r/funny • • 1d ago

Steven Wright reveals his favourite joke of all-time...

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u/CielRouge74 1d ago

TIL that Steven Wright is still alive.

My favorite joke of his. - I picked up a hitchhiker. For a while, we rode in silence. Finally, I said "Put your seatbelt on. I want to try something...I saw it in a cartoon, but I think I can do it."

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u/makemeking706 1d ago

I don't think I get it. 

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u/100cpm 1d ago

You probably do. It's just what it seems. An absurdity delivered in his hysterical deadpan style.

IMO he's one of the greats. But I can imagine how on paper without knowing him or his delivery, it might not seem as funny as it was.

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u/makemeking706 1d ago

Is there a specific cartoon reference though? 

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u/Th3_Hegemon 1d ago

To add on, not having a specific reference in mind is part of the fun. The audience gets to spend a moment considering what he might be attempting to do, which is the same mental space the hitchhiker in the story is in. You're going on the same journey they are for a moment.

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u/MotherofFred 1d ago

Great insight.

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u/MrMyx 1d ago

Think Road Runner cartoons and the insane things that happen to Coyote but he never actually gets hurt. That's the general concept of the joke.

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u/100cpm 1d ago edited 1d ago

Nope.