Joe / Deer 911 Call

The Ultimate 911 Call -- Deer, Joe, Dog, Bambulance and a Stop 'N' Go

2008-05-13T14:42:00.001-07:00

The tape of Joe vs. the Deer is probably the single funniest 911 recording available. Real and fake 911 jokes are often good for a laugh, but few have the staying power of Joe's "bambulatory" rant.

The most interesting aspect of the Joe / Deer 911 call is that it remains so popular even though there's no way of ascertaining its actual legitimacy. Opinions regarding the origin of the tape and whether or not it was a real emergency call vary from "expert to expert". 9-1-1 Magazine traces the call back to a prankster EMS trainer. Snopes.com refuses to definitively classify it as real or mere urban myth.

In most cases, suspicions of fakery would doom a comedy tape like Joe's. Part of the fun, after all, usually stems from the understanding that the event really happened. The fact that so many people have enjoyed the Joe vs. Deer saga, even though its under a cloud of skepticism, is a real testament to just how funny this clip is!

The Funniest 911 Call: Deer, Joe, Dog and a Bambulance...

2008-05-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

There are few online comedy bits that rival the story of Joe vs. the Deer. This classic recording of a man calling 911 after suffering an attack from a deer while inside his car, is an automatic knee-slapper and gave birth to millions of cries of "I need a BAMBULANCE!"

It's a riotous 911 call. Deer, Joe, a rabid dog, an emergency dispatcher, a Stop 'n' Go and the need for a "bambulance" combine with Joe's unmistakable accent to create a completely chaotic and unforgettable joke:

From a comedy standpoint, this is hard to beat. It starts with an implausibly bad decision and quickly escalates to absolute mayhem. The whole time, the deadpan EMS dispatcher serves as a perfect foil to Joe's histrionics.

There are currently at least seven versions of the Joe vs. Deer call available on YouTube alone. There are undoubtedly even more straight audio recordings of the tape circulating across the Internet.

Although funny 911 calls aren't the freshest joke around, and despite the fact that Joe's 911 may date back decades, it's still a high-demand piece of comedy.

The Story of Joe: The Deer 911 Call that Keeps 'Em Laughing...

2008-05-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

If you want to know how to have a miserable night and gain some serious fame in the process, ask Joe. The deer 911 call he made decades ago is still a hot commodity for those seeking laughs. The viral capabilities of the Internet created a massive revival for the tape, which has been around for at least 20 (maybe even 30 years).

Just in case you aren't familiar, have a listen:

No one is absolutely sure if Joe's call is legit. Some assume its a hoax, others swear by its authenticity. The well-regarded urban legend-checkers at Snopes haven't reached a certain conclusion. Their explanation makes a great deal of sense.

Snopes.com argues that Joe's story might be true. The accident with the deer, the resulting bite, and the 911 phone call may have all happened. However, they doubt that the version we find online is the original. It's more likely that Joe's tale of woe has been improved over the years, with industrious pranksters recording "improved" versions that stem from the original transcripts.

An article in 9-1-1 magazine claims that Joe, the deer 911 call and the battle with the dog are all the brainchild of a former cop and emergency dispatch consultant named Mickey Dawes. Dawes pulled the stunt on dispatchers in a neighboring city back in the early 80s, while a cop in New York. He duplicated the call in Connecticut and then placed the version we hear today while training EMS personnel on new computerized equipment in Texas.

That might seem like a great explanation for the Joe vs. Deer story, but others question the 9-1-1 explanation. Apparently, the roots of Joe's plea for a bambulance (don't forget your "I need a bambulance" T-shirt, by the way) may actually date all the way back to 1974...

Regardless of the background, the tape itself is a comedy classic.

Poor Joe: The Deer 911 Tape Made Him Famous...

2008-05-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

The Internet has given us a few hundred thousand viral comedy classics, but few have the staying power of the tale of Joe & the deer. 911 tape humor is nothing new--there have been compilations of crazy "emergency" calls dating back to the 8-track era. Joe's insane situation, however, is the stuff of legend.

If you haven't listened to the call (and there's really no excuse, considering that it's available right on this page), here's a brief recap:

Joe hits a deer, puts the animal's corpse in his car, and continues driving along. Then, the animal regains consciousness and goes berserk, biting the poor fella on the neck. Joe runs to a pay phone to request an ambulance. That's when the potentially rabid mutt bites him. He's trying to tell the emergency dispatcher how to find him while simultaneously dealing with bleeding deer wounds and an ongoing knife fight with the dog. Listen:

Joe just wanted a "bambulance". Instead, he ended up with Internet notoriety.

By the way, Joe's infamous request for a "bambulance" is now immortalized on a great T-shirt you can buy here. Let the world know you're in on the joke with your own Joe vs. Deer T-shirt.

Joe, Deer, 911 Call and plenty of laughs!

2008-05-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

It takes only 3 ingredients to create gut-wrenching laughter:

Joe
Deer
911 Call

Joe is the guy with a southern accent who collides with a deer. Believing the beast dead, he throws its carcass in the back seat. The deer, however, regains consciousness and goes on a rampage, biting Joe in the neck.

Joe runs to a phone booth to place a 911 emergency call (caught on tape, of course). That's when the crazed dog attacks him. Even more hilarity ensues. If you haven't listened to the Joe vs. Deer tape, you simply MUST do so right now:

People often question the authenticity of the 911 call / deer / Joe tape. There are many different explanations regarding its origins and legitimacy. Regardless of whether the "real Joe" ever earned a deer bite and a tire iron struggle with a rabid dog, the audio is a true piece of classic Internet comedy.