Episode 203 - Victor Varnado

Larry Wood, the all time New Yorker cartoon caption contest winner, author and CartoonStock caption contest judge, joins us again to talk about the current New Yorker contests, our favorite cartoons from this week’s issue of the New Yorker and the latest CartoonStock contest. We have the usual spirited debates with Larry about the contest finalists and we take a few digressions into politics and the much more controversial debate on what was the better show, "Seinfeld" or "Curb Your Enthusiasm". We discuss the winning entry for Contest #947 (Cartoon Catch & Release Podcast.)Finalists for Contest #949 (Daddy took her T-bonds away.)Current Contest #951 (Hot couch potato.)You can order Larry'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-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407/You can purchase original New Yorker cartoon art from Curated Cartoons here: https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Humorist and cartoonist, José Arroyo joins us on the podcast this week. José joins us again nearly two years after we last had him on and it's been a very busy two years for him! He's been working with Conan O'Brien on a number of projects including Conan's travel show, "Conan O'Brien Must Go" (currently available on Max), the Oscars and Conan's appearance on the Hot Ones podcast. We have some great  discussions on creativity and humor. We also learn that Cornell University is a great college to go to if your math skills are a bit lacking and that Beth drops her phone on her face before falling asleep at night. You can learn more about José at his website:https://www.josearroyowriter.comYou can also order his book, "Somewhere in L.A. (A book of hours)" here:https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-L-Book-Hours/dp/B09HG4JX62The Conan O'Brien Hot Ones episode with José as "Dr. Arroyo":https://youtu.be/FALlhXl6CmA?si=k6z1DAVIAeXrGFvjJosé also joins us for the contest discussions and our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. The winning caption for New Yorker contest #8946 (Solving for K(9)).  Finalists for contest #948 (A law firm grip on the ball). Current New Yorker contest #950 (Skinny buns). You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.comDig deep into the New Yorker cartoon caption contest data at:https://wordsbelow.app Send us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Michael Litwak joins us on the second half of the podcast this week. Michael is a recent contributor to the New Yorker and has had his cartoons published in a number of other publication. He is also a successful filmmaker with his most recent effort, "Molli And Max In The Future" receiving a NYT Critic's Pick and a Certified Fresh (98% rating) on Rotten Tomatoes.Check out Michael's webpage here for his cartoons and more info on his films: https://www.michaellitwak.com/aboutAnd you can find where "Molli And Max In The Future" is streaming here:https://www.tvguide.com/movies/molli-and-max-in-the-future/2060120370/On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #945 (This just tin can).Finalists for contest #947 (ituna fish).Current New Yorker contest #949 (Onboarding meeting). 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.comDig deep into the New Yorker cartoon caption contest data at:https://wordsbelow.app Send us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Larry Wood, the all time New Yorker cartoon caption contest winner, author and CartoonStock caption contest judge, joins us to talk about the current New Yorker contests, our favorite cartoons from this week’s issue of the New Yorker and the latest CartoonStock contest. As always, we have a great discussion about the contests and we take some time to talk about if some subjects should be off limits for captions in the contests. We are also much nicer to Larry on this episode (but we'll probably make up for that the next time we have him on!)We discuss the winning entry for Contest #944 (Quick, Sigmund, the Flit!)Finalists for Contest #946 (Solve for Rex.)Current Contest #948 (The ball is in your court.)You can order Larry'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-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407/You can purchase original New Yorker cartoon art from Curated Cartoons here: https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Lindsey Budde joins us on the second half of the podcast this week. Lindsey is a new cartoon contributor to the New Yorker, with her first cartoon appearing in the September 23, 2024 issue. We talk with Lindsey about her background and her journey to becoming a New Yorker Cartoonist.You can see more of her cartoons om her instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lindseybudde/On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #943 (Couching Tigger).Finalists for contest #945 (Cuppa Joe Show).Current New Yorker contest #947 (Fish or Clickbait). 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.comDig deep into the New Yorker cartoon caption contest data at:https://wordsbelow.app Send us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Bruce Eric Kaplan joins us on the podcast this week. We talk with Bruce about his career in TV, writing books and cartoons and how he's managed to blend all of those career paths together. He doesn't mind getting a little cartoons mixed in with his TV and his TV getting mixed in with his books. We also talk about our favorite BEK cartoons and how a word, not usually found in a New Yorker cartoons" was found in a New Yorker cartoon. A great hour of talking with Bruce that went by way too fast!You can order his latest book, They Went Another way, here:https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250370334/theywentanotherway/And order some of his older books here:https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Bruce-Eric-KaplanAnd have some laughs with the cartoons he posts on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bruceerickaplan?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==TV shows mentioned in the podcast:can be found at:NETFLIX“Nobody Wants This” (season 1 and season 2 will be out later this year)“No Good Deeds” (Season 1)“Seinfeld” (9 seasons with the episodes written by Bruce appearing in the last season)Max (or whatever it’s called now)“Girls” (6 seasons)“Six Feet Under” (5 seasons)On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #942 (Shell we dance?).Finalists for contest #944 (Butterflies are freak).Current New Yorker contest #946 (Who's a good Will Hunting?). 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]

Victor Varnado joins us on the second half of the podcast this week. Victor is an actor, comedian, humorist and, of course, a New Yorker cartoonist. We talk with Victor about his background, being funny and we take a deep dive into A.I. and it's use in creativity.You can learn more about Victor at his website:https://supremerobot.comHis Anti-Racism Activity Book can be bought here:https://antiracism.onlineHis current podcast, WikiListen:https://podcasts.apple.com/.../wikilisten/id1601336806And, because we all want to relive the golden days of the recent pandemic, here's his "How you doing your Quarantine" music video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTcBC6NfXc0On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #941 (Brewbeck's Take Five).Finalists for contest #943 (Fur-niture Showroom).Current New Yorker contest #945 (Strung-out Reporter). 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.comDig deep into the New Yorker cartoon caption contest data at:https://wordsbelow.app Send us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

Larry Wood, the all time New Yorker cartoon caption contest winner, author and CartoonStock caption contest judge, joins us to talk about the current New Yorker contests, our favorite cartoons from this week’s issue of the New Yorker and the latest CartoonStock contest. Vin Joins us from his local firehouse (Vin is a volunteer fireman) and various people randomly come and go during the podcast. We have a lively discussion about the New Yorker contest and an even livelier discussion/argument about the CartoonStock contest. Buy Larry's book and take a side in the argument (see link below to order his book).We discuss the winning entry for Contest #940 (Catching a cold front).Finalists for Contest #942 (Never judge a slug by its cover).Current Contest #944 (A case of the flitters).You can order Larry'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-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407/You can purchase original New Yorker cartoon art from Curated Cartoons here: https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

New Yorker cartoonist, Robert Leighton joins us on the second half of the podcast this week.Robert started drawing cartoons at an early age and started a comic strip, called Carl & Goober, when he was eight. The strip was very much influenced by Walt Kelly's, Pogo and Robert even used one of its characters in a strip he did for the Northwestern University Humor magazine. His first cartoon in the New Yorker was published in 2002 and he has been a frequent contributor ever since. He is also a well know puzzle maker, starting his puzzling career in the late 1980s at GAMES Magazine. You can find more about Robert at his website here:https://robert-leighton.comYou can find more of his cartoons at his instagram page:https://www.instagram.com/roberteleightonRobert and Paul talk about The Firesign Theatre, a very funny comedy group. https://firesigntheatre.comOn Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests:Winning captions for New Yorker contest #939 (Medusa du jour.)Finalists for contest #941 (Piano noir.)Current New Yorker contest #943 (Couching up a hairball.) 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.comDig deep into the New Yorker cartoon caption contest data at:https://wordsbelow.app Send us questions or comments to:  [email protected]

New Yorker cartoonist, Jason Chatfield, joins us to celebrate the 200th episode of the podcast. We catch up on what he's been up to over the last two years and talk about his new book with Scott Dooley, "You're Not a Real Dog Owner Until…". It will be available on April 29th wherever fine books are sold and at the book's website:Realdogowner.comYou can find more about Jason, subscribe to his subStack and look for his next live gig at his website:https://www.jasonchatfield.comYou can read Emma Hunsinger's "How To Draw A Horse" here:https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/how-to-draw-a-horseJason also joins us in the contest discussion and our favorite cartoon from this week's issue.We discuss the winning entry for Contest #938 (Chairman of the dog that but you).Finalists for Contest #940 (Overcast with some very light humor).Current Contest #942 (Snailed it).You can purchase original New Yorker cartoon art from Curated Cartoons here: https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  [email protected]