2012 Funniest Comic Strip of the Year

Today, we add yet another humorous juggernaut to our collection of funny comics through the years. Does Zits' milk carton or Baby Blues' nail salon get the privilege of joining these hilarious ones from the past years?

Yes today, a new comic joins this illustrious group of strips. Which one cements its legacy among the all-time great comics? The winner of the 2012 Comic Strip of the Year tournament is....

Drumroll please...

Okay, stop the drumroll.

Baby Blues' Nail Salon!

It was actually unanimous! Baby Blues now has finally captured their first title! I'm sure that Wanda, Darryl, Zoe, Hammie and Wren are beyond thrilled to now be considered among the comic page's elite! Congratulations indeed!

Caption This Photo!

Disney + Golf = Not a bad thing about it. You can submit yours at the Disney Parks website! I like the picture.

This Week's Entertainment by David

The Latest Theme Park Film Escapade

We already know about the Magic Kingdom film, (ahem, John Favreau.) We know about the Haunted Mansion reboot from Gullermo del Toro. And the Big Thunder Mountain TV show. And the proposed Mr. Toad's Wild Ride flick. Plus, the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean film. And the Jungle Cruise movie with Tim Allen and Tom Hanks. Now, we're throwing another horse into the rodeo! A Tomorrowland film! With George Clooney! This is awesome! It's due out December 19, 2014. How about that? An actually planned date! Who knew? (Ahem, Magic Kingdom.) Anyway, this is from Brad Bird and Damon Lindleoff and it just sounds completely amazing! I wonder what info we'll learn next! Maybe they'll sneak the Transit Authority in. Will it be about one of these projects or a brand new one? It's A Small World, anyone?

Muppets...Again!

That's the title of the sequel to the 2011 Muppets film! That's right, my friends, there's more information about it! Including this photo:

Look familiar?

Yeah, I think that Entertainment Weekly was shooting for the same type of thing. Anyway, there was some more news about the film teased! It's all in an interview with Kermit the Frog on the EW website. You can read the whole thing at the link. The film is shooting in London! Plus, Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell will star! How neat! Here's my most coveted excerpt.

I know you just started shooting, but what can you tell me at this point about the plot of the movie?
I can actually tell you quite a lot because I have a press release in front of me, which makes it very easy! The idea of this film is that our gang is on this global tour, and we’re selling out these grand theaters all over Europe—in Berlin, Madrid, London—but we sort of get into a little bit of trouble when we run across my doppleganger. He’s the world’s number one criminal, Constantine, and he happens to look an awful lot like me. I won’t tell you any more than that, but let’s just say mayhem ensues.

Argument 100: What Is The Best Boston Sports Commercial Ever Made?

Book Answer: Larry Bird and Michael Jordan Play HORSE (McDonald's.)

They got a tad bit specific with the Boston sports part, but I have to agree. It's got Larry Legend, a Celtics legend, a Boston legend and it's got some nice humor. Plus, it's nice to see Larry pretty much outduel Michael Jordan, a self-proclaimed GOAT. It's a nice ad.

Poor Rondo :(

Yes, I know that the Magic are my favorite NBA team, but Rajon Rondo is my favorite NBA player. It makes me sad that he's done for the year and will be lucky to come back for the start of the 2013-14 NBA season. Yet I know that, despite the devastating knee injury, the Celtics will hang tough throughout the year and Rondo will be back and better than ever. Most definitely hoping for a speedy recovery!

What Could This Mean?

From what I can gather, I think it's promoting the new Travel Channel special that Adam Richman is hosting with other Travel Channel hosts, Trip of a Lifetime. However, could Richman be back for another new show? We can only hope!

Argument 99: Are The Red Sox The New Yankees?

Book Answer: Soon They Will Be

Oh! Wow! We came so close, but then Cherington shipped away the difficult, expensive pieces and may have just saved us. We're rebuilding. Maybe we'll discover a new batch of Idiots, but for now, we're not the Yankees. Hopefully, we won't EVER be the Yankees.

This Week's Sports by David (Annual Throwback Super Bowl Preview)

Late Night Super Fan Supercut

Here's the explanation:



This is my contribution:



Hope I make the cut! Yo soy fiesta!

Argument 98: Who Is The Most Inspirational Athlete In Boston Sports?

Book Answer: Rick Hoyt

Again, I don't consider him to be specifically a Boston athlete. He's truly inspirational though. I also almost picked Tedy Bruschi. However, I decide Curt Schilling before the video game scandal. He knew that the Sox would struggle if he didn't go out and pitch Game 6 in the 2004 ALCS. He had ankle surgery two hours before the game and then went out and pitched a stellar game and slammed the Yankees and won the game for the Sox. It was completely barbaric and heroic and selfless. I don't know how he did it, but the bloody sock will always be proof that he did. Inspirational.

DJ Steve Porter Attends Greendale

Back to back days of DJ Steve Porter remixes! I can't decide who I like better, him or DJ Earworm. They're both cool. Anyway, this is a Community remix from Porter. He does more than just Disney. Enjoy!



Six seasons and a movie!

Community Super-Cut

Fans of Community submitted clips to be put into this big video of clips on why you should watch Community! Joel McHale tweeted it. Enjoy!



Six seasons and a movie!

Welcome Back, Pedro

Cue the Kotter music. Pedro Martinez is returning to the Red Sox as a special assistant to the GM, Ben Cherington. That's the same thing that Jason Varitek is! Yay! Everyone from '04 can be an assistant. When is it Johnny Damon's turn? Welcome!

DJ Steve Porter Stays in the Family

In the past, DJ Steve Porter has made mashups and remixes for ESPN. Now he's staying in the Disney realm as he created a mashup for Walt Disney World! I like it! Didn't get as stuck in my head as the theme for It's A Small World, though, but that's okay.

This Isn't The Petition Response You're Looking For

There's no need to question how exciting this is! Luckily, Jar-Jar Binks is nowhere to be mentioned! As you know, on the White House website, you can make different petitions for things that you believe the government should do. Well, someone petitioned for the government to build a Death Star. And they responded! They threw in different things like, "the Death Star's power to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the force," and "why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship." You can read the whole thing at the previous link in this paragraph. Nice that they have some humor!

The Sad Ballad of Michael Scott

"I just didn't think it was right for the character. That character had an arc within the story and kind of grew and sort of evolved past the idea of the documentary." Those are the words uttered by Steve Carell which have finally put the rumors of a Michael Scott return to bed. He will not be back for any part of the final season of The Office. On the plus side, BJ Novak (Ryan) and Mindy Kaling (Kelly) will return for the finale! It's a shame, Carell. It is right for the character. It's right for the fans. It's right for the show. I didn't want to have to do this, but for the first time in the history of this blog, I am placing someone on a temporary shun. He's not banned. Steve Carell is on a temporary shun. We'll see how he steps back into the golden light.

Customer Loyalty Recap

*SPOILERS*

• Well, Greg Daniels was right. You definitely did NOT want to miss this episode of The Office. It certainly seems like it's the beginning of the end of the show.
• Yeah. We'll get to it.
• Okay, I think that Toby has finally gone off the deep end. Maybe he needed Michael to be that constant reminder of how awful his life was and to prevent any hope for improvement from creeping in.
• Catherine Tate is still the worst. She is the Jim Belushi of people.
• Derek McBlack is a real Facebook profile. I friended him.
• Milkshake versus Old Dork is an actual Youtube video. Yes it technically is from The Office, but you know. I take what I can get.
• It seems that Dwight is really broken up about Darryl and Jim leaving the office. He tried to kidnap Darryl! Poor, Dwight.
• Jim saying "I expected more from Young Halpert," at the beginning of the episode was foreshadowing. Pam saying that Jim would say, "Beesly!" was foreshadowing. More on that later.
• Oscar and Angela are both some pretty terrible people. I mean that in a loving way. Kevin follows blindly.
• The old Office was recaptured when Dwight tried to run the meeting and that innocent customer wanted to leave, but he was stuck in their antics.
• "Your feelings from Erin? Probably from your heat. And a little bit of your penis."
• "No, I'm dating Val...still."
• Yeah, can you tell this was a big episode?
• I so remember that printing sound from my youthful days.
• I think I picked up on something. If Jim and Pam are likely leaving Dunder Mifflin, maybe Dwight will follow suit? Could that be why they added Pete and Clark to the mix and then made Erin a love interest of Pete? Are they the new Jim, Pam and Dwight to keep things going after The Office closes up shop? Just a thought. A realistic thought.
• What was that whole CeCe ladybug recital even about? No plot in that pageant.
• Jim and Pam had their first real fight, it seems. For the first 12 episodes of the season (yes, we're halfway through,) I was frustrated because Greg Daniels said that there would be a conflict between Jim and Pam. Yet they kept flippity-flopping and I was so uncertain. However, here it finally is. The acting from Krasinski and Fischer is just pure awesome. It's bittersweet. I hate to see them fight, but I am glad that it finally happened. Pretty big story line going forward. Where was the Beesly!? I expect more from Young Halpert.
• And yes. The introduction of Brian, the sound mic guy. Take a second to think about how creepy this is. Brian has been there for NINE YEARS and we had NO IDEA. He's just been there all along. He's seen everything that we've seen. That's so frightening and unnerving! Anyway, it was really weird, yet extremely amazing to see the documentary crew. I wonder how they handle that whole ordeal going forward.
• Really awesome episode.

2013 NBA All-Star Teams

The NBA All-Star teams have once again been selected. This year, it all takes place in Houston. I always like to weigh in on the various selections. Really, the only snubs, in my opinion, were Brook Lopez and Stephen Curry. The game is always very competitive. We can only hope that the Dunk Contest is that with some creativity thrown in. Here are the selections. (Just to let you know, if the name is in bold, it denotes a player who is also on my Fantasy Basketball team.)

West
G - Chris Paul - Clippers
G - Kobe Bryant - Lakers
F - Kevin Durant - Thunder
F - Blake Griffin - Clippers
C - Dwight Howard - Lakers
F - LaMarcus Aldridge - Trail Blazers
F - Tim Duncan - Spurs
G - James Harden - Rockets
F - David Lee - Warriors
G - Tony Parker - Spurs
F - Zach Randolph - Grizzlies
G - Russell Westbrook - Thunder

East
G - Rajon Rondo - Celtics
G - Dwyane Wade - Heat
F - LeBron James - Heat
F - Carmelo Anthony - Knicks
C - Kevin Garnett - Celtics
F - Chris Bosh - Heat
F - Tyson Chandler - Knicks
F - Luol Deng - Bulls
G - Paul George - Pacers
G - Jrue Holiday - 76ers
G - Kyrie Irving - Cavaliers
F - Joakim Noah - Bulls


As you can tell, my Fantasy team is doing well. 12-0, baby!

Argument 97: What Was The Biggest Embarrassment In Boston Sports History?

Book Answer: Ruiz Wins The 1980 Boston Marathon

2011 Boston Red Sox collapse. How many times were they picked to win the World Series in April? Then, it looks like they're going for it. Looks like that's gonna happen. Huge divisional lead in the summer and then it starts to dwindle. Then, they lose and miss the playoffs in the biggest collapse in MLB history. We all know what follows. Bobby V. Miss the Pesky funeral. Blow up the team. Start fresh. Bridge year. The Sox are now ridiculed by many. It's embarrassing. 2013's our year, though.

2012 Comics Championship: Baby Blues v. Zits

Down go the heavyweights! Baby Blues and Zits have upset, what I considered to be favorites, Garfield and Pearls Before Swine. Granted, Pearls is always considered to be one of the biggest threats, yet they've only won one championship. Now, in this year, the first-time winner is put up against the only strip in this year's Final Four to not win a championship yet. That's right. It's Baby Blues versus Zits. The Nail Salon versus The Milk Carton. On January 31, we will crown our champion based on your votes. You vote on who wins this. Will Zits be the first multiple championship winner or does Baby Blues capture their first? The votes will be tallied and we'll find out in six days. Who you gonna go with? It's all up to you. Vote!

Argument 96: What Was The Biggest Upset In Boston Sports History?

Book Answer: Holy Cross Defeats Boston College in 1942

Pretty big upset, but not quite big enough. You don't win a Super Bowl if you're a 14-point underdog. That doesn't happen. But for the Patriots back in 2002? They did just that. Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk led the Rams as a pretty heavily favored contender. Tom Brady led the Patriots. A first-year QB playing in his first Super Bowl? Pfft, St. Louis is gonna wipe the floor with 'em. 14-point underdog? Make it 35. Make it higher! They're gonna crush 'em. Suddenly, Adam Vinatieri strikes. Patriots win. Nation shocked. Missouri depressed. Boom! Super Bowl champs!

This Week's Entertainment by David

The Office Is Getting Big

According to the Office Tally website, it's a pretty good, informative site, tomorrow's episode is must-see TV. Jenna Fischer also tweeted out saying that this is where the farewell season tides begin to turn and we embark on the home stretch. Apparently, the documentary details will be revealed. I can hardly wait! Make sure to tune in!

Argument 95: Inch for Inch, What Was the Biggest Hit in Red Sox History?

Book Answer: Jim Lonborg's Pennant-Clinching Bunt In 1967

Alright, I understand that argument, but I'm not going to pick it. I'm going to say the play that started it all and ended an 86 year curse. When Dave Roberts pinch ran for Kevin Millar in Game Four of the 2004 ALCS, after being down 3-0 to the Yankees, he stole second. That wasn't the end of it, though. He still had to get home. Bill Mueller did just that. A shallow roller into right-center sent the speedy Roberts into a magnificent slide. The Red Sox never looked back after that. They won eight straight, came back against the Yankees, steamrolled the Cardinals, and ended eight and a half decades of baseball pain in the Hub. It was a roller, but it was BIG.

Gizoogle

Gizoogle is a pretty neat thing that translates text from the Internet into a slang language. Slanguage? Anywho, it's a pretty neat engine. Click on Gizoogle and you can go to it. For example, I searched my Twitter name and it changed it to Dizzle Mello instead of Dave Mello. It gets more crazy from there!

2012: Pearls Before Swine v. Zits

My personal favorite comic strip and the first strip to be declared the winner ever on this blog. One gets to go to the championship to either face Baby Blues or Garfield. One will cement it's legacy for what may be for good. One goes home and has to focus on an entire year of comic making. The decision is yours? It's your vote.

A Better Community Trailer Than NBC Could Ever Make

Yvette Nicole Brown, Jim Rash and Gillian Jacobs all tweeted this fan-made commercial that is a trailer for Community. It's already more advertising than NBC has ever done. Why don't the fans make the commercials? This was pretty good.

Argument 94: Was 1975 the Year of the Greatest World Series Ever Played?

Book Answer: No, 1991 Was

I won't say 1991. I'd like to say 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004 and 2007, but that's just me thinking with a Red Sox mind. 2001 wasn't too bad. 1991 was a pretty good Series too, but I really have to say 1975. Sure, I probably would have been more decisive if the Sox had won it, but it was still some great baseball. My answer is yes. Plus, the Fisk "Wave it Fair" homer doesn't hurt the seven-game series' case.

2012: Baby Blues v. Garfield

This is it. The first match-up of the Final Four. I can tell you that all four contenders have won it all before. However, which will win it again? Your first vote will decide if Baby Blues or Garfield will be in the championship. So what are you waiting for? Vote!

I'm Not Gonna Talk About It

I'm not gonna talk about it. I don't want to talk about it. I would hate to talk about it. I'm not gonna talk about it.

Alright, I'll say this much.

Bernard Pollard: A classless being who whined about Tom Brady falling when he is content with bludgeoning Patriots players.

Ray Lewis: A murderer who may or may not know that "God" definitely isn't helping him win whatsoever.

Anquan Boldin: Some idiot who thinks that because McCourty tripped, he's the greatest receiver in NFL history.

Terrell Suggs: An arrogant "tough guy" who, like the rest of the Ravens organization, has clearly never been in a winning position before and doesn't know how to handle it.

Richard Sherman: A world-class, steroid-using imbecile who, for whatever reason, absolutely hates Tom Brady, but, in reality, the entire planet hates him, even Seattle.

Joe Flacco: Pretty cool dude who's been playing out of his mind lately and is probably really happy to be there and we should be happy for him, even though he's probably not elite.

Okay, I said a lot. I know that the Patriots got outplayed. It was dreadful. It sucks. It was awful. They did not deserve to win, but after that showing after the game, neither did the Ravens. Absolutely classless.

Anyway, I can't wait for two things. A Stevan Ridley recovery and the 2013-14 Patriots football season!

This Week's Sports by David

Live Action Toy Story

One hour and twenty minutes of live action Toy Story. Lee Unkrich tweeted this video made by JonasonsMovies, a Youtube account which made the movie in live action with the toys and strings and everything. So impressive!

Swedish Chef Gets A Translator

Finally! We can understand the Swedish Chef thanks to Henrik Lundqvist! Pretty neat:



Related to that, Rajon Rondo has really huge hands in this new Sportscenter commercial!

2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Results

Adriana Bastos won the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon! The 26.2 miles concluded six days ago. It's on my bucket list to try it. It would be so awesome. I always like seeing what Run Disney has to say about it. Congrats to all who ran it!

Community Season 4 Preview!

February 7 is October 19. It will be six seasons and a movie. Here's the first steps:





I can hardly wait!

The NFL Bad Lip Reading

This was dubbed by some humorous people using the words that it looks like the likes of Tom Brady, Pete Carroll and Adrian Peterson said during and after games. It's extremely funny. Take a look:



Wow! An orange peanut? For me?

2012: Pearls Before Swine v. Red and Rover

In my opinion, the funniest will now be taking on the heartwarming, retro strip. One strip had to be decided with the Universal Decision Maker since no voters could choose just one. Will they choose one this time? That's what your vote decides.

Suit Warehouse Recap

*SPOILER*

• It's like Clark was born to play Dwight's son, they look so much alike.
• Jim and Dwight Schrupert. What. A. Combo.
• Could the end of Darryl's interview gone any worse than it did? What an insane turn of events that was.
• Okay, there's the Jim and Pam story line. I think. I'm not sure. They keep switching it around.
• I love when everyone went crazy in The Office and just left the floor disgruntled and Pam and Darryl were confused.
• I like the baby Dwight suit.
• "Oh, I'm sure it'll turn up." Oh, Creed. You never cease to be funny.

Just a quick update on what's happening next on The Office. Next week, we find out about the documentary crew. Also, BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling (Ryan and Kelly) have said that they will return for the finale. One. To. Go.

2012: Mutts v. Zits

The way the seedings worked out, Zits ended up with Mutts. Nonetheless, these two comics have been on the rise and seem to be in their prime. These two came with great humor? Which gets the last laugh? That's up to you and our vote.

Argument 93: What Are The Most Overpriced Seats In Baseball?

Book Answer: The Green Monster

I could have easily made this not coincide with Boston sports, but I'm not a terrible person like that. I'll say the Red Sox Luxury Suite. They go for as high as $278. There's no appeal. At least on the Green Monster, you're sitting on history. This is just not baseball. You can't even really enjoy the game. Why would you want the couch? That ain't baseball for me.

2012: Blondie v. Garfield

Two of the greatest to ever grace the Comics section. Now they face off in a duel to end all duels. Who will advance to face the Beetle Bailey/Baby Blues victor? Your vote decides it.

Argument 92: Do The Red Sox Left Fielders Represent The Greatest Fielding Position Dynasty In Baseball History?

Book Answer: Yes

I would tend to agree. For now. The Yankees have a strong case with their center fielders and they actually have a solid on to follow DiMaggio and Mantle in Curtis Granderson. The Red Sox don't have a solid left fielder any longer. Crawford was never the answer. In the past, however, it was a truly great procession of legacy. Ted Williams to Carl Yastrzemski to Jim Rice to Mike Greenwell to Manny Ramirez to ...? Johnny Gomes will give it a shot in 2013, but it seems to be withering. For now? Yes.

This Week's Entertainment by David

In 427 Days

Only 427 days until the sequel to The Muppets. That's right. The Muppets 2 comes out on March 21, 2014.  The sequel to a pretty quality flick back in November of 2011. It's not November this time, but March is a green month and Kermit is a green guy. It all coincides! I cannot wait! Already got one of 2014's biggest.

2012: Baby Blues v. Beetle Bailey

A comic classic. A newfound veteran. For the past three years of this contest, Baby Blues has beaten Beetle Bailey each and every year. Is it Beetle's time? Can he pull the upset? Will Baby Blues continue to the Final Four? Your vote will decide it.

Argument 91: What Is The Worst Boston Sports Movie?

Book Answer: Celtic Pride

Celtic Pride doesn't seem like the greatest film in the world, but I have to go with Amazing Grace and Chuck. Just read the synopsis:

Chuck Murdock, a 12-year-old boy from Montana and son of a military jet pilot, becomes anxious after seeing a Minuteman missile on a school field trip. He protests the existence of nuclear weapons by refusing to play baseball, which results in the forfeit of a Little League game by his team.

"Amazing Grace" Smith, a fictional Boston Celtics player, played by NBA star Alex English, decides to join the boy in his protest by resigning from professional basketball. This gives it nationwide coverage, inspiring more pro athletes to join the protest against nuclear weapons.

The film reaches a climax when the President of the United States personally meets with Chuck, admiring his resolve but at the same time explaining the practical difficulties of disarmament. Sinister forces, meanwhile, threaten the lives of Amazing Grace and his agent, Lynn.

How about that?