This drawing by Phil Witte, who together with Rex Hesner writes the “Anatomy of a Cartoon” feature for this website, is set in a restaurant, where two large turtles are seated at a table. The turtle on the right is addressing the waiter. Judging by his companion’s and the waiter’s expressions, the turtle has said…
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“Shipwrecked” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
Dan Misdea’s cartoon is set on a beach, where a couple has happened upon what appears to be a shipwreck survivor on a wooden raft that’s washed up on the shore. The survivor, who’s bearded and wearing glasses and torn clothes, is looking up at the man, who’s pointing at the survivor and saying something….
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“Horse Heaven” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In David Borchart’s cartoon, two recently deceased men in a pantomime horse wait outside the Pearly Gates. Before admitting them to the kingdom of heaven, St. Peter is checking his book for their names. The man in the back half of the horse is saying something to the guy in front. I first focused on…
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“Recycled Cartoon” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
Beth Lawler, who co-hosts the Cartoon Caption Contest Podcast, immediately recognized this drawing by Jason Patterson. “This week’s contest,” she wrote to Bob Mankoff and me, “[features] a published New Yorker cartoon from 2005.” She urged us to refrain from choosing the published caption as the winning entry and even suggested that we scrap this…
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“Mushroom Man” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In this cartoon, Gahan Wilson drew a doctor who’s addressing a patient covered in mushrooms. Because a mushroom is a fungus, and a fungal infection is a medical condition, I came up with these captions: “I’m prescribing an antifungal medication.” “It appears to have spread from your toenail.” “It’s a fungal infection.” My last caption…
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“Cat Cop” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
This collaboration between David K. Ostow (the cartoonist) and Dan J. Salomon (the idea man) is set in a police station. On the wall is an investigation board covered with push-pins connected by strings. On the floor is a cat in a police uniform who’s playing with the end of one string. A plainclothes detective…
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