# Gags through repetition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 18, 2019, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852 "2019-08-18T22:26:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/21 "2019-08-19T01:48:32Z")
“Not that there’s anything _wrong_ with that.” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/22 "2019-08-19T01:49:21Z")
> [@pythonzzz](#): > > “Put the candlestick _back._” Close! The joke is, _“Put ze candlestick… beck!”_ ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/23 "2019-08-19T02:09:52Z")
[Kristen Schaal is a horse.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i69Xb2ZMgGI) ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/24 "2019-08-19T02:17:14Z")
And a [Radiolab segment](https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/161754-repeat) examining the act. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/25 "2019-08-19T02:19:13Z")
Apparently repetition is why people think Tracy Morgan is funny. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/26 "2019-08-19T02:38:20Z")
That’s what she said. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/27 "2019-08-19T02:47:56Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > “I just want to tell you both: good luck. We’re all counting on you.” Surely you’re joking! I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition! ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/28 "2019-08-19T04:22:41Z")
Sometimes the great Adrian Belew of King Crimson might sardonically [repeat himself when under stress.](https://youtu.be/ZiS2LZhLvYw?t=206) oh…“I feel hapeeeee, I feel hapeeeee, I - _crunck_” (sure, it’s only twice, but I think that counts as reptition) The Palin Gumby yells for “Doctor!” and then soon the Cleese Gumby yells for “Nurse!” [here.](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2nedgv) ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/29 "2019-08-19T04:37:19Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > “I’ve heard it both ways.” “C’mon son.” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/30 "2019-08-19T04:41:13Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > [Kristen Schaal is a horse.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i69Xb2ZMgGI) I might be in the minority, but I thought that shit was genious. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/31 "2019-08-19T07:30:04Z")
[Oh, now, you doesn’t has to call me Johnson. . .](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCqh5ROtQRg) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/32 "2019-08-19T07:50:10Z")
\*George, George, George of the jungle, Friend to you and me. _AAH-AAH-AAH-AHH! \* Watch out for that tree-ee-ee. WATCH OUT FOR THAT AAH-AAH-AAH-AAH! CRASH! OOOOH! TREE!_ ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/33 "2019-08-19T09:36:04Z")
There’s a certain sort of UK sitcom that relies on catchphrase gags. I think a fair number of Americans might recognise (exaggerated look to left and right) “I’m free!”. Over here, people will know what you mean if you say “Stupid boy!”, 'Don’t panic!", “We’re doomed! Doomed!”, or (exaggerated French accent) “Listen vairy carefully, I shall say zis only wernce” or “Good moaning!” ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/34 "2019-08-19T10:32:23Z")
There’s a comedy sketch called [_Dinner for One_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinner_for_One), which is basically eight lines of dialogue repeated for 18 minutes. For some reason, it is (or was) extremely popular in Germany. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/35 "2019-08-19T10:36:23Z")
While surrounded by Emmy-caliber performers doing expressive stuff on SEINFELD, Patrick Warburton managed to pretty much launch an entire comedy career by just stating “yeah, that’s right” in a flatly plainspoken voice. No, really: it’s like the whole character was built around that catchphrase, delivered in that manner, provoking laughs as it gets said again and again. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/36 "2019-08-19T11:44:55Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > There’s a certain sort of UK sitcom that relies on catchphrase gags. I think a fair number of Americans might recognise (exaggerated look to left and right) “I’m free!”. Over here, people will know what you mean if you say “Stupid boy!”, 'Don’t panic!", “We’re doomed! Doomed!”, or (exaggerated French accent) “Listen vairy carefully, I shall say zis only wernce” or “Good moaning!” “The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies?” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/37 "2019-08-19T11:45:55Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > There’s a certain sort of UK sitcom that relies on catchphrase gags. I think a fair number of Americans might recognise (exaggerated look to left and right) “I’m free!”. Over here, people will know what you mean if you say “Stupid boy!”, 'Don’t panic!", “We’re doomed! Doomed!”, or (exaggerated French accent) “Listen vairy carefully, I shall say zis only wernce” or “Good moaning!” \*“What? Your pissy is up a tree?” “Please, could I have a spune for my kiffee?” “Here, I brought you some pee.”\* \*“What are you doing with that girl?!?” "Stupid woman! Can’t you see I’m **comforting** her? “Herr Flick of ze Gestapo!”\* ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/38 "2019-08-19T11:52:33Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > There’s a comedy sketch called [_Dinner for One_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinner_for_One), which is basically eight lines of dialogue repeated for 18 minutes. > > For some reason, it is (or was) extremely popular in Germany. It is a work of comic genius that requires very little English knowledge, that’s the reason. And not just Germany - it’s popular in Scandinavia as well as other countries. It’s a South African New Year’s tradition, although I’m not sure if it’s still broadcast, as we’ve just taken to watching our own recording. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/39 "2019-08-19T12:05:46Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Close! The joke is, _“Put ze candlestick… beck!”_ Closer, but still incorrect. It’s “Put ze candle beck!” (No “stick.”) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852/40 "2019-08-19T12:17:30Z")
“Fighting the frizzies at 11.” Might be the most obscure one. It showed up as a bumper in a South Park Christmas episode but it’s a parody of a news tease that shows up in the ad breaks of a particular bootleg of the Star Wars Holiday Special (coincidentally the one I actually saw way back when in the 70s since it was ABC New York). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gags-through-repetition/838852.md?page=3)