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It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny (2013)

smithsonianmag.com

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Re: It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny (2013)

#2

Post by carls »

I didn't know how much of Jim Davis' motivations were commercial ones. It seems very at odds with folks like Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson:

> For years, Watterson battled against pressure from publishers to merchandise his work, something that he felt would cheapen his comic. He refused to merchandise his creations on the grounds that displaying Calvin and Hobbes images on commercially sold mugs, stickers, and T-shirts would devalue the characters and their personalities.[1]

I'm curious: what led to Garfield's immense popularity as a syndicated comic? Were there in fact legions of people who _did_ find it funny, or entertaining?

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[1] Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Watterson#End_of_Calvin_a...

Re: It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny (2013)

#4

Post by Rallerbabs »

carls wrote: post #2

I didn't know how much of Jim Davis' motivations were commercial ones. It seems very at odds with folks like Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson: > For years, Watterson battled against pressure from publishers to merchandise his work, something that he felt would cheapen his comic. He refused to merchandise his creations on the grounds that displaying Calvin and Hobbes images on commercially sold mugs, stickers,…

As a kid, I always thought Garfield was absolutely hilarious. I'd cut the comic out of the newspaper and glue them into a book. Loved the cartoons. The Halloween one is my favorite. Up to my 40th birthday, I was given Garfield comics.

I love what a gluttonous, selfish and slightly malevolent pig Garfield is. I especially love it when he kicks Odie off the table.

I can't stand Peanuts, though.

Re: It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny (2013)

#6

Post by throw_away »

carls wrote: post #2

I didn't know how much of Jim Davis' motivations were commercial ones. It seems very at odds with folks like Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson: > For years, Watterson battled against pressure from publishers to merchandise his work, something that he felt would cheapen his comic. He refused to merchandise his creations on the grounds that displaying Calvin and Hobbes images on commercially sold mugs, stickers,…

Don't forget children. The television series are very child-centric and also the plush toys.

Re: It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny (2013)

#7

Post by alisonkisk »

Smithsonian Magazine (!) Is just blog spamming a Quora post.

https://www.quora.com/Garfield-comic-strip/Is-Garfield-suppo...

And this Garfield Isn't Funny meme is absurd. Newspaper comics aren't "funny". Daily comics aren't "funny". reddit.com/r/funny isn't "funny". Newspaper comics are for kids, and kids think Garfield is hilarious, 30 years ago and today.

The idea that Davis would create an intentionally bad comic and that would make people buy his merchandise is ridiculous.

Re: It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny (2013)

#8

Post by sethammons »

Rallerbabs wrote: post #4
carls wrote: post #2

I didn't know how much of Jim Davis' motivations were commercial ones. It seems very at odds with folks like Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson: > For years, Watterson battled against pressure from publishers to merchandise his work, something that he felt would cheapen his comic. He refused to merchandise his creations on the grounds that displaying Calvin and Hobbes images on commercially sold mugs, stickers,…

As a kid, I always thought Garfield was absolutely hilarious. I'd cut the comic out of the newspaper and glue them into a book. Loved the cartoons. The Halloween one is my favorite. Up to my 40th birthday, I was given Garfield comics. I love what a gluttonous, selfish and slightly malevolent pig Garfield is. I especially love it when he kicks Odie off the table. I can't stand Peanuts, though.

Similar. As a kid, I thought Garfield was very funny. We had a couple books of 'em. I also enjoyed Far Side. I should revisit them :)

Re: It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny (2013)

#9

Post by anon9001 »

cptnapalm wrote: post #3

For those that do not know how enjoyable Garfield is when there is no Garfield, I present to you Garfield Without Garfield. https://garfieldminusgarfield.net/

Hah. I haven't seen that in so many years. Glad to see they're still updating.

Re: It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny (2013)

#10

Post by polka_haunts_us »

carls wrote: post #2

I didn't know how much of Jim Davis' motivations were commercial ones. It seems very at odds with folks like Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson: > For years, Watterson battled against pressure from publishers to merchandise his work, something that he felt would cheapen his comic. He refused to merchandise his creations on the grounds that displaying Calvin and Hobbes images on commercially sold mugs, stickers,…

>Were there in fact legions of people who _did_ find it funny, or entertaining?

I'm sorry ahead of time if this comment comes off as strong, but I'm always confused by people who can't comprehend that there must be people who like thing it's popular to not like.

I hate Adam Sandler, I think he's among the least funny human beings on the planet. I also don't question whether anyone actually enjoys his movies, because obviously people do.

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