Crimes of Punishment.

People have a love hate relationship with the pun. I don't mind a good pun, but audiences as a whole will often meet a pun with an audible groan, even if it's followed by a laugh that shows they did like it.

Why? I think the pun is often a riddle instead of a joke. Or both at the same time. Of course, in the world of '1000 Jokes for Kids' and ice lolly sticks there's often no distinction. Some people think 'What's black and white and re(a)d all over? -a newspaper.' is a joke. It's not, it's a riddle in the 'riddle-me-this, batman' sense. He was the riddler, not the joker. They were two characters, they were nice and seperate in Gotham city. But some things fobbed off as jokes are just riddles, logic puzzles, like the things Bilbo and Gollum do in the cave. '30 red horses on a white hill, fist they champ, then they stamp, then they stand still, what are they?' The answer is teeth. And it's not funny. Actually in this case it's also a shit riddle as well as not being a joke. -It kind of works but not in an 'oh yeah! That's very good, that is.' but more in a 'oh yeah! That's very good, that is.' -With the second one said in a kind of grudgingly admiting it works type voice.

A good pun is funny, but is also a kind of riddle. Unlike some aspects of comedy, where the punchline is totally unexpected, in puns there is enough for the audience to work it out. You've introduced the two concepts which could invlove the same word.

1. 'My grandmothers very confused and forgettful'

2. 'She can no longer organise her collection of chat show host autographs.'

So when the punchline comes;

'She may have Parkinson's.'

There's a laugh, but a groan too. Possibly expressing 'Oh, I should have worked that out.' I don't know. But maybe a pun that works is a puzzle the audience couldn't work out. The comedy of the smart arse. I am the riddler, and I have confounded you again.

And no one likes a smug twat in a green leotard.

NEXT GIG;

EDINBURGH STAND, TONIGHT.

TUESDAY 27TH OF JUNE. SHOW STARTS 9.00 -
'LONG LIVE COMEDY'
THE DOG AND PARROT (UPSTAIRS)
-OPPOSITE THE CENTRE FOR LIFE, 2 MINS FROM CENTRAL STATION.
ONLY £2.