They'll hit up anything but Target.
Joke Poo:
Original Joke:
What stores do stormtroopers go to?
They’ll hit up anything but Target.
Joke Poo:
What kind of coffee do dentists avoid?
Anything but Decaf.
Alright, let’s analyze this joke!
Joke Dissection:
- Setup: "What stores do stormtroopers go to?" – This establishes a simple Q&A format, priming the audience for a punchline.
- Punchline: "They’ll hit up anything but Target." – This is where the humor lies, creating a wordplay association between two key elements:
- "Target" (the store): A well-known retail chain.
- Stormtroopers’ notorious inaccuracy: A recurring joke in Star Wars lore, where they are famously bad at hitting their targets (people, objects, anything).
- Humor Mechanism: Wordplay/Pun, based on the double meaning of "target" (retail store vs. aiming point).
Key Elements:
- Stormtroopers
- Inaccuracy/Bad Aim
- The Store "Target"
Comedic Enrichment and Creation of New Humor:
Now, let’s leverage these elements to build something new:
1. Witty Observation:
"It’s ironic, really. Stormtroopers have access to blasters that can vaporize a door, but they couldn’t hit a stationary womp rat from two meters…unless that womp rat was managing a Target’s holiday sales."
Why it works: Plays on the absurdity of their power vs. accuracy, and suggests that only something as enticing (and potentially chaotic) as a Target sale would focus their aim.
2. A "Did You Know?" Enhanced Joke:
"Did you know that the Star Wars films actually used British Army blank-firing rifles, modified with additional props, to create the stormtrooper blasters? So, you’d think a squad of trained soldiers wielding somewhat real guns could hit SOMETHING… But hey, at least they are on Brand when they are going to a store. But like any good clone, they’ll hit up anything but Target."
Why it works: Combines the original joke with a factual tidbit about the film props, amplifying the frustration of their inaccuracy, and making the original punchline even funnier in contrast.
3. A New Joke (Based on Similar Logic):
"Why are stormtroopers never invited to darts tournaments?"
"Because they always miss point… and tend to visit Staples after for office supplies."
Why it works: Continues the wordplay theme: Missing the point in the game and, Staples office supplies (as in, the kind you would find in an office).
4. A Darker Spin:
"What’s the first thing a stormtrooper says after a blaster fight?"
"‘Sorry, I was aiming for the store next door – was trying to pick up a new Target gift card for the wife.‘"
Why it works: Leans into a more satirical view of the characters; humor from the mundanity of the supposed villain.
The key to enriching this joke is to continue playing on the contrast between the serious context of Star Wars and the relatable, everyday problem of being a terrible shot while referencing specific elements of the film’s universe and culture to amplify the humor.