The Mathematics of Comedy: Why the Rule of Three Works Every Time (Yes, Even in Memes, Movies, and That One Cringe TikTok Trend)
Welcome to Comedy 101, Nerds!
You ever hear a joke structured like this: “A priest, a rabbi, and a TikToker walk into a bar…” and suddenly, BAM, you’re laughing? That’s the Rule of Three, baby! It’s the quantum physics of comedy—except funnier and with fewer dudes in lab coats crying over equations.
The Rule of Three is basically comedy’s golden ratio, its cheat code, its “up, up, down, down, left, right, B, A, start.” It’s what makes memes work, sitcoms thrive, and your annoying friend who thinks they’re hilarious sometimes land a joke.
Let’s dig deep into why this formula is so powerful, with examples ranging from ancient plays to chaotic Gen Z humor to why that one old guy on Twitter refuses to stop making dad jokes.
Catch a support chair or something, for this Reaper is going to change tones and sing you poetry.
What Even Is the Rule of Three? (And No, It’s Not a Cult Ritual)
Alright, so the Rule of Three works like this:
First item: Sets up expectations.
Second item: Reinforces expectations.
Third item: Either subverts or pays off the expectations, making your brain go, “Ha! I did not see that coming.”
It’s why jokes structured like:
“I like my coffee like I like my mornings—dark, strong, and questioning my life choices.”
hit harder than just saying, “I like my coffee strong.” It’s also why your brain auto-completes jokes, setting you up for the punchline without you even realizing it.
And no, you can’t just throw three random things together and call it comedy. “A monkey, a car, and existential dread” isn’t funny unless it’s leading somewhere (though, if executed right, I’d watch that movie).
Ancient Humans Figured This Out Before TikTok (Shocking, I Know)
Comedy isn’t new, folks. The Greeks were out here cracking Rule of Three jokes back in 400 BCE while wearing togas. Aristophanes, one of the OG comedy writers, used it all the time in his plays. Even Shakespeare, the old-school meme lord himself, sprinkled it into his works like a chaotic bard who knew his audience would eat that up.
Fast forward a few centuries, and Charlie Chaplin was falling over furniture three times in a row because slapstick + Rule of Three = comedy gold. In the 1940s, the Three Stooges (look, their name even follows the Rule of Three!) turned eye pokes and bonks into an art form.
Modern-Day Chaos: Memes, Sitcoms, and Why Your Brain Loves This Formula
Fast forward to now, where comedy is at its peak of absolutely unhinged energy. Let’s look at some modern Rule of Three examples across different media:
1. Memes – Because Your Brain Loves Predictability Before Chaos
Classic meme formats use the Rule of Three all the time.
The first panel sets up the expectation.
The second panel continues the pattern.
The third panel DESTROYS expectations, and suddenly you’re wheezing at a cursed image of a cat vibing in space.
Example: “Me, my friend, and the guy she tells me not to worry about.” Boom. Rule of Three.
2. Stand-up Comedy – The Art of Making People Spit Out Their Drinks
Every great stand-up comedian follows this formula. Let’s take a few legends:
Dave Chappelle – Sets up two normal points, then drops an absolutely absurd third one, making the joke explode.
John Mulaney – Uses the rule to build a structured joke before flipping it into chaos mode.
Ali Wong – Delivers two relatable statements before slapping you with an unexpected, savage punchline.
3. Sitcoms & TV Shows – The Gold Mine of Three-Piece Jokes
If you’ve ever watched Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Friends, The Office, or New Girl, you’ve seen this rule in action.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Jake Peralta does this CONSTANTLY:
“I am smart, I am capable, and I am bad at this.”
The Office – Michael Scott:
“Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”
Friends – Joey’s famous line:
“It’s not that common, it doesn’t happen to every guy, and it is a big deal!”
The Rule of Three in Anime – When Comedy Gets Chaotic
Anime thrives on exaggerated humor, and the Rule of Three makes it hit even harder. Let’s check out some legendary moments:
One Piece – Luffy’s iconic dumb logic follows the rule perfectly:
“I don’t know how to navigate, I don’t know how to cook, and I don’t know how to lie!”
Gintama – The king of parody anime loves subverting jokes:
“This battle will take three days. No, wait, three hours. Actually, let’s finish it in three minutes.”
Dragon Ball Z – Vegeta’s breakdown after Goku surpasses him:
“He’s a Saiyan, he’s an idiot, and he’s stronger than me?!”
The Rule of Three in Movies – From Deadpool to Disney
Let’s hit some examples from both ends of the movie spectrum:
Deadpool (2016) – You knew this one was coming. Deadpool’s entire persona is structured around Rule of Three comedy. Example:
“Life is an endless series of trainwrecks with only brief commercial breaks of happiness. Oh, and tacos.” – First two statements are dark, third flips it to comedy.
Shrek (2001) – Donkey’s entire comedic existence is Rule of Three. Example:
“I like big butts, I cannot lie, and you other brothers can’t deny.”
Final Thoughts (Aka, Why You Should Use This in Literally Everything)
If you want to be funny (or at least funnier than that one guy who laughs at his own jokes), mastering the Rule of Three is your ultimate power move.
Writing a joke? Use three parts.
Making a meme? Three layers.
Roasting your friend in the group chat? Hit them with the triple threat.
At the end of the day, your brain wants structure before chaos, and that’s exactly what this rule does. So go forth, comedic warrior, and spread the chaotic wisdom of three!
(Oh, and if you didn’t laugh at least three times while reading this, I have failed as a human. Send complaints to my nonexistent HR department.)
