"With my wife I don't get no respect. I made a toast on her birthday to 'the best woman a man ever had.' The waiter joined me"

This quote by Rodney Dangerfield is a timeless example of his self-deprecating humor, and it encapsulates several layers of comedic components that specify his style. At its core, the joke pivots on the theme of a disrespect, which is a repeating theme in Dangerfield's humor. He frequently provides himself as a beleaguered everyman who is constantly disrespected or unappreciated by those around him.

In this specific instance, the joke unfolds in an apparently typical circumstance-- giving a toast at his wife's birthday. However, the punchline features the unexpected involvement of the waiter. Dangerfield praises his better half as "the very best lady a man ever had", a declaration that, under regular scenarios, would be received warmly and perhaps specifically. Yet, the reality that the waiter participates on the toast suggests that his compliment is not distinct or unique. The humor occurs from the ramification that the partner's virtues are so apparent to everyone that even a complete stranger, like the waiter, feels obliged to concur.

Furthermore, the line about the waiter adds a layer of absurdity and hyperbole, typical in Dangerfield's jokes, which highlights the exaggeration that even in a moment suggested to be intimate or individual, external celebrations are involved. This highlights the comedian's persona of cynicism and the idea that his efforts at traditional gestures, such as a birthday toast, are useless or backfire in funny ways.

Last but not least, the quote hints at the universal human desire for acknowledgment and respect in relationships however twists it into a comedic circumstance that suggests perpetual frustration and misunderstanding. Through this framing, Dangerfield take advantage of a shared experience, allowing the audience to discover humor in the relatable idea of feeling underestimated, overemphasizing it to the point of absurdity for comical impact.