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Category Archives: Joke Writing Workshop

Four-time Emmy winner Joe Toplyn shows how the writing techniques in his book apply to some jokes about current events.

Joke About Melania Trump’s Birthday

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: Trump says he’s been too busy to get Melania a birthday present

Punch Line: Too busy to be with Melania is the birthday present.

Writer: S.J. Newman

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: birthday, Melania Trump |

Joke About Nicolas Cage Quitting Acting

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: Nicolas Cage Is Reportedly Quitting Acting in Three or Four Years

Punch Line: I didn’t know he started.

Writer: Peter Yatteau

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: acting, Nic Cage, Nicolas Cage |

Joke About Beds in the Cargo Hold

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: Airbus Beds Allow Passengers to Sleep in the Cargo Hold

Punch Line: Great, now I can discover my luggage isn’t on the flight before I land.

Writer: Margaret Hennebach

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: Airbus, bed, cargo hold |

Joke About ESPN+

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: ESPN Says New Streaming Service, ‘ESPN+,’ Will Launch April 12

Punch Line: It combines the excitement of Saturday afternoon TV with the thrill of wondering if what you’re watching is actually a sport.

Writer: John Mahone

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: ESPN |

Joke About Trump Attacking Amazon

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: Trump Attacks Amazon, Saying It Does Not Pay Enough Taxes

Punch Line: And if Donald Trump knows anything about anything, it’s about not paying enough taxes.

Writer: Nicholas Zike

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: Amazon, taxes, Trump |

Joke About an Attack on McDonald’s

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: Man Attacks Golden Arches at McDonald’s say Police

Punch Line: Authorities charged him with a McDemeanor.

Writer: Seamus Kirst

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: attack, golden arches, McDonald's |

Joke About a Dog with Braces

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: This Dog Couldn’t Close His Mouth, So He Got Braces

Punch Line: Finally, a situation where a dog’s bite was literally worse than his bark.

Writer: Brett Anders

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: bark is worse than his bite, braces, dog |

Joke About Abstinence-Only Education

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: Amid stories of Trump’s alleged past sexual activity, admin focuses on abstinence-only education

Punch Line: This abstinence presentation contains graphic photos of Trump having sex and is proven 100% effective.

Writer: Catt Crawford

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: abstinence, abstinence-only education, Trump |

Joke About a “9 to 5” Remake

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: A ‘9 to 5’ Remake with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton Might Happen

Punch Line: It will be called “Working to 95”.

Writer: Ruben Anthony

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: 9 to 5, Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, remake |

Joke About Mislabeled Kale

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Joe Toplyn

Setup: Kale recalled in 34 states after being mislabeled

Punch Line: It was mislabeled as being edible.

Writer: Jeremiah Ortega

Joe’s analysis of the joke

Posted in Joke Writing Workshop | Tags: kale, mislabeled, recall |
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Former head writer for Letterman, Leno, and Chase. Wrote "Comedy Writing for Late-Night TV." Invented @Witscript, an AI system that generates original jokes.

JoeToplyn
Retweet on Twitter Joe Toplyn Retweeted
witscript Witscript @witscript ·
24h

USER: Influencer Paige Spiranac posted a video to help busty women with their golf swing.
WITSCRIPT: Golf courses are now offering sunscreen, tees, and a two‑drink minimum.

Reply on Twitter 2041617114193097047 Retweet on Twitter 2041617114193097047 1 Like on Twitter 2041617114193097047 1 X 2041617114193097047
Retweet on Twitter Joe Toplyn Retweeted
witscript Witscript @witscript ·
6 Apr

USER: A Florida woman was arrested for damaging two properties rented through Airbnb by urinating on objects and then posting videos online.
WITSCRIPT: So basically, she turned Airbnb into Air Pee and See.

Reply on Twitter 2041195801557299558 Retweet on Twitter 2041195801557299558 1 Like on Twitter 2041195801557299558 1 X 2041195801557299558
Retweet on Twitter Joe Toplyn Retweeted
witscript Witscript @witscript ·
6 Apr

USER: A Florida woman was arrested for damaging two properties rented through Airbnb by urinating on objects and then posting videos online.
WITSCRIPT: Police say she’s now available for short‑term rentals under "heated pool optional."

Reply on Twitter 2041195799728488535 Retweet on Twitter 2041195799728488535 1 Like on Twitter 2041195799728488535 1 X 2041195799728488535
Retweet on Twitter Joe Toplyn Retweeted
witscript Witscript @witscript ·
5 Apr

USER: Why was chocolate candy so expensive this Easter?
WITSCRIPT: Because the Easter Bunny outsourced to Willy Wonka’s unionized Oompa-Loompas.

Reply on Twitter 2040860549508948451 Retweet on Twitter 2040860549508948451 1 Like on Twitter 2040860549508948451 X 2040860549508948451
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