Monday, June 14, 2010
Clyde Discovers Gene's Twitter Monetizing Scheme.
Like his Creator, Clyde has learned that Silence is Golden, if you can get people to pay for it. Perhaps, nay, certainly, the most important historical discovery since the unearthing of the Rosetta Stone.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The First Sunday.
My withering criticism of the first Sunday strip: Not that it's trite and predictable. Barney is funny because he is a stereotype. He might have said something funny, i.e., "I'm missing the pork bellies futures report." Pork bellies have been funny for generations. But that would have been too funny for the straight man. No, as written, the punchline is "To the office, Charles." But that is not the point. If they had wanted to have Barney say something funny, they would have gone with, "Charles, we need some compact fluorescent light bubs." That is the point. Barney doesn't have a Smart Phone! New Last Panel: Barney pulls out his iPhone or Blackberry, and says, "I'm missing the soybean futures price report." Even Luddite Gene has an iPhone. Epic Fail.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Some Blog Business.
Some of the long-time readers might have noticed recent changes to the layout of the Blog. Don't be alarmed! These changes are designed to add more utility to the Blog while retaining the traditional features that you have grown to love. You will see that a links section has been added to the left of the Posts. These are hyperlinks to sites and items deemed significant to Barney & Clyde. You will also note that a "Hidden Penis Count" has been added to the bottom of the Blog, that will keep track of the Hidden Penises in the strip. We hope these additional features will add to your enjoyment, as well as provide important information regarding the strip.
We turn now to the comments:
flysct4472 said... Maybe I should read more into the fact that the Miami Herald interview garnered no "recommends" or comments?
This is in reference to the video from the Miami Herald in which the decision to add Barney & Clyde (as well as Pickles)to the paper's lineup of cartoons is explained. The lack of ratings can be explained.
A scientifically conducted poll of Miami Herald readers, similar to the one cited in the video, found that 64 percent of Herald readers think that YouTube is a Urinary Catheter, while 29 percent think it is a tube used to conceal illegal drugs or other contraband inside the human body. We hope this explains the lack of ratings.
Keep those comments coming.
We turn now to the comments:
flysct4472 said... Maybe I should read more into the fact that the Miami Herald interview garnered no "recommends" or comments?
This is in reference to the video from the Miami Herald in which the decision to add Barney & Clyde (as well as Pickles)to the paper's lineup of cartoons is explained. The lack of ratings can be explained.
A scientifically conducted poll of Miami Herald readers, similar to the one cited in the video, found that 64 percent of Herald readers think that YouTube is a Urinary Catheter, while 29 percent think it is a tube used to conceal illegal drugs or other contraband inside the human body. We hope this explains the lack of ratings.
Keep those comments coming.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Gene Assesses the First Reports from the Front.
Q: How many casualties were there among people fighting to get a copy of the June 7 paper?
A: Post authorities have assured me that the collateral damage, while significant, was well within acceptable levels.
Q: Have the testimonials from grateful newspaper publishers overwhelmed you, or merely inundated?
A: I understand that Anders Gyllenhall, the executive editor of the Miami Herald, is trying to get his niece and nephew, Maggie and Jake, to star in the film version.
Q: Based on the early returns, do you declare victory?
A: Yes, though as I noted, I think as of day two, it is clear to most readers that the strip's best days are behind it.
Q: Has David Clark threatened to strike unless he receives a bigger share of the syndication fees?
A: No, worse. He has threatened to sneak some penises into the strip.
Q: In a related question, so it really is true that poor people are happier and more fulfilled than rich people?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there any truth to rumor that you plan to kill off one of the major characters and replace him with a clone?
A: We already did that. You will notice that Barney in Day One has a small scar on one finger. In day three, it is gone. That is his clone.
Q: When will the 3-D version of the strip be debuting?
A: We are working on it. It will be x-rated. Lucretia is the key.
Q: Will Barney or Clyde make a guest appearance in Pearls Before Swine?
A: That's up to Pastis. I will reveal that in week 9 or so, a character from another strip makes a guest appearance in B&C. (ME: See also the above link to the Miami Herald video on YouTube.)
Q: To all those who doubted that you could write a comihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife-of-rich-man.html">c strip, how do you respond? Neener neener or nyah nyah nyah nyah?
A: I do not yet respond. It would be foolhardy.
Q: This question was raised by alert reader Alexander Mitchell:
> I wonder if the Herald got it just because of their past connection with
> Weingarten and the fact that he retains a level of connection - he is
> involved in the annual Herald Hunt (formerly the Tropic Hunt) and is
> friends with Dave Barry (who I believe is still (at some level) on staff
> there even though he now longer does weekly columns (he does do
> occasional pieces)), Carl Hiaasen and probably other senior types, etc.
>
> ted
My personal theory is that he has something with which he can
blackmail the staff at said papers.
The other question: since Papa Weingarten has demonstrated, through
his writings and online chats, to be somewhere to the left of Obama &
Co. and Bill Maher and maybe a bit to the right of Stalin, given the
subject matter of this strip, will it actually focus on humor and
character development, or eventually drift towards being an
overbearing polemic screed?
Not sure which you want me to answer. Why the Herald took the strip is addressed forthrightly here.
As far as politics, yes, by week 7 or so, Clyde and his friends will have marched on Pillsbury Pharmaceuticals with pitchforks, and beheaded Barney.
Thanks, Gene.
A: Post authorities have assured me that the collateral damage, while significant, was well within acceptable levels.
Q: Have the testimonials from grateful newspaper publishers overwhelmed you, or merely inundated?
A: I understand that Anders Gyllenhall, the executive editor of the Miami Herald, is trying to get his niece and nephew, Maggie and Jake, to star in the film version.
Q: Based on the early returns, do you declare victory?
A: Yes, though as I noted, I think as of day two, it is clear to most readers that the strip's best days are behind it.
Q: Has David Clark threatened to strike unless he receives a bigger share of the syndication fees?
A: No, worse. He has threatened to sneak some penises into the strip.
Q: In a related question, so it really is true that poor people are happier and more fulfilled than rich people?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there any truth to rumor that you plan to kill off one of the major characters and replace him with a clone?
A: We already did that. You will notice that Barney in Day One has a small scar on one finger. In day three, it is gone. That is his clone.
Q: When will the 3-D version of the strip be debuting?
A: We are working on it. It will be x-rated. Lucretia is the key.
Q: Will Barney or Clyde make a guest appearance in Pearls Before Swine?
A: That's up to Pastis. I will reveal that in week 9 or so, a character from another strip makes a guest appearance in B&C. (ME: See also the above link to the Miami Herald video on YouTube.)
Q: To all those who doubted that you could write a comihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife-of-rich-man.html">c strip, how do you respond? Neener neener or nyah nyah nyah nyah?
A: I do not yet respond. It would be foolhardy.
Q: This question was raised by alert reader Alexander Mitchell:
> I wonder if the Herald got it just because of their past connection with
> Weingarten and the fact that he retains a level of connection - he is
> involved in the annual Herald Hunt (formerly the Tropic Hunt) and is
> friends with Dave Barry (who I believe is still (at some level) on staff
> there even though he now longer does weekly columns (he does do
> occasional pieces)), Carl Hiaasen and probably other senior types, etc.
>
> ted
My personal theory is that he has something with which he can
blackmail the staff at said papers.
The other question: since Papa Weingarten has demonstrated, through
his writings and online chats, to be somewhere to the left of Obama &
Co. and Bill Maher and maybe a bit to the right of Stalin, given the
subject matter of this strip, will it actually focus on humor and
character development, or eventually drift towards being an
overbearing polemic screed?
Not sure which you want me to answer. Why the Herald took the strip is addressed forthrightly here.
As far as politics, yes, by week 7 or so, Clyde and his friends will have marched on Pillsbury Pharmaceuticals with pitchforks, and beheaded Barney.
Thanks, Gene.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
We Analyze the First Strip
The first panel clearly establishes in spatial terms the Spiritual and Philosophical dichotomy that the strip will explore, with Barney placed on the left of the panel and Clyde on the right. Clyde is clearly shown to be at one with nature, as he and the tree are leaning in the same direction. Also, he has his hands in his pockets. Barney is dressed in black. Is he the modern devil, the Corporate Malefactor? Or is his view of life symbolized by his black-and-white costume? Clyde is dressed predominantly in brown with black vest. Obviously, based on his earthy color sense, Clyde has a more subtle view of life than Barney. The second panel is certain to be the most controversial ever printed in an American newspaper. Clyde has taken off his hat in deference to the great billionaire, showing that he recognizes the innate superiority of Barney. It's also a cheap trick to set the readers up for the last panel. The third panel is hilarious. The curled third finger is priceless. The last panel. of course, supplies the moral, and illustrates why it would have been actually funny if Clyde had been African-American.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Don't Look Now!
OK, you can look. Here are the Official Samples of the strip on the Post Writers Group site. As Gene would say, "There is sex."
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Question that Gene Weingarten Did Not Want You to See!
Double Secret Unexpurgated Suppressed Addendum
Q: Did you (David Clark) start out wanting to be the next N.C. Wyeth, Frank C. Pape, or Arthur Rackham? Or were you more into Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak?
A: All the above (you forgot Eakins). Classically trained but only drew laughs...
ME: The Gross Clinic by Thomas Eakins, regarded by many art historians to be the most important (not to mention side-splitting -- Har!) 19th Century American painting. It is owned jointly by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
(We also forgot Howard Pyle.)
Q: Did you (David Clark) start out wanting to be the next N.C. Wyeth, Frank C. Pape, or Arthur Rackham? Or were you more into Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak?
A: All the above (you forgot Eakins). Classically trained but only drew laughs...
ME: The Gross Clinic by Thomas Eakins, regarded by many art historians to be the most important (not to mention side-splitting -- Har!) 19th Century American painting. It is owned jointly by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
(We also forgot Howard Pyle.)
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