Pianoman Square.
Okay, here’s my attempt at a “Joke Poo” based on the Billy Joel joke, titled “Potty Professor”:
Title: Potty Professor
Where does a history professor specializing in Roman plumbing give his lectures?
…The Colise-sewage-um!
Okay, let’s dissect this Billy Joel joke!
Joke Breakdown:
- Setup: “Where does Billy Joel perform when he’s in Beijing?” This establishes a geographical setting (Beijing) and a musical artist (Billy Joel, famous for his song “Piano Man”).
- Punchline: “Pianoman Square.” This is a pun. It replaces “Tiananmen” (the famous square in Beijing) with “Pianoman,” directly referencing Billy Joel’s iconic song.
- Humor: The humor relies on the listener knowing both Billy Joel’s most famous song and the existence of Tiananmen Square. The pun creates an unexpected and silly connection.
Key Elements:
- Billy Joel/Piano Man: The musician and his signature song.
- Beijing/Tiananmen Square: The geographical location and landmark.
- Pun: The core mechanism of the joke.
Comedic Enrichment & New Humor:
Okay, let’s use these elements to create something new. We’ll go for a “Did You Know?” style observation that expands upon the original joke:
“Did you know that after Billy Joel played his famous song ‘Piano Man’ in Pianoman Square, Beijing, officials were initially confused? They had ordered a tribute to the ‘Barefoot Man’ by the local Parks department and assumed the square was meant to be filled with soil for walking. Joel quickly clarified that the song was ‘Piano Man’, and the performance was allowed to proceed, provided the local park was then filled with compost.”
Explanation of the new humor:
- It builds upon the initial pun, assuming it’s a real event.
- It uses a slightly absurd premise (a misunderstanding about the song “Piano Man”).
- It adds a layer of satire by referencing the “Barefoot Man,” a reference to a type of rural medical worker in China, contrasting it with the international pop star.
- It continues the joke with further wordplay, referencing compost and the continuation of the performance.
Alternative Approach: A related observational joke:
Why did Billy Joel refuse to perform in Red Square during his Moscow tour? He heard the audience only requested songs in the Key of C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C.
Explanation of the new humor:
- This time, another famous square in Russia, and referencing a famous stuttering reference within popular culture.
I think the “Did You Know?” adds a bit more layers and leans into the slightly surreal nature of the original pun.