I respect your opinion, and I sincerely appreciate your feedback, Redleader.
With that said, I would submit that there's a HUGE difference between:
(1) A joke where AIDS is mentioned in the SET-UP (usually for shock value and/or 'going dirty for the sake of going dirty.'); and
(2) A joke like this - I consider this to be more of a MISDIRECTION joke than an AIDS joke - as I allowed the listener/reader to misdirect THEMSELVES, by guessing that the punchline would be something the effect of "stays alone at home with her BOYFRIEND" or "stays alone at home with her cats" - the AIDS is mentioned *NOT* to shock, but rather, to serve as the SURPRISE, and further, it serves to close the thread as it serves as a fitting CONSEQUENCE of her ex-sluttiness.
MISDIRECTION + CONSEQUENCE = the most common formula for writing a successful joke.
Again, just explaining my rationale, as I, too, am not a fan of "shock" humor, where the comic's attempt to GET THE LAUGH is generally "accomplished" by using the WORD "AIDS" and/or "rape" and/or "abortion" simply to get a reaction.
Again, thanks for reading and responding - it is sincerely a great help, and further, it is always a pleasure for me to discuss comedy.
Peace On You, Redleader,
LL
