Author: Joe Toplyn

  • Joke About a Gender Reveal Photo

    The joke: According to firefighters, one of those terrible wildfires in California this weekend was caused by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal photo shoot. It turns out it was also an IQ reveal photo shoot. How I wrote it: This is an example of how to write a joke based in some way…

  • Joke About a Record-Setting Catfish

    The joke: A Florida man caught a record-setting catfish that weighed almost 70 pounds. Because it was Florida, the catfish was caught while it was running naked out of a meth lab. How I wrote it: This news item attracted my attention because the topic handle “record-setting catfish” seemed to have associations that would be…

  • Joke About a Solar-Powered Aircraft

    The joke: Today a Swiss man performed the first jump and free fall from a solar-powered aircraft. He said he decided to perform the jump when the sun went behind a cloud. How I wrote it: This news item made me think “A solar-powered aircraft? That can’t be a good idea.” Based on that flash…

  • Joke About Syracuse University

    The joke: Syracuse University suspended 23 students for breaking rules against large gatherings during the pandemic. In their defense, the students were playing that new drinking game–Hydroxychloroquine Pong. How I wrote it: I decided to write a joke about this story because several news outlets covered it. Plus the topic handles “students” and “pandemic” seemed…

  • Joke About AMC Theaters Reopening

    The joke: Next week the movie theater chain AMC will reopen more than 100 U.S. theaters. But they’re taking precautions for the coronavirus. To make sure the theaters get filled to less than 10% of capacity, they’re only showing Adam Sandler movies. How I wrote it: I focused on this news item because the topic…

  • Joke About Cheetos Mac ‘n Cheese

    The joke: Cheetos is coming out with Cheetos-flavored mac and cheese. Cheetos Mac ‘n Cheese will come in three flavors: Bold & Cheesy, Flamin’ Hot, and I Don’t Care What I Put in My Body. How I wrote it: This news item caught my attention because the new product seemed to contain an unusually large…

  • Joke About National Lipstick Day

    The joke: Today is National Lipstick Day. So put on your favorite, sexiest color lipstick, pucker up, and then describe to people what it looks like under your face mask. How I wrote it: This news item caught my eye because a holiday can often be a useful handle for a joke. That’s because a…

  • Joke About Supermodel Bar Refaeli

    The joke: Today supermodel Bar Refaeli was convicted of evading taxes. In her defense, she didn’t actually evade the taxes; she strutted up to the taxes, struck a pose, then sashayed away from the taxes. How I wrote it: This news item caught my eye because “supermodel” and “taxes” each have enough associations that I…

  • Joke About a Younger Moon

    The joke: A new study says that the moon is 85 million years younger than previous estimates. In fact, scientists say the moon is so young that Ghislaine Maxwell introduced it to Jeffrey Epstein. How I wrote it: I focused on this news item for joke writing because both topic handles, “moon” and “younger,” seemed…

  • Joke About the Bubonic Plague

    The joke: Over the weekend, health officials reported a case of possible bubonic plague in Inner Mongolia. So crowds of people from Lake of the Ozarks immediately flew there to have a pool party. How I wrote it: This news item drew my attention because I thought there might be a joke that makes a…