his joke almost always has these elements—alternative versions
may change this form.
Setup: A family act (or a representative, usually the
male head of household) goes in to see a
talent agent about booking their act. The agent asks what their act consists of.
Act: If the whole family is present, the act is performed for the agent; otherwise it is described, in as much detail as the teller prefers, typically ad lib. Traditionally, the description is tasteless and ribald. The goal is to significantly transgress social norms. Taboo acts such as racism, animal cruelty,
incest, rape, child sexual abuse, coprophilia, coprophagia, bestiality, necrophilia, cannibalism, and
murder are common themes.
Punch line: The shocked (or intrigued) agent asks what the act is called, and the proud answer (sometimes delivered with a flourish) is: "The Aristocrats!" Some versions have the agent then asking, "So – Is that all ya' got?"