For a variety of reasons, “Rhode Island” has proven to be irresistible to comic writers since forever. It stems in part from our constant use as a unit of area . . . but only for icebergs. Partly it results from our status as the smallest state (back off, Delaware). Saturday Night Live has often plugged us in as needed, although it’s hard to know why they made us the locale for “Wake Up Rhode Island.” The joke is that our local weatherman (Kieran Culkin) got so busy writing his dopey Thanksgiving-themed rap that he did not notice a big storm headed our way . . . and that could be anywhere.
More recently it really was the punchline. In Chef Show, Nate Bargatze and Ego Nwodim are contestants in a soul food competition. That the white chef is the one coming up with the genuine goods while the Black woman is making “okra foam” just baffles the panel of Black judges who can’t figure it out, finally asking him, “Where are you from?”
The answer gets a big laugh. We like it.
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He had also made a very dopey turkey outfit.
And the winner is . . .