I’ll tell ya what’s “disturbing”: check out the way Holly’s reindeer is sniffing Les’ reindeer’s butt!
Why does Holly find Funky’s singing “disturbing”? It’s because she knows it’s one more manifestation of the Montoni’s Curse.
The premature aging has already taken its toll (look how young Tony and Funky looked in 2006)…
Then it’s on to the mangling of familiar, well-known song lyrics…
Today’s panel 1 reminds me of the recurring “I’m crushing your head! I’m crushing your head!” bit from The Kids in the Hall. And speaking of crushed heads, we’re treated to another 2D profile view of Cory’s dour mug. Instead of occasionally getting his own arc, our favorite juvenile delinquent now exists solely to deliver snide, snotty comments to others.
Quality time spent with Dad sure isn’t what it used to be. These days poor Dad’s presence is barely acknowledged by his self-absorbed, distractable child. What’s changed? Why, it’s because of those newfangled “cell phones”! This strip’s anti-technology drumbeat is starting to give me a migraine. Are there any 21st century contrivances that aren’t making life in Westview worse instead of better?
You know what? I like today’s strip! I like it because in recreating a couple Act I scenes, TB has actually recalled the cartoony style of that period. Funky, Les and Crazy Harry, Holly and Cindy are their old 70s and 80s selves again. The punchlines are nothing to write home about, but I’ll settle for gentle humor over hamfisted melodrama any day of the week.
Finally: a respite from Les!
The titular character and his missus are celebrating their anniversary, at…where else? Montoni’s! And according to this news item, “Tom Batiuk, the cartoonist, specifically requested the use of the song as a loving tribute to his wife for their 40th wedding anniversary.” Awww! Happy anniversary, Tom and Cathy.
I have to give Funky (and TB) credit for musical taste: “Til I Gain Control Again” by Rodney Crowell is a pretty sweet tune (though it was never the “B” side of “The Rock of My Soul“, which was recorded 26 years later…
Son of Stuck Funky 
