# What does it take to kill off an unfunny comic strip? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 3, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068 "2006-07-03T17:17:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![shizaru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@shizaru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shizaru)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/41 "2006-07-17T17:15:40Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] That’s not the biggest problem with Cathy. Sometimes, there’s something funny in there… But with 2/3 of each panel being small print text, it takes too long to be worth the chance. Garfield, you at least find out quickly if it’s one of the rare gems. [/QUOTE] GARFIELD! NEVER!!! _NEVER!_ Man, I loathe Garfield. ---
**Author:** ![MagicXylophone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@MagicXylophone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicXylophone)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/42 "2006-07-17T17:26:08Z")
I just jumped in to say a big Fuck You to Bil Keane. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/43 "2006-07-17T17:38:35Z")
[QUOTE=MagicXylophone] I just jumped in to say a big Fuck You to Bil Keane. [/QUOTE] Seconded. Unfortunately, it looks as if [the _Family Circus_ will outlive him.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=266178&highlight=family+circus) But there’s always a silver lining. See [these](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=301043) [threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=347340) on various incarnations of the _Dysfunctional Family Circus._ ---
**Author:** ![Sunrazor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/44 "2006-07-17T20:01:22Z")
[QUOTE=Malienation] I agree with the general sentiment that tired and stale comic strips should be retired. However, keep in mind that the demographics of most of today’s newspapers tend to skew toward the older. Young people are _much_ less likely to regularly read newspapers, so the papers follow the wishes of their older readers (who tend to be sentimental about comic strips). [/QUOTE] This hits the finger on the nail, as my old man used to say. Newspaper editors are always getting new comic strip proposals, and they’ll test new strips occasionally. Small papers like the ones I edited tend to watch the bigger papers to see what gets picked up before they test a new strip. Of course, when you pick up a new strip, you have to drop an old one. So papers will test-run a new strip while holding out an old one the staff wants to see dumped and listen for squawks from the readers. If there are none, welcome aboard, newbie! If there are a lot of complaints, the old one returns, with an explanation that, “This has been only a test.” If enough papers drop a strip, the syndicate drops it, too. Periodically, almost every newspaper runs a reader poll; the least popular comics get dropped and new ones are inserted, based primarily on syndicate sales pitches and newsroom preferences. One side note: I never had much respect for a newspaper that ran \*\*Mallard Filmore \*\* or \*\*Doonesbury \*\* on the editorial page. Comics belong on the comics pages. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/45 "2006-07-17T20:08:47Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] BTW, Selby Kelly (Walt’s widow) did try to keep **Pogo** going after Walt’s death, and even authorized a revival in the 80s that was pretty good – but not up to Kelly’s genius. [/QUOTE] I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/46 "2006-07-17T20:09:27Z")
[QUOTE=Sunrazor] One side note: I never had much respect for a newspaper that ran \*\*Mallard Filmore \*\* or \*\*Doonesbury \*\* on the editorial page. Comics belong on the comics pages. [/QUOTE] I believe Garry Trudeau actually prefers his strip run on the editorial page; it gets shrunk too much when it runs with the other comics. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/47 "2006-07-17T20:16:23Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Seconded. \* [/QUOTE] Motion carried. Who whacks 'im? ---
**Author:** ![MagicXylophone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@MagicXylophone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicXylophone)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/48 "2006-07-17T20:58:54Z")
[QUOTE=Sunrazor] One side note: I never had much respect for a newspaper that ran \*\*Mallard Filmore \*\* or \*\*Doonesbury \*\* on the editorial page. Comics belong on the comics pages. [/QUOTE] Mallard Fillmore belongs neither on the editorial page or the comics page. It belongs in the toilet, returned to the shit from whence it came. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/49 "2006-07-17T21:05:22Z")
No mention of the Lockharts? They’ve been in counselling for what? 40+ years? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/50 "2006-07-17T21:34:33Z")
Dondi Nancy Brenda Starr Rex Morgan Family Circus Lockhorns Beetle Bailey Hi and Lois Yes, Peanuts (anything post say, 1985 sucks, IMO) all need to die. I’m sure there are more–and I just thought of some: Blondie For Better or for Worse–which used to be humorous and then got philosophical. And why NOT let the damned kids grow up? Foxtrot, Baby Blues etc–I understand not in real time, perhaps, but come on! And whoever it was is right re Garfield (which I have never found funny)–my kids loved him til about age 11. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/51 "2006-07-17T21:46:17Z")
[QUOTE=Malienation] I read the **Washington Post** every day, and while I loathe some of the strips, there’s \*3 whole fucking pages of them[/I [/QUOTE] I miss the Washington Post comics section ☹ Though the SF Chronicle is still running Boondocks now- I wonder if they’re reprints. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/52 "2006-07-17T22:15:11Z")
[QUOTE=Malienation] I read the **Washington Post** every day, and while I loathe some of the strips, there’s _3 whole fucking pages of them_ [/QUOTE] Used to be four. What’d they do, shrink 'em even more? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/53 "2006-07-17T23:45:23Z")
[QUOTE=LonesomePolecat] **What does it take to kill off an unfunny comic strip?** [/QUOTE] A stake through the heart. But you have to stuff the mouth with garlic and cut off the head to be **sure.** ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/54 "2006-07-18T00:23:43Z")
[QUOTE=Sunrazor] One side note: I never had much respect for a newspaper that ran \*\*Mallard Filmore … on the editorial page. Comics belong on the comics pages. [/QUOTE] If by “comics” you mean “very short political columns with pictures of a duck drawn with them” ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/55 "2006-07-18T00:24:19Z")
[QUOTE=Sunrazor] One side note: I never had much respect for a newspaper that ran \*\*Mallard Filmore \*\* or \*\*Doonesbury \*\* on the editorial page. Comics belong on the comics pages. [/QUOTE] At least the editorial page is better than the classified section. That’s where my local newspaper banished both strips so they could crowd in some more letters from right-wing cranks with too much time on their hands. (Granted, in the case of “Mallard Filmore” I really didn’t mind it being stuck there.) ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/56 "2006-07-18T01:58:13Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] Yes, Peanuts (anything post say, 1985 sucks, IMO) [/quote] Heathen!!! I used to think so too, but I’ve been reading them again recently and I find that they are a lot better than I thought. > [@](#): > > And why NOT let the damned kids grow up? Foxtrot, Baby Blues etc–I understand not in real time, perhaps, but come on! The kids in Baby Blues do grow up. Just at, like, half the speed of realtime, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/57 "2006-07-18T02:24:24Z")
[QUOTE=Shirley Ujest] No mention of the Lockh[o]r[n]s? They’ve been in counselling for what? 40+ years? [/QUOTE] Close – the feature debuted in 1968. Until I read [this article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lockhorns), I didn’t realize the original name was _The Lockhorns of Levittown_ – an obvious reference to one of the [suburbs developed by William Levitt](http://www.capitalcentury.com/1951.html) to serve returning GI’s, their wives, and their Baby Boomer offspring after World War II. Leroy and Loretta (still childless after all these years) were apparently designed with social commentary in mind! ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/58 "2006-07-18T05:05:45Z")
Am I the only Doper whose daily newspaper still subjects her to [Gasoline Alley](http://www.comicspage.com/gasoline/)? Lately, the storylines have involved different characters being in various life-threatening situations. My kids and I believe it’s a ploy to get people to read it - because we all want to see every character in the strip die a horrific death. Comics come and go; we continue to have to put up with B.C. and Hagar and Gasoline Alley. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/59 "2006-07-18T05:11:23Z")
[QUOTE=InternetLegend] Am I the only Doper whose daily newspaper still subjects her to [Gasoline Alley](http://www.comicspage.com/gasoline/)? [/QUOTE] Do Rufus and Joel and Melba still talk like . . . heck, I don’t know **what** they talk like! Not like any working-class types **I** ever met! For a strip famous for letting its characters grow and change, it sure seemed to be stuck in some kind of time capsule! ---
**Author:** ![Sharky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@Sharky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sharky)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068/60 "2006-07-18T07:38:00Z")
Imagine that shiftless, thieving, chronically unemployed _Snuffy Smith_ and his family as a black family in the projects and see if it’s funny. Why is it still acceptable to perpetuate those stereotypes about Appalachian mountain folks? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-kill-off-an-unfunny-comic-strip/363068.md?page=4)