One Saturday evening in June 2001, as part of Dr Richard Wiseman's campaign to identify the world's funniest joke, he and standup comedian Debi Gutierrez rattled off a list of contenders before a test audience at Pasadena's "Ice House" comedy club.
First, Gutierrez read a Viagra joke and botched the punch line. Then it was Wiseman's turn: "Guy goes to the doctor, who gives him a checkup. 'How long have I got to live, doc?' 'Ten.' 'Ten what? Weeks? Months?' 'Ten, nine, eight...'"
When this joke also bombed, Gutierrez, referring to her notes, tried a joke about a preacher. This also failed to elicit a chuckle. At last, Gutierrez put her script aside and tried an idea of her own. "Two faggots and a midget walk into a bar," she barked. The audience cracked up for four long, joyous seconds.
[Among Wiseman's findings? "We found that the funniest animal of all is a duck... If you're going to tell a talking-animal joke, make it a duck." The funniest names according to Melvin Helitzer? Gladys, Chuck, Jose, Hortense -- and Lucky Pierre. The funniest word? Twinkie. (Comedy Techniques for Writers and Performers)]
Sources
The New Yorker, Nov. 11, 2001
