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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Now that’s funny! » » Which way is funnier (assuming skilled delivery)? Printer Friendly Version
BerkleyJL

Veteran user
Chicago, IL
397 Posts
Posted: Mar 4, 2005 3:21pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of BerkleyJL  

I do my ACR a little differently than I've seen others perform it. I present my "Award-Winning Trained Deck of Cards." When I introduce the deck, I bring it out with a 2nd Place Red Ribbon attached to the card case. Which of the two following lines is funnier?

1. We would've gotten 1st place, but apparently the Pet Rock wasn't afraid to go in the water.
2. We almost got 3rd place, but last place was a talking iguana--and he ate the dancing mouse who got 2nd!

Personally, I think #1 is funnier, in part because it takes less explanation and leaves the visual up to the spectator. Please, share your thoughts!

I need a stage name.

Joe Berkley
Nicholas J. Johnson

Inner circle

6242 Posts
Posted: Mar 5, 2005 7:39pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Nicholas J. Johnson  

1 is funnier because it has a clearer punchline.

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Daniel Faith

Inner circle
Neenah, Wisconsin
1526 Posts
Posted: Mar 5, 2005 10:19pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Daniel Faith  

I agree as long as your saying it to adults.
I don't think kids have heard of a pet rock.
It was a 70's thing.

Daniel Faith
Harley Newman

Inner circle

3327 Posts
Posted: Mar 5, 2005 11:24pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Harley Newman  

What if the ribbon changed color?
ziatro

Veteran user
Havant, England
322 Posts
Posted: Mar 6, 2005 5:31pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of ziatro  

Please forgive me, neither. There's got to be something better.
BerkleyJL

Veteran user
Chicago, IL
397 Posts
Posted: Mar 6, 2005 5:50pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of BerkleyJL  

Quote:

On 2005-03-06 17:31, ziatro wrote:
Please forgive me, neither. There's got to be something better.



What would you suggest? The pet rock thing has gotten pretty good response, but I'd certainly be willing to use a better line.

I need a stage name.

Joe Berkley
ziatro

Veteran user
Havant, England
322 Posts
Posted: Mar 6, 2005 6:14pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of ziatro  

I'll have a good think (now there's a first) and get back to you.
Mike Robbins

Elite user
Anchorage, Alaska
443 Posts
Posted: Mar 6, 2005 7:22pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Mike Robbins  

I didn't care for either, for basically the same reasons that others have posted. The first had a very dated reference and the second was a bit too convoluted.

In order to help you brainstorm, I'll offer the following line. Depending on your audience and your character it, too, may not work, but I hate to just critique without giving you something that may help. This combines a simple line and an up to date reference. I hope it helps.

We would've gotten first place, but apparently Simon doesn't like card tricks.



The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare
ziatro

Veteran user
Havant, England
322 Posts
Posted: Mar 7, 2005 7:27pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of ziatro  

Unfortunately we came second to a cowpoke named Tex. We just got beaten by the better hand. It's not great but might raise a laugh. Let me know if you think this is terrible, after all, I didn't sing the praises of your two efforts. This one is original though.
Frank Tougas

Inner circle
Minneapolis, MN
1708 Posts
Posted: Mar 8, 2005 6:47pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Frank Tougas  

How about..."We would have gotten first place but where my deck just shuffled the other guys deck did the tango."

Frank Tougas

Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
BerkleyJL

Veteran user
Chicago, IL
397 Posts
Posted: Mar 9, 2005 7:21am    Reply with quote   View Profile of BerkleyJL  

I like that one Frank!

I need a stage name.

Joe Berkley
evanthx

Regular user
Atlanta, GA
172 Posts
Posted: Mar 9, 2005 7:27am    Reply with quote   View Profile of evanthx  

Just because it's fun to think of lines...

Would have gotten first place but it turns out a deck of cards doesn't do well in the swimsuit competition.

Would have gotten first place but that ribbon was harder to steal.

Would have gotten first place but a second contestant showed up.

Would have gotten first place but I forgot the cardinal rule of card tricks - never start a land war in Asia.


BerkleyJL

Veteran user
Chicago, IL
397 Posts
Posted: Mar 9, 2005 9:12am    Reply with quote   View Profile of BerkleyJL  

Quote:

On 2005-03-09 07:27, evanthx wrote:
Just because it's fun to think of lines...

Would have gotten first place but it turns out a deck of cards doesn't do well in the swimsuit competition.

Would have gotten first place but that ribbon was harder to steal.

Would have gotten first place but a second contestant showed up.

Would have gotten first place but I forgot the cardinal rule of card tricks - never start a land war in Asia.



All of these are great, but I think the last one is for a select audience...

I need a stage name.

Joe Berkley
evanthx

Regular user
Atlanta, GA
172 Posts
Posted: Mar 9, 2005 12:24pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of evanthx  

I have to admit the "land war in Asia" quip for me was primarily inspired by Princess Bride. I think my favorite of the ones I came up with is the swimsuit one.
Whitewolfny

Loyal user

208 Posts
Posted: Mar 9, 2005 8:28pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Whitewolfny  

We would have won first place, but I refuse to wear a pushup bra.

Braxton Mannar
Just an old dog trying to learn new tricks
Jim Short

Regular user

131 Posts
Posted: Mar 11, 2005 1:57pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Jim Short  

We would have won first place...

Curse you, William Hung!

http://annemann.blogspot.com/
tctahoe

V.I.P.
Montana but now Florida (Central)
396 Posts
Posted: Mar 12, 2005 6:10am    Reply with quote   View Profile of tctahoe  

I like the pet Rock line.

Not everyone in the audience needs to get the joke. Do it for the people who remember pet rocks.

If you do the pet rock line and there are a lot of people that don’t get it you could take the line.

We would've gotten 1st place, but apparently the Pet Rock wasn't afraid to go in the water…(beat) For those too young to remember. The Pet Rock was the Chia Pet of the 70’s!


http://www.tctahoe.com
Smudge

New user

82 Posts
Posted: Mar 15, 2005 7:34pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Smudge  

We would have come first,if my riders(point to card case)hadn't of got that puncture.
Payne

Inner circle
Seattle
3519 Posts
Posted: Mar 19, 2005 2:55am    Reply with quote   View Profile of Payne  

We would have won first place but the other deck was really stacked.

Hey second place isn't bad when you consider it was a dog show.

I guess I shouldn't have named him Avis. (even more obscure than the pet rock reference)

I contend that we are both atheists.
I just believe in one fewer god than you do.

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RonCalhoun

Special user
Independence, KY USA
564 Posts
Posted: Mar 23, 2005 1:45am    Reply with quote   View Profile of RonCalhoun  

I liked this one.
Quote:

On 2005-03-09 07:27, evanthx wrote:

Would have gotten first place but that ribbon was harder to steal.





May I suggest getting "The Comic Toolbox" by John Vorhaus

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Cabrera

Special user
Seattle
504 Posts
Posted: Mar 31, 2005 8:54pm    Reply with quote   View Profile of Cabrera  

How about "We would have gotten 1st place, but a couple of Jokers messed things up."





"The quilt of life is woven with many different threads"
Nicholas J. Johnson

Inner circle

6242 Posts
Posted: Apr 3, 2005 6:18am    Reply with quote   View Profile of Nicholas J. Johnson  

Avoid puns. Magicians do too many puns IMO

(riders with punctures, too many joker, stacked decks! ARGHHH!)

Do the one that people laugh at

Play INTERACTIVE three card monte ...just like it's played on the streets
--- Come visit my new blog
scott b.

Special user

735 Posts
Posted: Apr 3, 2005 11:25am    Reply with quote   View Profile of scott b.  

LMAO. All these are really great (I especially liked the Swimsuit one and the William Hung one).

Keep em' coming guys.

Thanks! Scott B.

"I don't know the key to success . . . but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." - Bill Cosby
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