some new humor:
Option 1: Witty Observation
“Being a mandated reporter is rough. Last week I had to report that my sourdough starter was being emotionally neglected. The bubbles were just…flat.” (Play on the serious nature of mandated reporting and applying it to a trivial situation. Also links back to reporting like a journalist.)
Option 2: New Joke
Why did the journalist get a job as a mandated reporter?
Because she was tired of optional reporting and wanted to finally have some real deadlines!
Option 3: Amusing “Did You Know?”
“Did you know that in some states, if you witness someone crafting a truly terrible pun, you’re technically a mandated reporter? You have to report it to the Pun-itentiary.” (Playing on the legal responsibility and extending it to a ridiculous scenario.)
Option 4: Adding to the original Joke.
Wife: “You know you’re not actually a mandated reporter for dating journalists, right?”
Husband: “I know, but I feel like I am. Besides, it’s good practice. Keeps me sharp. You never know when I’ll have to report an actual crime…like someone stealing the last slice of pizza!”
Wife: “If that’s an actual crime, you’ll also need to report yourself.”
Explanation of Choices:
- Option 1 plays on the “reporter” part, linking it with a random and mundane thing.
- Option 2 aims to be a simple joke that capitalizes on the wordplay of the original joke.
- Option 3 uses “Did You Know?” format to state an absurd legal obligation.
- Option 4 expands on the original joke by adding a self-aware absurdism and escalating the punchline into a mundane situation.
These options take the core comedic elements – the absurdity of comparing minor social situations to legal obligations and the wordplay of “mandated reporter” – and amplify them in new and amusing ways. The goal is to create humor that resonates with the original joke while exploring different comedic avenues.