A number of years back (15? more?) there was a controversial “Dennis” where the kids are in a movie theater; Dennis is walking up the aisle to his seat and says to Joey and/or Tommy “No fair, they killed the bad guy while I was taking a leak.” Ketchum had actually prepared two versions, one where the caption read “…while I was in the bathroom”, and left it up to the individual papers which they would run, but it still raised a ruckus (some editors claimed they weren’t aware that there was an alternate, but that’s really passing the buck). Ketchum said afterwards that he was trying to use the words a kid like Dennis would actually use, so the softening over the years can’t entirely be laid at the feet of the cartoonist, but it’s still sad; Dennis USED to be a real hellchild (worse than Calvin), but now the strip is about as edgy as “Family Circus” (which has had so many edges knocked off that the panels are round).
It’s just a guess, but I suspect that the turning of the strip into a TV show in 1959 played a part in making Dennis more “family-friendly.”
alviebird over 12 years ago
Well, then, here’s hoping this strip never becomes too popular.
Hillbillyman over 12 years ago
This strip is best when it deals with it’s name sakes…Barney and Clyde.
lewisbower over 12 years ago
I believe the same thing happens to writers.
fritzoid Premium Member over 12 years ago
Can’t offend Grandma.
A number of years back (15? more?) there was a controversial “Dennis” where the kids are in a movie theater; Dennis is walking up the aisle to his seat and says to Joey and/or Tommy “No fair, they killed the bad guy while I was taking a leak.” Ketchum had actually prepared two versions, one where the caption read “…while I was in the bathroom”, and left it up to the individual papers which they would run, but it still raised a ruckus (some editors claimed they weren’t aware that there was an alternate, but that’s really passing the buck). Ketchum said afterwards that he was trying to use the words a kid like Dennis would actually use, so the softening over the years can’t entirely be laid at the feet of the cartoonist, but it’s still sad; Dennis USED to be a real hellchild (worse than Calvin), but now the strip is about as edgy as “Family Circus” (which has had so many edges knocked off that the panels are round).
It’s just a guess, but I suspect that the turning of the strip into a TV show in 1959 played a part in making Dennis more “family-friendly.”
Comic Minister Premium Member over 12 years ago
I guess Ms. Foxy likes you for now!
Tyrnn over 12 years ago
Dare I ask about the rodeo clown?
Huicho over 12 years ago
I like lucrecia