Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for April 15, 2013

And whom are they discussing?

Alas, poor Roger…RIP.

I am guessing Roger Ebert (Rest in Peace)

Probably not Jonathan Winters – I don’t think Winters worked as part of a team, for the most part, he was actually fairly tall compared to most of the people I remember him working with (which was part of the joke, when he played Robin William’s son), and he only died 4 days ago, which is way less than the lead time for a syndicated strip.

No Roger Ebert an also the late Gene Siskle . Janis has her thumb’s up .An yes Gene we will save one on the isle for you …..

Ah, yes, it fits Ebert, perfectly…that still suggests Johnson’s working on a thinner lead time than most, but at least it’s a reasonable one.

Roger Ebert worked with other people after Siskel… and he was fatter at first, and then thinner.I don’t remember any popular perception of one being noticeably shorter or more “jovial”…

And he just died a week ago…JJ doesn’t usually work that fast…

I’m thinking maybe this is about a comedy team…But Oliver Hardy and Lou Costello were both the tall as well as the heavy ones of their duos.Martin and Lewis were both fairly thin… So who was short and fat and therefore considered jovial?Plus a “generational icon!”

Any boomer age teams fit the bill?

It has to be Roger Ebert. Took a look at celebrity deaths, 2013 and he fits the profile. Since there doesn’t seem to be a storyline we are following.it would be easy to slip it in and pay tribute to roger.

I first thought Lou Costello, which didn’t make much sense. Then finally thought of Roger Ebert, and it all fell into place. Still working on yesterday’s strip.

RIP Mr. Ebert.

If you’ll look at the last panel, that’s a thumbs-up that Janis is giving…

Roger Ebert. RIP man! Don’t tell us how it ends!

Yes it is Ebert. The clue is Janis with the thumbs up in the last panel. RIP.

It’s Mr. Ebert and the thumbs up is the clincher. One of the joys of A & J is it often requires one to think and observe closely. After yesterday’s heart breaker, he gives us a gentle smile mixed with the feeling of loss. He’s truly one of the best.

This strip was probably drawn before the death of Roger Ebert and certainly before Jonathan Winters.

Lou Costello was much shorter than Bud Abbot, not taller.

I agree with everyone that says they’re talking about Roger Ebert. Why else would Janis give a thumbs up?

I have of picture of my baby (now 17) giving a thumbs up at 4 months old.

Arlo is denying him a two thumbs up rating!

Well, the “thumbs up” from Janis tells me that it’s Roger Ebert.

Roger Ebert, I assume

The thumb’s up (Janis) tells the tale.

Don’t think so i believe the strip has about a 2 week lead time

What’s the cliché he’s trying to avoid?

It’s Frank from American Pickers — shorter guy with the beard!!!

It was bad enough having Ludy talk. What the heck is this?!?

As a Chicago native and life long fan of his tv show and column, I can accurately say Ebert was many things, but jovial was rarely one of them! Especially if the movie was crud!

The ‘Thumbs up’ in the last panel clinches it. It really is a fast lead time, but it is at least plausible.

Jay Leno – the corpse that wont lie down ?

The thumbs up makes it all clear. Very classy tribute.

Exactly. Only Johnson knows what the hell he’s talking about most of the time.

Of course! the thumbs up was the cliché he was trying to avoid!

I guess I’m looking for lighter fare in my comic strips. I had to read the comments to have a clue about the last two strips.

I’d say Roger Ebert…. the cliche is Janis’ “thumbs up” sign.

Maybe Janis is showing which direction Roger is going!

I must be of the wrong generation if Roger Ebert was a generational icon. Never ever watched them. I don’t trust critics to tell me what to watch or not watch.

I’m going with Roger Ebert. He was definitely the heavier one when he worked with Gene Siskel. I don’t remember them standing up so I don’t know if Siskel was taller.

Oliver Hardie?

RIP, Roger. See you at the movies.

Janis is giving a thumbs up…. definately R.Ebert