Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for September 18, 2017

You’re on thin ice, boy. Thin ice!

Why does Gene’s hair and shirt change colors?

@Andrew Goetsch is right. The colorist made a huge blunder and thought that Gene was Arlo in the third panel, and colored him in the standard Arlo scheme: blond hair, red shirt, blue pants. (No, I don’t buy the story that it’s a customer.)

I worked as a bartender/waiter while in college, and our lunch crowd frequently had some blue hairs. They weren’t cool, but they were nice and tipped well for good service. I made a lot more money from the older set than I ever did from the college and twenties crowd.

The strip is from Arlo’s perspective and in panel 3 he’s relating to what the younger, hip Gene is saying – demonstrated by Gene mirroring his dad. Then in panel 4 Gene unknowingly pops Arlo’s young & hip bubble – and the generation gap reappears.

Most of the people I know who have blue hair are under 30.

“Private Party” is an apt title for this strip.

Unfortunately, one off color remark, and Arlo’s private party is over.

Arlo knows what he means and resents it. Is he inferring “blue hairs” are not a good crowd? Did he ask his parents here to cater to the “uncool” blue hairs? Doe he consider Gus to be an uncool blue hair? Does Mary Lou?

The good news is, Gene doesn’t consider Arlo a Blue Hair.

The bad news is, Arlo kinda does.

I think the third panel is showing an earlier time…. but then really the word bubble should NOT be connecting to Gene in that image. So, there is some sort of incongruence here. Minor, however.

Blue Hairs my a$$! Get back to your hipster hat and avocado toast, son.

A generation ago older people were just considered irrelevant by the young, today (yup I got there at last) we’re actually viewed by the young as near enemies.

Poor ol’ Arlo. I know what he means, too.

“Where you are now, I have been. Where I am now you can only hope to reach.”

What’s wrong with “blue hairs” eating there? Their money is good too.

Hey Gene could have had change look but later change back lol Look at Marry Lue face not impress with the hair style lol

I see the seniors starting to sue for ageism . The last thing to whine about .

Heard on TV years ago:" I don’t look like anyone in my family, except my grandma. I have brown hair and blue eyes; she has brown eyes and blue hair."