Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Continues!

O Canada! I think that, somewhere along the line, someone must have changed a Caption Contest rule, resulting in the very first Canadian Caption Contest candidate!

You see, the nominees in Caption Contest 196 (Phil Noth's lab workers observing lab rodents in lab suits) are

"O.K., let's slowly lower in the grant money."
Todd Bearson (Arlington, MA)

"Relax, for them it's publish and perish."
David Burns (Needham, MA)

"The research is conclusive—mice are even cuter when you dress them up in little coats."
Brad Hodges (Dungannon, Ontario!)

But sorry, Quebec—according to the new rules, "Any legal resident of United States or Canada (except residents of the province of Quebec) age eighteen or over can enter...."

This NAFTA-like development must be very recent, as the soon-to-disappear voting page for Caption Contest 195 (Danny Shanahan's housewife confronting disheveled man with stigmata flanked by tiny cherubim) still stipulates that "Any U.S. resident age eighteen or older can vote"—excluding the entirety of Canada!

As for my Caption Contest 196 loser—

"We've been using the Nobel Prize instead of cheese."

—that's pretty close to Bearson's. Do you think mine is significantly worse?


The winner of Caption Contest 194 (Leo Cullum's slick operator speaking to man in desert) is

"First, we discuss my percentage of any water you find, real or imagined."
Jeff Joseph (Melville, NY)

Borne out of the same terrain as Walt Whitman, this caption returns New York to a first-place tie with California.


The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 197 (Drew Dernavich's pilot on plane with spiked heel landing gear) is

"I'm gellin' alright. And by gellin' I mean dropping napalm on noncombatants."
therblig

My loser:

"I say, have you checked for brevibacteria?"

Caption Contest 198 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 198 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all (almost) mapped out here.

32 California

32 New York (27 from the Big Apple, where Lynn Tudor has won twice)

14 New Jersey

12 Virginia (six from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Newport News, one from Roanoke, one from Stanardsville)

10 Illinois (eight from Chicago including three captions by Lawrence Wood)

9 Massachusetts

7 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)

6 Connecticut (two from New Haven, four not)
6 Pennsylvania
6 Texas (three from Houston, one from Austin)

5 Maryland (none named Mary)

4 Arizona (two from Tucson)
4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Ohio
4 Washington

3 Michigan
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Rhode Island

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 Nevada (Las Vegas 1, Zephyr Cove 1)
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Louisiana (New Orleans)
1 Maine
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Parodic The Gothamer illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Continues!

The winner of Caption Contest 191 (Farley Katz's cat and some other critters jumping off a cliff) is

"I'm just curious—what's your excuse?"
Pinghan Chua (Alexandria, VA)

The nominees in Caption Contest 193 (Victoria Roberts's man and woman rigged like marionnettes) are:

"Free will is overrated."
Nahomi Harkavy (Greensboro, NC)

"This was so much more awkward before Craigslist."
Julie Gautreau (Knoxville, TN)

"This is why I suggested a threesome."
Martina O'Boyle (Atlanta, GA)

My loser:

"Who needs these when we have the media?"

The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 194 (Leo Cullum's briefcase man with parched man in desert) had not appeared at the time of this post.

Caption Contest 195 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 195 should turn up here eventually.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all (almost) mapped out here.

32 California

31 New York (27 from the Big Apple)

14 New Jersey

12 Virginia (six from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Newport News, one from Roanoke, one from Stanardsville)

9 Illinois (seven from Chicago, two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
9 Massachusetts

6 Connecticut (two from New Haven, four not)
6 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
6 Pennsylvania
6 Texas (three from Houston, one from Austin)

5 Maryland (none named Mary)

4 Arizona (two from Tucson)
4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Ohio
4 Washington

3 Michigan
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Rhode Island

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 Nevada (Las Vegas 1, Zephyr Cove 1)
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Louisiana (New Orleans)
1 Maine
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Parodic The Gothamer illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Coverage Continues, Sort Of

The winner of Caption Contest 177 (Leo Cullum's captive with feet in mismatched pails) is

"It's sloppy work like that that gives the mob a bad name."
Gordon Baumbacher (Kentfield, CA)

That extends California's lead over New York to two. [EV Grieve visitors: Scroll down to THE STANDINGS for more on this.]


The nominees in Caption Contest 179 (Zachary Kanin's heavily bandaged doctor) are

"So a doctor walks into a bar—this is not a joke, by the way."
James Allen (Lambertville, NJ)

"Until I recover, let's just assume your prostate is fine."
Jeff Goodman (Burnsville, NC)

"Sorry, we're out of medical supplies."
Christina Rodriguez (San Diego, CA)

My loser:

"I just received the settlement in a Mafia malpractice suit."

Caption Contest 181 here Anti-Caption Contest 181 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all (almost) mapped out here.

31 California

29 New York (25 from the Big Apple)

13 New Jersey

10 Virginia (four from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Newport News, one from Roanoke, one from Stanardsville)

9 Illinois (seven from Chicago, two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)

8 Massachusetts

6 Connecticut (two from New Haven, four not)
6 Pennsylvania

5 Maryland (none named Mary)
5 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Arizona (two from Tucson)
4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Ohio

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Rhode Island

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Louisiana (New Orleans)
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Parodic The Gothamer illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Coverage Continues

The winner of Caption Contest 175 (Drew Dernavich's guy with assorted outdoorsy accessories) is

"In this economy, you have to let the vacation come to you."
Michael Soskis (Cambridge, MA)

Massachusetts is now tied with Illinois for fifth place—and New York fails to tie California for first.


The nominees in Caption Contest 177 (Leo Cullum's captive with mismatched foot pails) are

"It's sloppy work like that that gives the mob a bad name."
Gordon Baumbacher (Kentfield, CA)

"We are trying to reduce our concrete footprint."
Tim Wilcox (Milwaukee, WI)

"Two weeks ago, this was not considered torture."
Avery Clapsaddle (Neche, ND)

My loser:

"If you let me know which you prefer, I'll find the match for the other one."

I am still awaiting the results of Anti-Caption Contest 178 (Tom Cheney's prisoner excapes into a bar...).


Caption Contest 179 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 179 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all (almost) mapped out here.

30 California

29 New York (25 from the Big Apple)

13 New Jersey

10 Virginia (four from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Newport News, one from Roanoke, one from Stanardsville)

8 Illinois (six from Chicago, two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
8 Massachusetts

6 Connecticut (two from New Haven, four not)
6 Pennsylvania

5 Maryland (none named Mary)
5 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Arizona (two from Tucson)
4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Ohio

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Rhode Island

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Louisiana (New Orleans)
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Parodic The Gothamer illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Coverage Continues

The winner of Caption Contest 174 (Harry Bliss's tiny guy in tree with big bird with worm in beak) is

"I want to live at my dad's."
Sean Delaney (Stanardsville, VA)

With that, Virginia goes into double digits, solidifying its fourth-place position between New Jersey and Illinois.


The nominees in Caption Contest 176 (Mick Stevens's wrecked courtroom) are

"This is what I get for convicting the janitor."
Sita Chandrika Palepu (New York, NY)

"For a divorce case, that went smoothly."
Ann Seger (Chicago, IL)

"Sorry about that—new gavel."
Tommy Bryant (Cochran, GA)

My loser:

"This is the last time I preside over a kangaroo court."

The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 177 (Leo Cullums's captive) is

*pew-pew-pew* "Better start talking before I shrink more of you with my finger-ray."
Brian L

No loser from me—I didn't submit a caption in time!


Caption Contest 178 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 178 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all (almost) mapped out here.

30 California

29 New York (25 from the Big Apple)

13 New Jersey

10 Virginia (four from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Newport News, one from Roanoke, one from Stanardsville)

8 Illinois (six from Chicago, two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)

7 Massachusetts

6 Connecticut (two from New Haven, four not)
6 Pennsylvania

5 Maryland (none named Mary)
5 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Arizona (two from Tucson)
4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Ohio

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Rhode Island

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Louisiana (New Orleans)
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Parodic The Gothamer illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Coverage Continues

Um. Uh-huh. Clears throat. Thank you. Thank you. This is such a surprise! I'm not sure what to say, but....Takes out pre-written speech. I can't tell you how exciting it is to finally win one of these things after so many years of trying. Pause. I just want to say that this shows that, if you try hard and you don't give up, you can get recognition! And I feel like I'm in such good company in Anti-Caption Contest 172 (Lee Lorenz's happy head amidst Easter Island statues). I mean, over there is

Standup comedian, off-panel: "You see, black people carve statues like this, and white people carve statues like THIS!"
Francis

and over there is

"Kill him."
Deborah

and there was even

Why the long faces?
xjvpastor

and

"This is Obamahead land. No McCain heads allowed."
J.D.

And to think that all of them lost to my anti-caption:

"What the fuck are you smiling about? It's World AIDS Day, asshole!"
David F

And finally, I'd like to thank the one person who inspired me more than anyone else: Larry Kramer. Thanks, Larry. I'l continue to do what I can to get your Lost Horizon on DVD soon!


In Caption Contest 169 (Leo Cullum's bandito businessman), the winner is

"What makes you think I wouldn't be up for sushi?"
Neal Svalstad (El Cajon, CA)

So thanks to the man from El Cajon, California hits 30 and beats New York as well as Illinois.


California and New York face off again (with Michigan) in Caption Contest 171 (Gahan Wilson's butcher with meat shaped like kick line), the nominees are

"I'd suggest you keep them away from the gingerbread men."
Vincent Coca (Staten Island, NY)

"It's not disturbing until someone wants to buy them by the ounce."
Steve Arrowood (Oceanside, CA)

"I did the choreography myself."
Donovan Reeve (Ypsilanti, MI)

My loser:

"I used to sell strip steaks, but they cleaned up their act."

Thoughts?


Caption Contest 173 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 173 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

30 California

27 New York (23 from the Big Apple)

13 New Jersey

9 Virginia (four from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Newport News, one from Roanoke)

8 Illinois (six from Chicago, two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)

7 Massachusetts

6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Maryland (none named Mary)
5 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Arizona (two from Tucson)
4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Ohio

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Louisiana (New Orleans)
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Satirical "Eustace K. Tilley" illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Coverage Continues

The winner of Caption Contest 167 (Frank Cotham's politician stumping in forest), the winner is

"Read my lips—no new taxidermy."
Eric Kneedler(Bethesda, MD)

So that's two Erics in a row!


In Caption Contest 169 (Leo Cullum's "bandito" with briefcase), the nominees are:

"I can't say for sure, but I think the airline mixed up my luggage."
Mark Ashton (Elmhurst, IL)

"Remember the Alamo—now, that was a foreclosure!"
David Blume (New York, NY)

"What makes you think I wouldn't be up for sushi?"
Neal Svalstad (El Cajon, CA)

My loser:

"I can't believe they made me pardner."

The results of Anti-Caption Contest 170 (P.C. Vey's businessman with turkey) were not announced by the time of this post.


Caption Contest 171 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 171 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

29 California

27 New York (23 from the Big Apple)

13 New Jersey

9 Virginia (four from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Newport News, one from Roanoke)

8 Illinois (six from Chicago, two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)

7 Massachusetts

6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Maryland (none named Mary)
5 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Arizona (two from Tucson)
4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Louisiana (New Orleans)
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Satirical "Eustace K. Tilley" illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Coverage Continues!

The winner of Caption Contest 156 (Leo Cullum's high-heeled androgyne in a bar) is

"Actually, I'm not crazy about long walks on the beach."
Naji Chammas (Del Mar, CA)

So California is one win away from hitting 30!


In Caption Contest 158 (Zachary Kanin's kid amid people buried in sand), the nominees are

"Run! The kid with the little red shovel is coming back!"
Timothy Gunn (New York, NY)

"We save a bundle on suntan lotion."
Pedro Diaz (Nyack, NY)

"You got that? Three bottled waters, two sodas, one coffee, and six straws."
Robin McCauley (Newport News, VA)

My loser:

"Write about what you know, young Sam Beckett. Write about what you know!"

I know it's hysterically funny, so what's wrong with it? Too intellectual??


The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 159 (Drew Dernavich's conference table with giant servings of coffee and tea):

"So who wants abortions in their coffee? I know, I know, not Steve! Because [girly voice] 'Steve's not a monster anymore!' Hey, if he's not a monster anymore that musta been me raping my kids last night!"
TG Gibbon

My loser:

"Drink as quickly as you can--the first person to reach the boiled moose balls at the bottom will become the next Fear Factor Apprentice Survivor Running Mate of John McCain. And that will put an end to our thorough selection process!"

By pure coincidence, that's not so different from some other submissions, including Roger Kaputnik's

"Wanna survive as a Senior VP at JP Morgan Chase? First four of you to devour the boiled remains of their Bear Stearns counterpart win the prize: to keep your fucking job. Puke and you're out. I'm joining in just for the pleasure."

Caption Contest 160 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 160 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

29 California

24 New York (21 from the Big Apple)

13 New Jersey

7 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Roanoke)

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)

3 Arizona (two from Tucson)
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Louisiana (New Orleans)
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Satirical "Eustace K. Tilley" illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Coverage Continues!

Folks from North Carolina, kick up your tar heels! The winner of Caption Contest 153 (Leo Cullum's kick-line in court) is

"I know you have the law and the facts on your side, but I'm going with the dancing girls on this one."
Mark Nebrig (Charlotte, NC)

In Caption Contest 155 (Lee Lorenz's counseling session with sad-looking characters from The Wizard of Oz), the candidates are

"And my hourly fee is six hundred dollars. You're not in Kansas anymore."
Bill Craig (Ridgewood, NJ)

"If you adopt her, please understand that she comes with a lot of baggage."
Eileen Brady (Portland, OR)

"Home—is there really no place like it? Who'd like to start?"
Whitworth Ferguson (Manassas, VA)

This is one of those cases that makes me feel my submission was pretty worthy in itself, especially if you dig Broadway.

"They saw 'Wicked.'"

Thoughts?


Over in Anti-Caption Land, the news is that Dan Radosh is on hiatus, leaving a bunch of "All Stars" (including yours truly) free to wreak havoc. Deborah Grumet and I have already teamed up with this. Harry Effron gets to judge the next contest; Deborah gets to judge the one after that. At least I think that's how it works!


Caption Contest 157 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 157 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

28 California

24 New York (21 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

7 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Roanoke)

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)

3 Arizona (two from Tucson)
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Satirical "Eustace K. Tilley" illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Contest Coverage Continues, Sort Of

To my surprise, the Caption Contest is in pause mode this week. However, the Anti-Caption Contest lives on!


The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 156 (Leo Cullum's androgyne in suit and heels in a bar) is

"Well, you know the old saying: 'You masturbate into it, you bought it.'"
Mr. Sad Head

My loser:

"Pssst! Don't look, but that guy in the corner is Leo Cullum, and I think he's sketching us! If I'm not mistaken, we could be the first lesbians in a New Yorker caption contest cartoon! I wonder what the winning caption would be."

Caption Contest 156 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

28 California

24 New York (21 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

7 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Roanoke)

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)
4 North Carolina

3 Arizona (two from Tucson)
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Satirical "Eustace K. Tilley" illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

Cartoon Caption/Anti-Caption Coverage Continues!

The winner of Caption Contest 151 (Tom Cheney's office with giant pencils and giant sharpener) is is

"Let's continue this discussion over a hot barrel of coffee."
Adam Caraher (New York, NY)

So with this 23rd win, New York stays within five points of front-runner California...and the Big Apple alone reaches a whopping 20 wins! If my count is correct, that is.


In Caption Contest 153 (Leo Cullum's courtroom with female kickline), the nominees are

"I know you have the law and the facts on your side, but I'm going with the dancing girls on this one."
Mark Nebrig (Charlotte, NC)

"The jury foreman will now sing the verdict."
Hughes Richardson (Afton, OK)

"Overruled, counsellor. This is sweeps week."
Joseph Taylor (Beaufort, SC)

My loser:

"Now that's what I call an entertainment lawyer!"

The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 154 (Drew Dernavich's marshmallow roast over burning conference table) is

"Well, if none of you brought marshmallows and I didn't bring marshmallows then that explains why these marshmallows taste like mice."
TG Gibbon

My loser:

"Yes, yes, yes, Carruthers. The marshmallows are gluten-free. How many times do I have to tell you?"

Caption Contest 155 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 155 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

28 California

23 New York (20 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

7 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Roanoke)

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)
4 North Carolina

3 Arizona (two from Tucson)
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

"Eustace K. Tilley" illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

Before getting around to the contest results, I'd like to comment on the new illustration (right).

Last week artist Deborah Grumet and I worked on a fully realized response to Barry Blitt's satirical New Yorker cover depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as Islamic terrorist types in the Oval Office. I wanted a satirical parody cover that would "turn the tables" on The New Yorker, and I was delighted to find that Deborah was onboard with the concept. So far our cover's gotten some attention at The Tim Zone and elicited some musing from New Yorker cartoonist Carolita Johnson, whose amusing and informative guide to "Lunch Hour Birds of Central Park" received a lot of play over the past week despite its rejection by The New Yorker.


On to a less controversial topic—you know, the lighter side of suicide—the winner of Caption Contest 150 (Lee Lorenz's man with gun to his head), is none other than

"Just come to bed and kill yourself in the morning."
Marcos El Malo (Los Angeles, CA)

I wonder what salsa trombonist Willie Colon would have to say about that!


In Caption Contest 152 (Mick Stevens's car blocked by Earth), it's looking like a CA-NY faceoff. The nominees are

"Why do I always get stuck behind the slow planets?"
Brian Ahern (Long Beach, NY)

"Oh, great, we're stuck behind a four-and-a-half-billion-year-old."
Ari Stern (North Hollywood, CA)

"Honey, I told you the whole world is headed to the Cape this weekend."
Terri-Lee Burger (Brooklyn, NY)

My reject:

"Looks like we're almost there."

In Anti-Caption Contest 153 (Leo Cullum's female kickline in court, with one disapproving lawyer), the winner is

"Hubba hubba! Maybe a dingo did eat the defendant's baby!"
kejo

My rejects:

"Ha ha ha, hee hee hee, ho ho ho. What do you mean, you don't 'get' the satire?"

"Don't look so glum--next week we'll bring in male strippers. That should turn your frown upside-down! Or something to that effect."

"Hey, I know what's obscene when I see it. And I sure hope I see it. Lots and lots of it!"

Caption Contest 154 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 154 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

28 California

22 New York (19 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

7 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Roanoke)

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)
4 North Carolina

3 Arizona (two from Tucson)
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont
2 Washington

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

"Eustace K. Tilley" illustration realized by Deborah Grumet from concept by David Marc Fischer

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

Picking up where we left off, the winner of Caption Contest 146 (Leo Cullum's interview with Smiley McStickfigure) is

"I'm sorry, this is Tic-Tac-Toe—applications for Hangman are down the hall."
Gavrilo Gnatovich (Tucson, AZ)

Congrats, Gavrilo Gnatovich—that's two for Tucson!


In Caption Contest 148 (Drew Dernavich's religious leaders in a lineup), the nominees are

"Will No. 3 please step forward and achieve satori."
Denis Cullinan (Jamaica, NY)<--shouldn't this be Queens, NY?

"It's always a problem for us when a crime is committed on Halloween."
Diane Ross Kahan (San Antonio, TX)

"By the way, we are not allowed to show the face or image of No. 6."
Joel Collier (Roanoke, VA)

My long-awaited, totally clueless, loser:

"Symmetry is next to Godliness."

You can survey this week's retro substitute for the Anti-Caption Contest here.


Caption Contest 150 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 150 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

27 California

21 New York (18 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania
6 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville)

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)
4 North Carolina

3 Arizona (two from Tucson)
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Washington
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Image by David Marc Fischer using Samsung cameraphone

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

There's a little more than usual to cover this week. And, it turns out, a little less.

First of all, the winner of Contest 144 (Mick Stevens's fisherman haunted by fish) is

"I'm haunted by the faces of my victims."
Tom Buckner (Asheville, NC)

So that's a real near-miss for me. Tom Buckner, we must have had similar childhoods!


In Caption Contest 146 (Leo Cullum's interview with smiley-faced stick figure), the nominees are

"I'm sorry, this is Tic-Tac-Toe—applications for Hangman are down the hall."
Gavrilo Gnatovich (Tucson, AZ)

"Besides being a stick, what is your greatest weakness?"
Roxie June (Window Rock, AZ)

"It was a rough divorce, but she didn't get the Happy Face."
David Duty (Austin, TX)

My loser:

"You look familiar. Did we meet in the Seventies?"

The big Caption Contest news this week had to do Contest 145. Harry Bliss's "monster outside apartment window" turned out to have been copied from a Jack Kirby cover to Tales to Astonish (as Neil Gaiman and many others have noted). So now the credit for the cartoon is "Drawing by Harry Bliss, after Jack Kirby." The drawing did look familiar to me—I think I've even read the story—but I didn't figure out the source on my own.


As for Anti-Caption Contest 147 (Jack Ziegler's courtroom with lawyer gesticulating next to killer shark), Dan Radosh had not posted the winner by the time I decided to go ahead with this post, so it'll just have to wait.


Caption Contest 148 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 148 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

26 California

21 New York (18 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania
6 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville)

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)
4 North Carolina

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 Arizona
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Washington
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Image by David Marc Fischer using Samsung cameraphone

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

A week after Arkansas had its first win, Wisconsin lays claim to its own place on the map with Caption Contest 143 (P. C. Vey's businessman with blow-up doll):

"Hey, you teach C.P.R. your way, and I'll teach it mine."
Rose Locander (Waukesha, WI)

Congrats, Rose! Maybe this'll make up for all those tiresome Locander/Colander screw-ups and jokes (like this one).


In Caption Contest 145 (Harry Bliss's monster outside apartment window), the nominees are

"Better make that a large pizza."
Anne Foster (Seattle, WA)

"It appears that even the window washers are using steroids."
Jim Malatras (Albany, NY)

"O.K. I'm at the window. To the right? Your right or my right?"
Patrick House (Palo Alto, CA)

My loser:

"Okay, I give up. What has six toes and ten fingers and climbs walls?"

Kind of conceptually close to Patrick House's entry, right?


In Anti-Caption Contest 146 (Leo Cullum's business interview with smiley-faced stick figure), the winner is

"I can't tell you how many times I masturbated to that yellow caution sign showing you and your sister crossing the street. What ever happened to her?"
djack

Our own Deborah scored an Honorable Mention with

"Sorry about the chemo. It's good to see you smiling again, though."

so congrats to her!

My loser:

Initial interview with original "Smiley" model, c. 1963 (Ball Archives)

Caption Contest 147 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 147 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

26 California

21 New York (18 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania
6 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville)

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 North Carolina
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 Arizona
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Arkansas
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Washington
1 Wisconsin

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Image by David Marc Fischer using Samsung cameraphone

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

Hey, New York's still in the game! The winner of Caption Contest 139 (Leo Cullum's lions over a doctor's remains) is

"I still have room for a second opinion."
Julie Schuman (New York, NY)

So New York is just four points behind California.


In Caption Contest 141 (Drew Dernavich's bat-winged angel), the nominees are

"It just looked so uncool to wear a seat belt in the Batmobile."
Steve Rogers (Los Angeles, CA)

"I only got halfway through my deathbed conversion."
Mark Blankenship (Brooklyn, NY)

"I'm allergic to down."
Zach Wilson (St. Paul, MN)

Looks like the Batman joke was made by Captain America! As for my loser:

"I'm not entirely sure, but I think the Riddler did it."

In Anti-Caption Contest 142 (Jack Ziegler's taxi in stairwell of posh club, still mislabeled as Anti-Caption Contest 143), the winner is

"Well, I think that speaks for itself and we can...AGH!! MEN IN CHAIRS!!!"
seth

My loser:

"Perhaps the driver is Dan Radosh, who might have confused 142nd Street and 143rd Street as well as Anti-Caption Contest 142 and Anti-Caption Contest 143. Or maybe not."

Caption Contest 143 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 143 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

25 California

21 New York (18 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania
6 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville)

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 North Carolina
3 Ohio

2 Alaska
2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Arizona
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Washington

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Image by David Marc Fischer using Samsung cameraphone

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

The winner of Caption Contest 137 (Gahan Wilson's shrink with patient doing semaphore) is

"And when did you first come to believe that your conversations were being recorded?"
Katherine Warwick (Pasadena, CA)

That's the 25th win for first-place California, the 2nd win for Pasadena in 7 weeks, and—get this—5 wins for California in only 8 weeks!


In Caption Contest 139 (Leo Cullum's lion lying by the remains of a doctor, with a convertible in the far background), the nominees are

"If he wasn't an internist he is now."
Matt Charron (Charlotte, NC)

"Tasted kind of mediciney."
Andrew Naidech (Chicago, IL)

"I still have room for a second opinion."
Julie Schuman (New York, NY)

My loser:

"The ones in the convertibles tend to be a little burnt, but you can't beat the convenience."

In Anti-Caption Contest 140 (Gahan Wilson's covered wagons heading for spotlights), the winner is

"They're called Conestoga wagons because--uh-oh, air raid."
TGGibbon

My losers:

"Why do I have this ol' shit-eatin' grin? 'Cause for once we ain't behin' the manure wagon!"

"Why do I have this ol' shit-eatin' grin? 'Cause for once we ain't behin' the manure wagon--we're behin' the orgy wagon!"

Caption Contest 141 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 141 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

25 California

20 New York (17 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania
6 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville)

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 North Carolina
3 Ohio

2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Alaska
1 Arizona
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Washington

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Image by David Marc Fischer using Samsung cameraphone

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

The winner of Caption Contest 136 (Drew Dernavich's businessman with vulture on desk) is

"Let me guess—the lab results aren't good."
Jacob Kono (Jersey City, NJ)

That's a first win for Jersey City, as Jacob Kono helps the Garden State secure its third-place position.


In Caption Contest 138 (P. C. Vey's marriage counselor with large tank), the caption candidate writers are a Swanson, a Goldman, and a Woodman. Sounds like a joke in the making, eh?

"Get naked, jump in, and make this marriage work!"
Trent Swanson (Anchorage, AK)

"We call it shark-tank therapy."
Mara Goldman (Jackson Heights, NY)

"And if you'll agree to drop the divorce proceedings and reconcile I'll throw in a pair of lobsters."
Thad Woodman (Westerville, OH)

My loser:

"My ex-wife has custody of the fish."

In Anti-Caption Contest 139 (Leo Cullum's lion lying by a doctor's remains), the winner is

"I'm going to lick my balls now."
J. D.

My loser:

"His last words were that he was Dr. Kevorki-something and that he had chosen to rent the convertible. What do you suppose he meant by that?"

Caption Contest 140 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 140 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

24 California

20 New York (17 from the Big Apple)

12 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania
6 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville)

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)

3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 North Carolina
3 Ohio

2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Alaska
1 Arizona
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Washington

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Image by David Marc Fischer using Samsung cameraphone

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

Before tending to the caption contest results, I'd like to direct your attention to the winners of the Eustace Tilley contest. Fascinating—as is this link to Tilley history.


In Caption Contest 129 (Leo Cullum's patient with figure in diving suit), the winner is

"I wanted you to meet our colon specialist before we miniaturized him."
Thomas Fox (Houston, TX)

That's a fourth win for Texas, and a second win for Houston.


In the coming weeks, you can expect some real drama. Currently California and New York share the top spot in the competition, but in Caption Contest 130 one of the states might take the lead—or Colorado might steal the thunder. Then something's just gotta give in Caption Contest 131 (Mick Stevens's rain of safes), which is exclusively a contest between the two front-runners:

"And tomorrow there's a twenty-per-cent chance of anvils."
Richard Jones (Pasadena, CA)

"Great. Safes everywhere, and I'm on probation."
Blythe Million (Santa Monica, CA)

"Every time I wash the car."
Jessie Birks (New York, NY)

Thanks to Jessie for pointing this out. (See Jessie's comment here.)

My sentimental loser:

"Remember when it only rained pennies?"

In Anti-Caption Contest 132 (Mongol(?) swordsman threatening breakfast toast), the winner is

"It made me hot when you called me 'dirty whore' last night. But this is today, and I'd really prefer it if you just called me mom."
Shawn

My losers:

"You put the 'hun' in hunger, Hunter. Which is nothing compared to what I will put into your country's economy if you'll let me set up brothels there."

"So what if you're gluten-free. A slice of bread won't kill you."

"So the Giants won. No need to take it out on my breakfast, Tom."

Caption Contest 133 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 133 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

20 California
20 New York (17 from the Big Apple)

11 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania
6 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville)

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)

4 Maryland (none named Mary)
4 Texas (two from Houston)

3 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 North Carolina
3 Ohio

2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Alaska
1 Arizona
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Washington

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Image by David Marc Fischer using Samsung cameraphone

CARTOON CAPTION/ANTI-CAPTION COVERAGE CONTINUES!

The winner of Caption Contest 127 (Drew Dernavich's ice fishing through the outline of a human figure) is

"I put some beer on the hook. I figure if that's what got him into this mess it should be able to get him out."
Kea Wheeler (Westland, MI)

That's the second win for Michigan!


In Caption Contest 129 (Leo Cullum's hospital scene with man in deep-sea diving suit), the nominees are Big State—and everyone has the same first name! What are the odds, I ask ya?

"I wanted you to meet our colon specialist before we miniaturized him."
Thomas Fox (Houston, TX)

"Actually, the preferred term is 'adventure surgery.'"
Thomas Tavis (San Francisco, CA)

"Well, you are sixty per cent water."
Tom Fitzgibbon (New York, NY)

My loser is kinda cute, I think:

"It's time for your bathysphere."

In Anti-Caption Contest 130 (P.C. Vey's person inside of a snowman), the winner is:

"Keep moving Billy so mommy knows you're O.K."
reid savid

My losers:

"I would rather have no man than a snowman...so you can understand why I'm looking forward to Spring!"

"Look--he's coming to! Now he's really going to regret answering that threesome ad on craigslist!"

"You know what's really weird? I can't see any steam coming out of my mouth."

"Oh look--he's about to fall over! How cute is that? How cute is that?"

"I think he's conducting 'Frosty the Snowman.'"

"It is cold today."

I also made this late addition:

"Look out! He is trying to catch a pass from Brett Favre!!"

Maybe I should've mentioned No Pants.


Caption Contest 131 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 131 is here.


THE STANDINGS

Here is the current New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest breakdown by state. You can find it all mapped out here.

20 California
20 New York (17 from the Big Apple)

10 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania
6 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville)

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
5 Illinois (four from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)

4 Maryland (none named Mary)

3 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
3 Minnesota (Minneapolis 2, St. Paul 1)
3 North Carolina
3 Ohio
3 Texas

2 District of Columbia
2 Florida
2 Michigan
2 Mississippi
2 Missouri
2 New Hampshire
2 Oregon (both named Eric, both from Portland)
2 Rhode Island
2 Utah
2 Vermont

1 Alabama
1 Alaska
1 Arizona
1 Delaware
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Nevada
1 New Mexico
1 Oklahoma
1 Washington

Map Introduction

Thanks to Andriy Bidochko for Map Builder.

Image by David Marc Fischer using Samsung cameraphone