But people in Abu Dhabi do
Okay, here’s my attempt at a “Joke Poo” version of that joke, titled:
Joke Poo: Software Update
People in England don’t typically like Windows 95…
But people in Windsor do.
Okay, let’s break down this joke:
Joke Analysis:
- Setup: “People in the Middle East don’t typically like the Flintstones…”
- Creates a surprising premise, leveraging a common (though likely inaccurate) stereotype. We expect a reason unrelated to geography or city names.
- Punchline: “…But people in Abu Dhabi do.”
- Relies on a pun/wordplay. “Abu Dhabi” sounds like “Abu Dabi Doo,” a reference to the Flintstones’ catchphrase, “Yabba Dabba Doo!”
- The humor derives from the unexpected connection between a geographic location and a well-known cartoon slogan.
- Humor Type: Pun, Play on Words, Mild Stereotype Subversion.
Key Elements:
- The Flintstones: A classic animated sitcom about a Stone Age family. Iconic catchphrases and visuals are central.
- Middle East: A broad geographical region with diverse cultures and preferences. The setup attempts to create a (false) generality.
- Abu Dhabi: A specific city in the United Arab Emirates, chosen solely for its phonetic resemblance to “Abu Dabi Doo.”
- “Yabba Dabba Doo!”: Fred Flinstone’s famous exclamation, representing excitement and joy.
Comedic Enrichment (New Jokes/Observations):
Here are a few ways to build on this:
Option 1: “Did You Know?” – Style Observation
“Did you know that Hanna-Barbera (the creators of the Flintstones) almost called the show ‘The Flagstones?’ Imagine how differently the Abu Dhabi joke would land then… much more geopolitically, I’d imagine! Maybe something like, ‘People in the Middle East aren’t fans of international relations, but people in Abu Dhabi do if you are a flag manufacturer’.”
Option 2: Extended the Original Joke – More Geography Based Pun:
“People in the Middle East aren’t typically that in to the Flintstones…but people in Abu Dhabi do.
Though I did hear they tried to market the show in Jordan, but it kept getting taken down due to broadcast disruptions. I guess they’re still having Amman-tenna issues.”
Option 3: A New Joke with a Twist:
“I tried pitching a modern adaptation of The Flintstones set in Dubai. The network executive said, ‘I don’t see it. Stone Age families don’t exactly mesh with luxury skyscrapers.’ I replied, ‘But think of the irony! They can call themselves the Billion-aires!’ He still passed. Apparently, executives don’t ‘Yabba Dabba Doo’ to every pitch.”
Explanation of Choices:
- “Did You Know?” We take the central pun and highlight its absurdity by pointing out how easily it could have been avoided with a different name for the show. This elevates the silliness of the original joke.
- Extended the Original Joke This relies on the same pun setup to extend the length of the original joke.
- The New Joke The final option uses the core concept (Flintstones + Middle East) to create a new scenario, injecting a bit of self-deprecating humor about the difficulty of comedy writing/pitching.
These enrichments aim to amplify the humor, not replace it. The effectiveness will depend on the audience, but the key is to retain the original’s playful spirit while adding a layer of depth or unexpectedness.