What if you are in the middle of telling a joke or story and forget the punchline?

Question

What do you do when you realise "I don't know how this joke ends"?

Blog: http://bit.ly/1x1LIlT

Answer 1

I’m awful at telling jokes – mostly because I usually forget the punch line right in the middle of the delivery. What I'm doing is.....

Michael Jackson? Thats all I gotta say. ...He's become a punchline. He has! Michael Jackson is a punchline. To any joke you want. If you ever forget the punchline to a joke, just say 'Michael Jackson.' "Two Jews walk into a bar...Michael Jackson!" "Why did the chicken cross the road? Michael Jackson!" "So the farmer brings his daughter to the dinner table--Michael Jackson!" It works for anything!

Answer 2

As you've already anticipated this scenario, then have an exit-strategy joke pre-prepared. Jokes mostly end in punchlines and the chances of forgetting one is far less costly than thinking up an exit-strategy joke. Or just make it a habit to mentally snapshot the punchline before you invest time and later embarrassment into setting it one up!

Answer 3

Simply say to the audiences, to be continued...

It's better than to come up with an alternate ending since it's less effort. You don't need to think anymore. You don't need to search on the web too.

Answer 4

It would an embarrassing situation if one forgets the punch line.



Without the punch line it would be a rather dull joke but do not cut in the middle of the sentence. Make something up and move on.

Answer 5

The human race has become an awkward mess. Why would it be embarassing if you forget the punchline? just say you forgot it but it was really funny or something. Its not a theisis defense for christ's sake

Answer 6

I'll say something like, "what's that over ther?" And once they look in the opposit direction, ill jump in the bushes virtually disappearing into thin air inpressing them so much that they forget about the joke.

Answer 7

I'm perfectly capable of coming up with a new punchline. I'm thinking that many new jokes started that way.

Answer 8

I would say "Well, this is awkward - I forget the punchline". When everybody just begins to laugh, start right into another joke.

Answer 9

if you're are in ther middle of the joke and forget the ending just make something up and start laughing



like the old joke no soap radio

Answer 10

I'd make a joke about the fact that I forgot!!! Something like..."They say the mind is the first thing to go. I say it's the 2nd thing!!!"

Answer 11

At such a moment, who knows? You may bomb or not? To avoid the silence of pausing in a joke. You might as well shoot from the hip with this. You may apologize first and then try something new. It's really up for the moment. Such is comedy.

Answer 12

Well, you'll say the ending of the joke is open-ended and make fun of yourself.

Or just suddenly say "Ain't nobody got time for that".

Answer 13

Just say you forgot the punch line. That's been happening to me since I turned 70 6 months ago

Answer 14

That 's like :Oh I'm sorry this was not my story even ,but pretending that it was and I forgot details of it .

Can you wait till I put it together ,but when you going to tell it again seem nonsense and you just make it worse.

To be called prik it's better than be called liar.

Answer 15

You're getting off easy I do Magic Once made a Horse disappear . Then forgot where I hid the Horse. If You happen to see a horse walking about It belongs to Me.

Answer 16

Just tell your audience this "excuse me, call of nature". Then proceed to the washroom and even better if you rehears your joke while you're in the washroom and go back when you are ready.

Answer 17

Look at someone standing there and say to the group, "It seems that I forgot the punchline, but luckily Lisa knows!" Now the spotlight is on Lisa, and she will say something like "What..? Me?" and you playfully go "C'mon Lisa, we're counting on you" and laugh and goad her once or twice more, then just move on.

Answer 18

I'd say, "Oops. Hey, you know what? I forgot the punchline." Then I'd take off my clothes and run around with my arms flailing and yell, "I'M FREE! I'M FREE! WOOOOOOOO! I'M FREE!"

Answer 19

that's probably why i never tell jokes or funny stories coz i always tend to forget the punchline :p

Answer 20

Turn it back on them and say something like, "Oh, come on, don't tell me you don't know this one. Everyone knows it." I'm a horrible person, oops.

Answer 21

I just use the same punchline for every joke - "To get to the other side!"

Answer 22

I'd say well, the jokes on me. Why did the chicken cross the road?

Answer 23

What's the big deal? It happens to me all the time! I just apologize and move on. If it comes back to me, I'll go tell the person. But our bigger laugh is on me for forgetting.

Answer 24

I am sorry Just say you forgot the punch line. That's been happening to me since I turned 7 6

Answer 25

Well, my dear friends, this is when I would start reciting The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien because I have most of the beginning memorized and who wouldn't applaud for that fantastic piece of writing? Haha!

Answer 26

I'd say well, the jokes on me. Why did the chicken cross the road?

Answer 27

Admit you forgot the punchine and become it; "You guys can laugh at me now". In that moment, you're bound to come with something funny, that you can say to your friends.

Answer 28

I'd say that the forgetting would probably be funnier than the puncher

Answer 29

Then...your the joke. Seriously, you could do it on purpose. Tell a long story and build it up and up get them hanging on the edge of their seats and then!... Forget the punch line. :D

Answer 30

Perhaps what Ashley Simpson did when she got caught lip synching on Saturday Night Live? Just shrug your shoulders and hop sideways away.

Answer 31

Most of my friends are guessing at the punchline near the end, if one gets it good enough, I point at my nose and them to say they got it right and laugh!



They feel good, I get off the hook!

Answer 32

I would pass out. mostly because I don't do good in front of an audience.

Answer 33

FLIP THE TABLE!!! If that doesn't work just walk away and leave the other person in an endless state of suspense.

Answer 34

Try to turn it into a question so each person has to come up with thier own punchline.

Answer 35

Just act like the joke is supposed to be awkward, make it an anti-joke.

Answer 36

Start over

Answer 37

Come up with my own punchline.

Answer 38

Just say "Bazinga!:" like on the Big Bang Theory!

Answer 39

My friends already know that I will screw up and it's become the funniest part of any joke I tell.

Answer 40

Grin, then start making a loud, animated donkey noises Hee! Haw! Hee! Haw! Hee! Haw! then walk away smiling.

Answer 41

Punch the nearest person for a diversion. 9 times of of ten, it works every time.

Answer 42

I would instantly make something up or get them to finish it! May as well make more humor to be positive rather than being negative about it! Right?

Answer 43

Pretend your phone vibrated then look at it for a second and if you need more time pretend to answer it and step away for a minute until you remember.

Answer 44

yea that's a big what the hell time!i know....the solution is think of something creative or mimicry!take any topic & fastly make joke or say in funny way!as the memory is as usual will cheat!:D

Answer 45

I would just make up my own. The best way if you have a powerfull thinking and imagining source in your brain

Answer 46

You tell your audience that they are the punchline. Make them feel special.

Answer 47

I will add something by myself and tell another joke which i remember.I never forget jokes.

Answer 48

You use a distraction technique and hope the audience forget what you were saying.

Answer 49

Why did the chicken cross the road? Because he forgot where he was going.

Answer 50

Whether I understand the joke or not, I LOL.

Answer 51

Whether I understand the joke or not, I LOL.

Answer 52

I'd look at my watch and exclaim, "Oh crap! My wife's been waiting 45 minutes for me to pick her up! See ya!"

Answer 53

Start laughing loudly.. saying that you wont complete the joke.. its just tooo funny :p

Answer 54

Whether I understand the joke or not, I LOL.

Answer 55

that should produce some laughter for sure! -- though i'll have another one manufactured and ready in a jiffy!

Answer 56

Admit that you forgot the punchline...people will laugh at that

Answer 57

Say a random funny word.

Answer 58

just start saying random *** words and it will probably come out funnier than the joke its self lol

Answer 59

Smile real big and say ok who finishes this joke.

Answer 60

Say and i forgot the punchline. It can still make people laugh but it may be in a good or bad way

Answer 61

I will try to redirect the joke to another simple silly joke, something like that man was walking on a road but guess what.... there was no road and I will pause and start laughing.

Answer 62

Turn it into an anti joke.

Answer 63

I would make one up.

Answer 64

It's funnier than the joke itself. My daughter can never tell a joke straight. I love it !

Answer 65

Pull down your pants and start masturbating. That should get people laughing and buy you some time.

Answer 66

I would improvise and if it doesn't work... better luck next time

Answer 67

i'll say thankyou

Answer 68

pretend you lost your voice..?

Answer 69

That's usually about the point at which you should run. :)

Answer 70

I say, aw heck never mind, it was not that funny in the first place. Followed with, I forgot what I was talking about. Sorry.

Answer 71

tatoo the punchline on my girlfriends forehead and place her in the audience in case I forget.

Answer 72

this is the joke. you fell for it. there's no punchline. i am laughing at you.

Answer 73

stand in silence and stare at the person then look around , then suddenly start talking to them about a hole new subject and say you don't know what they're talking about if they ask about the joke.

Answer 74

I would be honest and say so,if I am unable to invent something witty instantly.

Answer 75

I would be like "bruh" and then walk away

Answer 76

well, I've been doing stand-up comedy for about 3 years and I can tell you this has never happened to me. Why? Because I practice THE HECK out of my material for FEAR THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN.

Answer 77

Make forgetting the punchline the ACTUAL punchline.

Answer 78

You pretend there is none and the whole joke was a joke.

Answer 79

just start laughing loudly heeeeeeeheeee

Answer 80

Simple. You become the joke.

Answer 81

Have a coughing fit & run for the bathroom or to get a glass off water.

Answer 82

I usually don't do that, I always focus on the task at hand which is the joke I am telling now, my mind doesn't wander when I am focused on one subject.

Answer 83

You just pull out some old chestnut.

"I got all my jokes the old fashioned way. I stole them." ~ Milton Berle~

Eh oh well. You really had to be there.

Answer 84

Its happened already, start immediately to lead into another joke.

Answer 85

My wife is that way. We just do not let her tell jokes anymore which can be funny itself. If she starts some one in the family will jump in and say "Do you remember the end?" It never fails to get her a little flustered when she puts her head down and says "No." You can not help but find that endearing or at least we do.

Answer 86

move on

Answer 87

I would think of another joke and weave it into the current joke & embellish it more than usual that way the audience will forget the original joke and accept the second punch line.

Answer 88

I'd say well, the jokes on me. Why did the chicken cross the road?

Answer 89

...Awkward... >.< Make something random up, and then laugh as everyone stares at you like, "What in the world?"

Answer 90

After a moment of silence:

"Are you expecting a joke?

I was just passing the time.

Thank you."

Answer 91

If you have remembered everything relevant up to the point of the punch line, using the audience could help you get out of za hole you have dug. By using the audience to your advantage this way,it unleashes the power of YOUR imagination, instead of leaning on someone elses joke. In other words you're on your own kid, good luck at the improve!! Hope ya makes millions.... or maybe thousands?...

Answer 92

With me it’s medication affecting my word finding skills. I don’t tell jokes but anecdotal information leaves me feeling brain dead. I just apologize for not remembering things.

Answer 93

Oops! Fortunately, I'm old enough to be able to laugh and claim a 'senior moment'.

Answer 94

I end with a statement : this funny since it does'nt seems funny ..

Answer 95

I would probably end the joke by using a Rich Perry "Oops"

Answer 96

i'd make a joke out of it

Answer 97

I run.

Answer 98

Krusty Clown's laugh wil help :)

Answer 99

Haha... just laugh, be honest, admit, what else can you do? Most of our loved ones, know we can be lousy at something...and they love us for it! :)

Answer 100

i would say, "i don't know how this joke ends, but it's funny."

Answer 101

make one up

Answer 102

pee your pants

Answer 103

Either say, Your mom, in bed, or your mom in bed. It works every time.

Answer 104

since im good with jokes. ill come up with a new one right on tha spot!

Answer 105

Stop and pause for a moment of silence while looking bewildered. Then inform the audience you were living proof that drugs will not kill you. Pull out a joint, fire it up (ok in CO use fake in all other states) take a long drag, hold for a while and exhale and go into character of drug impaired. Then state "However, drugs can cause short term memory loss if used frequently. Then ask the crowd "How do you keep a small dog from humping your leg? Anybody? "Pick him up and give him a B.J."

Answer 106

Excuse yourself for a potty break.

Answer 107

Just SAY.. "ITS BUFFERING>>>>"

Answer 108

Break into your best Don Knotts impression!

Answer 109

i always do that and i don t like it. just try to improvise.

Answer 110

cough say hold on, take a drink of water and that will give u ample time to think and either come up with an puchline or rember the one u were going to say

Answer 111

Admitting to everyone that you forgot the punchline will be too funny if delivered the correct way.

Answer 112

I would say: "I'm sorry gimme a sec" and remember the joke/story. If I can't, then I say "Sorry I forgot the story. Guess I'm old" with a smiley face.

Answer 113

I'm not a professional comedienne, but give me a microphone, and the audience is mine.. sometimes the punch lines I make up are better than the originals.. well. that is what I['m told anyway.. Ah, and to what do we owe this question?:

Ans: comedy writers I just feel it in my "funny bone."

Answer 114

Well you can just say that OMG I just forgot the joke not! HA! HA! Then do a dance and say another one of your other best jokes!

Answer 115

You put jelly on it then send to Africa so it can get Ebola because it was probably a bad joke anyway.

Answer 116

then i would have to kill you

Answer 117

Whoops! I forgot my punchline.

Answer 118

Easy scream out I AM A BAKED POTATO IN HUMAN FORM POTATOS ARE GOING TO RULE THE WORLD!

Answer 119

So, what's new. I do it all the time.

Answer 120

Shut up

Answer 121

kind of like... stopping to think and forgetting to start again

Answer 122

ADMIT IT IS FORGOTTEN THEN MAKE UP A TOTALLY GOFEY ENDING AND SAY WHEN I LOCATE THE RECALL BUTTON I WILL TRY IT AGAIN. AND LAUGHAT SELF

Answer 123

I will start laughing about myself

Answer 124

Throw in a call back.

Answer 125

Commit Hara Kiri with the katana I always carry under my neckbeard.

Answer 126

Just SAY.. "ITS BUFFERING>>>>"

Answer 127

"I forget the punchline, but you're mother's a whore."

Answer 128

Just say: "And a wolf ran howling into the night!"

Answer 129

Happens to me all the time; I blame my age and say "oops, senior moment"

Answer 130

Come si fa a rispondere?

Answer 131

Best thing to do is to improvise by asking what you just asked and prepare and answer for yourself

Answer 132

You go with obscenities.



Have you learned nothing from stand up comedians?

Answer 133

Slap your face it will become a jokeee hahhhaaaa

Answer 134

Wait for somebody to break silence for me. I guess. It never happened.

Answer 135

JUST START SNEEZING .. IT WORKS..,,. TELL SHORTER JOKES.. JOKE FOR U, ALL U HAVE TO KNOW IS 3 WORDS AND U WILL ALWAYS BE RICH . STICK EM UP,,,,,, LOL

Answer 136

Fart really loud and no one will remember you forgot the joke.

Answer 137

I would say: "uhu, fool ya!" while smiling and winking. Or, hell I would just say: "sorry, I forgot it" ;)

Answer 138

i am lolo the prnt the people in my dark littl brdi thats my of joke.,,hehe

Answer 139

I'd poop my pants so everyone would laugh anyway.

Answer 140

if happen like that you should tell that,then that will be the biggest jokes.

Answer 141

Just sing " Saare jahaan se achha .. :-P "

Answer 142

I would probably get so red in the face, and then pass out. :)

Answer 143

"Play me off Johnny"

Answer 144

why did the chicken cross the road? moo

Answer 145

...So he said, "Do you love me?" and she says, "No, but that's a really nice ski mask!"

Answer 146

Start all over again.

Answer 147

I'd make it up!!

Answer 148

I prefer run away

Answer 149

I just go, "heh, you know what happens" and hope they agree with me

Answer 150

Dance and talk about it, make sure you smile

Answer 151

Make something up

Answer 152

Improvise and make one up.

Answer 153

You do an awkward pause.

Answer 154

I would try to make up some answer :)

Answer 155

You pull the pin and run......and hope no one notices.

Answer 156

I would say, oh no! I need the toilet! See ya!

Answer 157

I would run away.

Answer 158

Well, just for me, I would admit it, and suck it up.

Answer 159

run away crying

Answer 160

it is time for divorce

Answer 161

just start coughing

Answer 162

I just use "everybody dies."

Answer 163

That happens every now and then.....!!

Answer 164

Shite happens.

Answer 165

i bite my toungue and whisper to myself Oops!!!!!!!!!!!!! i forgot

Answer 166

Run!!

Answer 167

just say nevermind ;)

Answer 168

normally I do.

Answer 169

i would drop dead right there... lol

Answer 170

improv :D

Answer 171

dumb question