I agree with the OP completely, and think this was long overdue for being pointed out.
I once started a thread asking serious questions about child molestation for god’s sake and most of the responses I got were related to Catholic Priests, Pete Townshend, and Michael Jackson.
I love jokes and joke threads but I get tired of seeing lame post-pad jokes in serious (or just non-joking) threads.
When a question is asked (Clampers, for example) whose actual answer is a joke, who cares if your imaginary no-jokes-before-the-answer rule is violated? Shoot, you’d probably object to the ridicule that happens when some fool asks a serious question about the Iluminati. 
Well, several dudes have made good points. Yes, some questions beg for ridicule. Most don’t, and this wasn’t one of them. Some questions need a Bump- this wasn’t one of them. Yes, a question about the Clampers could very well get a tongue-in-cheek answer; after all they are that kind of (dis) Org. In fact my answer was not entirely serious (but still a real answer). But the answer should have some bearing on the question- those did not. Nor am I pitting anyone in particular- after all, there is no such rule.
But I do think it is impolite- usually. Again- a stupid question, or a thread that needs bumping can be exceptions. I don’t want a “hard and fast rule” or “zeor-tolerance” either. I wouldn’t mind a general guideline, however.
However- far too many serious question threads are derailed and hijacked by silly, off topic answers. We are here to fight Ignorance, not help it along by shoving a pie in the face of Knowledge.
I like pie. When come back, bring pie.
Good lord. It may a psychological compulsion.
Punch and pie? Excuse me, I was to understand there would be punch and pie?
Pull my clamper.
Me? I sort of enjoy doing the reverse: responding to a joke with a factual, cited answer. (And I suppose that’s a little like stopping to say a prayer while your having sex…)
I believe I may be the only person to have ever used the word “radionuclides” in a posting to MPSIMS…
The OP’s right, of course, because joke answers in GQ have never inspired board catchphrases or usernames.
If we had to wait for the legitimate answers, the quippery industry would collapse!