2014-02-09
Explanation
The Joke
A passenger tells the driver, "Bobby! Don't text so fast while driving!" Another person in the car says, "C'mon honey, what's the worst that could happen?" The final panel zooms out to show a horrific scene with the caption: "What's the WORST that could happen?" -- implying something catastrophic has occurred as a direct result of texting while driving.
The Humor
The comic takes the cliche dismissal "What's the worst that could happen?" and treats it as a genuine question with a genuinely terrible answer. The humor is dark and ironic: the phrase is typically used to minimize risk, but the comic demonstrates exactly why that attitude is dangerous when applied to texting while driving. By cutting to the aftermath, the comic serves as both a joke and a grim public service announcement. The comedic structure relies on the dramatic irony of the audience knowing exactly what the worst outcome is, even as the character blithely dismisses the danger.