PR lesson on cracking jokes

January 29, 11:55 AMPublicity ExaminerCarrol Van Stone

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Late comedian Bob Hope: AP Photo

It's not surprising that after Vice President Joe Biden cracked a joke about the flubbed oath of office incident he later apologized for it. He isn’t Bob Hope so even if someone listening was tempted to chuckle – the circumstances clearly stopped them.   Watch video.

Bottom line for all serious executives in politics or business – stop telling jokes. Unless you are Seinfeld, Rickles, Rock, Newhart, Leno, Letterman or another successful stand-up comedian – you shouldn’t be telling jokes and here’s why. 

Comedy is more than words -- it is about timing, delivery and rhythm with an audience.  Professional comedians have training and natural instincts. Politicians may know how to generate excitement at a rally and business execs may know how to motivate a workforce but joke-telling should be left for show business pros.