Probably so, because I could probably read a book about a part of history I didn't know, and still enjoy the book. I could even go read up on the history, come back to reread the book, and enjoy it more the second time.

But hearing a joke that requires me to know a piece of information that I don't know -- that joke won't be funny when I hear it before I know the information, and it won't be funny after I've heard it and learned the information too late. The author needs to know that I know it, or the author needs to provide it in a way that I don't find obtrusive or annoying.

It also won't be funny if I know that information but don't recall it fast enough. It's almost as if the comedian needs to make sure that that piece of information has been moved into my immediate grasp before the joke can be told.