"I like my wine like my women - ready to pass out"

Robin Williams deploys his signature blend of wit and mischief in this line, fusing humor with a slightly provocative edge. His comparison of wine and women draws upon the classic trope of comparing romantic interests to objects of desire, yet he subverts expectations with the punchline: “ready to pass out.” The audience anticipates a cliché, only for the joke to take an irreverent turn. Rather than romanticizing wine’s flavor or elegance, or a woman’s graces, Williams gleefully opts for absurdity, suggesting he seeks both in a state of near oblivion.

On a deeper level, Williams touches on the theme of indulgence, he caricatures himself as a person drawn to excess, seeking both wine and women at the threshold of unconsciousness. The humor arises from exaggeration: the extreme image of someone seeking company or drink not for sophisticated enjoyment, but for the comedic effect of “passing out.” This hyperbole parodies intoxication culture, poking fun at the human penchant for overindulgence, whether through alcohol or passion. There’s also a note of self-deprecation; Williams’ comedic persona often played up the flaws and follies of human nature, especially his own, and the joke playfully suggests questionable judgment or a lack of restraint.

At the same time, the joke reflects the style of nightclub and stand-up comedy from earlier eras, with its deliberate political incorrectness and shock value. Williams walks a fine line: the humor, though crude, is delivered with a sense of farce and exaggeration, intended to amuse rather than prescribe behavior. Audience laughter arises not just from the unexpected twist, but from the recognition of comedic license taken in satirizing adult appetites. Ultimately, the line is a testament to Williams' ability to blend the taboo with uproarious honesty, making light of human weaknesses while reminding listeners of life’s absurdities and the comedic potential found in embracing them.