Well, Jill's verdict is in.Today's strip really hurt me personally. I can't help but wonder if Moy is writing Jill's character as a reflection on me. My father always taught me that "The easiest thing in the world is to be a cynic." And, in Mary Worth's world, it is even easier. But I've really tried to avoid cynicism in my blog. I would never dream of criticizing Karen Moy and Joe Giella; only the characters that inhabit their world. And can Moy and Giella help that everybody Mary Worth knows is shallow, irrational and a horrible dresser? Can they help that Santa Royale exists within a continuity tear in the fabric of time and space? No, they are forced to do the best they can with what they have. And I think they do a marvelous job. But clearly, Karen Moy thinks I'm mean spirited. And in Jill Black, she has painted me as a cynical, type-A moron, and I don't think I can live with that.
Perhaps I've taken this all too far. Perhaps Karen Moy is right. By reading Mary Worth loyally, every day, I've become what my father so desperately tried to prevent. A cynic. I'm sorry to have let you down, Dad, and I'm sorry, Karen Moy, for hurting your feelings. It wasn't my intention at all.
This blog has gone on long enough. It's time for me to hang up my pen and retire from reading Mary Worth. I won't have to cancel my newspaper subscription, since my paper, like so many others, no longer carries this wonderful strip. It's been a great run, but I want my soul back.
Today's Full Strip
Are you really quitting this blog?
ReplyDeleteYou can't. The comic is just reaching (or dropping to) new levels.
Wanders,
ReplyDeleteI have no reason to think you are pulling our collective leg, since you do tend to be a pretty straight up guy, at least in your public blogger persona. So thanks for all your efforts. You're a good man and I've had nothing but fun reading your blog.
I view Mary Worth as (somewhat) unintentional surrealism and usually try to approach my commentary from that perspective. I hope nothing I've said has been the equivalent of laughing in the creators' faces. If I've gone over the top, it was hopefully taken in a spirit of silliness in keeping with the absurdity of the very existence of Mary Worth.
Being a Type A, Jill Black is work-obsessed, so she brought her laptop with her to the bridal salon. She momentarily surfed over to "Mary Worth and Me," read your blog from yesterday, and thought the comments were pretty funny!
ReplyDeleteLike, OMG! See how they cut off the top of the panel? Jill's also flipping off the Goof Bride.
ReplyDeleteWanders, please tell me that was a joke. If you hang up your hat, I will be truly sad. Your writing gives me some of the best laughs ever.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, no need to think this is anything other than another meanie character introduced into the Worth world for Mary to beat down. Mary will conquer all. In six months when this storyline is finished, Jill will be a remorseful, renewed person, and Mary will bake everyone salmon squares to celebrate.
Wanders, don't make us beg.
ReplyDeleteYou are not a cynic! I may be, but Wanders, you most certainly are not. Pleaseeee continue to write. I love coming here to read your, and the fellow Santa Royale citizens comments regarding Mary Worth! I can keep up with the comments here (unlike over at the Curmudgeon) AND feel that people actually read MY comments!
ReplyDeleteI'll beg - please don't give up Wanders
ReplyDeleteWhat? No! Don't let the perception of idiots define you! Please continue! You are nothing like Jill Black! This blog is awesome! ;_;
ReplyDeleteWander's,
ReplyDeleteDon't you realize Mary Worth is trying to help you. This strip isn't about Jill Black, it's about you. Mary Worth is reaching out of the comic page and into your life and WILL make you a better person. But if you stop now, you're not going to become that better person.
Have a salmon square, relax....
Aww, no. This little neighborhood is a happy part of my almost every morning. Besides, you've still got those old comics to share with us. I think you said November?
ReplyDeleteBesides, Moy and Giella should be thanking you for bringing their readership up. It was you that got me reading it as I'm sure some others. I sure won't read it any more if you go away.
I love this blog. and if it weren't for it, I wouldn't have known where to buy my Mary Worth shirts.
ReplyDeleteI thought Mary Worth couldn't get worse. Whether Moy is aiming at anyone in particular or thinks she's writing a good store....Jill is definitely the worst character I've seen on there. And I've been reading along with Comics Curmudgeon since he started...
ReplyDeleteSpoken like a true cynic, Wanders.
ReplyDeleteFear not, there's help out there...
http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Cynics_20Anonymous#1026822359
I agree with your father, Wanders. Few things are easier or more destructive than cynicism. But it's entertaining and community building, us joining together and poking fun at the two-dimentional characters of Santa Royale. I argue that good-natured humor cannot damage the soul! Without it, what would there be left to gain from this old strip? Hermite makes a point. You bring readership.
ReplyDeleteSo let's just assume for the moment that Adrian does represent Moy and that Jill does represent the collective voice of this blog. While Jill's image may expose our outspoken and critical voice (I see no indication that Jill is a moron) Moy won't let it interfere with our friendship. She said it herself, through Adrian. I think she likes us.
Jill is so bored she has zoned out and is conducting an invisible orchestra playing Beethoven's 3rd Symphony. Ha Ha Ha Haaaaaa!
ReplyDeleteWanders, thank you so much for the many laughs that I wouldn't have had If I hadn't been reading your blog. Bless you, Cheryl
ReplyDeleteHi Wanders,
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll reconsider, but you have to go with what your heart tells you to do. Which, I think, is the essence of Mary Worth, however ham-handedly the message is delivered. (And how often it has to be banged into the characters' heads by Mary!)
But thanks for the time and loving effort you clearly put in to your creation here.
I've enjoyed it. Best wishes.
Katy Buchanan from Pittsburgh.
Wanders, you've got to be pulling our leg, please don't stop the blog!
ReplyDeleteAs for today's strip, I love Jill Black! What kind of horror would literally laugh at a friend in a wedding dress?
SNAP OUT OF IT MAN! No one should ever take too seriously anything being produced by Moy and Giella. It's a comic for the love of pete! Comics are produced to entertain. This blog is for the same purpose.Am I wrong?
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the other day why do I get a kick out of Mary Worth and this blog.I was remembering how anytime I tell someone that I read Mary Worth for the laughs they stare at me as if I just grew a foot out of my ear. So why do I read it? Because the crazy ever changing characters, blue hair, orange hair multiple faces etc and the ever swirling world with furniture, landscape, buildings, people and vegetation changing every frame make me laugh. The story lines are sometimes interesting always slow and sometimes plain stupid. And here in this blog are people who get the joke!
Look everyday I read the funnies first. In this world I figure little else I read in the paper will make me have a smile or even a slight giggle. This blog has become part of the morning experience. So if this blog really is going away then I'll just continue to be to my friends the weirdo who for some reason reads Mary Worth. And Wanders I say Thank You.
I have enjoyed this blog so very much and the many, many laughs I have had reading everyone's comments. It's a highlight of each day! I feel like you are all a special group of friends. We have in common this unique sense of humor that not everyone "gets", but which WE find simply hilarious!
ReplyDeleteWanders, you have never been mean-spirited whatsoever, and I appreciate the "family friendly" boundaries you've placed on the blog. We come here knowing we won't be reading offensive language or personal attacks.
I truly hope you will reconsider!
Personally, I can't WAIT to hear the rest of Jill's "verdict" and Mary's reaction to it!!! It's going to be a doozy!
If this fantastic blog is going to end, I want to thank you for the hours and hours of manic enjoyment that you've given me/us. A day without "Mary Worth and Me" is truly a day without sunshine. Like, I'm sure, all dedicated readers, I hope that you'll reconsider. But, if this is it, then all my/our best wishes for you and your family. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteOh, look! A-Jill's derisive laughter has caused Adrian to suddenly grow a pair of what is necessary to hold up the top of that dress! Will we see a more mature, self-confident Adrian emerge? Ha ha ha ha!
ReplyDeleteDon't despair, Wanders. By the time this story is done (I'm guessing around Valentine's Day) Mary Worth will have cured both you and Jill of any cynicism. You will have your soul back, and Jill will have discovered her own. Mary Worth is just that awesome!
Wanders, you can't stop now: Jill knows where you live!
ReplyDeleteMr. Wanders, I suspect your tongue is planted firmly in your cheek. But if I'm wrong, and you really intend to de-blog, consider that you might, just might, be over-thinking. Ms. Moy surely knows her mission is to entertain the folks who tastes run to a good soapy comic strip more than reality telly. If we're talking, we're entertained, and entertained=readership.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm wrong, and you're really considering calling it quits, why don't you ask Mrs. Wanders if she thinks you should soldier on? Just a suggestion.
Gulp. You've made me come out of lurker-dom to plead that you reconsider! This is one of the most lighthearted spots on the net. I'm sure a nice cup of tea and a little chat with Mary is just the ticket to get this all sorted out. Or how about one of those nice cocktails Aldo used to make?
ReplyDeleteOh Wanders, I too am coming out of the woodwork to express my hope that you are totally kidding about stopping the blog!! No no no no! Please don't leave us!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell if Jill was caught mid-step dancing the Macarena with herself because of Jill's mockery or Wanders' ennui!
ReplyDeleteOops, I meant Adrian was dancing...
ReplyDeleteshe's slowly reverting into something, can't tell yet.
wanders!,
ReplyDeleteWanders!,
WANDERS!
(We are all chanting)
We love you too much for you to be taken away from us - like Ted Confey.
I looked for my (almost) daily dose of Wanders-wit early today, and then I remembered....
ReplyDeleteDon't leave us, Wanders!
Let the pressure to continue, well, uh, continue.... I love this blog.
ReplyDeleteLike some others I'm a lurker who just had to come out of hiding to beg you to just be kidding about quitting. I've been a faithful and happy reader for several years and, while I actually have a real and fulfilling life, would be devastated if I couldn't get my MW&M fix each day. I feel like all the regular commenters are secret members of my family and can't bear to think we'll be separated, never to meet again. And let me remind you that you've raised more than a few dollars for Dr. Jeff's worthy cause in Vietnam. I donating more will help, say the word.
ReplyDelete