Michael Rottman explains an 18-word Mitch Hedberg joke.
The Joke:
“I got a parrot, and the parrot talked, but it did not say ‘I’m hungry,’ so it died.” —Mitch Hedberg, 1968-2005
Hedberg’s on-stage delivery was a curious mixture of charisma and terror, along with a certain level of intoxication. He made it feel as if his jokes were coming to him unbidden at the end of a long party. In certain performances of this particular joke, he adds a few little tics beforehand, as if he’s just remembered this great story you have to hear. He lulls us into believing it’s no big deal, then startles us 18 words later. It’s a trick few comedians can pull off.
Posted: June 24th, 2011 | Author: Mike | Filed under: Personal | No Comments »
“I got a parrot, and the parrot talked, but it did not say ‘I’m hungry,’ so it died.” —Mitch Hedberg, 1968-2005Hedberg’s on-stage delivery was a curious mixture of charisma and terror, along with a certain level of intoxication. He made it feel as if his jokes were coming to him unbidden at the end of a long party. In certain performances of this particular joke, he adds a few little tics beforehand, as if he’s just remembered this great story you have to hear. He lulls us into believing it’s no big deal, then startles us 18 words later. It’s a trick few comedians can pull off.
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