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RSS FeedThe Morning Line: Doing the Full Doubtfire
Project Teddy: The wife is always the last to know. (King Features)
MEMO TO: Sally Forth
FROM: Comic Riffs
RE: Your Husband
We never thought it would come to this, but: Sally, your family is creeping us out. Ser-iously.
Oh, we're accustomed to the agreeable strip's loose, "floating" facial features, as the cartoon has literally changed hands over the years. And we long ago accepted that most every character in the strip -- you to hubby to daughter to boss -- strikes the exact same note of "knowing" humor. No, it's "Mr. Forth" we specifically have an issue with.
We don't know how to break this to you, Sally, but your husband appears to be...well, quite frankly, he's dressing in drag. Not that there's Anything Wrong With That, mind you, beyond his choice of frocks. No, it's that: (a) You yourself seem not to have noticed; and (b) your syndicate appears to be hoodwinked. Which means one thing: "Mr. Forth" is leading a secret double life. The proof: Look at today's second panel.
Now, now, we know what you're saying, defenses up: "But that person in the middle panel is my mother." To which we say: Open your eyes, Sally! The facial features and hair are near-identical. And you know this isn't a same-genetics thing because, well, she's your mother, not his.
All of which leads to the reader to make a tough choice. We choose to believe Option A: "Mr. Forth" is pulling a "Mrs. Doubtfire" and donning muumuus as a ruse to see poor Hilary because you and he, unbeknownst to readers, are separated. A shame and a pity, but there it is.
So why do we insist on believing this? Because the only other plausible explanation is -- gasp -- Option B: that the artist only knows how to draw one type of face. And as we all know, a cartoonist who has limited artistic ability never but never cracks the comics page.
Good luck, Sally, we faithful fans will be there in your time of need. Be brave. Be strong. And please, be honest with "Mr. Forth" about those unsightly pantylines.
By Michael Cavna |
July 16, 2008; 6:00 AM ET
| Category:
The Morning Line
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Posted by: f2 | July 16, 2008 7:06 AM
I think Ted has become creepy in more than just his "Doubtfire" tendencies over the past year. His character is so insecure and annoying. The knowing smirk they all display also drives me nuts ...
Posted by: tone | July 16, 2008 7:52 AM
f2, I've heard this comment a couple of times now. So maybe you (or someone else)can help me figure it out. What makes the WYH characters so hard to distinugish?
Posted by: Cory Thomas | July 16, 2008 9:12 AM
Nice
Posted by: Omaha | July 16, 2008 9:25 AM
Sally Forth is just a terrible, terrible strip. TERRIBLE. I have no problem with the constant feminist overtones at all, but is it really necessary that absolutely EVERYONE in the comic dress and act as frumpy as possible at all times? Hideous.
Posted by: Cart | July 16, 2008 9:28 AM
comicscurmudgeon.com does this kind of snark much better.
Posted by: johnshade | July 16, 2008 9:52 AM
Cory,
Your artwork is great, which is why I say it may just be me.
I'll send you an e-mail through the address on your website to explain further.... No reason to clog the blog.
Posted by: f2 | July 16, 2008 9:54 AM
At one point a few years ago it hit me that Ted is actually a slightly mannish woman, and it all fell into place. Then s/he stopped shaving when s/he lost his/her job, and I got confused again so I stopped reading it.
Posted by: hilary has two mothers? | July 16, 2008 10:39 AM
snark like comicscurmudgeon is the easiest cheapest thing to do. harder to bring some real context too like this blog does.
Posted by: easy to curmudge | July 16, 2008 11:12 AM
Cory: my only issue is that after reading the strip daily for about as long as it's been available, I don't actually know most of the characters' names. I know Cory, Robin, Kevin and Quincy. I don't know the name of the Afrocentric guy who turned out to be adopted. (GREAT storyline, though! His parents were a hoot!) I don't know the name of the rich kid who's fronting, or any of his friends. I don't know Robin's roommate/Kevin's girlfriend's name, although now that I think of it, I think it may be Kim.
Posted by: Barmy | July 16, 2008 12:16 PM
if only Cory would teach the artist(s) who inherited greg howard's strip to draw MEN. for a nominal fee.
Posted by: mannish boy | July 16, 2008 12:44 PM
Last thread hijack, I promise.
Barmy, that's one of the most common complaints I get. It's one of my biggest weaknesses. I don't work the characters' names into the dialog enough. I guess, because it doesn't come naturally in speech.
FYI: Afrocentric Guy is Omar, Fake Thug Guy is Jason and Robin's roommate is Dana.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 16, 2008 1:17 PM
Dead-on critique of the limited capabilities of BOTH the current writer and artist of Sally Forth. I don't know why I can't just skip the strip, but I keep returning, day after day. I actually makes me angry, sometimes. Rarely is it true that the critics could do a better job themselves, but in this case...
Primary pet peeve: the absolute over-attention in illustrating the way clothing drapes on each character. With so many other shortcomings, why waste the time there?
Posted by: SG | July 16, 2008 7:03 PM
Face it! Ted is a Nancy Boy!
Posted by: BDWESQTM | July 17, 2008 9:06 AM
To SG (hey, nice initials):
If the clothing doesn't drape, then they all turn into characters in Cathy.
Posted by: SGC | July 17, 2008 9:42 AM
My goodness what an interesting and active stream!
[Cory, I could name them all! :-) ]
Posted by: Zero | July 17, 2008 3:42 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
"...little blonde girl..."
Hilary's a GIRL?"
All seriousness aside, I can't tell the difference between any of the characters in "Watch Your Head" but that may just be me.