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Morning Line: They Shoot Lame Gags, Don't They?
'FRANK AND ERNEST' (NEA)
Enlarge ImageToday's pathetic "Frank and Ernest" is the proverbial last straw. The gag relies so squarely -- almost solely -- on the topicality of the word "bailout" that we're forced to declare:
It is time for a moratorium on using the word "bailout" as cheap-o punch line, without any deeper, more inspired gag.
And while we're at -- harrumph, harrumph -- can we all declare a moratorium on some other too-easy past-their-sale-date "gag" words? I offer a few suggested candidates -- to wit, my Top (or in this case, Bottom) 10:
10. "Britney"
9. "Pilates"
8. "Sham Wow"
7. "Su-do-ku"
6. "Susan Boyle"
5. "Seacrest"
4. "Snuggie"
3. "Cloverfield"
2. "Turducken"
1. "Twitter."
On second thought, let's give "Twitter" a reprieve -- there are at least a few more months of jokes that the nation's comedians and cartoonists can milk out of that word.
What buzz words do you think make for lame-o punch lines? Your nominations are now accepted.
ELSEWHERE...
'CLOSE TO HOME' (UPS)
Enlarge ImageCLOSE TO HOME: Seems safe to say: Creator John McPherson must have been watching a Trojans game when he was blindsided by this gridiron gag.
'JUDGE PARKER' (NAS)
Enlarge ImageJUDGE PARKER: Dixie Julep? Rocky Ledge? Godiva Danube? Really -- which such stellar names, ol' Judge Parker easily has the dullest moniker in the bunch. Even Sam Driver has an action-star name, and Godiva seems straight out of a Bond flick. So 'Riffs poses to question to you: What do you think the greatest name in the history of "Judge Parker" is?
'DILBERT' (UFS)
Enlarge Image
'BEETLE BAILEY' (KFS)
Enlarge ImageSPEAKING OF SCAMS: No sight is sadder today than "Beetle Bailey" inadvertently trying to out-humor "Dilbert" on the matter of corporate scamming. Compare the two strips today -- well no, sorry, you just can't. Sorry to even suggest such a blasphemous notion.
By
Michael Cavna
| May 15, 2009; 7:30 AM ET
Categories:
The Morning Line
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Posted by: wiredog | May 15, 2009 8:00 AM | Report abuse
Oh, where, oh where,has my favorite comic strip, Frazz, gone? Oh, where, oh where can it be? Gone with the Kid's Page, that's for sure, Oh where, oh where can they have gone?
Posted by: oldgal49er | May 15, 2009 9:07 AM | Report abuse
I haven't been following Judge parker long enough, but I'll put 'Dixie Julep' as the leader in the clubhouse...
What's up with Mark Trail? Apparently these 'super bad guys' are foiled by being knocked to the ground. What is this, Capture the Flag?
"Oh, darn I've been knocked to the ground by a dog, I guess I'm out..."
Posted by: JkR- | May 15, 2009 11:12 AM | Report abuse
If they are going to eliminate Frazz on Friday and Saturdy they could at least put a link here on the comics page. Or transfer Garfield.
Posted by: olddog1 | May 15, 2009 11:29 AM | Report abuse
If they are going to eliminate Frazz on Friday and Saturdy they could at least put a link here on the comics page. Or transfer Garfield.
Posted by: olddog1 | May 15, 2009 11:29 AM
You can find a Frazz link on the 'Web Comics' link of the comics listing page.
Posted by: JkR- | May 15, 2009 11:52 AM | Report abuse
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I thought Garfield was pretty clever today. Old gag, true, but well executed.