History Main / IsThisAJoke

[[folder: Advertising]]
* In one recent ad campaign for air fresheners, they spray the stuff all over incredibly dirty environments, blindfold people, bring them in, and have them tell what they smell. After saying how wonderful the place smells, they're unblinded. In one ad, featuring two women, they both look around the [[TrashOfTheTitans absolutely filthy]] basement, and wonders aloud if it's a joke.

[[folder:{{Anime}} & {{Manga}}]]
* ''[[LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya]]'': Kyon walks into the classroom and sees Ryoko was the one who had arranged to meet him. He asks if Taniguchi set this up as a prank.

[[folder: Comedy]]

[[folder:ComicBooks]]
* Such an explanation is staple of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] MarvelUniverse. Alternately, if it is not considered to be "a joke" by someone, the possibility of the weird event being SomeNuttyPublicityStunt could also be suggested.
* Apparently part of the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] of Marvel Comics as well. In ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Comics #1 (March 1941) The ComicBook/RedSkull sends General Manor a Red Skull along with a death threat. The experienced military leader assumes it must just be a joke.

[[folder:{{Film}}]]
* A great example in the form of a running gag to boot is when Marty stumbles into the soda shop in ''Film/BackToTheFuture''. First the bartender smirks when referring to Marty's 1980's orange sleeveless ski jacket as a 'life preserver' and later in the same scene Biff and his gangmembers laugh at Marty's expense after one of the gang makes the disparaging remark, 'Dork thinks he's gonna drown'.

* TheFilmOfTheBook adaptation of ''Film/{{Timeline}}'' has Paul Walker conclude that his father's [[WriteBackToTheFuture message in the catacombs]] are just part of "a joke." Billy Connolly steps in to explain just how stupid an explanation that is, that a seasoned archaeologist would deliberately damage a site that's thousands of years old for the sake of a cheap laugh.
** This occurred in the book as well.
* Asked by name in ''Film/SpyKids'' by Juni, after being instructed on the blue and green buttons, and opening the door [[spoiler:to the [=SpyGuppy=]]] to find... a closet.
* One of our heroes in ''Film/ItsAMadMadMadMadWorld'' suggest that Smiler's FinalSpeech may have just been part of "some big practical joke."

* The tribunal in the original ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes1968'' dismiss Taylor's claim of being from another planet as "a joke."
* Creator/LiamNeeson says this line early on in ''Film/{{Unknown 2011}}''.

* {{Subverted}} in the 1971 adaptation of ''Film/TheAndromedaStrain''. Two scientists are dispatched to try and find out how an entire town in Arizona died overnight. One of them, while checking over a corpse, excitedly calls the other over to "look at this man's anus!" His partner tells him to stop being juvenile, but it does turn out to be an important clue to the virus' nature.

--> "I sure hope this is a joke."
* In George Gipe's novelization of ''Film/{{Gremlins}},'' when Father Barlett's Christmas cards first shoot out of a mailbox after he dropped them in, he assumed it was a "hidden camera prank" and good-naturedly plays along. Turned out to be those darn gremlins. (This is partially seen in the movie but a deleted scene spelled it out for sure.)

[[folder:LiveActionTV]]
* Standard answer for any of strange events of every other episode of the original ''Series/TheTwilightZone''.
* In the ''Series/StargateSG1'' episode "New Order", Dr. Weir's reaction to the Stargate program was to think it was a joke. She was then handed a letter from the President reading simply "This is not a joke." It was also stated that this was the President's reaction to learning of the Stargate program, as well, hence his ability to predict her response.

-->'''Kyle Gwydion:''' "I bet one of my brothers put you up to this, right?"
* ''Series/{{Warehouse 13}}'' does this in the {{Pilot}}.
-->'''Lattimer:''' "This is a joke, right? Dickensen put you up to this."

-->'''Phoebe:''' Oh, hi, Mrs. Waltham. I need to speak with either one of the best men, or Ross's sister Monica.
-->'''Mrs. Waltham:''' Who is this?
-->'''Phoebe:''' Oh, I'm Phoebe Buffay. I'm one of Ross' best friends.
-->'''Mrs. Waltham:''' Well, if you're one of Ross' best friends, why aren't you here?
-->'''Phoebe:''' Yeah, um, I can't fly. I'm having my brother's babies.
-->'''Mrs. Waltham:''' Am I on the radio?
* ''Series/WaitingForGod'': Diana(who, for those not familiar with this show, is about seventy) tries to get a job in a trendy clothing store. The young clerk doesn't quite understand it, until she "figures out" it must be some kind of prank show, and tries to find where the host is hiding.
* The more modern variant on ''Series/{{Community}}'', when Britta is amazed at the guys jumping into a fight over something stupid.
--> "Okay, seriously, I'm being Punked, right?"

* In the ''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003'' miniseries, Colonel Tigh initially tries to dismiss the Cylon attack as a retirement prank played by the Fleet on Adama.

* In ''Series/DoctorWho'' Rose Tyler's reaction to the plastic dummies coming to life and apparently trying to kill her is that it must be college kids - they're the only ones mad enough for a prank that big. The Doctor says it's a [[SarcasmMode smart idea.]] She, and every other companion, came to discover that it is ''never'' a joke.

[[folder:VideoGame]]

-->'''[[spoiler:Kristoph Gavin]]:''' Wright. You aren't seriously accusing me... are you?
-->'''Phoenix Wright:''' Oh, [[spoiler:Kristoph]]? You know even I'd never take a joke this far.

[[folder:WebOriginal]]

[[folder:WesternAnimation]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'' (and ''The Man From Lolliland''), this is the reply Pops normally gets after giving lollipops as payment. Benson also says it to Mordecai and Rigby when they come up with a half-baked unorthodox solution for something.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode "The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000", Rainbow Dash asks "Is this some kind of cruel joke?" when she finally gets some cider, only to have it spilled on the ground.
* ''WesternAnimation/DangerMouse'': In "All Fall Down," Penfold is disguised as a traffic officer in an attempt to distract villainous snake Mac The Fork so DM can infiltrate his hideout.
-->'''Penfold:''' Y-y-y-your car, sir, it's on a gibble gabble gine, er....wibble wobble wine...
-->'''Mac The Fork:''' Is this some kind o' joke?
-->'''Penfold:''' Well, ''I'm'' not laughing.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons,'' episode "Deep Space Homer", when the director of NASA introduces Homer and Barney as the future of space travel, two reporters ask "is this a joke?" Despite telling them no, and refusing to take anymore similar questions, Homer breaking down after realizing the ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes'' was earth, and Barney drunkenly passing out, did not help.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons,'' episode ''Deep Space Homer'', when the director of NASA introduces Homer and Barney as the future of space travel, two reporters ask "is this a joke?" Despite telling them no, and refusing to take anymore similar questions, Homer breaking down after realizing the ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes'' was earth, and Barney drunkenly passing out, did not help.

* TheFilmOfTheBook adaptation of ''Film/{{Timeline}}'' has Paul Walker conclude that his father's [[WriteBackToTheFuture message in the catacombs]] are just part of "a joke." Billy Connolly steps in to explain just how stupid an explanation that is, that a seasoned archeologist would deliberately damage a site that's thousands of years old for the sake of a cheap laugh.

* Asked by name in SpyKids by Juni, after being instructed on the blue and green buttons, and opening the door [[spoiler:to the [=SpyGuppy=]]] to find... a closet.

Many a strange things are happening in Normaltown, USA and the WeirdnessCensor isn't working at 100% efficiency today, so someone will suggest that the events are "Some kind of joke," despite how overly elaborate and complicated measures would have to be taken in order to produce such phenomenon for the sake of a laugh. They're hoping it's a CandidCameraPrank.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong;'' episode "Half Baked," Jake replies, "I'm glad that everyone bought that ''You've been punked'' story we feed them." Then again, this is UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity we're taking about here. If you've ever been to New York, you know that you have no chance of being able to justify ''everything'' you see.

* [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Rainbow Dash]] asks "Is this some kind of cruel joke?" when she finally gets some cider, only to have it spilled on the ground.

* Suggested in TheMist

* ''{{Warehouse 13}}'' does this in the {{Pilot}}.

* ''{{Friends}}'', when Phoebe is on the phone with Ross' fiancée's stepmother, trying to warn Ross that Rachel is coming to disrupt the wedding:

* ''WaitingForGod'': Diana(who, for those not familiar with this show, is about seventy) tries to get a job in a trendy clothing store. The young clerk doesn't quite understand it, until she "figures out" it must be some kind of prank show, and tries to find where the host is hiding.

* In the ''AmericanDragonJakeLong;'' episode "Half Baked," Jake replies, "I'm glad that everyone bought that ''You've been punked'' story we feed them." Then again, this is UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity we're taking about here. If you've ever been to New York, you know that you have no chance of being able to justify ''everything'' you see.

* Apparently part of the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] of Marvel Comics as well. In CaptainAmerica Comics #1 (March 1941) The ComicBook/RedSkull sends General Manor a Red Skull along with a death threat. The experienced military leader assumes it must just be a joke.

* StanLee's reaction to the appearance of Mysterio in the second season of ''TheSpectacularSpiderMan'':

* Such an explanation is staple of the [[TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] MarvelUniverse. Alternately, if it is not considered to be "a joke" by someone, the possibility of the weird event being SomeNuttyPublicityStunt could also be suggested.

* In ''RegularShow'' (and ''The Man From Lolliland''), this is the reply Pops normally gets after giving lollipops as payment. Benson also says it to Mordecai and Rigby when they come up with a half-baked unorthodox solution for something.

* ''LAStory'' did this. The main character swore he was being filmed when the billboard was "talking" to him.

* Apparently part of the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] of Marvel Comics as well. In CaptainAmerica Comics #1 (March 1941) The RedSkull sends General Manor a Red Skull along with a death threat. The experienced military leader assumes it must just be a joke.

* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', Äs Nödt was looking forward to a rematch with Byakuya, only for Byakuya to say he'll leave defeating him in his little sister Rukia's hands. Insulted, Äs Nödt angrily asks if this is such kind of joke, right before Rukia kills him.

* In ''{{Paradise}}'', this is a frequent reaction of people upon discovering they're in the process of changing into {{Funny Animal}}s, or of unChanged when Changed try to reveal their new nature (which is otherwise InvisibleToNormals).

-->'''[[MST3K Crow]]''': [[SarcasmMode Yeah, kids are always mutilating people.]]

* In the ''Series/BattlestarGalacticaReimagined'' miniseries, Colonel Tigh initially tries to dismiss the Cylon attack as a retirement prank played by the Fleet on Adama.

* ''[[SuzumiyaHaruhi The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya]]'': Kyon walks into the classroom and sees Ryoko was the one who had arranged to meet him. He asks if Taniguchi set this up as a prank.

* Apparently part of the [[TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] of Marvel Comics as well. In CaptainAmerica Comics #1 (March 1941) The RedSkull sends General Manor a Red Skull along with a death threat. The experienced military leader assumes it must just be a joke.

Compare to SomeNuttyPublicityStunt, which is somewhat similar, but involves effects too widespread, elaborate, or large to be considered just a joke aimed at one person or a small group.

* Creator/LiamNeeson says this line early on in ''Film/{{Unknown}}''.

->''A rabbi, a pirate and a horse walk into a bar and the bartender says [[GenreSavvy "What is this, some kind of joke?"]]''

* Used by Ryan in the first ''HighSchoolMusical'' film, when it turns out that there are callback auditions for the lead parts in the school musical, which has never happened before:

* One of our heroes in ''ItsAMadMadMadMadWorld'' suggest that Smiler's FinalSpeech may have just been part of "some big practical joke."

* The tribunal in the original ''PlanetOfTheApes'' dismiss Taylor's claim of being from another planet as "a joke."

* A particularly ridiculous example from ''MonsterAGoGo'': while investigating the strange death of an Air Force helicopter pilot, burned to death by an unknown force, [[TheBrigadier Col. Manning]] is shown a singed section of grass surrounding the body, apparently made by whatever killed the pilot. Pressed for an opinion, Manning testily waves the whole thing off as "probably some kids' prank".

* ''TheCuriousCaseOfBenjaminButton'' is littered with this. When Roger Button first sees that his newborn child is in fact an elderly man, he demands to know if the hospital is playing a joke. Years later, when Benjamin is 18 (and looking 50), he tries to gain admittance to Yale. The dean throws him out for trying to pull such a prank, despite Benjamin's protests. Late in his life when Benjamin appears 10, he attempts to rejoin the Army. The other soldiers play along until he presents official military documents, and is told that this isn't funny anymore.

* One of Bob Newhart's early routines has him as a game-company executive in a [[NewhartPhonecall one-sided phone call]] with Abner Doubleday, who's describing the elaborate rules of the new game of baseball that he's invented. At one point Newhart asks, "Is this a rib? Is this one of the guys in the office?"

* One of Bob Newhart's early routines has him as a game-company executive in a [[NewhartPhonecall one-sided phone call]] with Abner Doubleday, who's describing the new game of baseball that he's invented. At one point while listening to Doubleday explain the game's elaborate rules, Newhart asks, "Is this a rib? Is this one of the guys in the office?"

* One of Bob Newhart's early routines has him as a game-company executive in a [[NewhartPhonecall one-sided phone call]] with Abner Doubleday, who's describing the new game of baseball that he's invented. At one point while listening to Doubleday's explain the game's elaborate rules, Newhart asks, "Is this a rib? Is this one of the guys in the office?"

* {{Subverted}} in the 1971 adaptation of ''TheAndromedaStrain''. Two scientists are dispatched to try and find out how an entire town in Arizona died overnight. One of them, while checking over a corpse, excitedly calls the other over to "look at this man's anus!" His partner tells him to stop being juvenile, but it does turn out to be an important clue to the virus' nature.