Saturday, March 08, 2025

Recurring Theme

This is the weekly dispatch from Bizarro Studios North, where I have been writing and drawing the Monday through Saturday Bizarro comics since 2018. My partner and friend Dan Piraro created Bizarro in the late twentieth century and continues to do the Sunday comic from Rancho Bizarro in Mexico.

Wayno



Your faithful cartoonist has been working hard to stay ahead of those neverending deadlines and had extra responsibilities to manage this week, so today's post will be shorter than usual.

You might want to take advantage of my brevity by grabbing a nap in anticipation of daylight saving time throwing us off our schedules tomorrow.



Today's pipe pic is a rather grotesque 1925 German artist Otto Dix painting.

The work is entitled Französisches Ehepaar (French Couple).

I think I found this one on my own; I don't have a note of anyone suggesting it to me. If one of you recall pointing me to this image, please pardon the omission and let me know.



Let's jump right into a review of the week in Bizarro.


The dating scene is sometimes even more brutal for insects than for humans.

Bizarro reader Paul F. alerted me to a business named Taco Pronto in Wichita, Kansas.

That was inevitable, and I have found a few other restaurants with the same name. If you live near a Taco Pronto, I encourage you to try them to ease my conscience.

I received a comment from someone claiming to have identified an error in this gag, but the fact that it was written in sentence fragments without punctuation undercut their assertion.


The scout's field report concluded, "Then, I threw up a little."

What's your occupational theme music?

We ended the week by examining differing perspectives from two sides of a desk.

That's the latest from Bizarro Studios North. Your comments and questions are always welcome, and your readership is greatly appreciated.


Bonus Track

Tom Waits: "Heigh Ho"
from Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films
A&M Records LP, 1988


I'm not a fan of Disney products, but I love this subversive 1988 album, conceived and produced by the late Hal Willner. Among its treasures is a version of "Castle in Spain" (from Babes in Toyland) performed by Buster Poindexter, the alter ego of David Johansen, who left the mortal plane on February 28. Some other highlights include Bonnie Raitt doing "Baby Mine" and The Sun Ra Arkestra's buoyant version of "Pink Elephants on Parade." Oh, yes, and this medley!

Garth Hudson & NRBQ:
"Feed the Birds" & "Whistle While You Work"


As a friendly reminder, it's always a good time to listen to NRBQ. The lineup on this recording is my favorite incarnation of the band: Terry Adams (keyboards, vocal, arrangement), Al Anderson (guitar), Tommy Ardolino (drums), and Joey Spampinato (bass, vocal).


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11 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:14 AM

    School's Out by Alice Cooper - Retired Teacher

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    Replies
    1. Did you change the lyric to "No more parents (or students) dirty looks"?

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    2. Anonymous12:02 AM

      Haha, often. Once in a meeting I channeled Monty Python and asked the parents, "Is there a history of insanity in your family? Luckily everyone laughed! Probably a good time to retire!

      Delete
  2. Michael K1:07 PM

    "Stay Awake" is the best (creepiest??)- Think "Nightmare on Elm St." I'm sure Freddy sang it to teens to rock them asleep.

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    Replies
    1. I have a 45 of "Stay Awake" by Louis Prima which is decidedly NOT in a lullaby style.

      Delete
    2. Michael K12:47 PM

      On the above CD, it's Suzanne Vega who sings the song.

      Delete
    3. Michael K: Yes, correct!

      Delete
  3. Jim Zale2:53 PM

    “Baby Mine” may be Bonnie Raitt’s finest recording. There, I’ve said it.

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    Replies
    1. I wouldn't argue with you, Jim. That song crushes me every time I hear it. Raitt's vocal performance is supported perfectly by Was (Not Was).

      Delete
    2. Tom Graner12:00 PM

      "All at Once" from Luck of the Draw. A teary eyed wonder :-).

      Delete