The Far Side is one of the greatest cartoons in history. Today we go to great lengths to convince you of that.
AI Summary
# Stuff You Should Know: The Far Side
Join Josh and Chuck as they dive into one of the most iconic cartoons ever created—Gary Larson's The Far Side. From its humble beginnings as a regional science magazine submission to becoming a phenomenon in nearly 2,000 newspapers at its peak, this episode explores how a single-panel cartoon with no recurring characters revolutionized the comics section and shaped an entire generation's sense of humor. You'll learn about Larson's unconventional path to success, his meticulous creative process, and why he chose to retire at the height of his fame rather than risk creating mediocre work.
Movies Discussed
Cheers
"In The Simpsons and Cheers, there were definitely pop culture references where people like Woody and Homer wouldn't get a far side. — Chuck references Cheers as an example of a show where characters like Woody wouldn't understand Far Side humor."
— Chuck
Family Circus
"It wasn't like Family Circus where you knew these people. — Josh contrasts Far Side with Family Circus, noting that Far Side didn't have recurring named characters like Family Circus did."
— Josh
The Bob Newhart Show
"It's as perfect as the ending of the original Bob Newhart show. — Josh compares the perfect ending of the final Far Side comic to the ending of the original Bob Newhart show."
— Josh
The Simpsons
"In The Simpsons and Cheers, there were definitely pop culture references where people like Woody and Homer wouldn't get a far side. — Chuck mentions that characters like Homer Simpson wouldn't understand some Far Side cartoons, similar to how not everyone got them."
— Chuck
The Wizard of Oz
"She says, why, Gary, you've always had the power to go home. Just close your eyes, click three times. — The final Far Side comic ended by referencing the ending of The Wizard of Oz, with Gary Larson as a character waking up from a dream."
— Chuck
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