What is your best Pagliacci joke?
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The depressed clown, Pagliacci, visits a therapist incognito.
He spends the hour talking about his depression. Nothing seems worth it anymore. He can’t smile at all. He has no wife or girlfriend to share his life with. Children’s smiles don’t make him happy anymore. His loving little dog doesn’t make him happy. He is at the end of his rope.
Therapist: I think I have the answer. You need to laugh. Laughter can be like a magical cure-all. You need to visit the best clown in the world…
Pagliacci: But I….
Therapist: Jiggles! You need to go see Jiggles the Clown. He’s amazing! Literally the funniest man in the world. He can make anyone happy.
Pagliacci: But….
Therapist: Whatever you do, don’t go to Pagliacci. That clown sucks. He couldn’t make a stoner laugh.
Pagliacci: ….
Therapist: Absolute shit clown.
The “Pagliacci joke” is a well-known anecdote that often appears in discussions about depression and mental health. It goes something like this:
A man goes to a doctor and says, “Doctor, I’m depressed. Life seems harsh and cruel. I feel all alone in a threatening world. What should I do?”
The doctor replies, “The treatment is simple. The great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up.”
The man bursts into tears and says, “But Doctor, I am Pagliacci.”
The joke is often cited to illustrate the irony and complexity of mental health issues. Even those who bring joy and laughter to others—like Pagliacci, the clown—can themselves be suffering from depression or other mental health problems. It serves as a poignant reminder that outward appearances can be deceiving, and even those who seem happy may be struggling internally.
An old man deep in despair went to see his favorite comedian, the great clown Pagliacci.
After the show, the old man made his way backstage and found Pagliacci.
“Pagliacci,” the old man said. “I have always admired your work, and your set tonight was magnificent.”
“I’m humbled, sir,” Pagliacci said with a flourishing bow.
“But I must confess,” the old man said, “that even after witnessing your brilliant performance, I feel completely empty inside. How do you keep finding joy in the little things, after all these years?”
Pagliacci turned to the old man, a wistful twinkle in his eye. “I know that feeling well. Many years ago I passed through this very town, and I went to see a shrink. He believed in me when I did not believe in myself. You should go see him.”
“But Pagliacci,” the old man cried, “I was your shrink!”
Man goes to the Circus of Pagliacci.
He doesn’t laugh. At the end of the show, Pagliacci asks him why he didn’t laugh. Says he’s depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Pagliacci says, “I think you should see a doctor.”
Man bursts into tears. He replies, “But Pagliacci… I am a doctor.”