I think every single time I went for the cheap shot, especially if I did it to please the readers, it worked against me. People actually pointed out that one scene and asked me: “What was that about? It doesn't make sense!”

It may work for King because he's King. Or maybe it happened to be a good contrast or something. If your story gives you a very good reason to go for the joke, it can work. But more often than not, it won't.

There's a reason why the best episodes of The Unit are usually Mamet's. (Or were, back when I watched it.)