This strip could have been funny if there were events involving daddy long legs or peanut butter that the readers know about. In that case it could be like a running gag.
The writers of Cheers, Frasier and Big Bang Theory (I suspect there is an overlap in these staffs) had this down pretty well. Unlike most sitcoms, they didn’t set up a joke and immediately deliver the punchline, they would prepare the viewer with some background information and wait until later in the program to deliver the punchline. By that time, the audience’s attention is elsewhere and the joke is all the funnier for the delay.
Having said that, there are things that you can assume your audience would know without having to set the stage. For example, I used to have a dog that owned a truck (Officially it was my truck but the dog got very upset if I drove it without him. Did you ever try to back up a truck with a golden retriever licking your face? I’ll tell you this: it ain’t easy).
My dog and I went everywhere in that truck and he frequently accompanied me on errands. One time I went to the bagel shop and when I got out he was sitting behind the wheel. I opened the door and told him, “Move over. I’m driving. We all remember what happened the last time you drove. It wasn’t pretty.”
The woman getting into the car next to me lost it.
Best revenge prank I pulled was to cut a transfer for an Idiot prankster to Cat Hill On Ascension Island many many years ago. His complaints led his relief transfer going to Thule Greenland. The best revenge prank is one served cold and it is very cold at Thule.
Those Ads that keep popping up on left side of strip are worse than ever. Added GoComics to BLOCK cookies in Privacy section but they are still coming. ANYBODY?
bluskies about 10 years ago
I don’t know, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to learn. It could ruin honeybuns and Reese’s cups forever.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault about 10 years ago
Jokes are one thingPractical jokes can get out of hand and should be avoided
tygrkhat40 about 10 years ago
I think that Curls’ pranks are like the infamous “noodle incident” from Calvin and Hobbes. Let your imagination loose…
jtviper7 about 10 years ago
Skip work on April 1st… I’ve been in between jobs since 1998…
dflak about 10 years ago
This strip could have been funny if there were events involving daddy long legs or peanut butter that the readers know about. In that case it could be like a running gag.
The writers of Cheers, Frasier and Big Bang Theory (I suspect there is an overlap in these staffs) had this down pretty well. Unlike most sitcoms, they didn’t set up a joke and immediately deliver the punchline, they would prepare the viewer with some background information and wait until later in the program to deliver the punchline. By that time, the audience’s attention is elsewhere and the joke is all the funnier for the delay.
Having said that, there are things that you can assume your audience would know without having to set the stage. For example, I used to have a dog that owned a truck (Officially it was my truck but the dog got very upset if I drove it without him. Did you ever try to back up a truck with a golden retriever licking your face? I’ll tell you this: it ain’t easy).
My dog and I went everywhere in that truck and he frequently accompanied me on errands. One time I went to the bagel shop and when I got out he was sitting behind the wheel. I opened the door and told him, “Move over. I’m driving. We all remember what happened the last time you drove. It wasn’t pretty.”
The woman getting into the car next to me lost it.
furrykef about 10 years ago
dflak, it’s funny because we don’t know what Curls did. Some things are best left to the reader’s imagination.
I’m not saying I found this strip hilarious or anything, but I understand what Mason was going for.
lesterwiley about 10 years ago
Best revenge prank I pulled was to cut a transfer for an Idiot prankster to Cat Hill On Ascension Island many many years ago. His complaints led his relief transfer going to Thule Greenland. The best revenge prank is one served cold and it is very cold at Thule.
pierreandnicole about 10 years ago
Those Ads that keep popping up on left side of strip are worse than ever. Added GoComics to BLOCK cookies in Privacy section but they are still coming. ANYBODY?
Nuri the Turk Premium Member about 10 years ago
USAF Thule 1957, en route to Resolution Island in 1958, COLD!