“Working for the government” can mean Amtrak, White House or the Endangered Species Committee. It can also mean bor-ing. But now feds can prove they do more than fill out forms and draft legislation all day. Like doodle on meeting agendas and carp about busted staplers. The first annual Funniest Fed contest is open to civilian employees, military (both active and reserve) and the Legislative and Executive branches. They want this secret community of sarcastic, silly fed employees to escape the cubicle for the dark stage and microphone.

Office gripes can make for good material, but stay clear of the nitty gritty. Absolutely no “degrading the U.S. agency of employment or public service,” according to the contest rules. Or outing a CIA agent. Or compromising homeland security (both strictly stipulated). The contest rules are a bit thick—as if a government employee who writes and re-writes rules all day for a living created it or something.

Federal contractors and consultants are absolutely not eligible. And using the “government’s time” to fill out any contest-related forms? A huge no-no. But one thing Funniest Fed producer, founder and now standup comic Naomi Johnson did get cleared by the Office of Government Ethics (the moral spine and tsk-tsking body for government agencies) was a $250 cash prize!

Photo by Kelly Nigro