This arc reminds me of the book 1984. Here is one quote that might explain the connection.
“The voice came from an oblong metal plaque like a dulled mirror which formed part of the surface of the right-hand wall. . . The instrument (the telescreen, it was called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely.”
Robin Williams had a joke about TV in those days, “If the President is making a speech, your whole evening is screwed, he’s on every channel”. So, Calvin really could grow up to be President.
Okay, where my official TV jammer built by Steve Wozniak? (Yes, the Apple, Inc. co-founder did build a TV jammer while attending University of Colorado in 1971. Hilarity ensued. You can read about it in his autobiography, iWoz.)
For a while as a kid I imagined I was always on TV, but more like The Truman Show, living my ordinary life, but knowing it was a show and aware I had no privacy, with a voiceover announcing transitions between segments (and station breaks when I went to the bathroom). I didn’t enjoy it at all but it was a hard mental habit to break once it somehow got started.
Calvin’s show on all the networks? Just like the Emergency Alert System!
I’m reminded of when Peter Griffin later tried a similar stunt, except with his cardboard TV monitor he pretended he was watching TV, with everything he sees being a show or channel to him, since he accidentally cut off Quahog’s TV service and was going through withdrawal.
This strip was ahead of its time, the same show on all channels. Happened in the 2000s before the switch from analog to digital when in a lot of Metro areas a lot of the local channels merged into the same station.
codycab about 23 hours ago
Then mom is turning it off!
Spacehog about 23 hours ago
Calvin is annoying mom on purpose
Bilan about 23 hours ago
Mom: I guess that means we don’t need the real tv anymore.
The dude from FL Premium Member about 23 hours ago
Just like Humana
incognito about 22 hours ago
No off switch either….
sandpiper about 22 hours ago
If Cal’s right, then Mom might just ‘spin the dial’ to flip the channels for fun.
snsurone76 about 21 hours ago
I wonder if his opening monologue will be as funny as Johnny Carson’s were.
jmworacle about 21 hours ago
Just like a former national politician who managed to get the television he owed affiliated to all three networks.
Jayalexander about 21 hours ago
Not very suppotive of the arts, bad momma.
steveh64 about 18 hours ago
How Orwellian.
The Angel of the South about 18 hours ago
Hilarious.
MS72 about 18 hours ago
bring back johnny carson.
Wizard of Ahz-no relation about 17 hours ago
I just realized how this dates this particular bit with todays streaming tv
Count Olaf Premium Member about 17 hours ago
Cool beans! Calvin has his own streaming channel.
Beetle Bailey's Haint about 17 hours ago
Song sung to the tune of Patty Duke Show theme.
drtodd12 about 17 hours ago
What are “networks”?
Aimless Melissa about 16 hours ago
Put it on mute.
einarbt about 16 hours ago
This arc reminds me of the book 1984. Here is one quote that might explain the connection.
“The voice came from an oblong metal plaque like a dulled mirror which formed part of the surface of the right-hand wall. . . The instrument (the telescreen, it was called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely.”
bbenoit about 16 hours ago
Robin Williams had a joke about TV in those days, “If the President is making a speech, your whole evening is screwed, he’s on every channel”. So, Calvin really could grow up to be President.
Sun about 16 hours ago
Heeeeeeeeeeeere’s Calvin…
rockyridge1977 about 16 hours ago
……….he loves that attention!!!!!
baskate_2000 about 16 hours ago
Unfortunately there’s no way to turn it off, either.
Potamus about 16 hours ago
Can’t read “what an audience” without hearing it in Jimmy’s voice.
gantech about 16 hours ago
Did they have ‘reality shows’ in the 90’s? Calvin may have been ahead of his time.
tcumming about 15 hours ago
Mom may prefer the soap operas … so off to the bathtub Calvin
rshive about 15 hours ago
But Mom really wants to change the channel.
gozirra2 Premium Member about 15 hours ago
Anyone else getting “The Outer Limits” introduction vibe?
petermerck about 15 hours ago
Switch to The Learning Channel. You know he won’t be there.
mindjob about 15 hours ago
Shades of George Orwell
Vgrift85 about 15 hours ago
If comic strip characters only have 3 fingers… do they only have 3 toes?
artegal about 15 hours ago
Just like it used to be when the President was on.
Camiyami Premium Member about 14 hours ago
I wonder what tune he is singing with those lyrics?
minty_Joe about 14 hours ago
Okay, where my official TV jammer built by Steve Wozniak? (Yes, the Apple, Inc. co-founder did build a TV jammer while attending University of Colorado in 1971. Hilarity ensued. You can read about it in his autobiography, iWoz.)
John Jorgensen about 14 hours ago
So is this a talk show then? Who are his guests?
HA! about 13 hours ago
Of course Calvin has his own theme song.
fritzoid Premium Member about 13 hours ago
Who’s the kid who’s in-es-cap-a-ble on your TV?
C–A–L! V–I–N!
That’s me, that’s me, that’s me!
waynemadison about 13 hours ago
This strip NEVER fails to crack me up!
Jefano Premium Member about 12 hours ago
For a while as a kid I imagined I was always on TV, but more like The Truman Show, living my ordinary life, but knowing it was a show and aware I had no privacy, with a voiceover announcing transitions between segments (and station breaks when I went to the bathroom). I didn’t enjoy it at all but it was a hard mental habit to break once it somehow got started.
mistercatworks about 12 hours ago
Ah, he’s running as the incumbent.
wiley207 about 12 hours ago
Calvin’s show on all the networks? Just like the Emergency Alert System!
I’m reminded of when Peter Griffin later tried a similar stunt, except with his cardboard TV monitor he pretended he was watching TV, with everything he sees being a show or channel to him, since he accidentally cut off Quahog’s TV service and was going through withdrawal.
lnrokr55 about 12 hours ago
Hi Oooooooooohhhh!
Medtech4 about 12 hours ago
If Calvin is in communist countries, he can be on ALL the channels
markkahler52 about 10 hours ago
Over to ESPN7 for CALVINBALL!!
Chris Sherlock about 10 hours ago
I wonder if Calvin has had the idea to have pledge breaks?
dv about 9 hours ago
He’s lucky she would never go Elvis Presley on his TV performance
kinich79 about 8 hours ago
This strip was ahead of its time, the same show on all channels. Happened in the 2000s before the switch from analog to digital when in a lot of Metro areas a lot of the local channels merged into the same station.
Strawberry King about 8 hours ago
And he can’t be cancelled.
anomaly about 7 hours ago
He must be a political commercial.
smsrt about 6 hours ago
The boy has learned well from Rodney Dangerfield. “What a crowd, what a crowd. I’m alright now, but yesterday…”
hagarthehorrible 20 minutes ago
Kinda cute mother-son duo.