If you’re a fan of Data, the android character on Star Trek The Next Generation, you’ll love interacting with ChatGPT, especially when trying to have it exhibit humor.
Here was my prompt: I am giving a sermon on love thy neighbor. I wonder if you can help me create a few jokes about how hard it would be for Jesus to love his neighbor if he lived today. Base the challenges on pet peeves like encountering rude and inconsiderate people in a variety of modern-day circumstances.
Here was the first response: “Can you imagine how hard it would be for Jesus to love his neighbor if he had to deal with rush hour traffic every day? I mean, he’d probably turn the other cheek so many times, he’d end up with whiplash!” “And let’s not forget about those neighbors who blast their music late at night. Even Jesus might have trouble loving them as much as he loves his own ears.”
My reply: The circumstances you referenced are good, but the punch lines are not funny. Try injecting Bible based events such as with your joke number two ending it with “Jesus might ask Peter to cut HIS ear off,” a reference to John 18:10
And it’s response: I apologize for my previous response not meeting your expectations. Here are some revised jokes based on Bible-based events: “Can you imagine how hard it would be for Jesus to love his neighbor if he had to deal with modern-day Pharisees who insist on following every rule to the letter? He might have to turn water into wine just to keep from losing his mind!” “And let’s not forget about those neighbors who love to argue and debate every little thing. Even Jesus might have trouble loving them as much as he loves his own peace and quiet. He might have to call on Peter to cut their ear off!”
My reply: Your punchline references now properly reference biblically events, but are still not funny. Cutting their ear off would be punishment, not humor which requires am unexpected twist. For example, your first joke would be funny if you ended it “he would have turned their wine back into water!” This is something they would not want to happen.
And it’s response: Thank you for your feedback. Here are some revised jokes that I hope will better meet your expectations: “I can just imagine how hard it would be for Jesus to love his neighbor who is always spreading rumors and gossip. He might have to remind them of the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11… and then offer to help them cast the first stone!”
My reply: Closer. They are a bit too long, too wordy. If the last one ended “and then HE cast the first stone at them”. This is funny since it is not something Jesus would do and it would pleasantly shock and surprise the audience. Make them shorter, and have them end with Jesus performing an uncharacteristic behavior.
And it’s response: I apologize for my mistake. Thank you for your feedback. Here’s the revised version of joke: “What if Jesus had a neighbor who constantly complained? He might have to turn their water into wine… and then drink it all himself, just to show his neighbor that miracles can happen!”
My reply: Let’s try this. Can you speculate why this joke is funny; Jesus walks into a bar with his apostles and says “12 glasses of water please” then winks at his apostles.
And it’s response: The joke you presented is a play on the idea of Jesus performing miracles with water, such as turning it into wine at the wedding in Cana, as recorded in the Gospel of John. The setup of the joke makes the audience expect Jesus to perform another miracle with water, but the punchline subverts that expectation by having Jesus order plain water instead. This creates a humorous twist and adds a level of surprise, and the wink to his apostles adds to the playful and mischievous tone of the joke. Overall, the joke relies on the audience’s familiarity with Jesus’ miracles, and the unexpected punchline is what makes it funny.
My reply: Use that analysis and create a unique joke which includes a reference to Jesus healing a blind man
And it’s response: Here’s a joke that references Jesus healing a blind man: “Why did Jesus refuse to perform a miracle at the optometrist’s office? Because he had already healed the blind man in John 9, and he didn’t want to put the optometrist out of business! Besides, he heard they had a great selection of sandals in the waiting room.” This joke plays on the idea that Jesus could heal blindness, but he wouldn’t want to put an optometrist out of business by doing so. The reference to sandals is a nod to the common stereotype of Jesus wearing sandals. Overall, the joke relies on the audience’s knowledge of Jesus’ miracles, and the unexpected punchline adds a humorous twist.
My reply: Thanks for your effort. We’ll try more in the future.
And it’s response: You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help. If you have any more questions or requests in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.
While ChatGPT may threaten the jobs of librarians, researchers, and customer service agents, I think comedy writers jobs are secure for a few more years at least…
This is funny. Hard to believe that ChatGPT continues to follow your thought thread. I think the author’s jokes are funnier.