The Riffys: Dysfunctional Fun at the Forth Estate

As the tryptophan slowly wears off, I rouse to fulfill my honorbound duty to the hardworking cartoonists who made us laugh -- or wince with familial familiarity -- during Thanksgiving week. So without further adieu, this week's Riffy Awards:

Putting the "fun" in "dysfunction." (KFS) Enlarge Comic

FAVE WEEKLONG STORYLINE: The Thanksgiving visit -- also known as Four Chatty Blondes and the Beleaguered Brunette -- makes for rich, realistic dynamics o' dysfunction at the Manor Forth. All we need now to fully spice up the holiday proceedings in "Sally Forth" is for Ted's officemate Aria to come join in the wisecracking fun.

If at first you don't secede... (UFS) Enlarge Comic

FAVE KICKER: In this week's "Get Fuzzy," the tales of a secessionist Buckyvania -- walled off so ominously by "police tape" and a ferret flap -- spurred much inspired wordplay. Favorite line: Satchel asks about Bucky: "You really think he'd be the most incompetent ruler ever," prompting Rob's retort: "Even Nero knew how to play the violin, Satchel." Bra-vo.

Crosstown trafficking of characters. (WPWG) Enlarge Comic

FAVE CROSS-POLLINATION O' THE WEEK: Little Lio's appearance in "Watch Your Head" just edges the cameo by "Family Circus's" Billy in this week's "Lio." Either way, no dramatic "fourth wall," it seems, can contain the rambunctious goth-tyke.

Seems like old times. (NEA) Enlarge Comic

And this week's Miffy must to go to "Frank&Ernest," for driving on retread gags even more than "Mother Goose." For shame, O Estate of the late and honorable Mr. Thaves.

Last but not remotely least, this week's Riffys for FAVE READER COMMENTS:

"I so much wish that Dixie Julep were the long-lost sister of Sally Forth and Jackie. Can we send her to join that family reunion?"
--[Posted by: seismic-2]

"Now, you should know better than that -- if you flush away the Palinex, it gets into the water supply. Please dispose of your post-election drugs responsibly."
-- [posted by CentrevilleMom]

"If the AJC were to dump [Atlanta political cartoonist Mike Luckovich] my last remaining reason for visiting the AJC website would be vaporized."
-- [posted by: kingpigeon]

You've got different picks? Fire away...