What is the meaning of this joke?

Question

From Unbelievable Truth, Graeme says "The olympic flame has been carried by more famous novelist than any other well known flame." Then everyone bursts out laughing. I don't understand why it is funny or what it really means.

Thanks,

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I need more context to understand both the remark and the joke.

'An old flame' refers to a former girl-friend or boy-friend, but I don't see such a meaning here.

Clive

Lawsanta · Answer

Here is where I heard the line from (beginning 8:56):

This is a radio show where each panel gives a talk about a subject by mixing 5 facts with a bunch of lies. The other panelists can then score a point by spotting a true statement.

Vorpar · Answer

It's possible that "flame" here means gay, or the joke could be that there aren't any other well-known flames.

Dave_anon · Answer

Hi

At the risk of being flamed - here is my own view..

Graeme Garden has been doing UK comedy for many years. I probably first heard or saw him on TV or radio about 40 years ago

In English comedy - as elsewhere - a performer will be booed for producing the same material or theme over and again. However, Graeme has rather turned this into an art form

The original joke, I think, goes back to the 1980s and concerns a politician and author, Mr Jeffrey Archer

As with many politicians, Mr Archer is surrounded by stories that are not true. This was particularly so of Mr Archer since he served a jail term for perjury (telling lies in a court of law)

One of the many stories about this politician was that he represented Britain in the Olympics. Although he may have been quite good at sport at school, it is just not true that he was ever an Olympic athlete

So there are at least three levels of joke here..

(a) It's a joke that Mr Archer or his associates might ever have claimed that Mr A was an Olympic athlete

(b) It's a joke, that Graeme is re-introducing a joke that he's made many years before

(c) Given the nature of the radio program, it is funny that Graeme introduces the subject with a polician (and author) who is notorious for the question of truth and lies

Jokes are not easily explained, but I hope this may help..

Dave

Lawsanta · Answer

No wonder I was at lost, you have to know the reference. I'm also very surprised to see that there is more than one level of joke to it. Now it all makes sense. Thanks for bringing this to light Dave!

Lawsanta · Answer

dave_anon

At the risk of being flamed - here is my own view..

Thinking back on this post, I just realized you made a pun on flame here.

What is the meaning of this joke?

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