Joe Toplyn

How Can I Write a Joke with AI?

By themselves, AI language models can’t write good, original jokes. But an AI system can if it’s explicitly told how to structure a joke. Enter Witscript, an AI-powered web app that combines a large language model with professional joke-writing techniques.

Joke About Sports Illustrated’s Layoffs

The joke:Sports Illustrated is laying off most of its staff. Fortunately, one group of employees has agreed to work without pay–the Swimsuit Issue bikini inspectors. How I wrote it:I thought I could turn this news item into a joke pretty easily because both of its topic handles have many associations. “Sports Illustrated” has both sports and magazine associations. And “laying off” is associated

Joke About Betelgeuse

The joke:Tonight one of the brightest stars in the night sky, Betelgeuse, will disappear as an asteroid passes in front of it to produce an eclipse. And this is important: to make the star reappear you’ll have to say “Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse.” How I wrote it:This news item caught my attention because “Betelgeuse” immediately called to mind the 1988 movie “Beetlejuice.” So I

Joke About Coca-Cola

The joke: Today Coca-Cola raised its full-year sales forecast after a stronger-than-expected third quarter. Apparently sales took off like a rocket when Coca-Cola merged with the Mentos candy company. How I wrote it: A good joke topic has to grab the attention of the joke’s target audience. If the joke is aimed at a general audience, business news stories tend not to do

Joke About AI and Mass Extinction

The joke: In a statement today, hundreds of public figures warned that artificial intelligence could cause mass extinction. In fact, Sylvester Stallone is so concerned about the threat of AI that he’s filming a remake of “Rambo” called “Roomba.” How I wrote it: I decided to write a joke about this news story because it was covered widely by the media. Plus the

Joke About a Star Wars-Themed Hotel

The joke: Disney is closing its immersive Star Wars-themed hotel in Orlando. Apparently they may have gone a little too far with the Star Wars theme: hotel guests kept finding their bathtub drains clogged with Wookiee hair. How I wrote it: I thought I could get a good joke out of this topic because it has two handles–“Star Wars” and “hotel”–that have lots

Joke About Dinosaurs with Lips

The joke: A new study says that Tyrannosaurus rex and other dinosaurs had lips. Which explains why the next “Jurassic Park” sequel will be a romantic comedy. How I wrote it: This news item caught my eye because it was so weird. And the two topic handles—dinosaurs and lips—each seemed to have enough associations for me to use in one of my Punch

Joke About a Tattoo Artist

The joke: A tattoo artist in India broke a Guinness World Record when he gave tattoos for 91 consecutive hours. He would have made it to 92 hours, but somebody asked for a tattoo of a dozen sheep. How I wrote it: I thought this news item might lead to a good joke because it has two promising handles, “tattoo artist” and “91

Joke About Valentine’s Day Doughnuts

The joke: Krispy Kreme just introduced heart-shaped doughnuts filled with cream and made with real Hershey’s chocolate. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day. Not only are they delicious, but it’ll be easier for Cupid’s arrow to hit you if you put on forty pounds. How I wrote it: This news item caught my attention because it has two fertile topic handles, “fattening doughnuts” and

Joke About Disney Employees Going Back to the Office

The joke: The CEO of Disney just ordered all hybrid employees to come back into the office four days a week. He would have said five days a week, but because it’s Disney, employees have to spend a whole day outside in the hot sun waiting in line to get in the building. How I wrote it: This news item seemed like a