tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308040792011-04-21T12:41:18.246-07:00Because stuff like this should not go without comment.DaveyKnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2791100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-42180638262988376012007-11-26T00:27:00.000-08:002007-11-25T22:33:23.815-08:00

I know I am starting to become repetitive about The Dinette Set, but seriously...These people are far to stupid to have a functioning autonomic nervous system.I guess I need to add today's "effort" to the growing list of panels in which Burl and Joy display preternatural stupidity about relatively simple concepts involving mathematics, linguistics, time, and (now) proximity.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-64251889137723955112007-11-19T00:33:00.000-08:002007-11-18T23:36:44.855-08:00

In today's Dinette Set an unbelievable amount of dialog is used to make the joke, to use that term loosely, that some people call into work sick when (gasp) they are not in fact sick. If we were to assume this was worth any words at all, an assumption I will not grant, surely it could be done with much fewer than this?

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-69896881318811042882007-11-16T08:32:00.000-08:002007-11-16T08:39:51.786-08:00

Today's Dinette Set doesn't make much sense, if you ask me, and since you bothered to come here, I'll assume you are asking me, if only in some small way.I simply cannot make anything of the fact that Carnegie Mall has shuttle busses.I don't know if these ladies are at Carnegie Mall or another mall.I don't know where Burl and Joy are.Mostly, however I don't understand how anyone leaving the mall

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-43777796093022625182007-11-15T12:40:00.000-08:002007-11-15T12:45:03.088-08:00

Today's Dinette Set could be about anything, anything at all. It doesn't matter. Because at the end of the day it's just about a gigantic plug for Dinette Set merchandise.I feel compelled to note that Bill Watterson, the creator of the greatest comic strip ever, was never willing to sully his creation by merchandising it.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-40303794402155674922007-11-14T00:12:00.000-08:002007-11-13T22:20:16.002-08:00

Today's Dinette Set, features people unclear on the concept on the textual and meta-textual level. That Burl does not understand should come as a surprise to absolutely no one. That the artist tortures the English language in a desperate attempt to make this joke fit into the setup also should come as a surprise to no one.Not that it's not annoying as hell and totally unecessary. Assuming the

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-70073770229248590852007-11-06T20:43:00.000-08:002007-11-06T20:45:53.203-08:00

Today's Dinette Set is a lesson in parochial slang. Apparently in some area of the world people refer to paintings as "oils." I am reasonably certain they retain the right to vote despite this fact, which is certainly disturbing.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-63341426980702025542007-11-05T00:10:00.000-08:002007-11-04T23:14:31.350-08:00

I have to keep this short today, because I'm off to dial 911. No, not in anticipation of a bloody car-on-Rascal accident. Repeated reading of The Dinette Set, and the attendant forehead smacking, has resulted in fairly severe cranial damage.At any rate, all I will say about this particular vignette is that you can file it under "Conversations no human being has ever had; set in an Escheresque

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-28278464592520641742007-11-01T09:14:00.001-07:002007-11-01T09:33:45.919-07:00

If you are feeling guilty about finding today's Dinette Set kind of funny, don't beat yourself up. One thing the Dinette Set gets right on occasion is Burl's hostility towards Ma.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-74600834608380538332007-10-31T00:10:00.000-07:002007-10-30T22:13:19.097-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, I couldn't care less about Burl's hatred of Halloween and of trick-or-treaters. I am, however, absolutely baffled by the ovals of light surrounding Dale and Timmy, not to mention Timmy's costume itself.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-82337350327762834192007-10-30T07:51:00.000-07:002007-10-30T08:03:05.684-07:00

Today's Dinette Set completes a thematic trifecta in which Burl and Joy demonstrate preternatural stupidity about things mathematical, lingual, and (now) temporal. I would love to convince myself this was deliberate, but I suspect the artist is actually simply running out of ideas in more dramatic fashion than previously suspected.On the other hand, one revealing detail in today's panel stands

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-71725491498478824042007-10-29T00:12:00.000-07:002007-10-28T23:36:47.407-07:00

Today's Dinette Set is the verbal equivalent of Friday's mathematical Dinette Set.Despite attempts to prove the contrary, I remain confident saying that misunderstandings of simple concepts, like commonly-understood phrases or mathematics, are not funny (whether they are a result of willful idiocy or a stupidity so profound as to defy description makes no difference).Each Dinette Set which plumbs

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-595245489096419182007-10-26T00:37:00.000-07:002007-10-25T22:42:06.168-07:00

Today's Dinette Set is another in a series of desperate attempts to prove that poor math skills are fertile ground for humor. The net effect, predictably, is to prove the exact opposite.And yet Burl's "No!" still manages to be the strangest part of the panel.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-82237581725813017842007-10-24T00:19:00.000-07:002007-10-23T23:24:20.152-07:00

Every Dinette Set should include a number you can use to call in and complain.Or to ask questions, like: Why does Burl's bumper sticker say "Drive only carries 100's" instead of "Driver"? Similarly, does the use of "100's" instead of "100s" represent a subtle joke or the fact that you don't understand the use of apostrophes?

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-59686298298885946892007-10-23T09:17:00.000-07:002007-10-23T09:24:53.457-07:00

Today's Dinette Set is as confusing as they get. If I may attempt to summarize the narrative sequence of events we are requested to follow:Apparently, a magazine had an "art" contest to trace Binky the Deer, who looks suspiciously like Bambi.Apparently Burl, for reasons passing understanding, entered this contest, not to mention the fact that this implies Burl was reading (or looking at) a

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-36198115981419249302007-10-22T00:34:00.000-07:002007-10-22T00:37:52.089-07:00

Today's Dinette Set is a desperate cry for help from the artist, who is apparently besieged by SPAM.OK, here's the secret...stop putting your email address into every form you come across on the Internet.If that doesn't work, get a new email address.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-87164590666554662142007-10-12T00:35:00.000-07:002007-10-11T22:37:47.879-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, I actually smiled a little bit. Burl's comment was snide and wildly inappropriate. Of course, intimating violence against animals isn't a good recipe for humor. But at least it showed a willingness to go too far for a change.Of course, the remainder, especially the incomprehensible marginalia, is dreadful.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-66872707614387752892007-10-11T00:52:00.000-07:002007-10-10T23:05:36.735-07:00

I refuse to even begin to speculate as to what is "barely in" anywhere in today's Dinette Set. Rather, I would like to draw your attention to the following rather stunning use of, for lack of a better term, language:Verla: I can't believe she's your age, Ma.Ma: I know!...And she's actually 6 months younger.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-28575754754034533792007-10-10T00:01:00.000-07:002007-10-09T22:08:51.601-07:00

I'd like to think today's Dinette Set is a strange reference to the opening scene in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead in which the question of what happens to probability in the absence of natural forces (e.g., in a fictional setting) is explored.More likely it's just the author mistakenly believing humor can be mined from poor math skills.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-45284824309501819472007-10-09T00:19:00.000-07:002007-10-08T23:24:02.936-07:00

The marginalia in today's Dinette Set, specifically the reference to buying Burl a size small party hat, caused me to really closely examine the appearance and topology of Burl's head for the first time since I started the blog over a year ago.As such, I am now questioning how I've spent the last year of my life.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-10361244263229944902007-10-08T00:37:00.000-07:002007-10-07T22:42:45.915-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Patty's overreaction to the word "only" makes no sense."The storm only killed three people" implies exactly what Burl thinks, that it could have been worse."The storm only managed to kill three people" just sounds disappointing.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-76179302928008774542007-10-05T00:02:00.000-07:002007-10-05T13:16:36.505-07:00

When first reading today's Dinette Set, I thought random man said "three buck for the crackpot" and Burl refused out of his latent tenderness towards Joy.And then I realized the man said "crockpot" and Burl refused out of less-than-believable idiocy.I think the version I just imagined is better.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-59637153157253313272007-10-04T00:45:00.000-07:002007-10-03T22:48:33.850-07:00

Burl, despite all his faults, at least demonstrates a rudimentary sense of self-awareness in today's Dinette Set. Of course, this certainly raises the question of how, exactly, he found himself entered in a weightlifting contest. Which makes for one of the least likely backdrops for a Dinette Set.And yet the mass of dark zombies still manages to heighten the weirdness.-D

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-13258062864460576522007-10-03T00:05:00.000-07:002007-10-02T22:10:50.612-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Burl doesn't appear to understand the difference between cooking and warming something up in the microwave.Interestingly, however, if the dialog is read literally Burl may not be wrong. After all, isn't it more than likely that the somethin' Van saw on TV was a commercial for a microwave dinner?

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-73423725090235312812007-10-02T09:16:00.000-07:002007-10-02T09:21:11.191-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, once again the reader is forced to wonder how people this stupid have a functioning autonomic nervous system.And yet, I'm mostly just fascinated by a TV set or cable company that broadcasts the message "ERROR" when something is wrong.And disheartened by yet another "It must be x:00 somewhere" gag.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-21898609989615403362007-10-01T00:19:00.000-07:002007-09-30T23:24:23.910-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the artist once again demonstrates a lack of knowledge regarding the difference between humorous commentary on aging and cruelly mocking deranged elderly people for the mere fact that they are rapidly approaching death.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-70403656257747965692007-09-28T00:15:00.001-07:002007-09-28T00:17:46.310-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, we are able, at least, to divine that our protagonists are Philistines and laugh at them for that reason.Burl's desire to go to a MacDonald's Playplace sure is a surreal ending, however.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-71685122808231985492007-09-27T04:21:00.001-07:002007-09-27T04:23:04.056-07:00

In today's Dinette Set...nope, sorry, I can't help you out. I am at a total loss to even explain what's supposed to be going on today. I'm not even sure Joy's dialog can be parsed.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-79166336724339799462007-09-26T02:35:00.000-07:002007-09-26T02:37:51.594-07:00

In today's Dinette Set art imitates life as a car wreck is a pretty apt metaphor for this absolute nonsense commentary about voyeurism and the attempt to draw the aftermath of said accident.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-22478552609864183602007-09-25T14:51:00.000-07:002007-09-25T15:01:50.243-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, class warfare, as always when Mr. Sheldrake joins the fun, is simmering just below the surface. Today is no exception with the elite breaking the backs of the workers as they feast off the sweat of their lower-class brothers.And yet, my attention is drawn inexorably, not to the zombies, but to the speaker-stand papered with a map showing Italy and Crustwood. Italy, however

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-74380964808719819692007-09-24T00:03:00.000-07:002007-09-23T22:07:19.685-07:00

Today's Dinette Set is almost devoid of marginalia, settling for just 2 fake tabloid titles and some standard commentary regarding Burl's bowels.The background, usually a canvas against which is set all manner of marginalia, is today dominated by the meeting of a white white semi-circle and the encroaching darkness. The heads of two white zombies jut into the darkness.Shall we read into this that

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-18562489213372082102007-09-21T00:05:00.000-07:002007-09-21T09:33:08.658-07:00

It would be hard to measure my apathy toward today's Dinette Set. Everything in it is such an enormous stretch from reality that the whole thing amounts to nothing. Burl's final remark is especially infuriating. Despite being a play off the tortured weather references regarding Verl's dress, it makes absolutely no sense whatever.And yet, I'm absolutely in love with the "Press" photographer who

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-81476629441552929192007-09-20T00:02:00.000-07:002007-09-19T22:09:07.344-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, no one could possibly pay attention to the substance of the panel while that computer logo cries for attention.It appears to be some sort of monstrous pumpkin that is feasting on crumbs from itself or the entrails of its latest victim. In either case, such a logo could only signify some sort of slamming gaming rig.Which means Burl and Joy must be pretending to be computer

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-16780144179432716742007-09-19T00:02:00.000-07:002007-09-18T22:07:23.664-07:00

In today's Dinette Set there are too many numbers flying around and I am much too tired to even attempt to parse this text and figure out what's going on.I suspect it has something to do with how fat they are and how much they eat.None of which explains why the waiter is quavering with fear as he approaches a very angry-looking patron, which is the most interesting thing going on in the panel.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-88570865742000214622007-09-18T00:10:00.000-07:002007-09-17T22:15:26.393-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the zombie hordes attend a basketball game, I think.Actually, it's quite hard to tell what sport those shirts are supposed to indicate. Maybe bowling? Bocce? Four-square? Oh, hell, let's just say the zombies are lining up to watch a random indeterminate ball-bouncing game.At any rate, what worries me most is how, standing at that crazy angle, Crustwood Dad expects to

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-61021425433747819722007-09-17T00:06:00.000-07:002007-09-16T23:08:40.927-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, it's unclear whether the Penny's are attempting to shoplift or whether random supermarket employee is over-reacting in a massive way. Not that I really much care, since neither is all that funny.And my attention is still drawn irresistibly to the white zombies.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-84516627045518057762007-09-14T00:15:00.000-07:002007-09-13T22:25:34.641-07:00

Prior to today, I'd never have believed you if you told me that a Dinette Set entirely related to the intricacies of chewing gum would defy odds and, owing to the Dinette Set's odd provincialism, be utterly hilarious.And I would have been right.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-7557168939777585142007-09-13T00:08:00.000-07:002007-09-12T22:57:41.938-07:00

It's interesting that the artist of The Dinette Set seems to believe that corporations choose their regional Vice Presidents in the same manner that a Community Theatre finds a male lead for Oklahoma.The only difference being that the corporation can afford a humongous sign to announce something which everyone in the room presumably already knows--namely, why they are there--and another large

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-62227925086250778092007-09-12T00:14:00.000-07:002007-09-11T22:19:16.082-07:00

Concentrate all your focus on the content of today's Dinette Set, despite the fact that it is utterly forgettable (ha, ha, ha...home grown vegetables are free and better than store bought!).Otherwise you'll be forced to look at the marginalia which features deep dives into sophomoric sexual humor (random lady's T-shirt) and sophomoric scatological humor (Burl's choice of breakfast cereal).

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-29971453431329364312007-09-11T00:08:00.000-07:002007-09-10T22:14:22.044-07:00

So, candidates pander and voters are beauty-obsessed idiots. Yeah, that really needed saying.But what's truly odd is that The Dinette Set, which is almost never topical or political because it wallows in the superficial and parochial, chooses to be topical and political on September 11...but not about September 11.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-60210537165528948462007-09-10T00:01:00.000-07:002007-09-09T23:04:12.582-07:00

I am unaware of what HeadOn is, but unless it's slogan is "Yes" this panel makes no sense at all.Not to mention the fact that "in unison" means something altogether different when it is audible voices and when it is a drawing of 5 people sharing a single word balloon.And, so, I feel like Timmy, who is clearly wondering what the hell he is doing with these people and how he can make them all go

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-51825549092139502542007-09-07T00:08:00.000-07:002007-09-06T22:15:14.156-07:00

Today's Dinette Set is a freak show of symmetry.Burl and Jerry stand in virtually the identical position, with their left hand, as almost always, tucked suspiciously into a front pants pocket.Joy and Verla stand in mirrored symmetry, and both seem to be suffering from forearm pseudopodia, although the swelling in Joy's extremity seems to have gone down a bit.But what really makes this panel

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-77123817968506874832007-09-06T00:42:00.000-07:002007-09-05T22:48:27.252-07:00

Today's Dinette Set was a lot funnier when Married With Children did the same thing with the family dog in 1988.Of more pressing concern, however, is that Joy's forearm pseudopodia, first diagnosed by E-R-O-X, appears to be getting worse.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-88893689234532654722007-09-05T00:59:00.000-07:002007-09-04T23:05:36.683-07:00

Millenia from now, if someone wanted to demonstrate to our Galactic Overlords what the 21st Century's Dinette Set was all about, I think this panel would fit the bill nicely.It begins with several lines of the most pedestrian conversation imaginable and ends with a vaguely inappropriate remark from Burl. A remark so parochial as to be virtually indistinguishable from continuation of the same

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-82631109544403949942007-09-04T00:19:00.000-07:002007-09-03T23:26:29.041-07:00

In todays Dinette Set, all of the players run off at the mouth and the reader still has no clue what's going on.When you check into a hotel or motel, you usually park by reception until you are assigned a room...are they saying they sleep in reception?Are they assigned a room close to the exit because the motor inn is so happy to see them leave?Just how often do these folks visit Salinas?And why

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-13746235726767420812007-09-03T00:56:00.000-07:002007-09-02T23:01:11.850-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Burl admits to larceny so petty it's hard to believe someone felt the need to publish it in comic form.The largest crime on the page, of course, is the illustration of a spoon in Marlene's hand which is hardly believable as a spoon.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-80816089991819704882007-08-31T00:38:00.000-07:002007-08-31T08:28:57.534-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Jerry's extreme reaction suggests there's something ripe for ridicule in a woman dining alone and talking to the staff:Possibly the mere notion of human interaction is a target of ridicule?Possibly the fact that Joy doesn't join in the ridicule is, in itself, ridiculous?Either way, I think we've reached nadir of both humor and humanity.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-20288140184896751122007-08-30T00:01:00.000-07:002007-08-30T09:14:54.521-07:00

From now on, all panels devoted to the hirsute nature of Jerry or his kin will simply be greeted with the following response:EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.That way I will devote roughly the same amount of energy as is spent conceiving of panels on this topic.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-28173829158206239622007-08-29T00:30:00.000-07:002007-08-28T22:42:20.826-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, it would appear Burl is confusing viruses with computer games, which counts as one of life's least common misunderstandings. Which is a shame since the Dinette Set has shown the ability to be technologically savvy on occasion.On an unrelated note, does anyone have a theory about when the artist chooses to mock a brand name (Dull) versus use it correctly (Eddie Bauer,

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-91298707143198214292007-08-28T00:13:00.000-07:002007-08-27T22:15:59.532-07:00

Shorter version of today's Dinette Set: Burl: 25 cents is less than 20 cents!Joy: I agree.Shorter...and just as funny.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-77342629091522886232007-08-27T00:37:00.000-07:002007-08-26T23:41:04.037-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, I'm still confused about this hurricane in Illinois thing.A nonsense set up doesn't suddenly make sense if you just say a bunch of fictional people also believe in the nonsense.That said, it's somehow perfectly fitting that the characters in the Dinette Set can't understand the Harry Potter phenomena. It is a book, after all.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-57593836072011512162007-08-25T00:12:00.000-07:002007-08-26T11:22:14.674-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the artist challenges the reader to spot all of the details which add absolutely nothing to the panel:Verla's entire dialog balloon, and half of Dale's.The poster board labeled "Large Print Monopoly Game".Timmy's head peeking out from behind Joy.The stack of 45s on the table.The gargantuan family portrait occupying the entire background.The painting of the balloon on the

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-3771315248721123502007-08-24T00:12:00.000-07:002007-08-26T11:21:30.825-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Burl believes Jerry has recycled a birthday card; the reader, by contrast, is puzzling over the following:What is the point of mocking Jerry's frugality when, from all appearances, Jerry and Verl brought two rather large presents.Why is the card radioactively glowing?OK, I get the idea of recycling a card. But wouldn't the natural assumption be that the card was given by

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-9799470920341057412007-08-22T00:06:00.000-07:002007-08-21T22:16:10.671-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the artist once again misunderstands that an audio joke does not work in an entirely visual medium.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-65127499372409676072007-08-21T00:05:00.000-07:002007-08-21T22:17:25.033-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the reader must question their sanity, although questioning the artist is more appropriate:Are we to understand that rather than going out to solicit help in finding their dog, these unknown neighbors simply waited for Burl, Joy, Marlene, and Dale to wander over and then ordered them to go search?Are we to understand that this dog will only wander in alleys?Are we to

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-7887129478346831312007-08-20T00:11:00.000-07:002007-08-19T22:23:10.365-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, it's once again hard to understand exactly what's the joke is supposed to be:The mere existence of Memorial Day candy?That, somehow, Memorial Day candy does not satisfy Joy's requirements for candy?That Burl does not understand the concept of time?The irony between the current staleness of Memorial Day candy and the future staleness of Hallowe'en candy?There are, however,

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-1317094639016535672007-08-17T00:22:00.000-07:002007-08-16T22:31:19.188-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Dale and Marlene flaunt their disposable income through an Eddie Bauer signature grill.In a case of art mirroring life, the artist continues to shill her soul for disposable income through product placement dollars. This includes a vain pipe dream that including the word Cartier in the panel will cause the renowned jeweler to send her a gift.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-70189172939416599542007-08-16T00:11:00.000-07:002007-08-15T22:17:08.936-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the entire panel hangs on the slender hope that the reader will find it hilarious that Verla thinks Marlene is in great shape.But, in fact, the reader is unable to pay attention to anything but the weirdly Escheresque way the living room, kitchen, and basement door all seem to exist along the same two-dimensional plane.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-73710530620087192822007-08-15T00:05:00.000-07:002007-08-14T22:12:40.358-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, it's all about proving who's a greater Luddite:A $98 calculator? For that price it should do your homework for you.The kid is in 7th or 8th grade, by now I hope he already knows his multiplication tables. Or as Dale says, as if he were a grizzled prospector: "timesing and minusing."Burl doesn't even understand the purpose of a slide rule.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-42977393551682218632007-08-14T00:09:00.000-07:002007-08-13T22:15:00.837-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Oreo product placement dominates the narrative and corrupts artistic integrity. But I'm more worried about the background shambling hordes of zombies who seem to inhabit of all of Crustwood's supermarkets.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-43184936822672379502007-08-13T00:35:00.000-07:002007-08-13T00:40:30.638-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the artist's level of certainty about what is supposed to be funny here does not match the reader's:Is it that Burl is a slow reader and can't finish a novel in 3 weeks?Is it that Burl does not understand that you can re-check items out?Is it that Burl is so cheap he's unwilling to pay $0.10/day for overdue books?Is it that Burl can read at all?Whatever it is, I will say

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-60331299978181902362007-08-10T00:22:00.000-07:002007-08-09T22:27:33.617-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, there's at least one detail confusing things:If the joke is that they are asking if the Blizzard contains bananas when everyone knows that M&Ms do not contain bananas, asking about Peanut M&Ms just confuses the joke.If the joke is that they demand an excessive amount of clarity regarding M&Ms in their Blizzard signage , then asking about bananas just confuses the joke.If

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-79291318005892786082007-08-09T00:13:00.000-07:002007-08-08T22:17:27.103-07:00

In today's Dinette Set...uh...Oops, better start over.In today's...hmmmm...Sorry, I'm just really distracted by the fact that Burl is being considerate and reasonable.I have no explanation other than the possibility that aliens have replaced Burl with a replicant. Or, aliens have replaced artist Julie Larson with a replicant.Either works for me.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-42509891059976661502007-08-08T00:17:00.000-07:002007-08-07T22:23:01.049-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the artist challenges the reader to decide what is the least funny thing in the panel:The punchline, which seems to amount to the fact that the guys are watching Full House, and nothing else.Dale's senile dementia.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-46456552011407074222007-08-07T00:26:00.000-07:002007-08-06T22:31:32.526-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Burl and Joy think selfishly and act selfishly yet again. And yet the only thing anyone will notice in this panel is the following:"It doesn't save to recycle glass or paper..." Once again, the inescapable conclusion is that no one ever reviews these panels before they get published.Why is a trowel hanging, like the Sword of Damocles or Chekhov's Gun, over Patty's head.Oh

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-629285943556546782007-08-06T00:17:00.000-07:002007-08-05T22:27:31.623-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, I am so confused I can't come up with a coherent thread for my musings:Why is Burl, the class warrior, suddenly a part of the management class rather than the lumpenproletariat? Or is he an invader and interloper as suggested by the fact that he does not sport a corporate logo?Why, precisely, does the artist think it's so funny to suggest people have to be locked in a

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-12457012289696499082007-08-03T10:04:00.000-07:002007-08-03T10:30:10.361-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the Pennys stumble (must have been inadvertent) across an art booth; this brief encounter with poorly-scanned classical artwork doesn't prevent the reader from scratching their head because:Burl seems to simultaneously believe these are reproductions (painted by deceased people) and at the same time painted by Jabba (the non-starving person)Or, Burl seems to believe that

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-58442249220850600622007-08-02T00:20:00.000-07:002007-08-01T22:22:46.283-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, hoo-boy! I can barely write from the laughing. See, they're all obese over-eaters and should die soon!In another bright note, Luther/Burl's sequestration ended quickly.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-81830570617839928052007-08-01T00:03:00.000-07:002007-07-31T22:09:37.937-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, I fear the reader is adrift in a sea of questions:Luther? Who is Luther?Why does Burl/Luther want to talk to the judge? Is he trying to dodge jury duty with a Contempt of Court charge? Or is he worried about being lonely? Or does he want to discuss the case?Under what emergency situation would someone need an over-sized gavel?Cingular is now paying for product placement?

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-23661099534304830292007-07-31T00:25:00.000-07:002007-07-30T22:33:06.672-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, obstacles litter the path to extracting any enjoyment from today's panel:The reader is supposed to accept there's an entire book on replacing fuses?The reader is supposed to believe someone is aware that Ma blows fuses in her house often...literally.The reader is supposed to be ironically amused by the fact that Burl spent 30 minutes discussing a heating vent, and yet

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-42851640346843927772007-07-30T00:12:00.000-07:002007-07-30T09:27:53.420-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, it's as if the artist is just throwing stuff in there to annoy me:In the category of grammatical woes: "You were a lifesaver" who the hell would use the past tense here?In the category of drawing perspective: The only place that car could possibly exist is in an Escher painting.In the category of stuff that takes too long to explain to be worth explaining: how much gas is

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-90562081663340996722007-07-18T00:41:00.000-07:002007-07-17T22:44:36.014-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the background details demand comment:Real classy comment with those road worker T-shirts.Why exactly do you need both Timmy's dialog and the increased fines sign?Dear God! What the hell has happened to Timmy and Dale's faces?

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-59218357379295763412007-07-17T22:31:00.000-07:002007-07-17T22:45:51.423-07:00

I may not be consistent for the next 10 days as I take a vacation. I will try to post at some point during that time, but it will be light and sporadic.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-30045928864936372892007-07-17T00:13:00.000-07:002007-07-16T22:20:18.431-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, what's most important here not what's being said but what's not being said, and from this we can determine something about each character's politics:Joy appears to be a supporter of Fred Thompson.Jerry, ironically is the deepest cipher. On the one hand, perhaps he may support torture and would really like to see Jack Bauer as President. Alternately, you could argue that

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-53529050640432356812007-07-16T00:53:00.000-07:002007-07-15T23:04:23.724-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, we return from a restful weekend away from the horrors of commenting on The Dinette Set to find horrors both real and imagined:Burl confuses the meaning of "faint of heart" and "gullible" despite such a massive misunderstanding defying non-supernatural explanation.The mere possibility of six ghosts in the next room is less horrifying than the way people's faces slowly

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-7112685835794076312007-07-13T00:58:00.000-07:002007-07-13T10:29:03.595-07:00

Today's Dinette Set needs help, so in deference to Nikki, I am going to try to be nice today and help out with some suggested alternate dialog to replace this rather wordy version:Random neighbor: "Our table and umbrella are broken. Did you see what happened?"Burl: "Nope."I think that about covers it...though that still leaves us with the problem of deciphering what is going on.I mean, I suppose

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-49834834280522776872007-07-12T00:17:00.000-07:002007-07-11T22:25:17.149-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, we'll use the Mood Ring to tell the story of the reader's trek through this panel:Black (Stressed, tense or feeling harried) - A mood ring? A mood ring? Seriously, you want to base a panel on a freaking mood ring?Grey (Anxious, very nervous, strained) - Seriously, have you never heard of Wikipedia? You're too lazy to look up what the colors actually mean? Instead you

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-2072895074135398962007-07-11T00:05:00.000-07:002007-07-10T22:20:56.900-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, most readers no doubt share my complete confusion about just what the hell is going on:Burl saved some one's life and yet the setting for the panel is lounging in the pool? Are we supposed to draw some conclusion from this diametric opposition.How does the prominently-placed life preserver figure into all of this?Given the Penny's recently won second prize in a sweepstakes

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-82512319899976275812007-07-10T00:16:00.000-07:002007-07-09T22:28:13.333-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Burl gets chastised by his dentist, leading the reader to follow suit and chastise the artist for:Rather unnaturally not contracting the dentist's dialog. What was wrong with "I don't think you've flossed?"The gratuitous shot at hobos. What have they ever done to you?The attempt to express nervousness through Burl's wriggling feet. What made you think you could pull that

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-53642525868982194472007-07-09T00:32:00.000-07:002007-07-08T22:36:06.505-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the artist explores whether fractions can be funny:Nope.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-1819938148238649112007-07-06T00:09:00.000-07:002007-07-05T23:15:11.947-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the gang visit an unlikely-named French restaurant while...Sorry, I can't focus on anything but the way the maître d's arm is hanging over that podium. Is he supposed to be wearing the podium?

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-20058028417387108282007-07-05T00:57:00.000-07:002007-07-04T23:02:54.454-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the artist offers the following items to consider so the reader is not forced to think about the actual content of the panel:The screen door pants have migrated to Branson, Missouri.McDonald's and Wendy's don't offer samples.Some candidate has their Campaign headquarters in the back corer of the voter registration tent.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-46147941390650424142007-07-04T00:14:00.000-07:002007-07-03T23:18:48.758-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, we're back to the horrifying mental imagery, leaving the reader to fend off the following:Questions about why Dale and Jerry appear to be squatting down.Concerns regarding the appropriateness of planting a flag in urine-ridden water.Worries about possible interpretations of Jerry's sly sideways glance.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-67273423077456089512007-07-03T00:35:00.000-07:002007-07-02T22:36:02.269-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, I think the reader is supposed to find it ironic that Dale and Burl are arguing over who won't pay for the check, rather than arguing over who will be generous and pay the check. The sheer audacious wrongheadedness of this attempt at irony, which if fighting against every single thing we've ever learned about Burl and Dale, cause the following internal monologue in the

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-7883978820612192542007-07-02T01:06:00.001-07:002007-07-02T01:15:20.890-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the idea that Burl and Joy have won a sweepstakes is the thing which is the least insulting to the reader's intelligence:The probability of being a second place winner is only marginally smaller than winning the grand prize, and this comic has no memory, so just let them win the damn sweepstakes, for God's sake; the rest will make more sense.The reader is supposed to

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-67703252734554667242007-06-27T01:10:00.000-07:002007-06-27T01:20:33.207-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the gang attend a Tony Robbins seminar; the concept of why these people are attending should be puzzling enough but the reader is more puzzled by:After de facto admitting that you can't accurately draw Tony Robbins, by showing him from behind, why did the artist allow her zeal for a worthless vanity gag override that realization by showing, in the mirror's reflection, the

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-13942361193691901802007-06-26T00:31:00.000-07:002007-06-26T03:42:33.048-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the reader is encouraged to come up with crazy-ass interpretations for why Dale will "be outside before you know it:"Given the Tshirt-based diagnosis of ADD, he will simply forget about yesterday's global-thermonuclear devastation and wander outside.He will be unable to go more than one day without a buffet.He will go crazy after just one day drinking Kool-Aid.He will get

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-55151088565399969412007-06-25T06:23:00.000-07:002007-06-25T06:29:35.750-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the emotional abuse of Timmy continues apace while the reader struggles to make sense of marginalia:What has the movie Seven got to do with this? Being an asshole to your neighbor's grandchild should be a deadly sin, but technically it isn't.The Miracle Worker? Nope, sorry, can't see the connection between Helen Keller and this panel.Sponsored by The Container Store? Again

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-53593295730257241712007-06-21T08:52:00.001-07:002007-06-21T09:02:11.020-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, product placement dollars continue to corrupt the artist's vision, while the reader contemplates other potential commercial tie-ins:Are you a guest here at the Ritz? No. There are some things that money can't buy. For everything else, there's MasterCard.Are you a guest here at the Ritz? No, but I assume what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.Are you a guest here at the Ritz?

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-20820464293910330272007-06-20T00:40:00.000-07:002007-06-19T22:48:53.994-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, a tortured setup leads to a leap of logic on Burl's part and yet:Apparently convinced the reader will not understand what standing water is, the reader is treated subjected to 4 different examples of it, including a bucket for apple dunking which, apart from appearing with no explanation, motivation, or connection to the panel, is labeled "Apple Dunking".Apparently

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-12748157186023746702007-06-19T00:18:00.000-07:002007-06-18T22:22:45.909-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, product placement dollars are on display, by contrast:Any semblance of a joke is noticeably absent.Dignity and restraint are in short supply, when Soylent Green, outdoor plumbing, and steak are combined into one misguided piece of marginalia.The Penny's have at least one more gay porn video on top of their TV than they should have.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-25826630221551166932007-06-18T00:48:00.000-07:002007-06-18T11:05:40.783-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Joy misunderstands the concept while the somewhat barren outdoor setting gives rise to some of the lamest marginalia ever:His/hers pants on the wrong person; because there's a hilarious bounty of difference between shorts for men and women.No loitering in the park; as if it were not possible to illegally loiter in a public space.Fast food references; it's MacDonald's fault

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-64232148452833199122007-06-15T00:41:00.000-07:002007-06-14T22:47:50.937-07:00

In today's Dinette Set we're back at the pool, site of so many past horrors, with a few notes to the Editor who might want to spend more time, you know, editing:Any reference to any Dinette Set character's backside should be considered too revolting to publish.We have had enough of these folks in bathing suits. Seriously.The Anchors Aweigh sister appears to have elephantitis of the thighs (more

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-46390373444510569212007-06-14T00:19:00.000-07:002007-06-13T23:26:11.728-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, clarity is not the order of the day:The meaning of Burl's punchline, such as it is, is not clear. It may be as simple as implying that if he hadn't opened the door his mother in law (the bag) would not have come in. But that's a fairly unsatisfying interpretation for such a convoluted setup.I know Timmy is the babe-in-the-woods of The Dinette Set and as such perhaps he

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-10869280923827050962007-06-13T00:40:00.000-07:002007-06-12T22:42:04.411-07:00

Let me just say, about today's Dinette Set, thank God it's the last section, because we've now repeated the same basic joke, with insignificant variation for 3 straight days.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-78050289009643596992007-06-12T00:20:00.000-07:002007-06-11T22:25:17.701-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, tradition is broken by stringing panels together on the same topic for two consecutive days, leading the reader to:Recall fondly the last known serial panels: corn stories.Wonder if the artist is writing from experience because she is dating again or has just read an article about Internet dating.Continue to puzzle over what part of Internet dating is not clear.Give up

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-71199354475122156022007-06-11T11:26:00.000-07:002007-06-10T22:29:41.922-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Verla appears to be giving up on Jerry, while the reader is given the following reasons to give up on The Dinette Set:There's a print version of match.com? What part of Internet dating works in magazine form?Any mention of a Dinette Set character and a bikini violates Federal decency statutes.Joy's plan to exploit her daughter's body for her sister's gain boggles the

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-51407688154285537722007-06-07T00:03:00.000-07:002007-06-06T22:11:38.785-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Burl and Joy attend a choral concert, which is not the most flimsy premise on which today's panel hangs its hopes:In recorded human history, what emcee has ever said "if there are no objections we'll do an encore"?I suspect the choice of shows in the medley is supposed to be part of the joke, but expecting the reader to parse out that joke is optimistic, at best.Even the

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-15480150999341692222007-06-06T13:26:00.001-07:002007-06-06T13:28:59.602-07:00

So, I read that first dialog balloon and spotted Joy's hairy legs and, well...I refuse to read any further.I'm still trying to recover from Jerry at the pool. So, you're on your own with this one.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-85309952607993551282007-06-05T04:08:00.000-07:002007-06-05T04:14:04.700-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, Timmy seeks help from unhelpful sources while the reader seeks:An answer to the question: Where are Timmy's parents and why do they constantly abandon him to Dale and Burl?A new comic that does not dredge up memories of Algebra in search of a joke that, in the end, remains elusive.To understand why 90% of every one's face is blank space.

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30804079.post-17718259179788291762007-06-04T00:54:00.000-07:002007-06-04T01:05:00.073-07:00

In today's Dinette Set, the focus is on the spirit world, leaving carbon-based life forms with the following questions for the author:Do you actually believe the average human being knows this much about ghosts and spirits?If I wanted to read that much text over coffee, do you think it would come from Marlene?You do understand that an audio joke doesn't work in a visual medium, right?I barely got

DaveyKnoreply@blogger.com2