Joe Was Right...What???

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: “Joe Was Right…What???” – June 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Armstrong & Getty dig humorously and critically into the phenomenon of “dad jokes,” riffing on a new Washington Post article about their social impact and the science behind why they're supposedly good for parenting bonds. The hosts also kick off with a sharp take on Donald Trump’s latest controversial threat regarding Iran, reflecting on media coverage and political rhetoric. Throughout, they pepper the conversation with classic dad jokes, poke fun at academic research, and offer their trademark irreverence on current events and human nature.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Threat to Iran & Media Coverage

Timestamp: 01:47 – 03:49

• Armstrong raises Trump’s recent threat to Iranian negotiators, noting:

  “Donald Trump threatening to kill the negotiators for Iran before they could get back to their country... got almost zero news coverage.” (02:09)

• The hosts muse at how shocking-yet-expected such threats have become, especially because of Trump’s history of incendiary comments:
  • Getty: “It’s wild if it were anybody but Trump who says crazy crap all the time.” (02:27)
  • Armstrong explains Trump’s statement from the negotiations:

    “You close [the Strait of Hormuz] and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your fucking country.” (03:22)

• Both hosts reflect on the erosion of shock value:
  • “You would not have a headline on day 30 of boy cries wolf, if he cried the previous 29 nights.” (02:30, Armstrong & Getty)
  • They joke about international relations experts rolling their eyes.

2. The Science of “Dad Jokes” & Why Explaining Humor Kills It

Timestamp: 03:49 – 12:17

• Key theme: Over-analyzing humor spoils the fun, especially when it comes to universally relatable “dad jokes.”
• Getty quotes a famous line:

  “If you dissect humor… it’s like dissecting a frog, the frog dies of it. So does the joke.” (03:59)

• They both lampoon academia’s tendency to over-explain simple pleasures:
  • Armstrong: “In that silly one liner may help strengthen the bond between fathers and children. And it just already, like, took the fun out of it for me.” (04:28)
  • Getty: “Because the humans have always done that. Leave it alone.” (05:05)
• Demographics and cultural observations:
  • Getty notes academia is out of touch with parenting realities:

    “…comparatively, there’s an insanely low number of college academics who have children compared to the population.” (05:40)

• Armstrong and Getty lampoon the cited studies:

  “You know why [there are few studies on dad jokes]? Because there’s really no need to study this.” (06:30, Armstrong)

• The hosts detail the elements of a “good” dad joke based on the research:
  • Puns, literalization, and pedantic humor.
  • Armstrong gives examples:
    • “I’m worried about the calendar. Its days are numbered.” (07:36)
    • “What’s blue and smells like red? Paint. Blue paint.” (07:55)

3. “Research Shows”: Poking Fun at Obvious Conclusions

Timestamp: 08:13 – 12:17

• The mockery of research that “discovers” laughter helps relationships and well-being:
  • Getty: “Nobody wanted to hear this. Nobody wants to. It’s not necessary...” (08:13)
  • Armstrong: “Research suggests enjoy the feeling.” (08:25)
  • Getty: “Shut up and kiss me.” (08:29)
• They roast academic authority:
  • Armstrong: “He’ll be a published researcher. And as we all know, none of these papers ever get read or cited by anyone.” (06:34)
  • Getty: “Often jokes cause people to smile and/or laugh, which makes them happy.” (11:38)
• The value and limits of academia:
  • They distinguish between genuinely useful research (on addiction, relationships) and “academiazing” of basic human experiences like humor.

4. Classic Dad Jokes & Their “Structure”

Timestamp: 09:41 – 13:30

• The hosts read through “best of” dad jokes from the study:
  • “Why does the Danish military put barcodes on its ships? So they can Scandinavian.” (09:41)
  • “How do you catch a unique bird? Unique up on it.” (09:58)
  • “I was wondering why the Frisbee kept getting bigger and bigger. Then it hit me.” (10:12 and 13:48, Armstrong)
• They discuss the “irritating quality” of dad jokes:
  • Armstrong, quoting the study:

    “The most notorious dad jokes have an almost irritating quality to them as a way to shake up the conversation and engage people. Such as when a child says, ‘Dad, I’m hungry.’ ‘Hi, hungry, I’m dad.’” (10:29)

  • Getty: “But not just for dads anymore.” (10:52)
• Getty reminisces about his mom using these lines, and the hosts marvel at the universality and enduring annoyance of such jokes.

5. The Real Purpose of Humor & Momentary Insight

Timestamp: 12:17 – 13:30

• The show closes with a rare moment of appreciation for the idea of “cognitive reframing” via humor:
  • Armstrong: “Studies suggest that this cognitive reframing can help regulate emotions and cope with stress.” (12:47)
  • Getty: “That’s next level. …I’d almost like to hear about that cognitive reframing…” (12:55)
  • They agree it’s self-evident, but intriguing, as both have felt how a well-timed joke can instantly de-stress a situation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Getty (on Trump statements and shock fatigue):

  “It’s wild if it were anybody but Trump who says crazy crap all the time.” (02:27)

• Getty (on dissecting humor):

  “If you dissect humor, it’s like dissecting a frog, the frog dies of it. So does the joke.” (03:59)

• Armstrong (on research):

  “You know why [there are few studies on dad jokes]? Because there’s really no need to study this.” (06:30)

• Getty (mocking obvious research on humor):

  “Often jokes cause people to smile and/or laugh, which makes them happy.” (11:38)

• Armstrong (quoting a favorite dad joke):

  “I was wondering why the Frisbee kept getting bigger and bigger. Then it hit me.” (10:12, 13:48)

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Dad Jokes Highlight Reel

Various timestamps between 07:36 and 13:48

• “Its days are numbered.” (07:36)
• “What’s blue and smells like red paint? Blue paint.” (07:55)
• “Why does the Danish military put barcodes on its ships? So they can Scandinavian.” (09:41)
• “How do you catch a unique bird? Unique up on it.” (09:58)
• “I was wondering why the Frisbee kept getting bigger and bigger. Then it hit me.” (10:12, 13:48)
• “‘Dad, I’m hungry.’ ‘Hi, hungry, I’m dad.’” (10:29)

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Tone and Style

• The episode is irreverent, quick-witted, and skeptical of “official” expertise on simple human joys.
• Both hosts use playful mockery, self-deprecation, and a touch of curmudgeonliness in engaging with academic studies and social commentary.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump & Iran Media Reaction: 01:47 – 03:49
• Dissecting Humor Kills the Joke: 03:49 – 05:17
• Reviewing the Science of Dad Jokes: 05:17 – 08:13
• Sample Dad Jokes & Structure: 09:41 – 10:29, 13:48
• Academic Overreach on Humor: 11:14 – 12:17
• Cognitive Reframing & Jokes in Stress: 12:47 – 13:23

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Summary Conclusion

This fast-moving, satire-laced episode spotlights Armstrong & Getty’s skepticism of over-analyzing the obvious—particularly the joys of dad humor—while briefly surveying the week’s political absurdities. It’s a playful, meta conversation about laughing at life, with plenty of groan-worthy punchlines and pointed gibes at both politicians and researchers alike. For anyone who’s ever rolled their eyes at a parent’s pun, this is a wry and relatable survey of why some things might just be best enjoyed, not explained.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

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[Armstrong and Getty]

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of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] Joe was right.

[Armstrong]

It's one more thing.

[Getty]

What?

[Armstrong and Getty]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Getty]

One more thing.

[Armstrong]

Something you have repeated on the show for many, many years is definitely right. But before we get to that, one of the most interesting things that happened in the world to me in the last 24 hours is is around the whole Iran war thing. Donald Trump threatening to kill the negotiators for Iran.

[Mint Mobile Spokesperson]

Yes.

[Armstrong]

Before they could get back to their country. I will kill you in Switzerland or in the air or something. I guess he was. And how it got almost zero news coverage.

[Armstrong and Getty]

Yeah.

[Armstrong]

Not wild.

[Getty]

Yeah. It is both wild and unwild.

[Armstrong]

Is it?

[Getty]

It's wild if it were anybody but Trump who says crazy crap all the time.

[Armstrong]

Is that because you would not have a headline on day 30 of boy cribes Wolf last night if he'd cry? If he cried right. The previous 29 nights.

[Getty]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah, that's part of it. I'm sure Marco slapped his forehead and said, do I even tell him what that would do to international relations or no, probably not.

[Armstrong]

Do you think there was even the tiniest bit of I would follow through on this to that threat? He was probably okay.

[Getty]

So what you're asking is did he understand he was saying something ridiculous that he would never follow through on when he said it, or was there an inkling of intent, what you're asking?

[Armstrong]

Yeah, let me read it to you. I will use the actual word since we're doing a podcast.

[Getty]

Yes.

[Armstrong]

Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz at the negotiations. So you got some Iranian delegates there in Geneva, Switzerland, negotiating. They threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's response was, you close it and you won't have a country. You won't even make it back to your fucking country.

[Getty]

Wow. Wow. That's. That's a negotiation. That's hit rocky terrain.

[Armstrong]

All right, here's the thing you've always been right about. And I don't know who said it first, but the whole. If you dissect humor.

[Getty]

Oh, yeah, it's like dissecting a frog, that the frog dies of it. So does the joke.

[Armstrong]

I can't.

[Getty]

Some woman, some female comedian said that once. And I was like, wow, that's a good point. And it's generally, it's done by people who intentionally want to pretend it's not humor and it's some political statement that they can then condemn you and punish you for.

[Armstrong]

So I was kind of looking forward to it. This a piece in the Washington Post. Science suggests cringeworthy dad jokes may serve a real purpose. This was for Father's Day yesterday. Humor is a surprisingly important aspect of parenting. In that silly one liner may help strengthen the bond between fathers and children. And it just already, like, took the fun out of it for me. Oh, the having to describe. Having to describe psychologically how it affects the relationship between a parent and their child to tell these jokes, and then it's got jokes interspersed in between. But having surrounded it with this diagnosis from psychiatrists about why it works, it takes all the fun out of it for me.

[Getty]

Yeah, yeah. Because it does. Because the humans have always done that. Leave it alone. And if you're in that field and you study it, great. Come to your conclusions and keep it to yourself.

[Armstrong]

Yes. Research suggests that humor may play a meaningful role in parenting. And shared laughter may help strengthen father child bonds. Research suggests. Have you ever had kids? Have you ever hung around with your kids in the car or at the dinner table or whatever, and like you're joking and laughing and you need to research to suggest that maybe that's kind of a cool thing between you.

[Getty]

All right? A lot of folks at universities haven't. The number of conservative women on campuses is practically zero. I was reading about that the other day, and conservative women are much, much, much more likely to be moms than progressive women. So, yeah, there are very. Comparatively, there's an insanely low number of college academics who have children compared to the population. Anyway, back to you. And you're ruining of humor.

[Armstrong]

It's a fun genre of humor because it's welcoming, it's kind of affable, it's good nature and lighthearted, said Paul Sylvia, a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina. Really, while there are few studies on dad jokes themselves, you know why? Because there's really no need to study this.

[Getty]

No.

[Armstrong]

For any reason whatsoever.

[Getty]

Wasting your time in your degree.

[Armstrong]

Sylvia. The researcher has been analyzing and analyzing them to determine what makes some funnier than others. He'll probably put out a paper about how it increases the bond between parents and kids to tell these jokes. And he'll write this, and it will get published in several things, and then he'll be a published researcher. And as we all know, none of these papers ever get read or cited by anyone. They don't need to accomplish anything.

[Getty]

He will be cited as a humor expert, though, when the New York Times tries to ruin somebody's career for making a joke.

[Armstrong]

In a preprint of his study, Sylvia and his colleagues analyzed more than 32,000 jokes from subreddit and identified three qualities that appeared to make up the best dad jokes. Puns, excellent literalization, and pedantic humor, he said. Some of the most classic ones use a pun so long boiling water, you will be missed.

[Getty]

I get it.

[Armstrong]

Literalization, which turns a common concept or expression into a physical reality, is widely used as well. I'm worried about the calendar. Its days are numbered with pedantic humor. This PhD said. The jokester sets up the joke and then derails it. I've always liked this one. What's blue and smells like red? Paint. Blue paint. Always thought that was a good joke.

[Getty]

Ah, the derail job. I love it.

[Armstrong]

Yep, so there's a recipe for humor, the researcher said.

[Getty]

Again, nobody wanted to hear this. Nobody wants to. It's not necessary using red. Why does it feel so good to kiss somebody you love? Who cares?

[Armstrong]

Researchers suggest enjoy the feeling.

[Getty]

Blah, blah, endorphin flow Blah, blah, shut up and kiss me.

[Armstrong]

Using Reddit comments and upvotes as popularity metrics, because that's what you got to do. Sylvia determined that when it comes to a solid dad joke structure, people found the question and answer framing funnier. Such as, did you hear about the two thieves who stole a calendar? They each got six months.

[Getty]

Very amusing.

[Armstrong]

And in a survey portion of the study, people reported that they connected more of the jokes that used family characters such as mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents and animals. Topics such as nature, healthcare and money resonated, whereas those about politics, religion and war did not. Oh really? So don't use as a topic matter for your dad joke with your kid or war, religion, politics. Thanks for that. Heads up.

[Getty]

And we found in our study that dad jokes relating to exchange traded funds really stiffed. Again, thank you for your valuable research. Wow. Dad jokes about death. What the hell, dude?

[Armstrong]

Or politics. And then it lists here. What are supposedly good dad jokes?

[Mint Mobile Spokesperson]

What?

[Armstrong]

Why does the Danish military put barcodes on its ships? So they can Scandinav. Scandinavian, I guess.

[Getty]

Scandinavian.

[Armstrong]

Oh, Scandinavian. Okay, I didn't read. I'm too dumb for that one.

[Getty]

Yeah.

[Armstrong]

How do you catch a unique bird? Unique up on it. I'd never heard this one before. This is pretty funny. I was wondering why the Frisbee kept getting bigger and bigger. Then it hit me.

[Getty]

Oh, that's so good. Oh, that's beautiful. I wish I had a collection of these when my kids were were little.

[Armstrong]

This one's this. The writing on this one is good.

[Getty]

Yeah.

[Armstrong]

The researcher, the Ph.D. sylvia, said the most notorious dad jokes have an almost irritating quality to them as a way to shake up the conversation and engage people. Such as when a child says, dad, I'm hungry. Hi, hungry. I'm dad sure has an almost irritating quality. All right.

[Mint Mobile Spokesperson]

True.

[Getty]

My mom used to do that. Say that one.

[Armstrong]

I've done that too.

[Getty]

But not just for dads anymore.

[Armstrong]

Without even realizing that it had an almost irritating quality that shook up the conversation in a pleasant way. Humor is a playful social glue. I've noticed that makes everyone feel a little bit better. Yes, I'm a human being also and little more. Wow.

[Getty]

It really is explaining humans to humans.

[Armstrong]

We know. It makes people a little more at ease and closer to the people they're with. Yes, yes it does.

[Getty]

Wow. And they print this. Probably got an atta boy.

[Armstrong]

PhDs write long papers about it and get them inserted into peer reviewed periodicals.

[Getty]

Often jokes cause people to smile and or laugh, which makes them happy.

[Armstrong]

Oh, it says here human plays an Important role in our health, relationships and well being, research shows. Thank God you've got the research because if you just made that up off the top of your head, can you back up that statement that humor makes people happier?

[Getty]

The academiazing of human experience. Sometimes it's, it's good and helpful helping unknot addiction, say, or an abusive relationship or something like that. But explaining why there are jokes.

[Armstrong]

Steven Sultanoff, a clinical psychologist and professor at Pepperdine University, calls mirth the emotional uplift of humor.

[Getty]

Sure, he's a long day.

[Armstrong]

Even when a joke doesn't elicit a guffaw, people may still experience the benefit by feeling uplifted by it. He said.

[Getty]

Glad you know.

[Armstrong]

Yes, we know. There's also a cognitive response known as wit that can occur with humor. Who is this?

[Getty]

This is killing me.

[Armstrong]

To understand a joke, people often need to shift their perspective. And studies suggest that this cognitive reframing can help regulate emotions and cope with stress.

[Getty]

Now that's an interesting concept. That's, that's next level. I, you know, I'd almost like to hear about that cognitive reframing and, and how that.

[Armstrong]

We've certainly all felt that though when somebody, you know, cracks a joke in a stressful situation.

[Getty]

Right. It, yeah, everything changes. Like you've literally changed your perspective. You've moved over here. That's, that's okay. Finally something interesting. I mean, it's self evident, but like I said, it's at least intriguing.

[Armstrong]

And he ended with this researcher from Pepperdine. Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

[Getty]

I get it, I get it. This was my dad's favorite dad joke. He didn't follow good advice. Why did the chicken cross the road? Because he was being chased by inflation in the economy. It wasn't very funny. He feared death.

[Armstrong]

I was wondering to myself, why does that Frisbee keep getting bigger and bigger? And then it hit me. Well, I guess that's it.

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