Yes, but asking “What does Mark Wahlberg’s fake penis have to do with anything” would let readers know that I’m in on the joke, thus ruining the comedy.

You see, in this example, I’m playing the archetype of the buffoon in which I’m feigning dual confusion: first that John Holmes was a fictional character portrayed by Mark Wahlberg, and second that I believed Mark Wahlberg’s penis in the movie Boogie Nights was real.

Had I used a descriptor noting that Mark Wahlberg’s penis was a prosthetic, I’d be showing more intimate knowledge of the film Boogie Nights, from which one could more easily assume that I also know that John Holmes and Mark Wahlberg are, in fact, two different people.

Perhaps I could have said something like “prosthetic pp” which would have the comedic values of alliteration and immaturity. Certainly, that could have evoked a positive response from viewers, but the role of the buffoon is often not completed until compared to a more anchored character. “Prosthetic pp” would have made my delivery both the comment and the punchline, but by portraying the role of the buffoon and simply referencing “Mark Wahlberg’s penis,” I left the dialog open for someone else to provide comedic input by responding. This means that I not only get to share the limelight with another user, but that readers get to enjoy even more humor by reading the next comment.

For example, @Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world chose to put a button on the joke by referencing Mark Wahlberg’s wife, Rhea Durham. This humorous comment could be seen as the final note in our humorous exchange, which began with a humorous retort by @Velonie@lemmy.world to @TheFlopster@lemmy.world correction of @shalafi@lemmy.world common misuse of the word “hung” instead of “hanged.” Although, Viking’s response also left things somewhat open-ended by saying “presumably” and using a shrug emoji; this opening means someone could continue the humor, such as using a classic improv response format of “yes and.” Perhaps another user would like to reply to Viking with something like “presumably nothing, gimme that fat dick!”

Referring back to the archetypes of comedy, you can see how your response would most likely fall under that of the anchor, the neurotic, or the cynic. In this scenario, you’re probably playing the role of the neurotic or the cynic as @FlyingSquid@lemmy.world anecdotally mentioned his father, making him either the anchor or the innocent.

You’ll note that this current response to your comment is unlikely to be found on the archetypes of comedy list because I’m currently breaking the fourth wall and am just an asshole. If you’ve read this far, I’m sorry.