Episode 175 - Isn't it Ionic?

On this week's episode, Vin, Paul, Beth, Nicole and this year's best captioner, Mark Strout, review past and present contests from 2024 and choose our best and worst of the year.  We also talk with Mark about how he started entering the caption contests and his process for coming up with winning captions.And of course, we discuss...  The winning captions for New Yorker contest #922 (Rodent you invite them up?)  Finalists for contest #924 (Do androids dream of spreadsheets?) Current New Yorker contest #926 (Stand-up Consommé.)Happy Holidays to all and good luck with your captions!Dig into the contest data at Victor Chongchua'a great website, WordsBelow:https://wordsbelow.appYou can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

On part 2 of this week's episode, we talk with New Yorker cartoonist, Adam Douglas Thompson. We talk with Adam about his background in the arts, painting and how he became a New Yorker cartoonist. We also talk about his cartoons, a bit about teaching art at Brooklyn College and the use of AI in creativity. You can find Adam's cartoonsand paintings at his webpage:http://www.adamdouglasthompson.comAdam also mentions that his wife , Helen Phillips, has written several books. You can order her books from Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Helen-Phillips/author/B004LV1ZXA?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1733334765On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #921 (Depart! The end is near!)Finalists for contest #923 (My inner child disagrees with me, but it'll pass). Current New Yorker contest #925 (Art working on a work of art). You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Larry Wood joins us to talk about the contests (including the recent CartoonStock contest). With the holidays coming up, we remind everyone that the best gift is the gift of laughter (has anyone ever noticed how close laughter is to slaughter? Try not to think about it too much). You should buy yourself Larry Wood's book, "Your Caption Has Been Selected: More Than Anyone Could Possibly Want to Know About The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest". You can also buy it for someone close to you to help them understand why you are the way you are.https://www.amazon.com/Your-Caption-Has-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407Also check out Curated Cartoons! They're having a sale starting on Friday, November 29th (10%-25% off).https://www.curatedcartoons.comI would be completely remiss if I didn't also mention the Drew Dernavich/Nesja Press signed, limited edition letterpress prints. https://www.nesjapress.com/shop/prints-and-broadsides/drew-dernavich-cartoons We discuss the winning entry for Contest #920 (You think the turkey is dry? You should try the humor!)Finalists for Contest #922 (Rats in your belfry.)Current Contest #924 (I'm just looking for a data entry level position.)We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue and the latest CartoonStock contest.https://www.cartoonstock.com/caption-contest/winnersSend us questions or comments to :  [email protected]

Wayno, the daily cartoonist for the Bizarro cartoon, returns to the podcast to talk about winning this year's Reuben Award for Best Panel Cartoon. We also delve into creativity, music, the Pittsburgh Steelers and scary fairy tales and nursery rhymes.You can find Wayno's Bizarro cartoons here:https://comicskingdom.com/bizarroHis Substack here:https://waynocartoons.substack.com/And the terrific Bizarro merchandise here:https://shop.comicskingdom.com/collections/bizarro-collectionWayno also joins us for the contest and favorite cartoons from the issue segment of the podcast.Winning captions for New Yorker contest #919 (Self-driving horse).Finalists for contest #921 (Cast your fate to the window seat). Current New Yorker contest #923 (Bearly-There Babydoll Teddies). The Drew Dernavich Therapist Letterpress print is available at Nesja Press:https://www.nesjapress.com/shop/p/all-caps-letterpress-art-printYou can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

On part 2 of this week's podcast we are joined by Humorist, Craig Baldo. Craig has been making people laugh for as long as he can remember. Stand up comedy, warming up audiences for Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver and Jimmy Fallon, writing ad campaigns for Nike, Dos Equis, Wendy's and many others and he has collaborated with New Yorker cartoonists. We discuss humor, creativity, existential dread and the bar scene at the University of Delaware (circa 1990). The Two cartoonists Craig worked with were Harry Bliss and Corey Randolph. He's currently looking for another cartoonist to work with, so if you're interested, contact him through his website:https://www.craigbaldo.comOn Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #918 (Have you been Survieled?)Finalists for contest #920 (I'll be your emcee tonight). Current New Yorker contest #922 (Rattica, Rattica, Rattica!). We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker.You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Due to our podcast recording day falling on Election Day, we decided not to have a guest. We also did our best not to talk about the election and almost made it to the end, but otherwise, it's all contest and cartoon talk!We discuss the winning entry for Contest #917 (Beaver? I hardly know her).Finalists for Contest #919 (A horse in a car? Don't be filly).Current Contest #921 (TSA Prediction-Check).You can purchase original New Yorker cartoon art from Curated Cartoons here:https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

On part 2 of this week's podcast we are joined by Illustrator, Eric Drooker. Eric's art has appeared on 40 New Yorker covers (his most recent was on last week's Money Issue) and is in the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Library of Congress.We talk with Eric about becoming an artist, His New Yorker covers, his City Trilogy and the role of art and creativity in the world today. The third volume in his City Trilogy, "Naked City" is now available. His books, New Yorker cover prints and original art can be found at his webpage:http://www.drooker.comEric will be signing his books in San Francisco and Berkley in the next few days. You can find out more here:https://www.booksigningcentral.com/2024/10/30/eric-drooker-naked-city-author-talk/On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #916 (Always look on the bright side of Dave).Finalists for contest #918 (Video killed the five star restaurants). Current New Yorker contest #920 (Dinner and a show). We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker.(Paul wishes to apologize for the way he sounds on this episode. He fell into a well right before the podcast and due to contract disputes, Lassie was unable to save him.) You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

On part 2 of this week's episode, we talk with New Yorker cartoonist, Yinfan Huang. Yinfan moved to the United States (Minneapolis to be exact) to attend college to be an Illustrator. She later moved to New York, discovered the New Yorker and sold her very first cartoon from the first Tuesday batch she submitted. Impressive! She is also an Illustrator and has illustrated several children's books. She has recently finished a graphic novel memoir that will be published in mid 2025.You can learn more about Yinfan at her webpage:http://www.yinfanhuang.comYou can also preorder her graphic memoir, Yellow Singing Sail, that will be published on June 3rd, 2025.https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yellow-singing-sail-yinfan-huang/1146391412?ean=9781525305511https://www.target.com/p/yellow-singing-sail-by-yinfan-huang-paperback/-/A-94054608On Part 1 of the episode, we are joined by Larry Wood to discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #915 (Cat o' nine shirttails).Finalists for contest #917 (Janus, I'm worried about the Beaver). Current New Yorker contest #919 (One horse Town Car). We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker and we also critique the CartoonStock contest.https://www.cartoonstock.com/caption-contest/currentToondeloo is a new weekly caption contest you can enter, hosted by the former New Yorker contest crowdsource developers and managers:https://www.toondeloo.comYou can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

This week on the podcast, we are joined by two terrific cartoonists, Shannon Wheeler and Ken Krimstein. We've had both on the podcast previously, but we decided to have both on again at the same time. We're glad we did, because it turned out to be a very lively discussion about all things cartooning and a bit about bees. We also talk about their current book projects and they join in on the contest commentary and favorite cartoons from this week's issue. Fun was had by all!You can order Ken's new book, "Einstein in Kafkaland", here:https://www.amazon.com/Einstein-Kafkaland.../dp/1635579538And check out Shannon's KickStarter for his new Too Much Coffee Man book here:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/whistleblowerpapes/too-much-coffee-man-saves-the-universe-and-other-mistakes?The current contests we talk about are:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #914 (Pisces Powerbook).Finalists for contest #916 (Uncle Fester Island).Current New Yorker contest #918 (R E S P E C T take out C C T V). We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker.Toondeloo is a new weekly caption contest you can enter, hosted by the former New Yorker contest crowdsource developers and managers:https://www.toondeloo.comYou can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Our guest this week was unable to join us due to a conflict on their calendar (they had "do podcast" and "forget to do podcast" marked on their calendar). They have rescheduled for later this year.Meanwhile, Paul, Beth and Nicole try to hold it together for the podcast and almost succeed until the very end. You can book us for your next event.Beth mentions a very funny facebook page called "Important Otter News". You can check it out here:https://www.facebook.com/ImportantOtterNewsWe discuss the winning entry for Contest #913 (Putting your mind at easel).Finalists for Contest #915 (Schrödinger's laundry pile).Current Contest #917 (Ward, I'm quarried about the Beaver).You can purchase original New Yorker cartoon art from Curated Cartoons here:https://www.curatedcartoons.comYou can order Larry Wood's book, "Your Caption Has Been Selected: More Than Anyone Could Possibly Want to Know About The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest" here:https://www.amazon.com/Your-Caption-Has.../dp/1250333407/Send us questions or comments to :  [email protected]