I often submit jokes to the BBC Radio Scotland topical comedy show “Breaking the News”, and although I’ve had some jokes featured (as you can see from my British Comedy Guide profile) I also produce a lot that don’t make it. I thought it might be interesting and helpful to share some of those that don’t make it, along with why I think they might not have made the cut.
Jokes submitted for show first broadcast Friday 12 October 2024
- “Finding the unbroadcast Thunderbirds material was surprising, said the shed’s owners, but not half as surprising as when their house split into two and a rocket ship flew out.”
- I couldn’t work out a way to make this one less wordy, so the punchline doesn’t have a nice rhythm
- “Analysis has found that Labour’s planned restriction on non-dom status is in danger of creating a paradox, as a large number of millionaires are set to move away from Britain despite supposedly not actually living there.”
- In hindsight the bit about a paradox gives too much away too early. Maybe a better version would have been along the lines of “Labour have been surprised about how many non-doms might stop living in Britain if they tighten the tax laws – given those people supposedly didn’t live here in the first place”, but I’m sure this could still be tightened up.
- “A Dutch museum has recovered an artwork that looks like two empty beer cans after a staff member accidentally threw it in the rubbish bin thinking it was trash – when of course it should have been gone in the recycling.”
- Too generic and obvious. The show went for a take that was a newer idea, more specifically linked to Scotland.
- “Following James Cleverley’s unexpected elimination in the final round of voting by MPs, he’s had to seek support from the only two people who know how to help people through shock exits like this – Ant and Dec.”
- Possibly just needs too much to set it up before reaching the punchline.
- “The [horror film about giant midges]’s ending is a closely guarded secret, but it’s rumoured that the heroes will survive when they discover the only defence against the midges: “Skin so soft” cream
- Much too specific knowledge, most people won’t know that on walking trails in Scotland this Avon product is often recommended as midge repellent. Could also be construed as product placement?
Have I correctly identified the problems with these? How do you think I could have improved them to get them on the show? Let me know!
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