Maceo learns the art of comedic timing and telling the entire joke.
I worked with Maceo after school to learn his first knock-knock joke. Appreciating its sophisticated level of humor I'll save for another day. After much repetition, Maceo understood his role in telling the joke and the expected responses to get to the punchline. So, when Nick came home, it went something like this:
Maceo: Poppa. Knock, kno---no, wait. I say who's there. No, wait, I say 'knock-knock." And you say, "Who's there?"
(Me, to Maceo: you say knock, knock).
Maceo: Knock, knock.
Nick: um, who's there?
(Me, to Maceo: now say 'boo.')
Maceo: I say "boo."
Nick: Boo who?
Maceo: I'm all done.
It's a work in progress.
Also fabulous.
ReplyDeleteNick had the same problem, c. four decades ago, so it may be genetic. As I recall now, maybe Pat was prepping him on "Knock knock" / "Who's there?" / "Pete" / "Pete who?" "Pete-SA, I love it!" [I think this entire "joke" came from somewhere, maybe his nursery school.] When Nick said it to me, it went like this: "Knock knock" / "Who's there?" / "Pete-SA, I love it!"
Something about the concept is missing.....