Today's strip feels like a "twofer", as if Batiuk had an extra gag that he wanted to shoehorn into this Washington trip arc. The first panel contains some of TB's trademark exposition. Even though Cody and Owen are no longer freshman, it appears they still are on the receiving end of daily wedgies, though hopefully the Magic Marker attacks have ceased.
Meanwhile in panel 2, I guess the sight of the White House's many windows has triggered an OCD moment in Les.
Flashback to the 2007 Senior Trip:
Hipster Chien enjoys a snide chuckle at the expense of the "Barbie Dolls":
I would guess that Les uses this "joke" every time he chaperones the Seniors on a trip to Washington, D.C., for no normal human being would think of such a thing to say upon glancing the outside of the White House (which, as you all know, is world-famous for its windows?)
On a side note, it irks me that the double-panel is set up in this way, with the criss-crossing word balloons that don't properly line up with their speakers. It just seems to me that the illustration would be just as effective if the White House was at Panel Left, then Cayla with her set-up looking at Les on the right to deliver the lame punchline. Oh, hell, what's the difference, if the joke's gonna bomb either way (whoops, am I allowed to say "bomb" near a drawing of the White House?)
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More from the mind of Batiuk!
Notes from a day in the life of one of our cartoonists: Tom Batiuk…
Choice quote: "I like to work on large slabs of cold rolled sheet steel two inches thick with black lipstick." (I shit you not; April Fools' Day has come and gone)
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Cody: "…do you ever get the feeling that we never look forward to anything good? We merely mildly anticipate the absence of bad things?"
Owen: "No."
Cody: "Really?"
Owen: "I don't feel that. I -know- that."
Cody: "Oh."
************************************************
Cayla: "….*….Les, do you ever get the feeling that you never enjoy anything good? That you merely anticipate bad things?"
Les: "The glare of the sun reflecting off all those windows is hurting my eyes. I'll probably go BLIND."
Cayla: *sigh*
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And I'm wondering if Les remembers that two other people LIVE IN THE HOUSE WITH HIM NOW!!! Way to shoehorn in a weak gag at any expense, especially if that expense involves continuity.
Well, Cody, at least they weren't atomic. Everyone's underwear shows these days anyhow.
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And now the real reason why Les and Cayla spontaneously decided to chaperone the trip: so that Batiuk wouldn't be forced to spend more time dealing with his younger characters (who, you must remember, are all Evil Teenagers who only exist to make life miserable for their superior elders) than absolutely necessary.
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Oh, boy…two gags in one strip…both suck…and one is older than dirt.
And Cayla is still stoned. Where you gettin' yo' shit, girl…?
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You stole my thunder, E.D. Darvon and Ms. Darling are living in the Moore Manse, so who cares about open windows?
My family and I visited D.C. a couple of years ago, and we and all the other tourists were allowed to see only the back of the White House. And no pictures were permitted. But, whatever.
And I'm well aware that this comment is no funnier than the comic strip it's mocking. Difference: I don't get paid for this comment.
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A wedgie-free week, but not because the seniors are gone. It's because the TEACHERS are on the trip too. These dipshits are so dweebie, even the teachers can't resist bullying them. Hell, even the principal gave Owen a Reverse Atomic Chullo Wedgie. That's where you pull the ear flaps of the wool hat all the way down and shove them up the recipient's ass.
These two kids bug me because I know they are being groomed to be the next Les and Funky in the next time warp. BatYuck and his fat, furry faced "artist" friend will probably whip a goatee onto Cody, and have Owen grow a big ass. Owen will graduate to wearing an "old guy hat," but he'll have a daughter who wears his chullo every hour of every day.
Here's that Les/Cayla dialog, including the unprinted third panel:
Cayla (stoned off her ass) – "What are you thinking?"
Les (constipated, as usual) – "I'm just wondering if I closed all the windows in the house before we left."
Cayla – "Wrong damn answer. You're supposed to say you're thinking how great it is that Barack Obama is in the White House. I oughtta CUT you, cracka."
By the way — Check out this picture:
Dorky BatYuck on the left, Fuzzy Faced illustrator on the right, sporting his "foodcatcher special" beard. Amazing resemblance, perhaps, to Crazy Harry, hat and all?? So apparently BOTH of these idiots appear in their own comic strip. Sad.
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The 2007 strips TF has been posting this week make me nostalgic for when Batiuk still knew how or cared enough to tell a story. It was an absurdly melodramatic story several miles from reality, but the plot went somewhere and was never boring, unlike the past four and half years. Ever since he sacrificed Lisa on the altar of his ego, Batiuk doesn't seem to know what to do with his imaginary friends anymore.
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The thing is, TB's drivel in that link TFH posted is funnier than either
gagstatement in today's strip. Of course, the flu is funnier than today's strip.Like:
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"Manga Studio EX when I’m on the computer" (off the Facebook article) – complete with Creepy Blue Twilight and Shiny Glass Surface filters, no doubt.
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This is a setup to a story arc where someone breaks into Chez Les to steal the Mount Kilimanjaro tickets and the championship medal that would have served as a reminder of the only accomplishment Summer will ever have….EVER!
Also, now I see from that photo (thanks Beanie Wanker) that the whole hoops storyline was a setup for TB's Kent State mural. Notice he has the Flashes playing Tennessee in that panel (alley oops don't work in women's bball, BatHack).
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TBatCrazy again shows us how in-tune he is with the Youth Of America, because we all know their biggest fear in school is getting a wedgie!
Why are Cayla and Les getting married? not once have they shown a spark of true love. How can Cayla put up with 24/7 smirking? TB really has written this relationship incredibly poor, really, a professional writer should not be this off the mark on an important storyline.
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Looks like a (quite light and bright) green team to me, not Tennessee. In Kent State's confernece, that would be Eastern Michigan or Ohio. The green is closer to Notre Dame's alternate basketball uniforms, though.
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I was just thinking: What Les was really thinking: "You're not Lisa. "
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It always warms the cockles of my heart when I the boundless joy and unfettered delight on Cayla's face whenever she talks to Less…
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Excuse me- "when I SEE the boundless joy…"
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I stand corrected.
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If I didn't know any better I would say that it was the locker talking or someone was inside it.
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TB: Really? That’s interesting. Here in the Funkyverse, surrounded by my imaginary friends, everything is peachy — no complaints. I’ll have to look into that and get back to you. But why are you asking me a serious question like that anyway? Aren’t you known for writing humorous pieces, and shouldn’t you be sticking to that? I love your early funny stuff, by the way.
Dear God, TFH didn't make that up. There's not a doubt in my mind he trolls this blog. Love it when there's a TomBat interview to reinforce my opinion of him. Keep 'em comin', Bat-Man!
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