I did not forsee the Dune hate in this forum.
It's the rule of thirds. In any group of people, 1/3 will like, 1/3 will hate and 1/3 will be indifferent to a new
issue thread.
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If you follow R.A. Heinline, you'll remember that humor is a 'small wrongness'. The point being small. Tickeling is a physical assault that we know is not a threat. Laughter is when our minds must comprehend an invalid situation that doesn't impact us.
The humor impacts strongest when we, as the recipients of the humor, assemble the last part in our own minds.
So, heavy handed humor falls flat.
The best use a light touch. The punchline is short. Then pause as the audience gets it.
Why is the
Dead Parrot Routine so funny? Because the shopkeeper is in denial that he sold a defective product? Regardless of the absolute proof in front of him? No. It's John Clese's monolog of 25* euphamisims for "dead". Each one spaced perfectly from the last.
*It's an educated guess. I know the real count is out there.