Humor Cop

(Eric Shansby)

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

Nicole: Well, we are going to be re-launching the comics in a big way this spring. To make them more relevant. That was a classic joke from the '50s.

Me: Okay, fair enough. Here's a more recent one. Zena is ordering a dress over the phone. She is asked for her credit card number and her expiration date, and she responds: "How do I know how long I'm going to live?"

Nicole: I think that's cute. These are funny, in a simplistic way.

Me: Let me rephrase my original question, then. Is there a level of humor lower than Bazooka Joe comics? I think we can agree their level is lower than your basic knock-knock joke, but, from an intellectual standpoint, is it also lower than, say, tickling someone till they pee? In terms of absolute infantilism, is it lower than peekaboo? Is there a joke so lame, so desiccated, so devoid of irony or surprise that you would declare it beneath Bazooka Joe?

Nicole: Yes!

Me: How about this joke: "Where does Santa go on vacation?"

Nicole:

Me: You have to ask me where.

Nicole: Where?

Me: "A ho-ho-hotel." Would that make the cut?

Nicole: No.

Me: So you say.

Nicole:

Me: Do you think I am being unfair, here?

Nicole: Yes. At least I hope I've humored you.

Me: A lot more than the comics, ma'am.