The Comics Curmudgeon

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The basketball diaries

Archie, 1/5/07

More proof that Archie’s text is created by a joke-generating computer: In what context would any actual biological life form use the phrase “Why aren’t you out there hustling?” The only one I can imagine would be in some ’80s teen comedy in which, due to a hilarious series of misunderstandings, a snooty, stuck-up rich guy who’s never worked a day in his life has to coach a band of misfits to the state basketball championship. Oh, sure, at first they make fun of his patrician patois and attempts to talk “street” — “Fellows, why aren’t you out there hustling?”, “I say, that slam dunk was really quite smashing!” — but then they’d explain to him that in certain semantic contexts “bad” can mean “good” and soon enough they’d come together as a team, win the inevitable slobs vs. snobs title game (against the coach’s alma mater, natch), and learn the true meaning of friendship.

An alternative interpretation: The “coach” is actually Archie and gang’s pimp, and he wants to know why they aren’t out there “hustling” and making him some money. The less said about that scenario, the better, but it’s worth noting that such activity could indeed scuff up Svenson’s floor.

And speaking of the wacky Scandinavian janitor: usually overalls are not the garment of choice for those who want to showcase their trim physique, but Svenson’s are awful tight in the rear end. OK, I’ll stop.

Gil Thorp, 1/5/07

You know, despite all the internal dissension that’s clearly troubling this year’s Milford girls basketball team, I think it’s a safe bet that, like the great strife-torn Oakland A’s teams in the ’70s, the Lady Mudlarks are going to do just fine in the standings. Any team that has a player for whom an over-the-shoulder, no-look fling at a basket more than thirty feet away is an “easy two” should take care of the competition without too much fuss.

People criticize the Gil Thorp art, but I’m kind of in love with the strip’s crowd scenes. I like the expression on the faces of Bald Trench Coat And Black Turtleneck Guy and Person Of Indeterminate Gender Wearing A Fur-Trimmed Jacket And Hat Even Though He Or She Is Inside. “Hey, Overbearing Basketball Mom, we’re trying to enjoy the game here, so shut up! Also, if you’re trying to amplify and/or direct your voice, putting your thumbs behind your ears is probably not the best technique.”

Judge Parker, 1/5/07

Oh man, I refuse to believe that the Judge Parker gay-baiting election storyline, which only got started in late August, can possibly be over already. I mean, this is Judge Parker: five months of real time is equivalent to, what, twenty minutes? I’m assuming that by “best friend” Sam means Reggie’s doughy lawyer Roy, who, if there’s any justice in this world, we’ll get to see on the business end of a Celeste-wielded microphone when the beans are inevitably spilled.

Perhaps it’s Roy who’s been leaking Reggie’s campaign materials to faithful reader Wille Thompson. Here’s a flyer that sadly will now never be used:

Mary Worth, 1/5/07

Any Jungian will tell you that dreams are not meant to be taken literally: they instead offer guidance through metaphors. Thus, we should not interpret Mary’s vision to mean that Dr. Jeff is drowning in some malarial Southeast Asian swamp; instead, we should understand that the true barrier to deeper intimacy in their relationship is the good doctor’s terrible incontinence.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at 12:35 pm and is filed under Archie, Gil Thorp, Judge Parker, Mary Worth.

167 responses to “The basketball diaries”

Mahan Atma
January 6th, 2007 at 12:43 pm [Reply]

“The â€œcoachâ€ is actually Archie and gangâ€™s pimp, and he wants to know why they arenâ€™t out there â€œhustlingâ€ and making him some money. The less said about that scenario, the better….”

Au contraire, I think there’s plenty to be said.

I mean, look at Archie, with that orange hair, freckles, the golly-gee eyes. Put that boy on a street corner, and we’re talkin’ top notch earner here, folks.
Pope Buck I
January 6th, 2007 at 12:44 pm [Reply]

But where has (DT)GT left poor J.R. (or whatever his name was), the Basketball Player With No Emotions?

It’s like they’re agreeing with his own grim self-assessment – “yeah, HE’s never gonna be interesting. Better stick with the girls.”
Smurfette
January 6th, 2007 at 12:45 pm [Reply]

For anyone who ever wondered what it would be like to rail Mary Worth: Now you know. I hope you’re pretty goddamn happy.
Colorado
January 6th, 2007 at 12:48 pm [Reply]

Looks like Lucky’s mate is gonna have some ragin’ hormones…. She got a Jack Elrod tattoo now that she’s preggers!
Tim
January 6th, 2007 at 1:03 pm [Reply]

I am of Swedish ancestry, but that’s not the reason I take offense at the janitor depicted in Archie. The reason I take offense is that no Swedish immigrant has spoken English like that since World War II at the latest. Certainly, no Swedish immigrant to our country nowadays would be pronouncing his j’s like y’s.

OK, I’m embarrassed that that was my first CC post and I’m sounding like a member of the Scandinavian Anti-Defamation League.

Having said that, the notion that there’s a high school janitor in Archie-land who speaks with a Nineteenth century Swedish immigrant’s accent disgruntles me. And, it disgruntles me in a way that only having read CC for about four months could.

Final disclaimer before posting? I’m a big fan of the Swedish Chef.
True Fable
January 6th, 2007 at 1:06 pm [Reply]

JP Sam looks strange without his beard. …That’s all I’m going to say about that.
H&L There’s something intensely creepy about a mother with a Big Blue in her home, keeping tabs on her children like that. Suppose someone cuts in line in front of little Johnny at school? Mummy presses one of those hundreds of buttons, and an IBM missile takes out the little place-stealing miscreant.
“Gee Mom, you’re the best…and I’m not just saying that because I am in mortal fear of you!”
Marvin The kid claims it’s a hiccup, but I say it’s a SBD gust of flattulance.
Doug Puthoff
January 6th, 2007 at 1:09 pm [Reply]

1/5–GF: Reminds me an old “Saturday Night Live” skit, starring John Belushi as “The Thing That Wouldn’t Leave.

RMMD–Weren’t John Lennon and Yoko Ono trying to a get some piece?

1/6–GT: If Jerry Jenkins were still writing the strip, all the women in the strip would be barefoot and baking cookies. The married ones would be pregnant, and the unmarried ones would be virgins.

Ziggy: Is it a rerun? And if it were How many people would notice? Or care?

Popeye: Is this story finished? Or will this be another of a loooong series of disappointments?
True Fable
January 6th, 2007 at 1:10 pm [Reply]

DT And By GOD, you just don’t mess with Dick Tracy’s package, thank you very much! Dr. Froid did, and Dick admits that he neutered him for it, in the *qwink* of an eye.
Never underestimate a man who squints professionally and brags about regaining control of his package.
GotFuzzy
January 6th, 2007 at 1:13 pm [Reply]

As far as bad art in (DT)GT, what is Chubby Checker doing on the Lady Mudlarks’ bus today (1/6)?
willethompson
January 6th, 2007 at 1:21 pm [Reply]

JP – Screw the electorate, it’s off to gay Paree! Does anyone else think that the ever-shrinking Neddy is worrying? She’s gone from cruiserweight to Olive Oyl in three weeks! It’s anorexia, people, can’t we arrange an intervention?

And what’s with the wee hours arrival? On European flights from the US, the SOP is wheels up in the early to mid-evening, cabin lights OUT after dinner service, try to grab some Zs while stuffed in a seat smaller than most wombs (next to a fat Turk taking diuretics and a Romanian nanny with three charges, all of whom are in the middle stages of Ebola infection), and be awake enough to fill out your I-94 in a clear, non-Arabic text. But touchdown is normally somewhere around 7 to 9 am. I really don’t know of a Paris-bound flight that would land at 1:30 am, unless it’s AeroLatvia with a hub in Reykjavik and a transfer in Riga. It makes no sense. But then, this IS Judge Parker.

However, it is good to see that while losing her figure, Neddy has not lost her churlish nature. Won’t she be shocked to discover that on the Champs-ElysÃ©es, she just another stupeed Americain? I hope Abbey has a receipt on those anger-management sessions. She’ll be due a refund.
MonkeyHawk
January 6th, 2007 at 1:22 pm [Reply]

#6 — Tim:

I know (and have caused) your pain.

In an acting class years ago, I learned the key to do a bad Swedish accent.

You simply say, “I vant a choc-lat so-da!” and suddenly you’re talkin’ like a Swede.

Or rur-al Minn-e-SO-tan.

My Volvo’s in-a SNOW driff.

Ya WANN-a nother LUTE-fisk?

All of a sudden, after saying “I vant a choc-lat so-da!” you come to the realization that you really like Walter Mondale except he’s too flashy.

The only reason Swedes are interesting is they’re stuck up there next to Norwegians.

Oh, and the blondes, by yimminy!
Rhekarid
January 6th, 2007 at 1:23 pm [Reply]

That freakish woman in Gil Thorp isn’t trying to shout. She’s about to tear her plastic face off and hurl it at the players if they don’t obey her.
Booper
January 6th, 2007 at 1:29 pm [Reply]

Brilliant, Faithful Reader Willie Thompson.
Islamorada Girl
January 6th, 2007 at 1:31 pm [Reply]

Archie–When it comes to janitors with fine, fine butts, give me Groundskeeper Willie anytime.
Trainman
January 6th, 2007 at 1:31 pm [Reply]

Another problem with this “Archie” strip is that it appears that Archie is holding a giant tennis ball. Your average basketball has a lot more visible stitches.
Plasma
January 6th, 2007 at 1:32 pm [Reply]

I had a high school gym teacher who would quite frequently say “Hustle your bustle!” So there are gym teachers out there who talk like that.
lesles
January 6th, 2007 at 1:36 pm [Reply]

sheilagh – re your query yesterthread on comics not diplaying. posted info on fixing this for most browsers and security systems over in the forum (too big to put in the comments) for you and others. wasn’t sure quite where to put it, so it’s living here in the cardinal’s lounge. i used this guide to fix the same issue with norton a while back. hope it’s useful.
Blissful Ignoramus
January 6th, 2007 at 1:38 pm [Reply]

MW: The turn of events in the last couple of months has been very disappointing. Things were looking up with Aldo, a character who actually seemed like a human being, but the Charterstone Mafia had to gang up and kill him. Now there’s this Ella storyline, who turns out to be a meddler like Mary, only with superpowers! Not since The Great Gazoo have we seen such a creative introduction of a metaphysically gifted character into an otherwise tired animated vehicle.

Anyway, this Dr. Cory storyline has promise, but it too will be disappointing. You’re all imagining it: Mary flies to Ho Chi Minh City and hires a slow boat up the Mekong to find Dr. Cory, whose is holed up with a personality cult of Agent Orange-induced mutant slaves that are revolting against him. Aided by a character based on Charlie Allnut in The African Queen, with whom Mary has a fiery affair on the journey upstream, Mary fights off the grotesquely deformed clan and saves Jeff.

But it will be nothing like that. Mary’s dream of Dr. Jeff drowning will turn out to be a metaphor for “drowning” in red tape, as he is having problems getting a return visa from the local embassy. Mary will save the day by obtaining the correct forms from the INS, filling them out, and sending them by courier to a hotel in Ho Chi Minh, where he is being comfortably held by the Vietnamese government.
lascauxcaveman
January 6th, 2007 at 1:41 pm [Reply]

I for one, don’t hate the artwork in (DT)GT. I enjoy how truly different it is from its contemporaries.

Like the works of Hieronymus Bosch or Lucien Freud, I wouldn’t expose small children to it, but it has its place in grand pantheon of visual expression.
Edward
January 6th, 2007 at 1:43 pm [Reply]

Re: the Sweden/Norway thing: when the Norwegian film board banned The Life of Brian back in the ’70s, Swedish cinemas advertised it with the phrase ‘A film so funny it was outlawed in Norway’.
Bobdog
January 6th, 2007 at 1:45 pm [Reply]

JP – Shopping on Champ ElysÃ©es is no fun — though Epace IGN (cool maps!) is worth checking out. Shopping around Rue de Rennes is much more civilized IMHO — but maybe that’s because they give non shoppers like myself a place to sit.
jules
January 6th, 2007 at 1:50 pm [Reply]

#8 RMMD: And Christ, you know it ain’t easy.
Uncle Lumpy
January 6th, 2007 at 1:55 pm [Reply]

#6 – Welcome, Tim!
#12 – MonkeyHawk

Hey, it’s “Py yiminy”, fer Chrissakes – doesn’t anybody remember Olaf?
lascauxcaveman
January 6th, 2007 at 1:55 pm [Reply]

#19 – Blissful, no hostility intended here, but the Great Gazoo totally sucked.

When I was a kid, I totally bought into the whole Flintstones deal. The foot-powered cars, the brontosaurus steamshovel, the lil’ mastodon vacuum cleaner, the hollowed-out rock for a TV – it was all of a cohesive piece.

But when they introduced a magic flying elf from outer space, my 9-year-old brain could no longer suspend disbelief and rejected the whole shebang.

It was like the death of an old friend.
rafael
January 6th, 2007 at 1:56 pm [Reply]

When JP starts off with “Did Abbey and Neddy get off all right?”, I expect it to head towards another “private modelling” session. Is it wrong to hope?
robbo
January 6th, 2007 at 1:58 pm [Reply]

Iâ€™m kind of in love with the stripâ€™s crowd scenes

I’m kinda in luv with the beautiful alien in the back left corner of the first scene. It could be that the “over-the-shoulder, no-look fling at a basket more than thirty feet away” is just how they play the game in outer space — it’s definitely tough to defend against. And that stern-yet-sexy coach definitely puts the “MILF” in Milford, although she needs to lose the turtleneck…
Harry Paratestes
January 6th, 2007 at 2:00 pm [Reply]

OK, here it is from the Sunday paper-MW is going to Vietnam! I think that she’s going to have to form Team Charterstone out of Toeby, Chinbeard and Combover (those are their noms du guerre, of course). They will arm up with the latest in automatic weaponry, load up their fill of platitudes, and sharpen up their intervention skills in an attempt to rescue Dr. Jeff from the nefarious clutches of an overly wet, 14-year old Vietnamese girl/sex slave
steven
January 6th, 2007 at 2:01 pm [Reply]

I’m going to suggest that Dr. Jeff is metaphorically “drowning” in tail at some Vietnamese Lady-Boy Whorehouse.
Doug Puthoff
January 6th, 2007 at 2:06 pm [Reply]

#23 (Jules)–Careful, they might crucify you. And when you’re dead, you don’t take nothin’ with you but your soul.

Say Hello to Peter Brown for me.
Harry Paratestes
January 6th, 2007 at 2:06 pm [Reply]

(DT)GT: Gotta love the subtly weird people in Milford. Panel 1 has a girl on the left sprouting her rabbit-ear antennae from her skull so that she can pick up control signals better. A young Stepford wife, no doubt. And I like the ‘guy’ in panel 3 wearing mink to a basketball game.
lesles
January 6th, 2007 at 2:13 pm [Reply]

(DT)GT: check out the back of the hand in panel 2 – milford has teenwolf playing for them!
down and out dawg
January 6th, 2007 at 2:16 pm [Reply]

27–Yeah, that shot is impossible to defend … not even a chance to block it with that force field emanating from the alien girl.
lesles
January 6th, 2007 at 2:18 pm [Reply]

come to think of it, milford would be the perfect place for all sorts of monsters to seek refuge. noone there would notice them. except for modelling agency scouts.
Dan
January 6th, 2007 at 2:20 pm [Reply]

Yeah, as someone else mentioned, I’ve heard coaches use ‘hustle’ before, but then that was HS and 20 years ago.
Dean Booth
January 6th, 2007 at 2:23 pm [Reply]

#19, Blissful Ignoramus. I like the idea of Dr. Cory and his mutant slaves. I’m thinking a combo of The Island of Dr. Moreau with Family Circus mutants, ala the Family Zoo anime. Now there’s some revolting mutant slaves for ya! And I do mean revolting.
Spotted HÃ˜rse
January 6th, 2007 at 2:26 pm [Reply]

#19 Blissful: Charlie Allnut! My hero! I had forgotten all about him: his cool under pressure, his endless ingenuity, the way he pounded the Queen’s boiler with his flabby little canvas shoes.

Before MacGuyver there was Allnut.
Dean Booth
January 6th, 2007 at 2:28 pm [Reply]

(DT)GT: The lady in the last panel reminded me more of Macauly Culkin in Home Alone.
jules
January 6th, 2007 at 2:31 pm [Reply]

#27 Yeah, but as they sneak up on the village we’ll have to listen to Toeby lament: “Man, we had it made at Charterstone! Now we’re robbing the natives!”

#29 And we’ll look just like two gurus in drag!
Blissful Ignoramus
January 6th, 2007 at 2:33 pm [Reply]

#24, lascaux: I was being sarcastic about The Great Gazoo. In fact, I think the introduction of a new character with special powers (e.g., Ella) is a good sign that the writers are completely out of ideas.
Bill James
January 6th, 2007 at 2:34 pm [Reply]

#23 Uncle Lumpy: The Olaf I remeber is e.e.cummings’:

i sing of olaf gald and big
whose warmest heart recoiled at war…
MossMoses
January 6th, 2007 at 2:35 pm [Reply]

Why does everyone worship Lizardbreath? How many living saints are there? It’s exactly like that. I may hurl when those Mtigwakians show their love for her, especially little Jesse. As for her appeal to the opposite sex, she really only seems to attract stalker types.
Ribinin
January 6th, 2007 at 2:37 pm [Reply]

MW: I think that Mary deserves a break here. Can’t you see how disturbing the dream is to her? Panel 2 reveals hair out of place.
PopeJoan
January 6th, 2007 at 2:41 pm [Reply]

From the Dream Dictionary:
“To see someone drowning in your dream, suggests that you are becoming too deeply involved in something that is beyond your control. Alternatively, it represents a sense of loss in your own identity. You are unable to differentiate who you are anymore.”

But the J-S doesn’t carry Mary Worth (or else my eyes refuse to see it) so I’m not sure what any of it means, exactly.
Blissful Ignoramus
January 6th, 2007 at 2:43 pm [Reply]

#35, Dean: Really, I don’t think it’s too much to ask of the Mary Worth writers to integrate elements inspired by Heart of Darkness, The African Queen, Apocalypse Now, The Island of Doctor Moreau and The Family Circus. Unfortunately, the Muse speaks to them via the AARP magazine.
Tukla in Iowa
January 6th, 2007 at 2:44 pm [Reply]

#10: And whatâ€™s with the wee hours arrival?

I’m just trying to figure out how they crossed the Atlantic in less than six weeks of real time.
Spotted HÃ˜rse
January 6th, 2007 at 2:50 pm [Reply]

#19 lascauxcaveman:

Like the works of Hieronymus Bosch or Lucien Freud, I wouldnâ€™t expose small children to it, but it has its place in grand pantheon of visual expression.

Yeah, there’s a weird aesthetic happening in (DT)GT.

A few weeks ago, I encountered Concerned Citizen’s take from way back when: “…the faces in Gil Thorp look like the faces in other cars during a cross country acid trip.”

This simple, nicely turned phrase made a GT reader out of me. Thanks, Concerned Citizen! …I think.
Dennis Jimenez
January 6th, 2007 at 3:00 pm [Reply]

JP – I don’t know quite why, but Neddie is scaring the bejebbers out of me today.

MW – I keep trying to work, me so horney, or me love you longtime into the script somehow.
Mr. Oâ€™Malley
January 6th, 2007 at 3:13 pm [Reply]

Today’s Bizarro has an amusing approach to the Jack Elround thing.
kilgore trout
January 6th, 2007 at 3:25 pm [Reply]

(DT)GT art: at lower right of panel 1, given that we are looking side-on at this girl’s ear, shouldn’t we see one eye and half a nose, at least? Must be from a different planet than antenna-girl at top left.
Gadge Cubic, Mole Preener
January 6th, 2007 at 3:30 pm [Reply]

Dear Genetic Mishap: Please send me your measurements. I would like to make you a super-pretty princess dress! Plus – a crown.
roydrink
January 6th, 2007 at 3:45 pm [Reply]

RMMD

“Hi Ms Morgan, about that garage you wanted painted? Can I hide out in there?”
treeedweller
January 6th, 2007 at 3:52 pm [Reply]

Is GT a random series of unrelated events, or is there some grand plan where overlapping plots are constantly in motion? After months of reading it, I still can’t tell. Is that a girl or a boy? Is s/he on Milford’s team, or the other? Is “Hunters” Milford’s team name or their opponents’? Is that shrew the mother of a girl we have heard of, or just some local yokel with nothing better to do than coach from the bleachers? Every day is a new mystery. Will I begin to see the solutions someday, or does this strip just meander around in surreal circles like an Escher painting?
roydrink
January 6th, 2007 at 3:54 pm [Reply]

Mallard Fillmore

(Fillmore, isn’t that a appropiate name?)

Dude, it’s a twelve step program, not a twelve brew program…
doughy lawyer Roy
January 6th, 2007 at 3:58 pm [Reply]

Hey thanks Josh! I’ve got an comic charactor name now.

The poster formally known as roydrink.
MGArchitect
January 6th, 2007 at 3:58 pm [Reply]

Josh, You may be right about the possible Jungian interpretation in MW, but as his mentor Dr. Freud (Froid?) would say, sometimes a malarial Southeast Asian swamp is just a malarial Southeast Asian swamp. Besides, it looks like Mary is about to have her own incontinence problem as a result of the dream.
Anonymous
January 6th, 2007 at 4:04 pm [Reply]

Crikey, Mary’s goin’ at it again.

The woman masturbates more than Cyndi Lauper.
Some Guy Here
January 6th, 2007 at 4:05 pm [Reply]

A sports-related Archie and Gil Thorp? I think my head’s about to explode!

And Willie Thompson, you rock.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 4:18 pm [Reply]

Suddenly, Mary awakens from her long, horrible dream…. http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComic.mpl?date=2007/1/6&name=Pluggers
Mr. Oâ€™Malley
January 6th, 2007 at 4:19 pm [Reply]

I never thought that Mary Worth would sleep in a bed with pillows. I always imagined her using a neck rest to preserve her coiffure.
Sheilagh
January 6th, 2007 at 4:19 pm [Reply]

Lesles, you’re a doll to post all that info, but it didn’t work. I followed your instructions for BOTH Internet Explorer AND Mozilla Firefox, and neither one will let me display the more-than-half-of-the-comics that give me that maddening “no referrer” message. (For the record, I was originally going through AOL, but I can’t view them with any browser I have available.)

Wah. I’m going to hold my breath till I turn blue.

Better yet, I’m going to pester the Sys Admin at work to figure this out for me — fortunately he’s a good-natured guy ;-)
Gryph
January 6th, 2007 at 4:19 pm [Reply]

In fairness to Archie’s coach, when my sister and I played basketball, and at every basketball game I’ve ever been to, players have been instructed to hustle, get hustling, get out there and hustle, etc.

Which, I think may have just made Archie a more realistic sports comic than Gil Thorp.
shaagnik
January 6th, 2007 at 4:28 pm [Reply]

did anyone else notice that mary’s eyes are open when she’s dreaming? they looked like that in my newspaper anyway. what?
Anonymous
January 6th, 2007 at 4:31 pm [Reply]

Man, Mark Trail is such a dick.

You know what would be awesome? If Lucky put the snatch on Kelly and walled her up in his little beaver dam.

Where’s Gary Larson when you need him?
Frank Drackman
January 6th, 2007 at 4:36 pm [Reply]

I think that 2d panel in GT depicts Paris Lang shooting a layup for the “easy 2″ rather than Lisa Wyche making a no-look over the shoulder pass for the assist..could be wrong tho..Is it normal practice to wax a basketball court? (Allthough it almost looks like an ice rink) Seems it would make things tough. I’m also intrigued by the faceless woman in Panel 1 of GT..and yeah the alien is HOT
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 4:40 pm [Reply]

I remember being told to hustle all the time by the coach, and if we didn’t provide the adequate hustle skills, he would call us a “bunch of rumdums”. I wish I was in high school in the 70’s. Coach Lott’s plea for “hustling” would have brought out a lively dance from each and every one of us rumdums.
Baby Dâ€™oh
January 6th, 2007 at 4:46 pm [Reply]

Contrary to appearances, the good doctor is not about to drown. He is about to be eaten by weird-ass Kwanzaa otters – which, incidentally, is how we all should die.
Harry Parateses
January 6th, 2007 at 4:53 pm [Reply]

Baby D’oh
What an awesome idea! Carnivorous Kwanzotters!
Kate
January 6th, 2007 at 5:10 pm [Reply]

#25, rafael — YES. The day I’m in a position to answer “Did Abbey and Neddy get off all right?” is the day all my dreams have come true.
andreavis
January 6th, 2007 at 5:14 pm [Reply]

MW: Ohmigawd, Mary has a hair out of place today! Jeff’s screams have pierced her HelmetHair ™ and entered her brain.
Ethel-to-Tilly
January 6th, 2007 at 5:15 pm [Reply]

Yumpin’ yiminey -
They used to call it yam
and now the call it yelly…
Mudman
January 6th, 2007 at 5:23 pm [Reply]

GT- The woman in panel 3 looks like she’s going to pop her head like zit right off her shoulders…but in Milford I’m sure that’s a normal event.
It looks like it must be a challenge assembling the “boys” and “girls” teams in that town.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 5:25 pm [Reply]

They used to call me Yughead
and now they call me Mr. Yones…
commodorejohn
January 6th, 2007 at 5:28 pm [Reply]

#11 – Hey, laugh all you want, but we rural Minnesotans at least have sandbakkels and krumkake and the largest freshwater lake in the world (by surface area.) BEAT THAT.
zeeba
January 6th, 2007 at 5:52 pm [Reply]

1/6
Bizarro has finally found a pair of jeans to fit the Patterson butts:

http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComick.mpl?date=20070106&name=Bizarro

MT: how did Castoria get pregnant so fast? I can’t believe y’all haven’t figured this out yet–she was already preggers when she met Lucky Theodore, she just wasn’t showing yet ;)

FOOB: I’m still trying to find a better solution to the Liz love life than Granthony and I’m hoping against hope for something better. WHAT IF–she and Warren arrive early as we’ve been told how many times this week–and find Paul otherwise engaged with her teacher replacement, and Liz impetuously suggests that Warren take her to the nearest 24 Hour wedding chapel and get hitched!!! YEAH!!!! So long, Anthony. yeah, it’ll never happen.

Luann: I think what gives me the creeps about this story line is the fact that Gunther is dressing up Luann the way he wants her to be–just like Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak in Vertigo. That movie totally gave me the creeps. Come on, girl, stand up for yourself and don’t do it–no matter how cute the tiara.
Baby Dâ€™oh
January 6th, 2007 at 5:53 pm [Reply]

#67: If one of them took up figure skating, we could call her Michelle Kwanzotter.
Bitter Scribe
January 6th, 2007 at 5:59 pm [Reply]

If it wasn’t for hair, how would we tell the characters in Gil Thorp apart?
teenagebambam
January 6th, 2007 at 6:01 pm [Reply]

Is it mean of me to hope that Liz and Warren die in a fiery helicopter crash?
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 6:02 pm [Reply]

Hey, Artist Formerly Known as Ben- COTWx3!! Way to hustle!!!
ice weasel
January 6th, 2007 at 6:03 pm [Reply]

I have to ask this because I’ve always wondered and maybe some of you afficionados here have some insight.

Why does any paper publish strips such as Judge Parker and Mary Worth?

Now, before you go assualting me, I understand why it’s so popular here. Hell, strips like that are a treasure trove. But for a paper, whose every inch is saleable real estate, why publish this crap? I mean, do people read these strips because they actually like them and find them entertaining? Or is it all a big joke and the authors of such strips are merely indulging camp entertainment for places like this?

I really don’t get it.

I mean, the other strips which at least make an attempt to be humourous, ok, those I understand. I may not find them funny but I’m sure some people do. What I cannot believe is that anyone that isn’t a shut-in at a mentla hospital actually reads Mary Worth because they find the story lines and the characters compelling.

Just asking…
Islamorada Girl
January 6th, 2007 at 6:03 pm [Reply]

Lake Woebegone?
Spotted HÃ˜rse
January 6th, 2007 at 6:04 pm [Reply]

#56 Anonymous:

Crikey, Maryâ€™s goinâ€™ at it again.

The woman masturbates more than Cyndi Lauper.

MW: In her heedless, vigorous rush to onanistic fulfillment, Mary knocks the man out of the boat. The man in the boat’s name is… Jeff?
BEG
January 6th, 2007 at 6:06 pm [Reply]

What’s freaking me out is the Mary Worth/Apt 3G crossover. Weren’t these panels originally used for Lu Ann’s dreaming? Am I hallucinating?
John Fillingsteeth
January 6th, 2007 at 6:06 pm [Reply]

Help! I’m drowning Mary, I need you (to try and rescue me so that i can in turn drown you, and finally be free of your haggish grip. I hate you mary, get outta my life. And my kids think you smell like mothballs.)!
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 6:19 pm [Reply]

#76— Well, Neal Rubin did name a character “Wyche”. I think that is a subliminal shout out to the androgyny of the strip.
yellojkt
January 6th, 2007 at 6:36 pm [Reply]

I can’t wait until Mary gets to Vietnam and all sorts of international meddlin’ breaks out. Apropos of nothing, there is a legend in Hanoi about a giant turtle that defeats an army of invading dragons. Kind of like a 12th century Gamera. If Mary could fight a giant turtle, that would be AWESOME.
Summerhouse
January 6th, 2007 at 6:41 pm [Reply]

# 60 -Sheliagh- Did you click the Chron link “Having trouble seeing color comics?” (or something to that effect.) Probably you did, but I just thought I’d check.

#50 – Gadge : Go on vacation, already. You made me startle the cat.
Old Fogeyette
January 6th, 2007 at 6:42 pm [Reply]

79: I don’t know about JP, but hereabouts people actually read MW, presumably because they like it. (I’m pretty sure that all the paper’s subscribers are not curminions.) A few years ago the paper had readers vote on which strips to jettison. When MW was one of those chosen, her fans made such a huge stink that they had to put it back!
jules
January 6th, 2007 at 6:43 pm [Reply]

#82 BEG: Dr. Jeff Cory is all at sea!
Pope Buck I
January 6th, 2007 at 6:46 pm [Reply]

What no one has mentioned, re: the “signed and dated designer jeans” gag in “Bizarro,” is that Piraro got the year wrong! It reads 1-6-06!

If you’re gonna call attention to the date like that, by actually making the gag about the date and signature, you should at least take the trouble to get the year right!
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 6:59 pm [Reply]

Pope Buck-it clearly reads 1-6-07 in my local birdcage liner. “Expiration date” would have been a cooler joke either way.

Jeff Cory is a “Boat Person”?…My bad, sorry!
MarrG
January 6th, 2007 at 7:02 pm [Reply]

FBOFW: I was hoping against hope that Warren would be a surprise winner in the race for Liz’s heart, but yesterday we learned that Liz doesn’t trust him. (”Wait a minute. I know you, Warren. What’s going on?”) I don’t remember the circumstances of their break-up, can anyone enlighten me?

By the way, someone proposed a T-shirt with “Someone went to Mtigwaki and all I got was this lousy Mtishirt.” I would like to second that motion.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 7:20 pm [Reply]

MarrG—Third the motion!!! I tried to track down the original comment, but there are too many posts.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 7:34 pm [Reply]

I didn’t mean “too many posts” in a negative way. It’s all GOOD!!
reader-who-posts
January 6th, 2007 at 7:39 pm [Reply]

First we have to hear about Sarge in Beetle Bailey rubbing one off while thinking about meatloaf, now we have to see Mary writhing in ecstacy while dreaming of her boyfriend drowning. What’s next, the Phantom getting a boner while watching the president fight one of his staff? Oh, wait, that already happened.
Booper
January 6th, 2007 at 7:41 pm [Reply]

Re: Bizarro — The online version has 1-06-06 as the date on the jeans.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 7:50 pm [Reply]

Re: Bizarro—Well I’ll be! Paper and ink beat ones and zeros by a year! Go Luddites!!
HBGlord
January 6th, 2007 at 8:04 pm [Reply]

#5, et. al — A friend swears up and down to me that she saw a Swedish linguist give a lecture where he said, “Many foreigners have trouble pronouncing English consonants — for example, the Yapanese.”

And as far as the Norway/Sweden thing goes, my second-generation Swedish-American mother-in-law has a pathological hatred of Norwegians. I thought it was bizarre until i went to Sweden myself, where i saw a depiction of a Norwegian in a Swedish country (as in -and-western) video that strongly inferred that Norwegians went to the bathroom (and not necessarily #1) anywhere they damn pleased. But then i also saw on daytime TV there a Swedish man in an amusement park who crawled into a giant balloon, tossed out every stitch of clothing he was wearing, then let the giant balloon deflate over his naked body, which left everyone, kids and all, in plain sight of his Johansson!
HBGlord
January 6th, 2007 at 8:05 pm [Reply]

#97 — and i meant “et al.”
Ribinin
January 6th, 2007 at 8:06 pm [Reply]

Re: Bizarro â€” I saw the online version and I thought 1) don’t buy those, they are SO last year, and 2) don’t buy those, they make your butt look big.
Dean Booth
January 6th, 2007 at 8:10 pm [Reply]

MW: You guys have been beating around the bush about this (NSFW). It sounded funny at first, but it is more repellant than I could have imagined!
Harry Paratestes
January 6th, 2007 at 8:20 pm [Reply]

Dean #100
As the wise have said: “Many men glimpse the country of the Grey Beaver, but none wish to linger there.”
HBGlord
January 6th, 2007 at 8:21 pm [Reply]

#100 — Fine job on your Mary Worth: Now With Super Pauline Action animation, Dean, but it may be time to inaugurate the new acronym NSFAAA, for Not Save For Anyplace Anytime Anyhow.
Spotted HÃ˜rse
January 6th, 2007 at 8:24 pm [Reply]

#100 Dean Booth: A ~~clitoral~~ cultural triumph!
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 8:26 pm [Reply]

Mary, don’t you think you’re being hard on your Castoria?
HBGlord
January 6th, 2007 at 8:26 pm [Reply]

And, to tie together the “Mary of the Million Rubs” and Swedish threads, i’ll say this:

I Am Not Curious, I’m Yellow.
Loppie Scaduto
January 6th, 2007 at 8:27 pm [Reply]

26 robbo: …definitely puts the â€œMILFâ€ in Milford…

I can’t tell ya whether or not this remark has ever been made before, but regardless, it’s a keeper. Ohhhh yeahhhh….
Dean Booth
January 6th, 2007 at 8:27 pm [Reply]

Thanks. I removed the animated wavy “stink lines” from panel two because I didn’t want to offend. …and because they made me nauseated.
MossMoses
January 6th, 2007 at 8:29 pm [Reply]

I still think Mary Worth is tripping. The clairvoyant biddy probably slipped a mickey in her tea and these are the manifestations of Mary Worth’s bum trip. Decaptiation baloons with Doc Jeff, Toebee, Wendy and Professor Ian Cameron heads floating in a bubbles above her head means it’s a good trip.

If the rumor about Mary Worth going to Vietnam proves true, let’s hope she suffers discomfort and deprivation beyond a strand or two of hair on her air brushed power helmet being out of place. I’m hoping she ends up staying in a place with rats, plumbing issues a leak y roof and squalid, filthy squat toilets, like real places I remember in China. No… She’ll end up at the 5 star Ho Chi Min Hilton, no doubt.
HBGlord
January 6th, 2007 at 8:32 pm [Reply]

#104 — Keen coinage regarding Mary’s onanistic act, Red. It follows then that we can say what Mary did was “fletcher her castoria.”
Spotted HÃ˜rse
January 6th, 2007 at 8:36 pm [Reply]

Bizarro: Hey, that’s a pretty funny drawing. Jeans Chick gots just the right look of self satisfaction: “I’m a hottie, I’m a hot hottie hot hot!” Plus, in the stylization I definitely see some Liz Patterson lips, boob and butt action.

Kinda like Warren’s going to see tomorrow night after the screaming meltdown betrayalfest, when he swoops in, gets Liz plastered, and puts the moves on her.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 8:36 pm [Reply]

I Am Curious, Cambodian Operator.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 8:46 pm [Reply]

109—-HBGlord: Does “Mixing the Porridge” work?
Spotted HÃ˜rse
January 6th, 2007 at 8:51 pm [Reply]

#100 Dean Booth: Thanks again for your contribution. It made me go â€œpleeeee-aaaaaaugh-ooolah!â€

#106 Loppie: For those who may not remember exactly how Macho Man Randy Savage said it….
Ohhhh yeahhhhâ€¦.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 8:52 pm [Reply]

Stirring the Casserole?
Canuckguy
January 6th, 2007 at 8:53 pm [Reply]

(Long time lurker, occassional enough poster)

Wanted to let everyone know that my paper, the Winnipeg Free Press, is currently evaluating its comics page. It’s online poll is at http://www.whatsonwinnipeg.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14107 Looks already like Family Circus is NOT well recieved (I hope to add to that, haven’t voted yet), and several others that we, as Curmudgeons know, exist only for us to make fun of. (FBOFW, I’m talking to you!)
Spotted HÃ˜rse
January 6th, 2007 at 8:54 pm [Reply]

#109, #113:

Does â€œMixing the Porridgeâ€ work?

Seems to be working fine for Mary!
Booper
January 6th, 2007 at 8:56 pm [Reply]

I’m part Norwegian and now I really hate myself.
Harry Paratestes
January 6th, 2007 at 8:59 pm [Reply]

Spotted HÃ˜rse
Thanks for the link, I love to use sounds like those on my computer at work.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 8:59 pm [Reply]

Sheeshing the Capisce?…OK, I’m done!
Harry Paratestes
January 6th, 2007 at 9:02 pm [Reply]

MW: I think that Mary is “making butter” according to the old rhyme:

Come, butter, come,
Come, butter, come!
Peter stands at the gate,
Waiting for a buttered cake;
Come, butter, come.
Brendan
January 6th, 2007 at 9:16 pm [Reply]

The Advocate: magazine for anyone who actually cares whether George Takei and Miss Cleo are gay.
Da KwanzOtter
January 6th, 2007 at 9:19 pm [Reply]

(Nee Da Scrodfather)– Norwegian dialect comedy was very popular up through the 60’s– I recall Vally Valrus from the old Woody Woodpecker cartoons– and nothing in Riverdale has ever been updated, which explains the Yanitor . And Mary Worth’s new er. . . hobby is called petting the bunny, where I come from.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 9:23 pm [Reply]

Spotted HÃ˜rse @113—Sounds like Mr. Man Randy Savage needs a hit of Primatene Mistâ„¢
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 9:41 pm [Reply]

Wasn’t Mr. Tudball (Tim Conway-Carol Burnett Show) a Scando-characterization? My ex is Norwegian, and she speaks southern Californese American WAY better than I do.
Harry Paratestes
January 6th, 2007 at 9:44 pm [Reply]

Red #124
She speaks SoCal? Does she do ValGal speech? Totally tubular.
Loppie Scaduto
January 6th, 2007 at 9:48 pm [Reply]

113 Spotted HÃ˜rse: thanx for the Randy Savage wav! I can dig-g-g it!!
dre
January 6th, 2007 at 9:49 pm [Reply]

back to the post, i’m wondering when archie started using throwaway first panels. do some papers reduce the weekday comics to just two panels now?
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 9:49 pm [Reply]

Not gag with a spoon, she knows Vals suck and locals rule. Totally less gnarly, mellow vibes…God I miss her.
JonnyVanPelt
January 6th, 2007 at 9:59 pm [Reply]

Yeah, if you’re drowning, SCREW the lifeguard, bring on Mary Worth!! Who else would you call on to fish you out?? This whole dream sequence is just leading to me imagining Mary doing a Pam Anderson/Erika Eleniak thing in a red one-piece jogging in slow-motion along the beach, and who needs to imagine THAT??
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 9:59 pm [Reply]

#107—-Hi Dean. Yeah, the “stink lines” would have been a bit much, but a “BZZZZZZZZZ” may have added a nice touch.
Dingo
January 6th, 2007 at 10:08 pm [Reply]

Spotted HÃ˜rse #113: Thank you! I had thought by now that my comment had been totally and completely forgotten in which I pondered the sound that Ella Byrd would make while being sodomized with a whisk broom by Mary Worth (click here). Now tonight – tonight! – while the cutest man in Pilsen and I are spending a weekend in Indianapolis (Lovely town, lovely. I see why Booth Tarkington wrote about it.) I traipse into his friend’s place and check up on the curmudgeonistas (still Ben with the COTM now) and find that you have referenced my comment three weeks later. Oh, kaloo-kalay! I love this site. I love the curmudgeonistas! If the gods had blessed me with a womb, I would bear all of your children (thanks for the line, Lola Heatherton)!

Can’t wait for Monday. FOOB and Mary Worth have started down those schadenfreude pavement stones to the edge of the garden of woe and there ain’t no return to the big house from here.
Dean Booth
January 6th, 2007 at 10:16 pm [Reply]

#130. lol, Red.

Here ya go (NSFAnywhere).
Mibbitmaker
January 6th, 2007 at 10:17 pm [Reply]

#7 (Doug Puthoff), et al: Great! Now I’m inspired again by all these song quotes – but it’s too daunting to do a full parody with this one while missing my pre-SNL headphone time, so all I have is a title and refrain:

THE BALLAD OF FOOB & 4 BEAUS

Lynn! You know it’s just sleazy!
You know how horrid you be
The way you are going
She’ll just be stuck with Blanth’ny

…Maybe I’ll try more tomorrow.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 10:25 pm [Reply]

Dean —-my primeribâ„¢ went down the wrong pipe!!!! Thanks Buddy!!!
commodorejohn
January 6th, 2007 at 10:35 pm [Reply]

I think we’re all overlooking another possibility in Mary Worth: Dr. Jeff, fed up with the idea that the old hag likes him, has taking to boating drunk, and, in the grand Aldo tradition, has become the Charterstonians’ latest victim, and Ella’s psychical powers are relaying his Johnny-Walkered-up fate to the estimable Ms. Worth.
Draktyr
January 6th, 2007 at 10:37 pm [Reply]

MW- I think this is all some part of a nefarious plot by Ella to get Mary out of the country, so that, slowly, Ella will become more and more Mary, sort of like a biddy version of “SWF”

Eventually, of course, she’ll be unmasked when it’s revealed she doesn’t know how to make Mary’s signature dessert, Special Apple cake
LittleGuy
January 6th, 2007 at 10:44 pm [Reply]

Waiting for a MW/FOOB crossover where Dr Jeff is actually in Mtigitaki having a love affair with Ossifer Paul.

Shocking twist: Aldo was Granthony’s second cousin. The Charlestone Gang, in compensation, give him and Liz a hoooooooooome.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 10:50 pm [Reply]

Great Hearn’s ghost! People , we are deviating from the original premise of this post….Shiny, shiny wood floors and space aliens from Milfordmador.
Hap Hapless
January 6th, 2007 at 10:55 pm [Reply]

Did the family in FC buy that 35 inch, plasma, black and white TV from Barfwell, or someone else, in the Scaduto-universe?
Harry Paratestes
January 6th, 2007 at 10:58 pm [Reply]

Yeah, the black chick in panel 2 (01/05/07) is suddenly a guy (apparently) on 01/07/07. Too strange, even for GT. Anyway, I want to know more about the chick (Helen the utterly bored) with the huge growth on her ear in panel 3 (01/06/07)
Dean Booth
January 6th, 2007 at 11:09 pm [Reply]

(DT)GT: I just noticed that Lucky is laying on top of faceless girl’s head in panel 1.

I recognize pinhead girl (with the bow) from somewhere, I just can’t place it. I think I’ve seen her in something like a Popeye vs. cave men comic, years ago.
Dingo
January 6th, 2007 at 11:09 pm [Reply]

LittleGuy now has me pondering a FOOBian retelling of Jean du Floret and Manon of the Spring set in the far north of Canada. Just like sex with Michael Patterson, it’s not the same as the real thing and leaves a bitter aftertaste.
Red Greenback
January 6th, 2007 at 11:12 pm [Reply]

A3G’s head bobbles got nothing on the “Jacob’s Ladder” head bobbles.
Harry Paratestes
January 6th, 2007 at 11:17 pm [Reply]

‘Jean de Florette’ and ‘Manon des sources’ (two gorgeous movies, IMHO) corrupted by the FOOBian worthlessness? Shame on you, sir! I think I’ll go throw up in my mouth.
Gadge Cubic, Mole Preener
January 6th, 2007 at 11:29 pm [Reply]

Well, now we know what’s in MW’s tuna casserole…
Dingo
January 6th, 2007 at 11:31 pm [Reply]

~~Gidget~~Gadge, aren’t you and the wife supposed to be on vacation? Hmm? Hmm?
Gadge Cubic, Mole Preener
January 6th, 2007 at 11:37 pm [Reply]

Hey, we’re leaving tomorrow morning. Gotta get some good ‘mudging in beforehand.

Such as this, the sole verse so far of a song, the main theme of the Mark Trail musical:

Attend the tale of Jack Elrod
His critters were cute (and his humans odd)
They’d grow and shrink at incredible rates
But never, no never, unite with their mates -
The Jackball is the cruelest god
O Jack Elrod,
The Demon Scribbler of LoFo!

Take it, anyone!
True Fable
January 6th, 2007 at 11:41 pm [Reply]

The history of sportsfloors has undoubtedly been cited here, but what the hell, it’s True Fable Ventin’ time:

Long, long ago, in the land of Real Live Hardwood Basketball Floors, they used to wax those bad boys to such a shine that afternoon gym class was unbearable when the sun came through the windows and bounced off the gleaming surfaces.
Those were the days when you didn’t dare wear “street shoes” on the gym floor or you would catch grief from the coach, the assistant coach, the janitors, the principal, the superintendant, some of the teachers and the entire bball squad, who would threaten you with a wedgie if you “marred the floor” again with your unclean non-hightop brogans or God help you, boots.
Now they have what, something on the order of Mellamac hard rubber on the floor, and a whole troop of mark-scuffing second stringers can stroll across it if in their street shoes if they want.

But hey, I’m not bitter! I’m just glad I plowed into an entire string of cheerleaders my sophomore year and was asked to take study hall or track (or, “just get the hell outta here before I call your mama to come get your sorry hide!!”) Basketball was sacred, which is why I have to stop myself from genuflecting before the GT aliens/ball teams.
Not that you really needed to know. :-)
True Fable
January 6th, 2007 at 11:49 pm [Reply]

Gadge, I even have a story just for you:
I have two friends (yes, yes I really do) who have taken such a shine to your extraordinarily catchy screen name, that they greet each other with it. The first one to see the other calls out, “Gadge Cubic!” and the other responds with “Mole Preener!” The same with phone calls, the initiator gets the gadge cubic. It’s sort of a weird one-upsmanship but the main point is to leave surrounding civilians wondering what it’s all about. It leads to the inevitable question, why would one preen a mole, and none of us is about to spill the beans.

Yes….I lead a nonstandard way of life. Or I just have nonstandard friends, or both.
Draktyr
January 6th, 2007 at 11:53 pm [Reply]

#108- Keen coinage regarding Maryâ€™s onanistic act, Red. It follows then that we can say what Mary did was â€œfletcher her castoria.â€

aw, and I so liked “Kelrasting her Aldo”
Dean Booth
January 7th, 2007 at 12:43 am [Reply]

I came across the life models used to draw GT. Now I understand.
Spotted HÃ˜rse
January 7th, 2007 at 1:10 am [Reply]

#131 Dingo: Believe me, the scenario contained in the words “pleeeee-aaaaaaugh-ooolah!” is just too muscular and animalistic to easily forget. Well, not literally muscular and animalistic; gelatinous and flaccid are terms probably more descriptive of hot BonB action as exercised by Ella and Mary.

#118 Harry, #126 Loppie: The pleasure is mine. Anyway, I could sense your Golden Kwanza Otter Rings o’ Telepathic Thanks.
Anonymous
January 7th, 2007 at 2:56 am [Reply]

121: Do I know you, Brendan? And seriously, does anyone read gay print magazines? Blogs are just so much better…

122: Oh, damn. Are you serious? That would explain some of my former coworkers’ looks when I would tell them that to relax at work, I would pet the bunny in one of our other coworker’s cubicles. (She had a cute stuffed bunny there. She even bought me one that looked quite like it. I pet it all the time~) If I get a lax enough job, I’m totally bringing the rabbit with me.
Dicky
January 7th, 2007 at 2:57 am [Reply]

Not that I really need to state it since I’m not famous here, but I’m the anon in 154…
Draktyr
January 7th, 2007 at 3:56 am [Reply]

and it’s official. Mary is off to Vietnam…
Prehumous
January 7th, 2007 at 1:09 pm [Reply]

Knowing Mary Worth, Draktyr, we’ll probably be treated to Mary’s attempts to recruit her henchmen on that voyage. For the next six years.
Pozzo
January 7th, 2007 at 1:46 pm [Reply]

GT: First panel, second girl from left — daughter of Ambush Bug?
Draktyr
January 7th, 2007 at 5:22 pm [Reply]

somehow, the idea of Mary starting a Charterstone version of the A-Team excites me in ways I cannot explain. The Chinbeard, the Combover, the Meddler and the Trophy Wife.

Mary Does Vietnam – “The Platitudes in Hot Latitudes Tour”

On a more serious note, I have never trusted Ella, nor do I trust her yet. She’s UP to something. I have a feeling, with Mary safely out of the country, we may see a biddy version of ID theft.
PInk Haired Girl
January 7th, 2007 at 6:10 pm [Reply]

Grrrrrr. For your information, Ms. Worth, just because you go to a third world country doesn’t mean you automatically die. Or maybe in Charterstone it does.
Calico
January 7th, 2007 at 7:41 pm [Reply]

#100 – Oh, the fabulous things I miss being away for a day.
This is kind of like the Biddy version of “Personal Best.”
Don Iguan
January 8th, 2007 at 1:12 am [Reply]

hustle
One entry found for hustle.
Main Entry: husÂ·tle
Pronunciation: ‘h&-s&l
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): husÂ·tled; husÂ·tling /’h&-s(&-)li[ng]/
Etymology: Dutch husselen to shake, from Middle Dutch hutselen, frequentative of hutsen
transitive verb
1 a : JOSTLE, SHOVE b : to convey forcibly or hurriedly c : to urge forward precipitately
2 a : to obtain by energetic activity b : to sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activity c : to sell or promote energetically and aggressively d : to lure less skillful players into competing against oneself at (a gambling game)
intransitive verb
1 : SHOVE, PRESS
2 : HASTEN, HURRY
3 a : to make strenuous efforts to obtain especially money or business b : to obtain money by fraud or deception c : to engage in prostitution
4 : to play a game or sport in an alert aggressive manner
- hustle noun

Coaches say it all the time. Sounds like someone was always picked last for all the games in grade school. Who knew little Betsy had such an arm?
NEW-ME
January 8th, 2007 at 11:30 am [Reply]

#149 Ohhh The sacred floor of the basketball court….. socks only!
winky
January 8th, 2007 at 3:10 pm [Reply]

who is the “girl with no face” in the first frame of gil thorp, bottom right hand corner? how could someone without a face play sports at a varsity level?

also, what is the deal with gil thorp? i’ve never heard of it or seen it before i got hooked on comics curmudgeon. now it’s pretty much all i think about.
Jeff
January 9th, 2007 at 9:21 pm [Reply]

Regarding FBOFW and Paul’s alleged philandering. Up until today, the thought never crossed my mind. Admittedly, the strip has become so saccharine that I don’t really read it anymore so much as glance at it, but was it hinted at or foreshadowed before Jan. 9? And if so, when?

Enquiring minds wanna know!
oedweird
April 18th, 2007 at 12:13 pm [Reply]

I don’t even know how I stumbled onto your blog, but I really find it amusing (and thought provoking, if you’ll allow that the comic pages can provoke thought). What a great idea for a blog. I’ll confess that I read the comics page first in my local newspaper (the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel), look over the editorial page, and toss aside most of the rest of the paper and then read the New York Times. If the Times printed comics, they’d save me a bundle (though I wouldn’t get my daily Cryptoquip fix).
injection molding
June 18th, 2009 at 11:07 pm [Reply]

nice posting!

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