"Hawaii's the 50th state? I thought it was a suburb of Guam"

Bobby Heenan, understood for his fast wit and humor, provided this quip throughout a time when his style was to play the role of a funny antagonist on the planet of professional wrestling. The quote, "Hawaii's the 50th state? I thought it was a residential area of Guam", serves as an example of Heenan's characteristic mix of humor and computed ignorance.

To start with, this quote plays on geographic mistaken beliefs. By suggesting that Hawaii is a "suburb" of Guam, Heenan is intentionally puzzling a state (Hawaii) with a much smaller sized area (Guam), highlighting a common comical trope: the character's lack of knowledge of basic facts. This shows an element of American humor where feigned lack of knowledge about geography is typically played for laughs, particularly when envisioning U.S. areas or states in relation to one another. The absurdity of calling an entire state a residential area of a little territory plays into the comical custom of exaggeration for amusing result.

Furthermore, the humor also lies in the juxtaposition of the widely known historic truth-- Hawaii's admission to the Union as the 50th state in 1959-- against Heenan's blithe disregard for it. This suggests a character who is either blissfully uninformed of typical understanding or deliberately obtuse, both of which are timeless comedic archetypes.

The quote likewise subtly underscores themes of American-centric geographic understanding, satirizing the propensity of some to view locations within the United States and its areas through a simplified lens. By changing this complexity into a punchline, Heenan invites his audience to make fun of both the character's lack of knowledge and the wider cultural blind areas it represents.

In essence, Bobby Heenan's quip about Hawaii not just showcases his comedic talent but likewise cleverly utilizes wordplay and cultural referrals to create a moment of humor that is both amusing and thought-provoking. It reflects his role as a performer knowledgeable in the art of blending wit with absurdity to engage and entertain his audience.