Don't Explain the Joke/Quotes

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


"Analysing comedy is like dissecting a frog. Nobody laughs and the frog dies."

Barry Cryer, with another take on the page quote.

"This joke is funny because the Green Devil looks like he's made of Jello, and Jello rhymes with yellow. I realized I shouldn't have to say that, but I need something to fill this space."

RyanMC, commenting on Two Evil Scientists

"It's like when you tell a joke and nobody laughs. You then explain the joke and everyone goes 'oh, that's pretty clever, I guess', but they still won't laugh because you didn't tell the joke right in the first place!"

Ben 'Yahtzee' Croshaw

"It's not funny if I have to explain it."

"I think we all understood what you meant at the end of your first sentence, dolt."

High Lord Phrygius, Codex Alera

"What do you mean explaining the joke ruins it? Fuck you!"

"Now you and this robotic guardian can have some quality time... Yes, quality snack time! When he snacks....on you! For you...ARE the snack! Ciao!"

Dimentio, Super Paper Mario

"The fact that you had to explain the joke just shows how lame it was."

"If you have to explain a joke, is it really a joke?"

Craig Ferguson, The Late Late Show from September 30, 2008

"Did you ever notice how men leave the toilet seat up? [[[Beat]]] [[[Chirping Crickets]]] ...That's the joke."

McBain, The Simpsons, "A Star Is Burns"

Grant: Well Gront, it took a lot of effort, but I finally got you that Red Sunset Egg, now you can finally finish that cake.
Gront: What Cake?
Grant: Th-The one you needed this egg to finish?
Gront: Oh, that. Yeah, I was never actually making a cake. I made the whole egg story up.
Grant: What!?
Gront: Yup, no cake, I lied. Haha! Get it?
Grant: Uuugggh.... yeah, I got it...
Gront: It's a reference!
Grant: I know the reference...
Gront: To Portal!
Grant: Yes, Gront, i've heard it...
Gront: The Cake Is a Lie!
Grant: I KNOW!!!
Gront: That's where it's from!
Grant: SHUT UP, DAMNIT!!!

Grant & Gront of Smashtasm

Captain Ginyu: Now to deal with these three. Make sure you treat them nicely, boys.
Jeice: Yeah, and when he says "Treat'em nice," that don't mean we're gonna buy you flowers or nothin' like that. No, it means we're gonna kill you!
Captain Ginyu: Oh, would you please shut up!
Jeice: [speaking small] Right, right, sorry about that...

Dragon Ball ep 62, New Ally, New Problem (English dub)