O.HENRY PUN-OFF 2003
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26th ANNUAL O.HENRY PUN-OFF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
1. REGISTRATION: The O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships are divided into two contests: Punniest of Show, and High Lies and Low Puns. Pre-registration is required for both events. Contestants may enter either or both contests. A maximum of thirty-two (32) entrants per event will be accepted for registration. You must Mail or fax this form to the Museum prior to April 30, 2003. Pre-registrations by phone may be done at the discretion of the museum staff.
Contestants must sign in and pick up their registration packet at Pun-Off site between 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the day of the competition. Packets not picked up by 1 p.m. will be assigned to the names on the contestant waiting list. Contestants unable to meet this requirement must contact the event organizers and make other arrangements prior to 1:00 p.m. on the day of the competition.
2. PUNNIEST OF SHOW: Each entered contestant will be allowed to present a pun on stage. Puns may be presented in any format (e.g., visual, musical, stand-up routine, etc.), and will be scored on a scale of one (1) to ten (10) by a panel of judges. A contestant's score will be determined by adding the judges' scores together. If a judge displays a score higher than 10 or lower than 1, that score will be lowered or raised to the nearest allowable score (i.e., an 11 becomes a 10, a 0 becomes a 1, etc.). Contestants will be judged on content, originality, and general effect of the presentation, including judges' interpretation of audience response. Contestants may use notes or scripts, but should keep in mind that the judges may take this into consideration when determining their score.
Contestants should endeavor to keep their routines under ninety (90) seconds in length. Each routine will be timed by an independent timekeeper, who will allow for audience response and other technical difficulties when determining if 90 seconds have passed. At the end of 90 seconds the timekeeper will sound a signal, indicating that the contestant's 90 seconds has expired and a thirty (30) second grace period is now in effect. At the end of this grace period (i.e., after two (2) minutes' total time), the timekeeper will sound a second signal, and the contestant will be asked to leave the stage. Although the judges may still give a score for the routine, any contestant whose presentation is in excess of 2 minutes' total time is automatically disqualified. The Master(s) of Ceremonies will make the final determination of elapsed time based on the timekeeper's signals. In the event of an incorrect or inadvertent signal from the timekeeper, the Master(s) of Ceremonies will, as they deem necessary, adjust the contestant's remaining time.
The contestant with the highest total score will win the event. In the case of a tie score, the tied contestants will be called back on stage, where they will present part of their routine again. After all tied contestants finish, audience response will be taken. The contestant that receives the best audience reaction, as determined by the judging panel and the Master(s) of Ceremonies, shall win the event.
3. HIGH LIES & LOW PUNS: This competition will consist of no more than four rounds of single-elimination heats. For each preliminary round, two contestants at a time will be called onto the stage (a pairing), at which point they will be given a topic drawn at random. The contestant with the lowest entry number will have five (5) seconds to deliver a pun on this topic. The other contestant then has five seconds to respond with another pun on the same topic. Contestants who exceed the allotted five seconds will be eliminated from the competition. The survivor of each pairing advances to the next round. Each preliminary round will result in the elimination of one contestant. There will be no time limits in any rounds.
Contestants must sign in and pick up their registration packet at Pun-Off site between 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the day of the competition. Packets not picked up by 1 p.m. will be assigned to the names on the contestant waiting list. Contestants unable to meet this requirement must contact the event organizers and make other arrangements prior to 1:00 p.m. on the day of the competition.
2. PUNNIEST OF SHOW: Each entered contestant will be allowed to present a pun on stage. Puns may be presented in any format (e.g., visual, musical, stand-up routine, etc.), and will be scored on a scale of one (1) to ten (10) by a panel of judges. A contestant's score will be determined by adding the judges' scores together. If a judge displays a score higher than 10 or lower than 1, that score will be lowered or raised to the nearest allowable score (i.e., an 11 becomes a 10, a 0 becomes a 1, etc.). Contestants will be judged on content, originality, and general effect of the presentation, including judges' interpretation of audience response. Contestants may use notes or scripts, but should keep in mind that the judges may take this into consideration when determining their score.
Contestants should endeavor to keep their routines under ninety (90) seconds in length. Each routine will be timed by an independent timekeeper, who will allow for audience response and other technical difficulties when determining if 90 seconds have passed. At the end of 90 seconds the timekeeper will sound a signal, indicating that the contestant's 90 seconds has expired and a thirty (30) second grace period is now in effect. At the end of this grace period (i.e., after two (2) minutes' total time), the timekeeper will sound a second signal, and the contestant will be asked to leave the stage. Although the judges may still give a score for the routine, any contestant whose presentation is in excess of 2 minutes' total time is automatically disqualified. The Master(s) of Ceremonies will make the final determination of elapsed time based on the timekeeper's signals. In the event of an incorrect or inadvertent signal from the timekeeper, the Master(s) of Ceremonies will, as they deem necessary, adjust the contestant's remaining time.
The contestant with the highest total score will win the event. In the case of a tie score, the tied contestants will be called back on stage, where they will present part of their routine again. After all tied contestants finish, audience response will be taken. The contestant that receives the best audience reaction, as determined by the judging panel and the Master(s) of Ceremonies, shall win the event.
3. HIGH LIES & LOW PUNS: This competition will consist of no more than four rounds of single-elimination heats. For each preliminary round, two contestants at a time will be called onto the stage (a pairing), at which point they will be given a topic drawn at random. The contestant with the lowest entry number will have five (5) seconds to deliver a pun on this topic. The other contestant then has five seconds to respond with another pun on the same topic. Contestants who exceed the allotted five seconds will be eliminated from the competition. The survivor of each pairing advances to the next round. Each preliminary round will result in the elimination of one contestant. There will be no time limits in any rounds.
POSSIBLE TOPICS AVAILABLE FOR HIGH-LIES & LOW PUNS COMPETITION:
* RELIGION
* BIOLOGY & CHEMISTRY
* COLORS / ART & ARTISTS
* RADIO & TELEVISION
* CARPENTRY / CONSTRUCTION
* FLOWERS
* EDUCATION
* MONEY & FINANCE
* WHEELED VEHICLES
* MEDICINE (NO BODY PARTS)
* WINGED CREATURES
* WILD ANIMALS
* MOVIES & THEATRE
* FOOD & COOKING
* MALE NAMES
* CLOTHING
* COMPUTERS / ELECTRONICS
* AMERICAN CITIES
* AIRBORNE VEHICLES
* BOOKS & AUTHORS
* OIL BUSINESS
* WATERBORNE VEHICLES
* TREES
* ASTRONOMY & ASTROLOGY
* ARCHEOLOGY
* FEMALE NAMES
* SEA CREATURES
* FARMING & RANCHING
* INSECTS & BUGS
* DRINKS
* GAMBLING
* POLITICS
* DISEASES
* INTERNAL BODY PARTS
* POPULAR MUSIC
* THE LAW & CRIME
* ROCK & ROLL MUSIC
* JAZZ & CLASSICAL MUSIC
* PHYSICAL SPORTS
* CHILD'S PLAY (TOYS & GAMES)
* WEATHER
* SHRINKS & PSYCHOLOGY
* MILITARY
* HOLIDAYS
* INDIANS AND ABORIGINALS
* EXTERNAL BODY PARTS
* COUNTRY MUSIC
* FRUITS & VEGETABLES
* BODIES OF WATER (SPECIFIC OR GENERAL)
* EUROPE, ASIA & AUSTRALIA (COUNTRIES ONLY)
* COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD (NO CITIES OR STATES)
Some new topic definitions that we hope to try out this year are...
* CERAMICS AND GLASS & RELATED TERMS
* MATHEMATICS & PHYSICS
* FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS
* WORDS THAT BEGIN WITH THE LETTER "__"
* NUCLEAR ENERGY
* DOGS (formerly included in "Pets")
* CATS (formerly included in "Pets")
* DOMESTIC ANIMALS (other than cats and dogs)
* GAMBLING
* POLITICS
* DISEASES
* INTERNAL BODY PARTS
* POPULAR MUSIC
* THE LAW & CRIME
* ROCK & ROLL MUSIC
* JAZZ & CLASSICAL MUSIC
* PHYSICAL SPORTS
* CHILD'S PLAY (TOYS & GAMES)
* WEATHER
* SHRINKS & PSYCHOLOGY
* MILITARY
* HOLIDAYS
* INDIANS AND ABORIGINALS
* EXTERNAL BODY PARTS
* COUNTRY MUSIC
* FRUITS & VEGETABLES
* BODIES OF WATER (SPECIFIC OR GENERAL)
* EUROPE, ASIA & AUSTRALIA (COUNTRIES ONLY)
* COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD (NO CITIES OR STATES)
Some new topic definitions that we hope to try out this year are...
* CERAMICS AND GLASS & RELATED TERMS
* MATHEMATICS & PHYSICS
* FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS
* WORDS THAT BEGIN WITH THE LETTER "__"
* NUCLEAR ENERGY
* DOGS (formerly included in "Pets")
* CATS (formerly included in "Pets")
* DOMESTIC ANIMALS (other than cats and dogs)
Puns may not be made on the same word within the same context during a topic. A contestant who violates this rule will receive a "strike" and will be given another five seconds to come up with a valid pun that has not been used during the pairing. During the course of a pairing each contestant will be allowed a cumulative total of 3 strikes before being disqualified and eliminated. Automatic strikes will be awarded only for puns made on repeated words. At the discretion of the emcee, strikes may also be awarded for non-puns made on qualifying words or actual puns made on non-qualified words unless an acceptable "repair"is offered. An unsatisfactory "repair" may be considered a "non-response" and may result in instant elimination. A cumulative total of three "strikes" against either contestant immediately ends the round.
Once each preliminary round pairing has begun, the drawn topic will not be changed. The Master(s) of Ceremonies reserves the right to change, define or narrow the topic or draw a new topic before starting any round of play.
Time will be kept by an independent timekeeper, who will allow for audience response and other technical difficulties when determining if five seconds have passed. The Master(s) of Ceremonies will make the final determination of elapsed time based on the timekeeper's reports. In the event of an incorrect or inadvertent signal from the timekeeper, the Master(s) of Ceremonies will, as they deem necessary, adjust the contestant's remaining time.
The final round will consist of no more than five (5) people on stage, subject to the same rules as shown above. When only two finalists are left, a new topic will be drawn and the round will resume. The survivor of this final pairing will be declared the winner of High Lies and Low Puns.
4. CONTESTANT NUMBERS AND ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Contestants will receive a randomly selected number for each event entered. If a contestant enters both events, the contestant will receive two numbers. These numbers will determine the contestant's order of appearance in each contest. Contestants will not be allowed to trade or exchange numbers drawn for either event unless cleared to do so by the Master(s) of Ceremonies.
Contestants in the Punniest of Show competition will appear in numerical order, starting at one (1) and ending at thirty-two (32). If less than 32 people enter Punniest of Show, non-selected entry numbers will be skipped and the contestants will be called to the stage in as close to numerical order as possible.
Contestants entering High Lies and Low Puns will be paired against each other according to the numbers they draw during registration for the High Lies and Low Puns event. If the maximum of 32 entrants has not been reached at the end of registration, each contestant will be paired up against the contestant whose entry number is numerically closest.
If a contestant leaves the contest before their number is drawn for either event, and/or does not respond when their number is called, their number will be skipped and the contestant will be disqualified from further competition in that event for the day. If, for any reason, there are an odd number of entrants competing in the first round of High Lies and Low Puns, the remaining unpaired contestant holding the highest number will be given a bye to the next round and will be paired against the contestant with the lowest number who survived the previous round. After the first round, any other odd numbered contestant will be matched up in a 3-way elimination at the end of each round.
5. FINAL AUTHORITY: The Master(s) of Ceremonies shall not overrule or change the positions determined by the judges' scores in the Punniest of Show competition (except in matters of an exceeded time limit and/or audience response), but will have final authority over all other phases of registration and of both contests, including the interpretation and implementation of these rules.
6. RESPONSIBILITY: No employee of the O. Henry Home and Museum or the City of Austin, nor any member of, or anyone officially associated with the Friends of the O. Henry Museum or Punsters United Nearly Yearly (P.U.N.Y.), shall be held responsible or liable in any way for the final outcome of either contest or for any other matter regarding the competition as a whole or in part.
Addendum:
BITE YOUR TONGUE - Because the O.Henry Pun-Off involves so much
unrehearsed and spontaneous wordplay, it is not possible for us to
guarantee to the public any particular level of "maturity" in our
presentation. Double entendre and risqué references will usually go
over the heads of the innocent while still being appreciated by the
mature.
On the other hand, we have a responsibility to our public, many of
whom are young and impressionable, to present a program that is not
intentionally offensive in its nature. We don't want to exercise any
form of censorship, but must urge you to make every attempt to "take
the high road" when exercising this "lowest form of humor."
...and just a little more
The letter to the judges:
Dear Pun-Off Judges
Thank you in advance for being on the cutting edge of our annual
Punned-razor. Enclosed you will find information to answer most
questions you may have or may be asked concerning the 26th Annual O.
Henry Pun-Off World Championships. Any opportunity you have before
May 4 to promote or call attention to the event will of course be
appreciated.
We hope you will wish to remain for the entire event, but you will be
judging only the first half, PUNNIEST OF SHOW. This will begin
promptly at 1 p.m. and usually lasts about 90 minutes. We hope that
you will be able to arrive by 12:30 to be properly briefed and
introduced.
Because the difference between a bad pun and a good pun can be very
foggy, your rating of any particular performance will necessarily be
quite subjective. Although we do not require contestants to present
original material, it is expected that a panel of sharp judges will
be able to sniff out an oldie and judge it appropriately. Audience
response is another factor that may assist you in rating a
questionable performance.
Please keep in mind that most of the contestants competing in the O.
Henry Pun-Off are amateurs and many will be stepping on stage for
their first time. Despite the rowdy and informal atmosphere, our
contestants do take their performances quite seriously.
You will be given a set of cards numbered one through ten. A "ONE"
should be used only for a complete flop (or an obvious non-pun) and a
"TEN" should be reserved for a performance better than you ever
expected. (The audience response is helpful here too!) The most
important thing here is that your judging style remains consistent
throughout the event. If a contestant runs over his allotted time,
(90 seconds) you need not take this into account, points will be
deducted from his total score later.
Our judging panel usually consists of 4 or 5 members. Each
contestant's score is a cumulative of the judge's totals. (A maximum
of 40 or 50 points/ minimum of 4 or 5 points) The winner of this
event usually takes it by only one or two points, so when awarding a
score, try to be O.Pun minded. Videotapes of past competitions are
available if you need practice.
Because the difference between a bad pun and a good pun can be very foggy, any judge's rating of a contestant's offering will necessarily be quite subjective. Many of our contestants are stepping onto a stage for the first time in their lives. Although we do not require presentations to be memorized or entirely original, it is expected that a panel of sharp judges will be able to recognize these as important factors and take them into account. Audience response is
another factor that often assists judges in rating a baffling or
questionable performance.
Each contestant's score is a cumulative of all four judge's totals. (A maximum of 40 points) Despite the rowdy and informal atmosphere, most of our contestants do take their performances quite seriously and deserve the full attention of our judge panel. The winner of this event usually takes it by only one or two points, so please do not distract our judges while a performance is in session.
Judges are provided a set of cards numbered one through ten. A "ONE" should be used only for a complete flop (or an obvious non-pun) and a "TEN" should be reserved for a performance better than you could have expected. (The audience response is helpful here too!) Although an
individual judge's criteria may vary, it is most important that a judge remain consistent throughout the event. Contestants who run over two minutes are disqualified but may still receive a score.
Thank you in advance for being on the cutting edge of our annual
Punned-razor. Enclosed you will find information to answer most
questions you may have or may be asked concerning the 26th Annual O.
Henry Pun-Off World Championships. Any opportunity you have before
May 4 to promote or call attention to the event will of course be
appreciated.
We hope you will wish to remain for the entire event, but you will be
judging only the first half, PUNNIEST OF SHOW. This will begin
promptly at 1 p.m. and usually lasts about 90 minutes. We hope that
you will be able to arrive by 12:30 to be properly briefed and
introduced.
Because the difference between a bad pun and a good pun can be very
foggy, your rating of any particular performance will necessarily be
quite subjective. Although we do not require contestants to present
original material, it is expected that a panel of sharp judges will
be able to sniff out an oldie and judge it appropriately. Audience
response is another factor that may assist you in rating a
questionable performance.
Please keep in mind that most of the contestants competing in the O.
Henry Pun-Off are amateurs and many will be stepping on stage for
their first time. Despite the rowdy and informal atmosphere, our
contestants do take their performances quite seriously.
You will be given a set of cards numbered one through ten. A "ONE"
should be used only for a complete flop (or an obvious non-pun) and a
"TEN" should be reserved for a performance better than you ever
expected. (The audience response is helpful here too!) The most
important thing here is that your judging style remains consistent
throughout the event. If a contestant runs over his allotted time,
(90 seconds) you need not take this into account, points will be
deducted from his total score later.
Our judging panel usually consists of 4 or 5 members. Each
contestant's score is a cumulative of the judge's totals. (A maximum
of 40 or 50 points/ minimum of 4 or 5 points) The winner of this
event usually takes it by only one or two points, so when awarding a
score, try to be O.Pun minded. Videotapes of past competitions are
available if you need practice.
Because the difference between a bad pun and a good pun can be very foggy, any judge's rating of a contestant's offering will necessarily be quite subjective. Many of our contestants are stepping onto a stage for the first time in their lives. Although we do not require presentations to be memorized or entirely original, it is expected that a panel of sharp judges will be able to recognize these as important factors and take them into account. Audience response is
another factor that often assists judges in rating a baffling or
questionable performance.
Each contestant's score is a cumulative of all four judge's totals. (A maximum of 40 points) Despite the rowdy and informal atmosphere, most of our contestants do take their performances quite seriously and deserve the full attention of our judge panel. The winner of this event usually takes it by only one or two points, so please do not distract our judges while a performance is in session.
Judges are provided a set of cards numbered one through ten. A "ONE" should be used only for a complete flop (or an obvious non-pun) and a "TEN" should be reserved for a performance better than you could have expected. (The audience response is helpful here too!) Although an
individual judge's criteria may vary, it is most important that a judge remain consistent throughout the event. Contestants who run over two minutes are disqualified but may still receive a score.
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