Fair comment regarding Punchline jokes

Here's an interesting note from a reader:

> Dear Jay,
> This is really minor, but I think worth mentioning.  I asked my husband if he had read the Joke of the Day in yesterday's paper (2/21).  It is about the woman who was a juror.  I thought it was funny, but my husband didn't.  He wondered if people would find it as funny if the roles were reversed in the joke and if it was the husband who had made the comment.  He finds that most jokes are at the expense of men, but I haven't kept a tally to know.
>
> Anyway, maybe something to keep in mind.  Are the jokes still funny if the roles are reversed?  thanks for listenig.  Lauri
>

Here's the joke, which wasn't appropriate for the paper regardless of the gender issue:

A prospective juror was surprised by the definition of voluntary manslaughter given to the panel: "An intentional killing that occurs while the defendant is under the immediate influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause, such as when a spouse's mate is found in a 'compromising position.'"

"See, I have a problem with that passion business," responded the jury candidate. "During my first marriage, I discovered that my husband was having an affair with my neighbor. All I did was divorce him. I had no idea I could have shot him."