There was an article on British scientists (yes, scientists) who believe they have discovered "The World's Funniest Joke", which was panned by the article's author and American comedy authorities. Although I didn't find it "The Funniest", it was pretty LOL (You have to be pretty anti-hunter to get the joke). And besides, humor in general has got down the toilet since the 90s. But notice the list of comedy "experts" who have deemed this unfunny: Phyllis Diller? Susie Essman? Gilbert Gottfried? These "comics" together wouldn't get a chuckle from me. But that's my opinion. I would like the people that matter for there opinions.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/WolfFiles/wolffiles.html

That was a funny article.  It wasn't a particularly bad joke, but it wasn't really that good either.  Personally, I think Phyllis Diller and Gilbert Gottfried's opinions do matter (in case you're implying that they didn't), but that's not the point.  The point is, Lewis Black says it's not funny, and Lewis Black knows every single thing there is to know about being funny, period.

I dunno.  I think this one is funnier -- and it's true (I think).  It's from Billy Martin's Number One. Mickey is, of course, Mickey Mantle.

 One day we were going hunting.  He said, "We're going to south Texas, about a five-hour drive.  I have a friend I went to school with down there, he has a big ranch, and we can go deer hunting."  I said great.  We made the trip, got down there, and Mickey said, "You stay in the car.  I'll go in and talk to my buddy, and we'll go right out and hunt."  Mickey went into the house.  I didn't know this, but the owner said to Mickey, "Heck, Mickey, you can hunt all over my place, but would you do me a favor?  I have a pet mule who's going blind, and I don't have the guts to kill the poor fellow.  Would you kill him for me?"  So I didn't know he had asked Mickey to kill it.
 Mickey came out, and he slammed the door like he was mad.  I said "What's the matter?"  Mickey said, "He won't let us hunt here."  I said, "You got to be kidding."  He said, "No, I'm not, and I'm so mad that I'm going to go by the barn and shoot his mule."  I said, "Mickey, you can't shoot that man's mule."  He said, "The hell I ain't.  I'm gonna kill that mule."  We drove through the barnyard, and there was the mule.  Mickey got out of the car with his rifle, and crack, he shot the mule and killed it.  He turned around, and he saw that my rifle was smoking.  He said, "What the hell are you doing?"  I said, "I got two of his cows."
 Ahh, that cost us some money.

I read that article a couple of days ago, and in my opinion, that joke wasn't even remotely funny. I've definitely heard better.

Um, not funny.   ::)

IMHO, they do not matter, because I think they are more irritating that funny. As for Lewis Black, he is probably known more of a commentator than a comedian, so he shouldn't be calling himself an "expert".
My only question is: Don't British scientist have more important things to do than to find the "funniest joke"? It would be like Johnnie Cochran rating stand-up comics. :-/

Quoting:
 Personally, I think Phyllis Diller and Gilbert Gottfried's opinions do matter (in case you're implying that they didn't).End Quote

Actually, the critiques of the comedians on the joke below were funnier than the "funniest" joke itself.  :D

The only person who would think that's funny is someone who lives in a soup can.

Or Pepsi can? :-/

Quoting:
The only person who would think that's funny is someone who lives in a soup can.
End Quote