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

It's apparently time for a pause at the Caption and Anti-Caption Contests, but I do note that the winner of Anti-Caption Contest 173 (Tom Cheney's businessmen with cartloads of cash) is

"I never thought that line about my red wagon, laundry cart, and suitcase business being too big to fail would ever work, but boy howdy, did it ever!"
bunsen

Kudos to Deborah for her Honorable Mention with

"See, this is why I became a taxidermist. To make piles and piles and piles of money."

My clever losers:

"That new partner sure delivers!"

"I never thought being bailed out would be so much fun!" (Apologies to Carolita Johnson!)

Caption Contest 174 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 174 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 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)

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

Poor Frank Campanella of New York—nominated twice within a matter of weeks, he again falls short. In Caption Contest 166 (Farley Katz's two "mummies" in bed), which was won by

"No, no—you're the archeologist this time!"
Eric Reid (Natick, MA)

So Massachusetts breaks away from Pennsylvania to claim the sixth-place posiiton. And this is the second win for Natick.


In Caption Contest 168 (Tom Cheney's long arm of food server in restaurant), the nominees are:

"Apparently, even the Fantastic Four can feel the pinch of the recession."
Marlene Goodman (Wheeling, IL)

"Please try not to stare at his disproportionately short right arm."
Chas Kikel (Cleveland Heights, OH)

"The first course has been described as a taste explosion."
Chuck Skeens (Albuquerque, NM)

My loser:

"They promised us some privacy."

In Anti-Caption Contest 168, the winner is

"Remember when you said you couldn't decide between a nice meal out or going to the freak tent at the circus? Well, I've got a surprise for you... I'm fucking your sister."
Mork

My loser:

"Do you have a problem eatin' handouts? 'Cause if you think that's
shockin', try Alex Gregory's Japanese restaurant, where the sushi chef is
a squid, and see how that grabs ya!"

The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 169 (Leo Cullum's businessman in serape) is

"The gypsy's enigmatic words, 'You will be haunted by your identical Latino cowboy twin', proved to be prophetic."
Clambone

My loser:

"Amigo! Did you know that Katz's still has a sign that says 'Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army'?"

Caption Contest 170 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 170 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 North Carolina (two from Charlotte)
5 Texas (three from Houston)

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

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

Let's hear it again for the candidate from Illinois! The winner of Caption Contest 164 (David Borchart's departure from goat house) is

"Come sweater season, you'll be back."
Travis Gosselin (Chicago, IL)

That's the second Windy City winner in three weeks!


But get this: In Caption Contest 166 (Farley Katz's mummified couple in bed), Frank Campanella of New York has qualified with a nominee for the second time in four weeks! The nominees are

"It feels good to get out of the museum for a night."
Frank Campanella (New York, NY)

"No, no—you're the archeologist this time!"
Eric Reid (Natick, MA)

"This should keep Emily from running to our bed every time she has a bad dream."
Sami Haque (Carol Stream, IL)

My loser:

"I promise to buy more treats next year."

There's a delay with the results of Anti-Caption Contest 167.


Caption Contest 168 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 168 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)

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

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
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 Maryland (none named Mary)

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 163 (P.C. Vey's male diner at lectern) is

"And, if you elect me, all Americans will be able to choose soup and salad!"
Peter LaMassa (Massapequa Park, NY)

The win advances New York to within two points of front-runner California, so way to go, "LaMassapequa"!


In Caption Contest 165 (Mick Stevens's disbursement of royal monies to the people), the nominees are

"Looks like another ye olde stimulus package."
John Burke (Park Ridge, IL)

"Things haven't been the same since we began electing our kings."
Jay Mackro (San Juan Capistrano, CA)

"After seven hundred billion for the nobles, it was the least we could do."
Rich Brown (Tampa, FL)

My loser:

"The Royal Tax Collectors will arrive in five minutes."

The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 165 is

"It's too expensive to dump boiling oil on rioters these days, so we had to switch to these counterfeit bills covered in poison. This actually works better, because they don't drop dead until they're back home, so we don't even have to clean up the bodies."
Jesse

My loser:

"If you think this is an analogy for government giveaways, try this one: Tina Fey is to Sarah Palin as Charlie Chaplin is to Adolf Hitler. Whaddaya think? Does the proverbial shoe fit?"

The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 166 (Farley Katz's mummified couple in bed) is

(series of rapid blinks while thinking: "why does no one learn Morse code any more?")
Richard H

My losers:

"Oh crap--now he's lighting a match!"

"I say, dear heart, wouldn't you concur that clean toilet paper would be far more preferable under these circumstances?"

Caption Contest 167 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 167 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)

6 Illinois (five from Chicago—two captions by Lawrence Wood, two drawings by Leo Cullum)
6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Connecticut (two from New Haven, three not)
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 Maryland (none named Mary)

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 159 (Drew Dernavich's conferees with gargantuan mugs) is

"By a 9-0 vote, the rest-room expansion project is approved."
Jon Thompson (Sedona, AZ)

Don't ask me if this anything to do with John McCain's election, but do check out the new design elements over at the website of The New Yorker.


In Caption Contest 161 (Michael Crawford's interview with gargantuan lobster), the nominees are

"So why did you leave Red Lobster?"
Paul Vogel (Arlington, VA)

"I guess we have a deal, but we don’t have to shake on it."
Candace Klomann (Tucson, AZ)

"So you think you’re ready for the corner tank?"
Meghan Dowd (Somerville, MA)

My loser:

"According to this letter of recommendation, you work best with spinach and a vanilla beurre blanc."

The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 161 is

"I'm sorry, we were looking for a more normal-sized lobster."
Francis

My loser:

"If you think working for this company is tough, look out for our Japanese competitors. They will eat you alive!"

The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 162 (Robert Mankoff's man with snake as a leash) is

"...yeah, so if my daughter turns up let me know."
Trotman

And I got nothing for ya on that one.


Caption Contest 163 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 163 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

25 New York (22 from the Big Apple)

13 New Jersey

8 Virginia (three from NOVA, two from Richmond, one from Charlottesville, one from Newport News, 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 Arizona (two from Tucson)
4 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)

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!

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!

California conquers in cartoons again, in controversial Caption Contest 145 (Harry Bliss's belatedly acknowledged takeoff on Jack Kirby "monster at the window" comic book cover art):

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

So House wins with an apartment joke that isn't too far from the caption that I submitted. Yay, me?


The nominees for Caption Contest 147 (Jack Ziegler's attorney representing killer whale) include a strong contender from Brooklyn:

"Objection, Your Honor! Alleged killer whale."
Will Simon (Brooklyn, NY)

"My client maintains that the penguin had a gun!"
Dan Von Kohorn (Chestnut Hill, MA)

"I demand a change of venue to a maritime court!"
S. Michael Ricciardi (Watchung, NJ)

My loser:

"Your Honor, I object! Is this the fin of a loan shark?"

That wasn't any worse than the nominees, was it?

You don't have to answer that.

Maybe I should've submitted one of my rejects:

"Killer, sure. Loan shark, never!"

Whatever.


Catching up on Anti-Captions: The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 147 (Jack Ziegler's attorney representing killer whale) is

"Fuck, it's the dream again. I'm on trial, surrounded by tiny non-whale mammals, and I don't even know what I'm being tried for. Wake up, don't worry, you'll wake up, wake up."
Snazzy Spazz

WWI? player Deborah merited an Honorary Mention with

"Your honor, my client requests a jury of his peers! And some water. Immediately."

My loser:

"Tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle
tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle
tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle!!!!!!"

And in Anti-Caption Contest 148 (Drew Dernavich's religious leaders and Satan in a line-up), the winner is

"The black one."
Clambone

My loser (perhaps reflecting my unawareness that the religious figures were in a line-up, not a portrait):

"Of course, they are as nothing compared with our Supreme Lord and Master, Drew Dernavich."

If you think that's off-base (perhaps not such a bad thing for an anti-caption, wait 'til you see my caption submission).


Caption Contest 149 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 149 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 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!

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!

California's winning streak comes to an end with Caption Contest 133 (Danny Shanahan's impaled caveman socializing).

"So you're the guy who discovered friendly fire."
Mike Lingle (Dalton, GA)

There's no hope for California in Caption Contest 135 (P. C. Vey's guests with giant lit bomb):

"You said B.Y.O.B., right?"
Andrew Norman (Hinsdale, IL)

"It's great to see you, but we can only stay about fifteen seconds."
Stefan Martula (Houston, TX)

"Sorry we're late. Clearing customs was a nightmare."
Vikas Sharma (Washington, DC)

My loser:

"Do you have a pair of shears?"

In Anti-Caption Contest 136 (Drew Dernavich's office worker with vulture), the winner is

"Note to self: Hire the Buzzard salesman. He's really GOOD!"
Johnny V

My loser:

"Oficina de Fidel Castro. ¿Puedo ayudarle?"

Caption Contest 137 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 137 is here.


THE STANDINGS

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

23 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 Georgia (includes two-time winner Carl Gables)
4 Maryland (none named Mary)
4 Texas (two from Houston)

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!

It's a very good week for California, which regains the lead over New York in Caption Contest 130 (P. C. Vey's snowman with waving arms) with

"It's all the witness-protection program would offer him."
Suzanne Geba (San Diego, CA)

And now two out of the three nominees in Caption Contest 132 (Michael Crawford's sword-wielding Mongol at breakfast in the 'burbs) are from the Golden State.

"We're all out of the blood of your enemies. You'll have to settle for marmalade."
Jason Beck (Los Angeles, CA)

"If you didn't want crusts, you should have said so."
Vic Comello (Franklin Park, IL)

"How many cubicles will you conquer today, hon?"
Scott Corlett (San Francisco, CA)

My loser:

"I'd be more impressed if you learned to use a butter knife."

In Anti-Caption Contest 133 (Danny Shanahan's impaled caveman art gallery), the winner is

[a Neanderthal animal rights meeting]
 "It's so wonderful that you saved that giant beast from the hunters. Soon we'll convert everyone to a healthy vegetarian life style and finally displace that other emerging human species."
MAtt

My losers

"You remind me of our comedian friend Steve, except he has an arrow through his head."

"It's a shame they don't give out Stone Age Oscars for Best Stuntwork."

"Who could ever forget your big play in the Super Hunt?"

"It looks so life-like!"

"Is that spear real?"

And Caption Contest 134 is here, while Anti-Caption Contest 134 is here.


THE STANDINGS

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

21 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 126 (David Sipress's human head in Mondrianesque artwork) is

"Pardon me, can you draw clothes?"
Tom Tyler (Alexandria, VA)

Of Virginia's six wins, that's the fourth since Caption Contest 109. The state is now in a three-way tie for third place.

In Caption Contest 128 (Carolita Johnson's big ol' dog in living room), the nominees are very Metropolitan Area, which doesn't bode well for front-runner California:

"Don't look at me that way—I wanted a giant cat."
Kristopher Wood (Brooklyn, NY)

"Well, what did you think a labrapotamus was?"
Peter Schooff (New York, NY)

"I'll walk, you shovel."
Zachary Phelps (Laurence Harbor, NJ)

My loser is the old-school

"His bulk is worse than his bite."

In Anti-Caption Contest 129 (Leo Cullum's patient with doctor and figure in deep-sea diving suit), the winner is:

"No, you’re just hallucinating. Just kidding – he’s really there. Just kidding again – you’re really hallucinating. Ha! I love this game!"
Deborah

My loser:

"We'd like to take a 365-day urine sample, if that's all right with you."

Caption Contest 130 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 130 is here.


In other news, The New Yorker now has a Cartoonist of the Month blog, currently featuring Mick Stevens, who's doing a great job. (Thanks, Emdashes!)


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 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 Michigan
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!

At long last, New York has climbed back into a tie for first place with California! The winner of Caption Contest 124 (Mike Twohy's men crawling in desert) is

"I don't know about you, but I'd be willing to pitch in for a new contact lens."
Peter Moller (Syracuse, NY)

The last time New York was in first was way back in Caption Contest 3 (Jack Ziegler's Emergency Hotline).

Things aren't looking great for the rest of the states, as there's a ten point margin between the front-runners and second-place New Jersey.


Still, the contest continues, with the following nominees in Caption Contest 126 (David Sipress's talking head in a pseudo-Mondrian).

"Excuse me—which way is Marcel Duchamp's urinal?"
Robert Rosenthal (Boston, MA)

"Pardon me, can you draw clothes?"
Tom Tyler (Alexandria, VA)

"Please, a sandwich, a piece of fruit, anything."
Albert Raman (Philadelphia, PA)

My loser:

"Where's Harry Potter? There's trouble at Hogwarts!"

Maybe it should've been

"The name of this painting is Talking Head."

Sigh.


As for Anti-Caption Contest 127 (Drew Dernavich's fishing hole shaped like a human), the announcement of the winner might have wait 'til next year.


Caption Contest 128 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 128 will likely turn up here at some point.


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

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

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 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 Florida
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Michigan
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 CONTESTS CONTINUE!

One week after repeat nominee Lynn Tudor finally won the Caption Contest, another repeat nominee surfaces: Lawrence Wood of Illinois, who is already the winner of Caption Contest 92 (Danny Shanahan dolphin looking for handouts). This time Wood offers this caption in Caption Contest 123 (bull smashes window by red curtain):

"You should be happy. How many husbands even notice window treatments?"

That's up against

"Have you thought about mauve?"
Katy Tracy (Rochester, NY)

"You should see him on Valentine's Day."
Jennifer Just (Woodbridge, CT)

Not in the competition is my submission, which I think was pretty good:

"If you think that's bad, you should see what he did in the china shop."

Winner-wise, top prize in Cartoon Contest 121 (Harry Bliss's funny-face assembly line) goes to

"Yeah, that one's funny, too. Next."
James Keegan (Milton, DE)

Yes, you saw correctly: That's a first win for Delaware, beating out two nominees from New York and keeping the Empire State from tying California in the first-place position!


The winner of Anti-Caption Contest 124 (men crawling across a desert) is

"Kejo: You are overthinking this considerably and *still* being illogical. All the crawlers know that there is no water in the direction they have come. Therefore everyone, upon suddenly coming across a wave of parched crawlers coming the opposite direction, should realize that there is also no water in the direction they are going, and try crawling in a direction that no one is crawling from. Therefore they should make a left or a right turn, although it is impossible to determine which. (Making a 180 degree turn would just send them back where they came from, dooming them to certain death.) In my caption, I hypothesize that most of the crawlers are unable to generate this optimal survival strategy, addled as they are by thirst."
Francis

To get it, I recommend you also check out the Finalists and the first Honorable Mention.

What's that you say? My losers??

"Check out that guy with the bleeping visor cap. I would call him a lucky so-and-so, but I wouldn’t want to offend anyone’s you-know-what sensibility!"

"Reading the Sunday Times just isn’t the same online."

That second one? It's funny in the way it refers to a famous...Roz Chast cartoon? (I've been having trouble finding it.)


Caption Contest 125 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 125 is here.


In other cartoon-related news, Brian Parks has rated New Yorker rating cartoons by the issue for The Village Voice. Don't expect the kind of, um, deep analysis you find 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

19 New York (17 from the Big Apple)

10 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Virginia (two from Richmond)

4 Connecticut (two from New Haven, two not)
4 Illinois (three from Chicago, one from Lake Bluff)
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 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 Florida
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Michigan
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 CONTESTS CONTINUE!

Today New York City is Tudor City, because oft-nominated Lynn Tudor of New York City has finally become a winner in the Caption Contest! Her submission in Caption Contest 120 (Tom Cheney's Mr. Potato Head in bar):

"If I start to drink too much, just pull off my lips."

This victory brings New York to within one point of front-runner California. Exciting!


Lynn Tudor does not have a caption among the nominees in Caption Contest 122 (P.C. Vey's judge doing dishes):

"Yeah, well, it got me through college and law school, and it'll get me through here, too."
William Manning (Wichita, KS)

"If the jury needs another day, they're using paper plates tomorrow."
Emily Anhalt (Guilford, CT)

"I wish they'd let us wear short-sleeved robes."
Dean Kahn (Bellingham, WA)

I don't think I have my loser verbatim at the moment, but I believe it went something like this:

"That's the last time the jury gets its lunch from Masa."

It was "The jury ordered lunch from Masa."

Please compare with Emily Anhalt's submission.


In Anti-Caption Contest 123 (Leo Cullum's bull by smashed window with red curtain), the winner is

"Remember how you said Frank Miller and Gary Larson would never collaborate?"
A Silly Mus Musculus

My loser:

"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: We'll leave the house and go back to the barn as soon as Farmer Jones and his family return from their trip, and no one will be the wiser...though of course there will now be questions about the window that you shattered in your typical, bull-headed way.

"Oh dear. Now that I think about it, I suppose it's curtains for us!"

Caption Contest 124 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 124 is here.


And the results of the Thanksgiving caption/anti-caption contests can be found here and 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

19 New York (17 from the Big Apple)

10 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

5 Virginia (two from Richmond)

4 Connecticut (two from New Haven, two not)
4 Illinois (three from Chicago, one from Lake Bluff)
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 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 Florida
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Michigan
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 CONTESTS CONTINUE!

I preface this week's results with a nod to The Other Dave, who recently posted a pumpkin carved to resemble the cover of the October 29, 2007 New Yorker!


In Caption Contest 117 (Mick Stevens circus ring in living room), the winner is

"My wife will be here any moment. She's loading herself into the cannon as we speak."
Elizabeth Ruelas (New York, NY)

So that's another victory for New York as well as NY! You can learn more about Elizabeth Ruelas here.


In Caption Contest 119 (Danny Shanahan's full-grown man in cradle), the nominees are

"Make sure you burp him after his 11 A.M. conference call."
Ellen Teitel (Hoboken, NJ)

"He sleeps through the night as long as the market's stable."
Jim McNicholas (Brooklyn, NY)

"If he wakes up, you can give him a Martini."
Alan Schulman (Richmond, VA)

My loser:

"He's always tired after Jerry Springer."

In Anti-Caption Contest 120 (Tom Cheney's Mr. Potato Head in a bar), the winner is

"Wha... Where'd the genie go? Well, if he granted my wish, I'm now a big stud. But where's your twelve-inch pianist? Oh, I see. It's in your pants."
mypalmike

A finalist was

"[Silence, because potato-head statues don't talk, and the guy at the bar is just quizzically contemplating the odd decor.]"
John Tabin

I was working on a similar concept, but I kept quiet about it. Instead, my loser was

"Your hat is out of style. Don’t you have a visor cap? That would be much more in line with what the people wear today. It would help you to blend in better."

Caption Contest 121 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 121 is here.

And the latest on the Thanksgiving cartoon contests can be found here and 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

18 New York (16 from the Big Apple)

10 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

4 Connecticut (two from New Haven, two not)
4 Illinois (three from Chicago, one from Lake Bluff)
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
3 Virginia

2 District of Columbia
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 Florida
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Michigan
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 CONTESTS CONTINUE!

Before sharing the latest in caption/anti-caption contest winners, losers, and nominees, here's a message from Chrys Wu, who's got the enviable job title of Editorial Curator at WNYC:

The New Yorker's cartoon editor, Bob Mankoff, is looking for a few good Thanksgiving-themed New Yorker-style cartoons and I thought you and your readers might be interested in entering the contest.

Make a drawing, give it a caption, and submit it to <http://www.flickr.com/groups/cartooncontest/> on
flickr. Mankoff will choose his favorites and discuss
them on "The Leonard Lopate Show" on WNYC on the day
before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Submission deadline is Nov. 14 at noon.

For more information, please see:
<http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2007/11/21>

And, of course, Dan Radosh has started his own anti-contest for the worst Thanksgiving cartoon possible.


So. The big contest news is that New Jersey has broken its dry spell to become the third double-digit state in the Cartoon Caption Contest, thanks to Caption Contest 116 (Gahan Wilson's alien cartoonists):

"On what planet do you imagine this would be funny?"
Eva Liane Foster (Princeton, NJ)

That's the first New Jersey winner since Caption Contest 88, and the first from Princeton!

The nominees in Caption Contest 118 (Paul Noth's angels on eggs) are

"Why did you think angels had wings?"
Sonya Erickson (Denver, CO)

"It's not the tedium. It's the uncertainty."
Hope Witte (Chevy Chase, MD)

"I always figured Hell would be less ironic."
Ben Snyder (Charlottesville, VA)

My loser:

"When I feel blue, I simply remind myself that it's much worse for the penguins."

And in Anti-Caption Contest 119 (Danny Shanahan's man in crib), the winner is

There once was a man like an infant?He was a real jerk and skinflint?I put him in bed, oh bed bed bed bed,?bed bed bed bed bed bed infant.
jdt

My loser:

"I can't believe that, after the horrible things this man did to me and our children, and the millions of lives he destroyed in every corner of the planet, he can still, somehow, sleep like a baby. But now he must die!"

Caption Contest 120 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 120 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

17 New York (15 from the Big Apple)

10 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

4 Connecticut (two from New Haven, two not)
4 Illinois (three from Chicago, one from Lake Bluff)
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
3 Virginia

2 District of Columbia
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 Florida
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Michigan
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 CONTESTS CONTINUE!

The winner of Caption Contest 115 (Leo Cullum's man in radiation suit at bar) is

"Ever have the feeling you forgot to turn something off?"
Preston Thomas (Chicago, IL)

This is the fourth victory for Illinois and either the third or fourth for Chicago, depending on whether one considers Lake Bluff to be Chicago. Anyone?


The nominees for Caption Contest 117 (Mick Stevens's circus ring in apartment) are

"Welcome to the greatest living room on Earth!"
Lynn Tudor (New York, NY)

"My wife will be here any moment. She's loading herself into the cannon as we speak."
Elizabeth Ruelas (New York, NY)

"The people who lived here before had lions."
Richard Chisolm (Baltimore, MD)

My loser:

"The kids will be home soon."

Close to the one by Elizabeth Ruelas, right?


In Anti-Caption Contest 118 (angels on eggs on clouds), the winner of The Year of Living Biblically is

"Man, fuck Ostrich-Heaven! That's all I'm gonna say."
Ogdred

My losers:

"Okay, Horton, let me get this straight: Hoo's on first?"

Hemorrhoid Heaven [apologies to tom]

Caption Contest 119 is here. Anti-Caption Contest 119 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

17 New York (15 from the Big Apple)

9 New Jersey

6 Massachusetts
6 Pennsylvania

4 Connecticut (two from New Haven, two not)
4 Illinois (three from Chicago, one from Lake Bluff)
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
3 Virginia

2 District of Columbia
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 Florida
1 Iowa
1 Kentucky
1 Michigan
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