The Argyle Sweater by Scott Hilburn for October 19, 2008

Didn’t Weird Al Yankovick do a song called “I Lost On Jeopardy”?

Yes he did WickedCrazy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hicZKvkPfAA

I literally don’t understand this cartoon. If the meaning is Prof. Hawking’ hope was that the term “cold sores” could be taken literally - as in the sores aren’t just cold sores but COLD sores, how the heck does this make ANY sense? Maybe I’m the only one that doesn’t get this one.

I don’t think it had to do with Cold Sores, but with the last catagory Fading Stars, which he hopes will be regarding the universe and not what it might be, fading movie stars.

However, given Stephen Hawking’s gifted intelligence and knowledge, I think Mr. Hilburn has stepped over the boundary of respect. To place such a man in this type of cartoon is shameful, as well as disrespectful. It is as if he is (and maybe he is) making fun of education and knowledge.

I think it is hilarious. Lighten up people, comics are supposed to be laughed at not analyzed and criticized. Jeez!!

He’s making fun of the stupid questions, and of the airheads that it takes to answer them. Stephen Hawking is just out of his element here, unless that Fading Stars catagory turns out to be what he hopes it will be.

I seem to remember Gary Larson got in all kinds of trouble for making fun of Jane Goodall.But when she saw the strip she thought it was hilarious. I think the story was in The Prehistory of the Far Side.

Well, I happen to have a great sense of humor and see the humor in most things, including being able to easily laugh at myself. However, I don’t agree with certain disrepectfulness and this cartoon is an example. Perhaps it’s because I hold Prof. Hawking in high regard and much respect, because he is such an example to all of us, to be able to overcome a disability that I hardly think most of us would be able to, to the extent he has. I will admit to a sensitivity where he, or people like him, are concerned.

If I have given you a source of joy Mr. NavyBean, I’m happy to be of service! Silly? Daft? Now that’s funny! I hope you have a great week!

Actually, I think Stephen Hawking would probably love this cartoon, it does not make fun of his disabilities, but rather the narrow focus of expertise that many academics have. I agree with WickedCrazy - This is much like Jane Goodall’s reaction to the Far Side that Gary Larson did regarding her. The Goodall Institute tried to file a lawsuit saying it was an ‘atrocity’ while Jane herself found the cartoon amusing enough to write the preface for Far Side Gallery #5

I think it is hilarious and not disrespectful at all. Those type of shows have such shallow questions - and usually wrong information, that people such as Dr. Hawking won’t be able to answer at all - unless he secretly reads Perez Hilton! Oh my!

The cartoon doesn’t make fun of the prof (who has a great sense of humour) at all. It simply mocks inane quiz shows. Feel free to be offended by that.

A bright man in a dull crowd