This is a great exercise that my comedy troupe used to do to open up our Improv Performances at the Star Theatre. It’s the joke that just keeps going and going. The director of the show would first tell the audience how the joke works, give examples (below) and encourage audience response whether it be good (applause) or bad (groans). This would keep the exercise organized.
The basic premise is this: “One hundred and sixty eight (whatevers) walk into a bar, and the bartender says, ‘I am sorry, but we don’t serve (whatevers) in this bar.’ The one hundred and sixty eight (whatevers) then say ‘(ba dum dum)’.”
Then we would always use these next two jokes as examples, which would start the pace of the exercise and encourage the rhythm to keep going: “One hundred and sixty eight doctors walk into a bar, and the bartender says, ‘I am sorry, but we don’t serve doctors in this bar.’ The one hundred and sixty eight doctors then say ‘But we just came in for a shot’.”
Or
“One hundred and sixty eight doctors walk into a bar, and the bartender says, ‘I am sorry, but we don’t serve doctors in this bar.’ The one hundred and sixty eight doctors then say ‘What kind of operation are you running here?’.”
And
“One hundred and sixty eight lawyers walk into a bar, and the bartender says, ‘I am sorry, but we don’t serve lawyers in this bar.’ The one hundred and sixty eight lawyers then say ‘You mean, we’ve been disbarred?’.”
At this point, the director would then ask the audience for suggestions to feed the performers. “Someone, please shout out a profession!” The players would then take the suggested professions and plug them into the joke, ending it each time with a unique punch line. Any profession, real or made-up would do: Teachers, Game show hosts, Flight Attendants, Plumbers, Bee Keepers, Mimes… you name it, and we come up with a punch line for it.
After about 4-5 rounds, we would take advantage of the laughter and the tone in the room by taking it to the next level. The director would then ask for random objects to plug into the joke: “One hundred and sixty eight basketballs walk into a bar, and the bartender says, ‘I am sorry, but we don’t serve basketballs in this bar.’ The one hundred and sixty eight basketballs then say ‘Well… shoot!’.”
As always, a good director knows to end a scene on a high note. He waits until a good punch line and a big laugh from the audience before waving his hand to bring down the lights and end the scene while everyone is still having a good time.
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