The Poodles and dogs of “The Far Side”

Those of us well over voting age can remember when our world was made a little brighter each day by reading “The Far Side.” It was a one panel cartoon that ran in daily newspapers all over the country and in color in the Sunday comics, starting January 1, 1980.

Maybe its biggest appeal was that each of us felt that we were unique in sharing the off beat, eerie, quirky, unconventional, demented (pick any adjective you want here) mind of Gary Larson, the creator. He wasn’t a cartoonist for everyone and those of us who loved “The Far Side” might have felt a little superior because we “got it.”

There is an episode of “Cheers” when Woody the innocent says, “I don’t get ‘The Far Side.’” And Frazier, the supercilious twit says, “Well, Woody…” and proceeds to explain the day’s cartoon.

“No, Dr. Crane,” he says. “I meant my newspaper doesn’t carry ‘The Far Side,’ but thanks for making me look stupid.”

“The Far Side” ran for 15 years, ending January 1, 1995 at the height of its popularity. Larson was getting burned out and thought he was becoming repetitive. He has over 20 books in print that continue to remain popular.

Since Larson and his publisher own the copyright, he has the right to prevent his works from being reproduced on the internet. He exercises that right as he explains his position in this well crafted letter. I respect his right to have control of “his children.”

No problem. I have been in a lot of conversations with people when we would remember “the one where”… and just laugh at remembering. So if you are a “The Far Side” fan, do you remember the one where…

Large aircraft in the sky, through the cockpit window we see people panicking,
the aircraft in flames and a Poodle in the pilot seat.
Suddenly amidst of all the confusion little [Misty] seized control and saved the day.

Large bunches of bananas being offloaded from a ship. Instead of the expected
tarantulas, tiny Poodle heads peek out from the bananas
How Poodles came to North America.

Dog in car talking to dog on lawn:
“Ha ha Bif, after we go to the drug store and post office I’m going to the vets
to get tutored.”

Split panel: What we say to dogs: “All right Ginger, I’ve had it, you stay out of the garbage, understand, Ginger, stay out of the garbage or else.”
What they hear: “Blah, blah, blah, Ginger, blah, blah, blah, Ginger, blah, blah”

Cave man is trimming wooly mammoth into a Poodle do.
 French mammoth

In the background a Godzilla-size mailman is destroying the city.
The foreground is a dog leader rallying the doggie troops.
“Listen! The authorities are helpless! If the city’s to be saved,
 I’m afraid it’s up to us. This is our finest hour.”

Nuclear bombs are destroying civilization.
Dog family is in their bomb shelter under the dog house.
 “Well, we must face a new reality. No more carefree days of chasing squirrels, running through the park or howling at the moon.
On the other hand no more ‘Fetch this, boy, fetch this.’”

Laundry room scene. Crude signs saying “cat fud” point to dryer.
Cat is looking in dryer. Dog is barely hidden watching.
“Please, please, please.”

Cat being taken at gunpoint by police to their car. Woman at window to dog:
  “I suppose you think this is a dream come true.”

And my all time favorite in full color
Poodles of the Serengeti

So if Gary Larson is checking out this post to be sure I haven’t used any cartoons,
 I would REALLY like to have a print suitable for framing of “Poodles of the Serengeti.”

Comments

[Big_Dave_T]

I have a Far Side book with some of the cartoons you mentioned. My favorite cartoon though is a pilot and co-pilot looking ahead out their cockpit window, one commenting to the other, "What's that mountain goat doing in this cloud bank?"

Some attorney found my blog recently after I posted a review of his client's film. I noticed a comment from this guy, Googled his name, and found out that he trolls the internet looking out for people violating his client's copyright. I apparently didn't though because he didn't say anything about it.

[Jerry]

The one where the guy is trying to get into the school for the gifted by pulling on the door that says push. I know a lot of people like that and i laugh whenever i think of that cartoon

[martina]

I can't remember what the words were but it was a FarSide cartoon of couple in a boat with their poodle arriving at an African village.
Lynda Barry's Poodle with a Mohawk is a favorite. Gordy sometimes looks like that dog if I mess up his topknot.

[threecollie]

I have one on the fridge from a friend who reads the Farm Side. It shows a sheep party with a dog walking in through an open door. Caption, "Henry, our party's total chaos. No one knows when to eat, where to stand what to...Oh, thank God, here comes a border collie".

[Michael]

You won't like this one. It was Bobbing for poodles. A bunch of alligators standing around a big tub.

[Khyra]

Ah yes!

Mom has THAT smile about her now!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

[Sling]

The first Far Side cartoon I saw was the mother bear in the cave,holding up human skulls with hunter's caps on,and in puppet fashion telling her two cubs;
'Okay..one more time and it's off to bed'..
'Gee George,think there's any bears in this cave?'..
'I don't know Bill..Let's take a look!'.
I was hooked after that. :)

[Denny]

Wow! This is so funny! I have a collection of Far Side cartoons that I was going to send you if I had known your address.

[jackie]

i miss far side...i miss bloom county and opus more...sigh*

[Jennie/Kahshe Cottager]

Oh my goodness, this post does bring back memories! The Far Side was one of my favourites! I do hope you get a print ... and suitably autographed too!

[MJ]

The one where the dog is putting the new baby out on the lawn in a cardboard box that says "free to good home" and the caption says something like "Mitzy thinks turn about is fair play". Love Larson! Thanks for the memories and the laughs.

[Saint Lover]

I had the dayrunner calendar pages that were far side cartoons for years... i remember the poodles of the Serengeti cartoon... too funny! I loved his cartoons.

[rosemary]

I had my favorites on the fridge and finally put them away because they were getting fragile.

[schnoodlepooh]

i lovelovelovelove Gary Larson. it was a sad day when he stopped doing the Far Side. i have every book, including the 37 lb. complete works. i truly feel like my life is a far side cartoon. and i know that letter too, darnit, because i would love to post a far side cartoon on my blog also from time to time.

one of my favorites: Buddy's dreams = parakeet of the baskervilles. (i had a little bird named Buddy).

[Gerald]

The Far Side where the poodle is taking out the neighbors flower bed with an earth mover.

[George]

The one with two dog in a bar, they have on collars but the others don't.

"I think we're in a stray bar."

[Mary Jo and Hudson]

Strolling down memory lane when so many things including cartoons were so pure and truly funny without being tasteless. Those were the days...

[cube]

Too many funny ones to cite. Love the Far Side. Had many of them on the fridge for years. It would be tremendous if Larson could start back up again now that he's been out of it for a while. Here's to his batteries recharging soon.

[Lynn Sinclair]

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Gary Larson suddenly got the urge to bring The Far Side back to life?

[Jimmy]

You definitely deserve an autographed print of Poodles of the Serengeti for that wonderful post!!!