According to this, the longer the build up, the funnier the joke. So if the build up goes on for a year, then the joke just keeps getting funnier.
Also, the actual funniness is still a distinct factor, which is what I was hoping they were actually getting to explain.
As far as I know, hunour is the unexpected creation of a relationship in the brain. The more unexpected, the funnier the joke. The brain functions by storing information. It has been optimised, that is, gives us the greatest reward for doing so, (that is gives us a sense of pleasure), to store information that is at first not related. This is because he greatest insights, (the ahaaa factor), is what gives us the greatest new knowledge. So a joke sets up an artificial 'ahaaaaa' sensation. Rather than a startling insight into how to trap a wild beast, or the next 'white out' or post it tab, we are given the sensation of creating one of these with a joke.
The jokes are usually setting up a story, then the punchline is a surprise twist. That is, we are given a build up, that is, something that is usual and normal, to store in our brain. Then, the surprise connection, which is unexpected. Then we get the, 'ahaaaa', instant brain rush of reward at a dazzling insight. Kind of like taking drugs.
