running joke

American  

noun

1. a joke or humorous allusion used recurrently in a play, film, television skit, etc., for a cumulative comic effect.

2. a subject, reference, remark, etc., that is a continual source of humor.

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Example Sentences

When his Liverpool team-mate Milos Kerkez recently posted a picture of Salah's trophy cabinet on Instagram, the running joke on social media was Salah collects player of the match awards like you would get them out of a vending machine.

From BBC

“The running joke in the community was, ‘The first product stinks, the second one’s better, and the third one’s where they get it right.’

From Barron's

He and Liz run a food truck together, as well as giving her and Jimmy’s wealthy households a reason to band together and rail against one of their racist neighbors – something the writers effectively surface now and then as a running joke.

From Salon

There is a running joke where Manchild singer Carpenter has stolen Miss Piggy's look and is facing legal action - with the two wearing near-identical outfits during the skits.

From BBC

Because Bad Bunny is set for the Big Game next Sunday, he could not perform at the Grammys, and host Trevor Noah turned this into a running joke, repeatedly trying to convince the star to play one of his hits.

From The Wall Street Journal