2005, USA
Comedy, Documentary
Blurring the lines between vulgarity and comedy is the basis for the comedian's ultimate in-joke. With nowhere to go but down, first-time director Paul Provenza and comic Penn Jillette (of Penn and Teller) gather any and all comedians who would willingly lower themselves to tell the most offensive joke possible (which is, of course, all of them). The only rule to the telling of the apparently oldest-joke-in-the-book is that the punch line be the film's title. And it is in the telling that all havoc is wreaked.
The reason this joke -- in all of its gloriously vile variations -- is not told on stage, is that it is likely not to be as appreciated as it is by other comedians. For comedians have heard all the jokes before, so to crack up a prankster one must be fouler, harsher and fall so far beyond the line of decency that it is impossible to distinguish the line from a sunspot. This collection of crudity will surely do well at frat houses and political fundraisers.
As non-FCC-abiding cable and the internet become more crass, so must the joke. As time prevails, the use of incest, bestiality, gastrointestinal disorders, racism and sexism must become so overwhelmingly disgusting as to cause physical illness to the listener. Or, cause pain from laughter to another comedian. In this aspect, this documentary-of-sorts is almost a love letter to itself. Not so much self-congratulatory as self-inflicting of a bullet to the stomach.
Not limited to the usual line-up of stand-ups, television personalities and film stars, Jillette and company also document mimes, ventriloquists, fire jugglers, card tricksters, South Park cartoons, and fathers holding their toddlers while telling the joke. Jillette states that it is the "singer not the song" that allows the joke to continue, and with each telling a new depreciation is gained for each performer. For if you cannot tell a joke involving vomiting on the audience while violating your grandmother, then what sort of comedian are you anyhow?
Extras on the disc include a commentary track by Jillette and Provenza, extended takes for each comedian, one long version of the joke made up of bits from everyone, a Johnny Carson tribute, other jokes from the comedians, and the winner of a contest for telling the joke.