Category: Son of Stuck Funky

Backhanded

Nothing much to like about today’s strip aside from the fact that, after getting smirked at by Les “Two Rackets” Moore for three days running, it’s finally Funky’s turn to rock the ol’ Amazon logo grin.

Gerard Plourde
May 30, 2018 at 6:19 am
This week’s theme- “Pluggers” at the tennis court.

At least Pluggers usually employs a gentle, joshing point of view regarding aging. Les responds to Funky’s remark with a look of pure contempt. Maybe because he’s being called “an old man” by someone who’s a doppelgänger for his own octogenarian father. I guess some old men were left behind.

Racqueteering

I mentioned yesterday that I don’t play or know anything about tennis, right? So, as is often the case when trying to grasp a Tom Batiuk punchline, it was necessary to resort to Google to try and understand today’s strip.

Googling “why two tennis rackets” turned up, among other results, this page titled “Why two racquets?” which suggests you should have “one for your service game and one [slightly heavier] for your receiving game.” I found a 2009 article at the New York Times about a guy who believes “playing tennis with a racket in each hand improves brain function and balance.” While Funky, given his genetics, should be concerned about brain function, that’s probably not what’s going on here. Tennis.com‘s editor states that “players carry multiple racquets, of the same make/model, so that they’ll be prepared in case one’s strings break,” which makes a little more sense.

What doesn’t make sense is Les’ action in panel 1: it looks as if he’s rubber-cemented his two rackets together and now must pry them apart.

Blame the Balls

Hello there, snarkers, and welcome to Son of Stuck Funky’s 3,000th post! Once again, big ups to Beckoning Chasm, Epicus, and the rest of the author roster, and to all who read and contribute and comment.

When SoSF began, that week’s arc involved Funky and Les closing up Montoni’s New York City location. Today we see the same two old(er) pals playing—well, talking about playing—tennis.  “That tennis lesson I took isn’t helping much…” I think when it comes to tennis, “lesson” needs to be plural before one’s game begins to show improvement. Now, I’m not a sporto, and I know nothing about tennis: I have no idea how using old tennis balls vs. new would affect one’s play. But I do know that decent quality tennis balls cost between four and eight bucks for a can of three; might be worthwhile to invest, if it’s that much of a “problem”. And I know that tennis balls are usually a bright green-yellow, and somewhat larger than that tiny white orb Funky is gingerly holding in panel 3.

Rich Burchett is back behind the Funky Pencil, as you can tell by the dizzying upward perspective in panel 1. Judging from the orangey background, Funky and Les are playing their match either at sunset, or amid a flaming hellscape.

It’s just a restless feeling by my side

Link to today’s strip.

Good news, everyone!  Starting tomorrow, SoSF’s chairman of the board, Mr. TFH himself, will be taking over hosting duties.

I appreciated and enjoyed the Funky-Holly week, something that rarely happens…”enjoyment,” I mean.  While it was way too long, it still involved humor that was grounded in the characters.  I wouldn’t like to see that every week–a thin joke stretched to just below the pain threshold–it was a nice break from the tedium.

The Becky week on the other hand reached a new level of dullness.  I think it’s pretty easy to tell the author avatar characters, as they are treated with a solemnity that casts a pall over any possible entertainment.  Not that there was entertainment to be had….

It’s almost as if Tom Batiuk tells himself, “Becky is such a rich character that people will laugh with her and learn about themselves, no matter what the dialogue is.”   If I may quote Luke Skywalker, “Impressive.  Every word in that sentence was wrong.”

As for today’s strip, as usual The Precious was not available for preview, so follow in your book and repeat after me, as we learn three new words in Turkish: towel.  Bath.  Border….