Metapost: Progressing pilgrims at the COTW
Post Content
Just as the Mayflower Contract was an important early example of constitutional self-government in the North American British colonies, I have an unwritten compact with you, the reader: to collect the top comments of the week and present them to you on Friday, even on long holiday weekends. And thus, I offer up this week’s funniest for your amusement:
“How do I drive my wife wild? By imagining an ambiguous diner/bar situation where two guys are on opposite sides of a counter, one drinking coffee and the other drinking beer, and they both appear to be customers. It makes her crazy!” –Peanut Gallery
And your runners up are also funny!
“‘Kent has now appropriated for himself, without asking for or receiving anyone’s permission, the largest office in Treetops’ municipal building.’ ‘Great seizer’s ghost!’” –Bob Tice
“I’d think delivery drivers would refuse to service Dagwood’s street, much like taxis won’t go to certain neighborhoods after dark. You just know he can smell a pizza or a box of Chinese food a mile away, and will chase down the car carrying it like the T-1000.” –TheDiva
“The problem with forcing a pun into a strip so you can make the deadline is sometimes you don’t consider the implications it will have in making people think about the very concept of your comic. Look! Up in the sky! Is a bird? Yes.” –Tabby Lavalamp
“While Gil’s body is falling apart and betraying him, it’s Luke’s mind that is collapsing and leaving him powerless. This is a zombie strip literally about decline and slow march into death.” –Ettorre
“Oh, you were inspired to be a barber by the way your Mama carved and served turkey? That’s not heartwarming, the result is Dagwood’s haircut. You need therapy.” –nescio
“Found your problem right here: that’s not a football play on the blackboard, it’s [squints] English-Calculus-Music. Perform an iterative integration after the barred eighth notes, leaving the present participle with the wide receiver, you’ll pick up six yards in the playdowns, guaranteed.” –I’m Not Cthulhu, But I Play Him On TV
“A damning indictment: Mary would rather relay a message through Dawn instead of talk to Wilbur. Are we sure she didn’t infect herself with an experimental strain of bird flu in order to get out of having to interact with Wilbur at Thanksgiving?” –Dog Balls
“I think one of the bigger problems with the art in Gasoline Alley is how all of the children are much, much more upsetting to look at than the cursed doll, and also appear to be older than the adult cast.” –Tristan Olson
“Toilet Seat Bird is obviously a sadist. Why does he even have a toilet? The time-honored bird method — dropping it off a branch — is so much less complicated.” –MKay
“It isn’t unbelievable that a plugger of that species would want to maul Santa instead of becoming a mall Santa.” –Nobody
“Look at those towering evergreens behind Dr. Jeff! This episode of Mary Worth was shot in Vancouver for the tax incentives.” –Lomo
“Actually, the box of powdered pumpkin soup mix has a Post-It that says ‘Get Well Soon Toby & Ian,’ to which was added with a ball point pen ‘+ Jeff.’ But if Mary finds that comforting, who are we to judge?” –Handsome Harry Backstayge, Idol of a Million Other Women
“Ditto’s banal comment convinces Trixie and — let’s face it — Chip that the Flagstons are eating a beloved Sesame Street character. Luckily, everyone is cool with it.” –Artist formerly known as Ben
“Those guys look more like suburban hipsters than the local neighborhood thugs. ‘Hey Mister! We’re starting a new wave ska band! Can your dog play bass?’” –Lawyerbob
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6 replies to “Metapost: Progressing pilgrims at the COTW”
Gee, thanks, Josh! And happy Black Friday to everyone! I recommend listening to the Steely Dan song; that’s my tradition.
@0 Josh:
Does that mean you’ll come back the Friday after Christmas and post COTWs this year?
Springboard Shadow CsOTW
damnedpraise
November 23rd, 2024 at 7:24 am Reply
Josh: “…while Mary lies on the couch at home, coughing up blood, forgotten and untended.”
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You say that like it’s a bad thing.
Garrison Skunk
November 23rd, 2024 at 9:31 pm Reply
@Sequitur: Sunday’s Mary Worth if you want it or not.
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Mary’s regretting Dr. Jeffy’s insisting on her having a nose installed.
The Rambling Otter
November 27th, 2024 at 6:48 am Reply
@Ettorre: You’re a Plugger if a beard makes you look like one of the less memorable presidents of the late nineteenth century.
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Austin Powers: Oh B. Hayes…
2+2=7
November 28th, 2024 at 11:05 am Reply
@TheDiva: Judge Parker: Faces that just scream “Please, PLEASE let us get through dinner without a violent political argument…”
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For this family “a violent political argument” means rival international spy and gang factions trying to kill each other (ok, “screaming shrilly and incoherently at each other”, but still….)
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Special Long-form Shadow CsOTW
Schroduck
November 24th, 2024 at 5:48 am Reply
Shoe: Looking forward to seeing how much mileage they can get out of this hilarious “What if someone’s job title was a pop culture name?” schtick.
“In other news, Jim Time has been appointed parish priest.” “So that makes him Father Time!”
“In other news, Prince Kong somehow inherited the British throne.” “So that makes him King Kong!”
“In other news, John Mao was appointed Chairman of the Communist Party of Treetops.” “So that makes him Chairman M-” [a cadre of Red Guards burst in to put an end to this counter-revolutionary wordplay]
Charterstoned
November 24th, 2024 at 7:55 am Reply
The Phantom faces his Songhai adversaries, eyeing them critically. He stands his ground, unafraid, confident in his twin guns and the blunderbuss he has concealed in his purple striped bloomers. The two swarthy men scowl threateningly.
“Nice diaper,” the Phantom says, casually addressing the red-turbaned one on the left.
He receives a nod in return. “I was just going to compliment you on your puffy shorts. The purple looks good on you. But I’m afraid you have them on backwards.”
“Does he? How can you tell?” his companion inquires with interest.
“The skull label should be in the back.” Then, to the man in purple, “Don’t you feel the seam tugging at your junk?”
The Phantom frowns. “You’re right! Maybe I should try turning them around. Hold my blunderbuss a minute, would you?”
Ukranazi Stepan
November 25th, 2024 at 5:08 am Reply
Wary Morth:
I have a vision of world peace,
where all the people –
(Russians, Ukrainians, zionists, Palestinians, both factions of Sudanese, etc etc etc)
– are gathered together on a vasty field
as far as the eye can see
chanting in harmony.
Hark what they chant
“Drop dead Mary! Drop dead Mary!”
as they pump their fists in the air!
Does it not make you wish
that you were standing there?
LTJpezcore1
November 25th, 2024 at 5:38 am Reply
Mary Worth:
OH NO. The look on Toby’s face is very much “Now is my time to SHINE!” It should never be Toby’s time to shine. Never ever. The only person who should be shining less is —
**Wilbur bursts through the wall like Kool-Aid Man**
Edited to ask — Is Toby trying to draw Princess Caroline from BoJack Horseman???
Special Extra Long-form Shadow CsOTW
Little Blue Bicycle
November 24th, 2024 at 10:59 am Reply
Mary Worth: “Mary’s got the Covid
Mary’s got the Covid
Thanksgiving’s come undid
Look where her muffins hid
What did Dr. Jeff do
When he had to kiss you?
They said when Mary was locked down
They found him sneezin’ way up town
But man, he had it comin’, now that Mary’s got the Covid
She ain’t never gonna be the same
Mary’s got the Covid
Mary’s got the Covid
Her sore throat’s just begun
She isn’t having fun
Tell me now it’s untrue
What did the Bum Boat do?
Everybody who was there is coughing with minor pain
They say it’s the Clams Casino but it’s not that all
Mary’s got the Covid and she gave it to them all
Mary’s got the Covid
Mary’s got the Covid
She caught it all from Dawn
She just had to fawn
Mary’s got the Covid
Mary’s got the Covid
Charterstoned
November 25th, 2024 at 6:55 am Reply
Mary Worth: I’m feeling real trepidation at the thought of this year’s traditional Thanksgiving Day “Message of Gratitude” as the residents of Charterstone individually cope with Mary’s illness.
Carlos Alora: Madre de Dios! I sure am grateful for my latex gloves and mask—this makes the third garbage bag of snotty Kleenex since just this morning! Thank God she doesn’t expect me to clean up that vomit…!
Wilbur Weston: I’m really thankful that I have extra jars of mayonnaise on hand! Who needs turkey?
Iris: I’m so happy that we can take the time to hike to Piccadee Falls on Thanksgiving, Zac, instead of sitting around with those people! And dinner will be a breeze—we still have leftover hamburger gravy on rice, with roasted glazed carrots on the side! I’m grateful that you don’t mind finishing it up, instead of having turkey. Third time’s the charm, right?
Estelle: I’m grateful that WE don’t have to cancel our dinner plans at the last minute! I think Ed is hoping to have an emergency at ANIMAL HOSPITAL.
The Maitre d’ at The Bum Boat: Table for one, Dr. Cory? I’m glad to see YOU.
Special Extra Extra Long-form Shadow CsOTW
Charterstoned
November 23rd, 2024 at 7:10 am Reply
Mary Worth: The Case of the Contagious Cook
“Hello, Beautiful!” Paul Drake exclaimed as he came through the inner office door.
Della Street looked up from where she was perched on the corner of Perry Mason’s desk. “Good morning, Paul,” she said, smiling warmly. “Coffee?”
“No, thanks, Della. I’m a little on the…delicate side this morning.”
“Oh?”
“I had leftovers for dinner, and they’re just not sitting right.” Paul sat down on the sofa and sighed. “It looked okay, but I’m afraid my friend Jeff kept them out of the refrigerator a little longer than he should have. My mistake.”
“Shouldn’t you be home, then?” Della inquired solicitously.
“Nah, I’ll be okay. Anyway, Perry needed me to do some work today. Something about a doctor being accused of poisoning patients at Santa Royale Hospital. What’s the story?”
“Oh, that!” Della frowned. “You know, I have an aunt who’s a patient there right now, and I have to admit, I’m a little worried. She seemed to be ready for discharge but had a sudden, unexplained relapse. And she’s not the only one, it seems. The cases are all occurring on a particular wing, but so far, they don’t know the source, or whether it’s a doctor, nurse–who knows, it could even be a candy striper!”
Just then, Perry entered the office and placed his briefcase on the desk. Della started to smile at him, until she saw the serious expression on his face. “What is it, Perry?’
“Della, I’m afraid I have some bad news for you. Your aunt….”
Della straightened in alarm. “Aunt Minnie?”
“She died this morning, Della. I’m sorry.” Perry shot a significant glance at Paul. “We’ll have to do some fast work, Paul. Two other patients at Santa Royale also died overnight. From the reported symptoms, it seems they all took an unexpected but similar turn for the worse, even though they were hospitalized for different reasons to begin with. And Lt. Tragg tells me at least four other patients are in the same situation.”
Della, a stricken look on her face, blurted out, “Aunt Minnie is dead? What caused it, Perry?”
“Some sort of splak. We don’t know where it came from, only that it made its way into the hospital. One minute, the patients were seemingly fine, and the next they were doubled over in–”
Della gasped as Paul Drake suddenly collapsed onto the floor, himself gasping out, “The…splak!”
Charterstoned
November 24th, 2024 at 10:00 am Reply
Mary Worth: The Case of the Contagious Cook, cont.
At Santa Royale Hospital, Perry Mason and Della Street waited anxiously in the ER for word on the condition of Paul Drake. After what seemed an interminable wait, they were finally joined by Dr. Jeff Cory. The doctor’s expression was grim.
“Are you family?” he inquired, just as Lt. Tragg entered the waiting room. Tragg blustered his way into the conversation, flashing his badge.
“Official business,” he barked. “What’s Drake’s condition?”
“Well, judging from his symptoms, it seems he’s been exposed to some sort of toxin. Possibly food related, but we won’t know that until we pump his stomach.”
“I’ll want to be there,” Tragg asserted.
Charterstoned
November 27th, 2024 at 10:03 am Reply
Mary Worth: The Case of the Contagious Cook, cont.
At Santa Royale Hospital, the situation continued to deteriorate as residents from in and around the Charterstone Condominium Complex streamed into the emergency room, all complaining of the same symptoms suggestive of food poisoning.
Dr. Jeff Cory sank wearily into an armchair in the ER’s waiting room, and took a deep breath before turning to address Della Street. “Let’s go over it again, Miss Street. Did your Aunt know ANYONE at Charterstone? We’re trying to figure out what the vector is. You can help us!”
“No, Dr. Cory,” Della replied firmly. “To my knowledge, she wasn’t acquainted with anyone who lived there. In fact, the only reason she would have had to be in Santa Royale in the first place was that she was going to check out ANIMAL HOSPITAL for her pet doves. Unfortunately, they escaped as she was taking them in to see the vet, so she didn’t spend long there.”
“Doves, you say? How many were there?” Jeff leaned in, interested.
“If you don’t mind, Doctor,” interrupted Lt. Tragg, “I’LL ask the questions here. Miss Street, how many doves did your Aunt have?”
“Just the one pair, Lieutenant. But they flew off. I don’t see what possible difference it could make–”
“When did this happen?”
“Oh, a couple of weeks ago. The vet never got a chance to see them to tell Aunt Minnie what was wrong with them, because not only did they get away, but the vet wasn’t even there because he was getting married.”
“Wait a minute!” Dr. Jeff exclaimed. “Two doves? What color were they?”
“White, I think. Why?”
“Because I was AT that wedding, and I remember seeing two strange doves flying alongside the ones that live at Charterstone! I remember thinking at the time that perhaps they had rented additional Dove o’ Love for the ceremony. NOW I know wonder…! What is those two doves WERE sick, and they somehow managed to contaminate the food that was served at the wedding reception?” Dr. Jeff paced excitedly about the room. “It’s just POSSIBLE! The avian flu has been going around and these doves would be a perfect vector, especially if they had any contact whatsoever with the wedding party!”
“That’s all well and good,” Lt. Tragg said. “But WHO supplied the other birds for the wedding?”
“I can tell you that, Lieutenant,” said Perry Mason who had been listening intently. “My guess is, Sid, Agent to the Animal Stars!”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” Tragg placed his hat firmly on his head as he got ready to leave. “We’ve had our eye on Sid for some time, now. Not that he’s ever been caught doing anything illegal, mind you. But with the number of animals coming up dead in Santa Royale this past year–!”
“Lieutenant, I think you might be barking up the wrong tree,” Mason observed dryly. “Those animals all died at ANIMAL HOSPITAL, at the hands of the vet who works there. Paul Drake had been shadowing him after we started receiving requests for representation by owners who felt their pets had died…prematurely. He was just finishing up his surveillance when this–” Mason stopped mid-sentence, a frown creasing his forehead and his large eyes opened even wider in consternation.
“What is it, Perry?” Della asked when she saw the expression on his face.
“I’m beginning to think this might be more than just accidental food poisoning, Della. Somebody who knew Paul was investigating wanted him out of the way. We were lucky he was with us when he fell ill, so that he could be brought here to Santa Royale Hospital before it was too late. That somebody might try again.”
Daily Shadow CsOTW
Saturday
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jroggs
November 23rd, 2024 at 4:58 am Reply
Mary Worth: Looks like Mary’s about to have some serious regrets about always rejecting Jeff’s marriage proposals while refusing to explain. “Gee, Mary, I’d love to come help care for your life-threatening illness with my decades of medical experience, but that’s really more of a wife or fiancee thing. I’ll send you a card, though. Good luck!”
Schroduck
November 23rd, 2024 at 5:33 am Reply
Hägar the Horrible: Hägar’s mother-in-law is a witch, right? Just trying to get the lore straight, so I know if her nose is a penis because another witch cursed her, or if that’s something she did to herself for her “me time”.
Sunday
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Scratchy Scrotum LXIX
November 24th, 2024 at 4:48 am Reply
Slylock Fox: Slylock seems to be staring into two enormous anuses. Or is it anii?
Ukulele Ike
Second Phantom’s secret weapon: Appear suddenly and your opponents with convulse with helpless laughter at the sight of your pants.
Monday
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InvasionOfTheZIM
November 25th, 2024 at 4:39 am Reply
Mary Worth: This plot seems like it might be an homage to the classic Christmas movie “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” and if it is I am here for Wilbur in tights playing Heat Miser.
Jeffmcm
November 25th, 2024 at 1:48 pm Reply
Gil Thorp: I didn’t think this would keep coming up, but the art in “Gil Thorp” looks like how I imagine a stroke feels.
Tuesday
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pugfuggly
November 26th, 2024 at 4:49 am Reply
Gasoline Alley: Good lord, would you look at that thumb??! Maybe talk to that haunted doll about extracting that lobster DNA from out of you.
A Grave Mind
November 26th, 2024 at 4:53 am Reply
Gasoline Alley: Gaaaaah! I am forced to conclude Jones’s mother cashed in on the Pregnancy Discount at the liquor store. Frequently.
Wednesday
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Scratchy Scrotum LXIX
November 27th, 2024 at 5:24 am Reply
Family Circlejerk: Thel understands. HTT Grandma calls her by even more names: courtesan, slut, floozy, slattern, concubine, hussy, tramp, whore, strumpet . . .
Tonio
November 27th, 2024 at 5:39 am Reply
Plugger men don’t have hair that luxurious. Like me, they have bald spots that reflect so much sunlight that they’re a hazard to air traffic.
Thursday
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Bob Tice
November 28th, 2024 at 4:28 am Reply
Mary Worth: “…and Jeff sent Pumpkin Soup! There she is now! — but where are her bandmates Scary Soup, Sporty Soup, Baby Soup, Ginger Soup and Posh Soup?”
Stacker
November 28th, 2024 at 7:09 am Reply
Mary Worth: Seems knocking on Mary’s door is akin to knocking on the queen’s bedchamber. You better had been summoned or it’s the tower for you.
Friday
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BeckoningChasm
November 29th, 2024 at 5:31 am Reply
Family Circus: “Since he won’t be needing it anymore, can I have Daddy’s gun now? It still has five bullets in it.”
The Quiet Man
November 29th, 2024 at 6:30 am Reply
Rex Morgan: ‘This is Shorty and Beanpole turf, mister! You ready to laugh your socks off at some of the finest talent vaudeville has to offer?’
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Shadow COTW
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Old Man Shadow
November 27th, 2024 at 8:07 am Reply
Mary Worth: Dr. Jeff has gotten this phone call from Mary many, many times before. She was tired of him already. He had already left the comic strip and was passing through Mark Trail’s comic before she explained that she was just sick this time and he could stick around.