'Family Circus' Turns 45

Editor and Publisher ^ | February 28, 2005 | E&P Staff

[sully777]

NEW YORK "The Family Circus" reached its 45th anniversary today. Or maybe it will reach its 45th anniversary tomorrow. That's because the comic panel started on a leap-year day -- Feb. 29, 1960.

Bil Keane created "The Family Circus," and now does it with his son, Jeff Keane, for more than 1,500 newspapers via King Features Syndicate.

[Nowhere Man]

I think there was a spoof. Not sure if it was in National lampoon? The spoof was called Family Circuit.

I know there was a spoof called "Family Circuit" from Topps who made the Wacky Pack stickers back in the 1970's. I do believe it was based on the "Family Circle" magazine.



And this bonus parody might get you noticed by Homeland Security. B-)

[Starter]

I think you mean:

The Dysfunctional Family Circus.

Or here.

The Spinneweb version is really not for the sensitive.

[Bear_Slayer]

You're kidding . . . .right?

[southernnorthcarolina]

Yes, I was kidding.

At various times in the past, it had occurred to me that inasmuch as the "Family Circus" seemed so un-funny, on such a consistent basis, that perhaps there was some subtlety I wasn't getting. But, no. The sad fact is, there's even less there than meets the eye.

[Bear_Slayer]

Yes, I was kidding

Hoooo . . . I'm relieved!

I didn't do so well on that "Thinker" quiz web page and I was start to consider it was just me not getting the whole family Circus humor.

[sully777]

I don't know about the rest of the hetero-male population but I was drawn to the mom. Her hair was drawn well, her dialogue was upbeat, and she loved to give hugs. Lots of hugs. Wouldn't you love to get a hug from Jeffies' mom?

[XJarhead]

I always thought Nancy was Dondi in drag. Or maybe it was the other way around -- I was never quite sure.

[Loyalist]

There used to be a website called Dysfunctional Family Circus to which readers would submit their own captions to Family Circus.

They made Bil Keane's banal comic gut-busting hilarious. Most of them I can't repeat on this website, but they had laughing so hard I'd cry.

Keane threatened to sue the website owners for everything they had, so they took it down.

But it was the funniest website I've seen.

[sully777]

see posts #24 and 62

[muir_redwoods]

"And it's easily a finalist for "Lamest Cartoon to Run 45 Years.""

Amen!!

[Ciexyz]

I'm a fan of Family Circus. It's a lovely strip.

Sean Hannity is right. Too many FR people are super-critical and have nothing good to say about positive elements and personalities. Too acerbic and nasty.

[Clemenza]

My favorite as a 6 year old was "Al-Poo: For Bad Dogs."

[WestVirginiaRebel]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned "Rex Morgan M.D." Gawd that reeks.

And Peanuts is a classic. Don't be dissin' mah dawg Snoopy!

Nowhere Man: Wacky Packs! Those and Mad Magazine were the highlights of my misspent youth.

[sully777]

Sean Hannity is right. Too many FR people are super-critical and have nothing good to say about positive elements and personalities. Too acerbic and nasty.

---

It's a comic strip not the Holy Bible.

I have a special place in my heart for Family Circus as well as Monty Python's Flying Circus. Each serves a function. I'll admit some commenting have a humor slightly edgier than PJ bumping his head and running to momma. But hey now, if Sean can hang with Ted Nugent then he can probably hang with edgy FReepers. Sean's just playing altarboy with his comments. Lighten up. It's just a comic strip and its just a thread about a comic strip's anniversary.

[Tribune7]

It's never been my favorite comic, but it's always been a constantly good comic.

That sums it up for me.

[orangelobster]

I recall reading the 'family circus' religiously as a kid, but don't recall ever laughing or often even understanding the punchline. There was something addictive about it, but not particularly funny. That and 'nancy.'

[sully777]

I recall reading the 'family circus' religiously as a kid, but don't recall ever laughing or often even understanding the punchline. There was something addictive about it, but not particularly funny. That and 'nancy.'

---

This is the only answer I can come up with http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1355849/posts

[Cyclopean Squid]

I'm a fan of Family Circus. It's a lovely strip.

Sean Hannity is right. Too many FR people are super-critical and have nothing good to say about positive elements and personalities. Too acerbic and nasty.

If you really are a fan of the strip, you will have noticed that my "super-critical" post alludes to one of its best-loved gags (Not Me!).

I am happy for its success. Family Circus obviously does not need my support to flourish. And Mr. Keane has earned himself a place in history for his works. He and his fans should be proud.

I am not a fan. I don't find it that funny, although I recognize it does have a certain domestic charm. You like the Strip. I am pleased that you can derive pleasure from its positive message. You see, my not liking the strip does not take away from your enjoyment.

As to Sean's remark, he actually said that FReepers eat their own when they disagree. Sort of like you overreacting to my post about a comic strip by calling me "acerbic and nasty." Folks here are not always going to agree. We should not engage in hyperbolic denunciation on those occasions.

[durasell]

What's wrong with you? Are you demented? How can you not like Family Circus? In my day we had a word for people like you -- but it was in Old Church Slavic and nobody really knew the translation.

[Ciexyz]

I don't want to give the impression that I'm calling any particular individual "acerbic and nasty". I do, however, admit that I can be bitchy and witchy in my own comments, esp. when it's past my bedtime!