Robert Leighton’s cartoon is set in a daycare center, where an adult man in a jacket and tie is sitting on the floor, happily playing with blocks. A woman who’s dressed casually is watching him. Standing next to and addressing her is a woman in business attire. Assuming the professionally-dressed women is the man’s wife,…
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“Virus Lineup” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
Benjamin Schwartz’s cartoon is set in a police station, where a virologist is looking at a lineup of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. The germ on the far right appears to be the coronavirus. The virologist is saying something to the police officer standing behind him. My first caption is a pun that alludes to both…
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“Surreal Service” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In E.S. Glenn’s drawing, formally dressed servers carrying silver trays sit in or pass through a waiting area. One has a basketball on his tray. Another has what I first thought was a high-top sneaker but on closer inspection appears to be a boot—look at the sole. The other two have more traditional offerings (bottles…
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Anatomy of a Cartoon: Football Fever
Cartoon critics Phil Witte and Rex Hesner look behind the gags to debate what makes a cartoon tick. This week our intrepid critics take a look at football. Football is America’s pastime if you don’t include baseball. To be clear, we mean American football, not that low-scoring affair called soccer. As a sport, football is…
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“Black Gold” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In Maddie Dai’s drawing, a couple is sitting together having tea while surrounded by barrels of oil. The man is checking his phone and saying something to his wife. I first assumed this was a reference to the reduced demand for oil (a consequence of the pandemic) that has forced companies like Exxon and Mobil…
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