Please don’t take this as a personal attack, anyone, but I have a question. A few people have mentioned that they really don’t like one or more of the characters portrayed in this strip (mostly it’s John and/or Elly). I would like to know, if you don’t mind, why you still bother to read the strip. It makes no sense to me, as I “drop” any strip from my repertoire if the characters or plot lines begin to annoy me. Would you please enlighten me? I’m not asking this sarcastically, but would honestly like to understand.
Well, personally, I like the strip, but I have a theory, cutiepie(love that name! lol). I guess it’s like those characters on tv, the ones you love to hate, they make your blood boil, but you’re still back every week to watch them….maybe it’s the same with this strip.
Yup, these ARE the old strips. I find the characters close to real life, so I follow this strip especially every day. My favorite character, for a long time, became Farley. Michael grows up and starts calling Elizabeth Lizardbreath (or something like that). I relate to that too. Overall, the strip is endearing, sometimes in an offbeat way.
Well, you’re right, Cutiepie. We get hooked on cartoon strips that we like and grab our attention. Sometimes they get better with time, and sometimes, they annoy us. I tend to give the cartoonist some time to get out of his or her rut or off his/her soapbox, and if they do, I stay with the storyline. Otherwise, if I get annoyed long enough, I drop them.
So, I suppose the people that kvetch and complain are hoping for change before they give up completely.
Where do they get the money???? The guy is a dentist!!! I don’t believe a new stereo and dishwasher is going to seriously put a dent in his bank balance. Bet he could even afford a new ‘lectric can opener!!
@ cutiepie29 - Because some people are born jerks and have no real life; they’re unhappy with life and the only time they’re less unhappy (I think they’re genetically unable to actually be fully happy) is when they’re complaining about something or criticizing somebody. It’s sad but true.
Well, they are in Canada. How much do Canadian dentists get paid anyway? There health system is different and I don’t think their doctors pockets get as fat as their American counterparts, especially when you throw in that GST.
I’ve always found Jon to be a very likable guy. And now Ellie can enjoy her new dishwasher AND the new stereo. She got the best of this one, with all her griping and whining~~
Okay, Elly really needs to let it go. She either wants a dishwasher or she doesn’t. Although I’m not a big fan of buying your way out of trouble, John has tried the apology route without success.
@cutiepie - good question, and I’m looking forward to other’s answers. Personally, I like this strip, and while there may be some days that I’m not thrilled with it (like today), that occurs every couple of weeks or so, so I’m fine with that. I don’t take it too seriously and I certainly don’t view it as a strip to criticize ad nauseum like others seem to do. I tend to ignore those comments, but it is tiring to read sometimes.
its a cartoon! the ongoing criticism of the couple or their parents is irritating at times. They are not perfect parents, or perfect spouses. Who is! But the nit picking seems to give them no room to be human. It is real life. The way parenting (I have 2 grown kids) and life really is…. it is time to laugh at them and ourselves :)
I wonder that myself why people read the comics if it pains them so much. Kind of sounds masochistic to me. Why would you hit your head against the wall over and over again?
I had my own experiences with that. I couldn’t stand the insensitive comments made at my newspaper online comment site so I’ve stopped going there. It was hopeless to try to reason with bigoted and cruel people.
I see the spammer changed his/her name and website. Still annoying. Do they think the intelligent people who read comics every day are going to fall for this?
I also like the slice of life reality but Lynn, the cartoonist, sometimes caries the storyline too far. Like when Elly’s friend took off after Elly’s brother. Priorities folks. However, I intend to follow as long as its on and gripe when I think I need to. Also, compliment when it is necessary.
Marilyn, apparently said (and now flagged) spammer has the idea we must be stupider than he is. I mean, how on earth could we possibly identify him when he keeps changing names? (Sorry, my sarcasm got away from me again)
this strip is all nostalgia for me. I took the paper just for this strip way back when. My son and daughter were the same age as Michael and Lizzie. Their interaction was so much like my own kids. I really loved watching them grow up.
As a single mom, I couldn’t relate much to Elly and Jon’s relationship, but I felt sorry for Connie. I had no self-esteem either back then.
Anyway, I could go on and bore you all, but that’s why I love this strip and have hardly ever missed a day
I never understood the wonder of a dishwasher. I can hand wash my dishes in a quarter of the time it takes to load, wash, and unload a dishwasher. And I know plenty of families who never do unload it and can’t put in dirty dishes, anyways. It’s always full of the last clean load.
And don’t give me the “germ” theory. Those families get sick with the same things as mine, even tho their dishes are cleaned in hotter water than I can use.
And the things leak water a time or two. And fade dishes, bend forks, and leave water spots on glasses and silverware. Make noise, use electricity. Oh, and don’t forget that I see you rinsing off all those dishes even before they go inside.
(re: “my money” he said……DH came home with a pull behind garden disc to go with the tractor, Sat.)
you also have to realize that the cartoonist Lynn is/was writing these strips based on her own life, and friends lives,, so in reality she is portraying herself as a “mouthy stay at home mom” in a comical way,, and if she wants to poke fun at herself then i say,, LET HER!
As I remember, Lynn decided to mostly rework the strip starting back at the beginning. I read the comments partly because some still remember the first time around. I’ve only read any daily and regularly since being semi-retired/self employed, so I enjoy when someone points out how an arc was done differently than the original ;-)
this strip was mostly a lame parody of real life (i.e. a cartoon!) when it first ran. now it’s even more so the second time around because it’s so dated.
even so i can’t resist looking in every day – for me it’s like peeking at a car or train wreck – impossible to resist.
everybody comes to the comics for different reasons, i really enjoy my right to be as snarky as i want with any of them; in fborfw i tolerate the lameness of the story lines because i really like the good artwork and facial expressions.
Cutiepie, go back and read last weeks strips, then tell US why you now can’t stand anymore of Elly’s non stop, psychotic ranting and raving. It’s that simple. I don’t mean it sarcastically, either, but I think some people come here to criticize the comments and don’t bother to read the strips that are being commented about. The comments fit each day’s strip. When people argue with the same sentiment that can usually be found in 60 comments, they didn’t read the strip!
To further understand the” why do you read it if..”. “phenomenon” Read This.
WELL! Once again, John equates Elly to a free maid! GO John, you DOOFIS! Wait until it sinks in, and she goes off on another week of screaming and yelling about how he doesn’t see her as a woman, just a MAID!
jaeldid66: He sounds like a sexist pig. Have you considered divorce? That would show him.
I believe everyone has the right to be as snarky as they want on these boards, but I don’t see the reasoning behind criticism of Elly. Her reactions are normal for a SAHM. It is an inherently humiliating scenario, so of course she is naturally going to be prickly, resentful, and always in a bad mood. That’s to be expected. It would be much, much worse if she were some sort of robotic, cheery “yes, dear” Stepford wife.
I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll say it again. Each person interprets this comic and others in their own way and based on their own experiences/background. It is insulting and arrogant to state that one’s own opinion is the “correct” one. The only person who can tell us the “proper” interpretation of this strip in the author herself.
Cutie… I’m with you and royman and a few others. I’ve never understood people who wallow in displeasure as much as some of them on here… like Mrs. Luke. That article in the link was a sad commentary in itself. The term “love to hate” never made much sense to me.
I agree that there are no “correct” ways to view a strip but for pete sakes… the utter acid that comes out…. I’m just glad that some of these people use the same signon name all the time so I know which comments to ignore.
As for today’s strip… if I was Elly, I would have still been mad because it was ANOTHER large purchase that hadn’t been discussed. I don’t care if it would make my life easier… he still isn’t treating it like a partnership. It’s nice of him to try… but he completely missed the point of the original argument.
I really wish Lyn would have left the strip as it was. I am curious about Michael and Deanna’s family, and Lizzie’s marriage! The strip could have focused on the next generation of Pattersons. This is all just rehashing, and it is odd because you already know what is going to happen in the future!
Lynn has retired and doesn’t want to do new daily strips. The plan is to now run only the old strips, so you will see the Patterson’s grow like before. Lynn has hinted that she may do a new book of strips where she had left off, in the future. You will need to buy it, tho.
I suppose everyone’s a sell-out eventually. Didn’t do too badly – dishwasher is better than a can opener – but, again he should have asked, and it never occurred to him (typical of the pre-80’s male). Unfortunately, the Elly-bashers really remind me of too many men back in the day when they simply saw (and portrayed) any woman who was stuck but maybe trying to change her life as a raging, bra-burning, neurotic shrew. I think Elly is in a time of transition where she is aware she doesn’t deserve this but doesn’t yet see what to do about it. The little dumplings that she is saddled with are not always cute, cuddly and angelic. Sometimes they are brats and that’s hard to deal with 24/7. I couldn’t do it so I just didn’t have kids during that era (thank God).
And there it is … the way to a woman’s heart is through her dishwasher! Who knew?!?!?
I absolutely love my dishwasher! I’ve had one in every place I’ve ever lived since I got married and moved out of my childhood home (which did not have a dishwasher … unless you count *me* as being the dishwasher!) 21 years ago and I would never be without one ever again!
Having said that however … I agree with Mirthiful in that here we go again. While Elly may love the dishwasher, here’s yet another expensive purchase (although not as expensive as the $2,000.00 stereo, I’m sure) made by John without first discussing it with his wife beforehand. Their marriage is a pretty sad and horrific train wreck sometimes.
cutiepie29: Personally, I like the strip even if the harpie wife and her denser-than-dirt husband get on my nerves sometimes. The FBorFW comic strip is like a daily soap opera on paper (rather than t.v.). You may not always like some of the characters or even the current storyline but eventually, it moves on to another s/l that you may like a lot better. I think that there’s just something about this particular comic (even if you can’t quite put your finger on it) that keeps you coming back for more, day after day.
I’ve always wanted a dishwasher, mostly because a dishwasher can stand water much hotter than my poor hands. I know most dish soaps are antibacterial, but I still say the best way to kill the germs is to run the dishes under scalding water for a minute or two.
Yeah, I saw that. Thank you for answering. I did the copy and paste routine also but got different results. That’s the way it goes sometimes. At least all’s well that ends well.
MrsLuke
Thank you for that link, I enjoyed reading the article.
If you didn’t read the article, and only judged it by it’s name, you also don’t read the strip, you just criticize the comments, just like I was saying in my first comment.
Elly is a self important, raving, lunatic with a foul disposition and a big, screaming mouth. I find that intolerable. Nobody should have to live with what she does. 90% of us call a spade a spade. I don’t see anyone siding with John either, so if the comments are so upsetting to you, DON’T READ THEM! Nobody is going to change their mind to accommodate a couple of political correctness addicts. Look where political correctness got this country. I’ll say it the way I see it. If you don’t like it, too bad. Don’t read the comments, what ever, but this daily quest to have everyone explain WHY they comment the way they do is redundant, boring, and antagonistic.
“Don’t pick on Elly!!!” What do the people who cry this daily SEE, when they read this strip? I see Elly brutalizing everyone who comes in contact with her, including the readers! If YOU DON’T see that, you need to sharpen your comprehension skills, or quit making excuses for what may just be your own behavior.
I don’t care if folks pick on Elly – and your article link was interesting MrsLuke. I can see why you might hate her – it’s just that I don’t. I don’t care if you hate her, I guess I just find it as hard to understand as you find it hard to understand my point of view. I think she is a victim of her time. Maybe for those who didn’t live thru the 60’s & 70’s battles women had to endure even be spoken to civilly, (sp?) they wouldn’t understand (but I think you said you were old enough for that era (maybe I’m wrong)). His remark last week about “HIS money” certainly hit a nerve with me. I guess I just don’t get as mad at her – maybe I should, but I don’t. I sure don’t think she deserves a punch in the chops as someone suggested earlier (I work with a Center for Abused Women, so that also hits a nerve). So go ahead and hate her – but you have to allow folks who don’t hate her to say what they feel too.
I started reading the strip as a young teenager (too many years ago lol) and followed it until the end, am now interested to see the beginning which I missed the first time around.
Yeah Ellie is pretty self centred and annoying - so was I at that age - my character evolved, so did Ellie’s!
One reason I come back to this strip after leaving it time and time again is that something holds Elly and John together. In spite of all their fights, their marriage does have some kind of a solid foundation. I don’t understand it, and that’s like real life too. I know lots of marriages in which I wonder how they keep going but they do. And lots of others that end in divorce which comes as a complete surprise to me.
Rina – there is such a thing as “negative attention is better than no attention at all.” Maybe that’s what the attraction is between John & Elly. There is also something to the idea that folks who never fight aren’t really having much in the way of communication or much of a relationship at all. Sometimes they wake up one day and say “what am I doing here?” And sometimes they find someone else who does inspire an emotional response in them.
Lindz, I wasn’t even responding to you, if that makes you feel better. Your last comment comes as a complete surprise to me. I was talking to the ones who started this today and keep on going. You and I are pretty much in agreement. I do see your point.
I don’t condone violence at all. I don’t think anybody ever did, except Susan in both of her comments. I didn’t see any outrage from you at her suggestion in her final sentences, which I won’t repeat, because if I quote it, my whole comment will end up deleted for it. You can’t say that you ever saw me say such a thing, because I think you can tell, I’m the last one that would ever let someone smack me around. I also don’t like living with screaming and yelling, and ranting and raving out of control, which is all she ever does. They should know at the shelter you work at that her behavior is also abusive. They take kids away for that!
I also think that we ALL define our comments well enough to rule out anything other than criticism of ACTIONS in this strip. Other than John being an idiot, he never hit her. She however is highly abusive with her words and behavior. After this past week, we have all had enough of her behavior. It was unrelenting and it continued today too! She can’t feel all that limited if she behaves the outrageous way she does. She thinks she’s so smart, yet as many keep pointing out, she never uses her big girl words to define and correct the issues in her life, she just behaves the way she did all week instead, and it never solved her problems.
This was written in the 80’s, and I really can’t say that the same discrimination of women that existed in the 60’s and 70’s really continued into the 80’s, unless people let it. In the 80’s, I don’t know anyone who thought they were the property of their husbands, as they may have in the 60’s and early 70’s.
Anyway, I look at the comments as what 50 people a day are saying about what Lynn Johnston wrote as a story line. I’m not taking them as a personal attack, unless they’re calling me out by name and personally attacking me, and not the other 40 people who said the same thing I did. It happens every day, and nobody cares about that, just that someone called Elly a raving lunatic when her big mouth was open as wide as a cave for 4 panels, and she proved it 15 days in a row.
My personal opinion never much mattered to people before, the way it seems to here. I also don’t know why my comments stand out so much more than the other 40 people saying the same thing, but I think they should get an equal turn at the questions and personal attacks from the PC bunch too!
And since when did anyone ever have to ask my permission to speak their piece? They do it anyway, the same as I do. That accusation is outrageous.
If people don’t like what’s going on in this 30 year old soap opera strip, complain to Lynn Johnston. I don’t write the thing. She created these characters, and their personalities aren’t an accident. Take it up with her. I can’t do anything but comment on what she put out there.
I also stick up for Elly plenty. I did today too, but nobody sees THAT. Noooooo.
I’m tired of having everything I ever say twisted into pretzels and spat back at me as something I never said. This is ridiculous. You only have yourselves to blame now. I’m sick of you all. When you finish chasing off everyone who sees the truth in this NOT funny strip, you can all agree and gush about how wonderful the bitter, screeching shrew is. Tootle-oo! You happy now?
I wasn’t attacking you at all and you’re right we do often agree (probably as much as we disagree). Certainly, I think we agree about right and wrong regarding what goes on between married folks in arguments. You’re probably right that by the 80s, women were asserting themselves more, but they were still nowhere near equal – they’re not equal today (saw an article yesterday – still 77 cents on the dollar). I think women in the 80s were still fighting the battle tho and some of them probably got pretty hot about it. My big thing with the whole scenario that has been played out for over a week now is the fact that he said it was HIS money – outrageous!! You seem to react more strongly to her behavior ( which I admit has not been very adult), while I see him as more than just a doofus (or whatever you called him) I think he really doesn’t get it about what might really tick off a women who sits home with his kids 24/7. And I guess I know how it would tick me off if I was in her shoes. So – her character bugs you most and his character bugs me most but I don’t go as far as you and Susan – I can’t bring myself to hate either of them. But I do understand better now where you’re coming from. Thanx again for the article!
Brother_James437 said: A dishwasher, how romantic……..NOT!!!
No, a dishwasher may not be as “romantic” in the same sense as jewelry, flowers, candy, etc. are … but I’d rather have my dishwasher than a big expensive diamond ring! Is any of that “romantic” stuff going to do my dishes for me??? I think not!!!
I live in Canada, and dentists do very well, indeed. My daughter’s orthodontist has yachting magazines on his table to read. Our basic medical plans don’t really cover the dentist. You need Blue Cross or a similar plan, usually provided by the employer as a benefit.
ejcapulet over 14 years ago
It better be a really good dishwasher.
cutiepie29 over 14 years ago
Please don’t take this as a personal attack, anyone, but I have a question. A few people have mentioned that they really don’t like one or more of the characters portrayed in this strip (mostly it’s John and/or Elly). I would like to know, if you don’t mind, why you still bother to read the strip. It makes no sense to me, as I “drop” any strip from my repertoire if the characters or plot lines begin to annoy me. Would you please enlighten me? I’m not asking this sarcastically, but would honestly like to understand.
thetraveller4 over 14 years ago
Well, personally, I like the strip, but I have a theory, cutiepie(love that name! lol). I guess it’s like those characters on tv, the ones you love to hate, they make your blood boil, but you’re still back every week to watch them….maybe it’s the same with this strip.
doublepaw over 14 years ago
I still follow the strip but lately Ely spends most of her time screaming about something. She needs to buy that store and get some outside interests.
leedb over 14 years ago
I miss the old strips!
delaterra over 14 years ago
These ARE the old strips!
NE1956 over 14 years ago
Yup, these ARE the old strips. I find the characters close to real life, so I follow this strip especially every day. My favorite character, for a long time, became Farley. Michael grows up and starts calling Elizabeth Lizardbreath (or something like that). I relate to that too. Overall, the strip is endearing, sometimes in an offbeat way.
lightblade77 over 14 years ago
Where are they getting all this money from?
alan.gurka over 14 years ago
Well, you’re right, Cutiepie. We get hooked on cartoon strips that we like and grab our attention. Sometimes they get better with time, and sometimes, they annoy us. I tend to give the cartoonist some time to get out of his or her rut or off his/her soapbox, and if they do, I stay with the storyline. Otherwise, if I get annoyed long enough, I drop them. So, I suppose the people that kvetch and complain are hoping for change before they give up completely.
woodwork over 14 years ago
Where do they get the money???? The guy is a dentist!!! I don’t believe a new stereo and dishwasher is going to seriously put a dent in his bank balance. Bet he could even afford a new ‘lectric can opener!!
royman53 over 14 years ago
@ cutiepie29 - Because some people are born jerks and have no real life; they’re unhappy with life and the only time they’re less unhappy (I think they’re genetically unable to actually be fully happy) is when they’re complaining about something or criticizing somebody. It’s sad but true.
athomas917 over 14 years ago
Well, they are in Canada. How much do Canadian dentists get paid anyway? There health system is different and I don’t think their doctors pockets get as fat as their American counterparts, especially when you throw in that GST.
arsmall over 14 years ago
LOL! For every dime I spend my hubby spends a dollar…
Jascat over 14 years ago
I’ve always found Jon to be a very likable guy. And now Ellie can enjoy her new dishwasher AND the new stereo. She got the best of this one, with all her griping and whining~~
lightenup Premium Member over 14 years ago
Okay, Elly really needs to let it go. She either wants a dishwasher or she doesn’t. Although I’m not a big fan of buying your way out of trouble, John has tried the apology route without success.
@cutiepie - good question, and I’m looking forward to other’s answers. Personally, I like this strip, and while there may be some days that I’m not thrilled with it (like today), that occurs every couple of weeks or so, so I’m fine with that. I don’t take it too seriously and I certainly don’t view it as a strip to criticize ad nauseum like others seem to do. I tend to ignore those comments, but it is tiring to read sometimes.
Stephen Kliewer Premium Member over 14 years ago
its a cartoon! the ongoing criticism of the couple or their parents is irritating at times. They are not perfect parents, or perfect spouses. Who is! But the nit picking seems to give them no room to be human. It is real life. The way parenting (I have 2 grown kids) and life really is…. it is time to laugh at them and ourselves :)
BigHug over 14 years ago
I wonder that myself why people read the comics if it pains them so much. Kind of sounds masochistic to me. Why would you hit your head against the wall over and over again?
I had my own experiences with that. I couldn’t stand the insensitive comments made at my newspaper online comment site so I’ve stopped going there. It was hopeless to try to reason with bigoted and cruel people.
I’m baffled too.
Mythreesons over 14 years ago
I see the spammer changed his/her name and website. Still annoying. Do they think the intelligent people who read comics every day are going to fall for this?
pawpawbear over 14 years ago
I also like the slice of life reality but Lynn, the cartoonist, sometimes caries the storyline too far. Like when Elly’s friend took off after Elly’s brother. Priorities folks. However, I intend to follow as long as its on and gripe when I think I need to. Also, compliment when it is necessary.
ejcapulet over 14 years ago
Marilyn, apparently said (and now flagged) spammer has the idea we must be stupider than he is. I mean, how on earth could we possibly identify him when he keeps changing names? (Sorry, my sarcasm got away from me again)
Nelly55 over 14 years ago
this strip is all nostalgia for me. I took the paper just for this strip way back when. My son and daughter were the same age as Michael and Lizzie. Their interaction was so much like my own kids. I really loved watching them grow up.
As a single mom, I couldn’t relate much to Elly and Jon’s relationship, but I felt sorry for Connie. I had no self-esteem either back then.
Anyway, I could go on and bore you all, but that’s why I love this strip and have hardly ever missed a day
oh, and flag the evil spammer
Jaedabee Premium Member over 14 years ago
Never underestimate the power of a good dishwasher!
ninmas over 14 years ago
i like the strip. but i feel like elly is a bit too harsh at times.
runar over 14 years ago
These aren’t the old strips - it’s a reboot of the strip done in Johnston’s earlier style.
summerdog86 over 14 years ago
I never understood the wonder of a dishwasher. I can hand wash my dishes in a quarter of the time it takes to load, wash, and unload a dishwasher. And I know plenty of families who never do unload it and can’t put in dirty dishes, anyways. It’s always full of the last clean load.
And don’t give me the “germ” theory. Those families get sick with the same things as mine, even tho their dishes are cleaned in hotter water than I can use.
And the things leak water a time or two. And fade dishes, bend forks, and leave water spots on glasses and silverware. Make noise, use electricity. Oh, and don’t forget that I see you rinsing off all those dishes even before they go inside.
(re: “my money” he said……DH came home with a pull behind garden disc to go with the tractor, Sat.)
keltii over 14 years ago
you also have to realize that the cartoonist Lynn is/was writing these strips based on her own life, and friends lives,, so in reality she is portraying herself as a “mouthy stay at home mom” in a comical way,, and if she wants to poke fun at herself then i say,, LET HER!
vldazzle over 14 years ago
As I remember, Lynn decided to mostly rework the strip starting back at the beginning. I read the comments partly because some still remember the first time around. I’ve only read any daily and regularly since being semi-retired/self employed, so I enjoy when someone points out how an arc was done differently than the original ;-)
traciann76 over 14 years ago
I missed this comic the first time around…when does April come onto the scene?
Wildmustang1262 over 14 years ago
I would take it and be happy to use it as much as I want to! :-)
Elly, for pete’s sake, get a life and take it! :-/
billdi Premium Member over 14 years ago
this strip was mostly a lame parody of real life (i.e. a cartoon!) when it first ran. now it’s even more so the second time around because it’s so dated. even so i can’t resist looking in every day – for me it’s like peeking at a car or train wreck – impossible to resist. everybody comes to the comics for different reasons, i really enjoy my right to be as snarky as i want with any of them; in fborfw i tolerate the lameness of the story lines because i really like the good artwork and facial expressions.
mrslukeskywalker over 14 years ago
Cutiepie, go back and read last weeks strips, then tell US why you now can’t stand anymore of Elly’s non stop, psychotic ranting and raving. It’s that simple. I don’t mean it sarcastically, either, but I think some people come here to criticize the comments and don’t bother to read the strips that are being commented about. The comments fit each day’s strip. When people argue with the same sentiment that can usually be found in 60 comments, they didn’t read the strip!
To further understand the” why do you read it if..”. “phenomenon” Read This.
WELL! Once again, John equates Elly to a free maid! GO John, you DOOFIS! Wait until it sinks in, and she goes off on another week of screaming and yelling about how he doesn’t see her as a woman, just a MAID!
jaeldid66 over 14 years ago
Wish my husband would buy HIS way out of trouble. He just tells me to get over it and ignores me until I do!
rowena28 Premium Member over 14 years ago
jaeldid66: He sounds like a sexist pig. Have you considered divorce? That would show him.
I believe everyone has the right to be as snarky as they want on these boards, but I don’t see the reasoning behind criticism of Elly. Her reactions are normal for a SAHM. It is an inherently humiliating scenario, so of course she is naturally going to be prickly, resentful, and always in a bad mood. That’s to be expected. It would be much, much worse if she were some sort of robotic, cheery “yes, dear” Stepford wife.
BigHug over 14 years ago
I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll say it again. Each person interprets this comic and others in their own way and based on their own experiences/background. It is insulting and arrogant to state that one’s own opinion is the “correct” one. The only person who can tell us the “proper” interpretation of this strip in the author herself.
kfaatz925 over 14 years ago
Har HAR. Good one, John!
mirthiful over 14 years ago
Cutie… I’m with you and royman and a few others. I’ve never understood people who wallow in displeasure as much as some of them on here… like Mrs. Luke. That article in the link was a sad commentary in itself. The term “love to hate” never made much sense to me.
I agree that there are no “correct” ways to view a strip but for pete sakes… the utter acid that comes out…. I’m just glad that some of these people use the same signon name all the time so I know which comments to ignore.
As for today’s strip… if I was Elly, I would have still been mad because it was ANOTHER large purchase that hadn’t been discussed. I don’t care if it would make my life easier… he still isn’t treating it like a partnership. It’s nice of him to try… but he completely missed the point of the original argument.
jbowsher over 14 years ago
I really wish Lyn would have left the strip as it was. I am curious about Michael and Deanna’s family, and Lizzie’s marriage! The strip could have focused on the next generation of Pattersons. This is all just rehashing, and it is odd because you already know what is going to happen in the future!
summerdog86 over 14 years ago
Lynn has retired and doesn’t want to do new daily strips. The plan is to now run only the old strips, so you will see the Patterson’s grow like before. Lynn has hinted that she may do a new book of strips where she had left off, in the future. You will need to buy it, tho.
lindz.coop Premium Member over 14 years ago
I suppose everyone’s a sell-out eventually. Didn’t do too badly – dishwasher is better than a can opener – but, again he should have asked, and it never occurred to him (typical of the pre-80’s male). Unfortunately, the Elly-bashers really remind me of too many men back in the day when they simply saw (and portrayed) any woman who was stuck but maybe trying to change her life as a raging, bra-burning, neurotic shrew. I think Elly is in a time of transition where she is aware she doesn’t deserve this but doesn’t yet see what to do about it. The little dumplings that she is saddled with are not always cute, cuddly and angelic. Sometimes they are brats and that’s hard to deal with 24/7. I couldn’t do it so I just didn’t have kids during that era (thank God).
Gretchen's Mom over 14 years ago
And there it is … the way to a woman’s heart is through her dishwasher! Who knew?!?!?
I absolutely love my dishwasher! I’ve had one in every place I’ve ever lived since I got married and moved out of my childhood home (which did not have a dishwasher … unless you count *me* as being the dishwasher!) 21 years ago and I would never be without one ever again!
Having said that however … I agree with Mirthiful in that here we go again. While Elly may love the dishwasher, here’s yet another expensive purchase (although not as expensive as the $2,000.00 stereo, I’m sure) made by John without first discussing it with his wife beforehand. Their marriage is a pretty sad and horrific train wreck sometimes.
cutiepie29: Personally, I like the strip even if the harpie wife and her denser-than-dirt husband get on my nerves sometimes. The FBorFW comic strip is like a daily soap opera on paper (rather than t.v.). You may not always like some of the characters or even the current storyline but eventually, it moves on to another s/l that you may like a lot better. I think that there’s just something about this particular comic (even if you can’t quite put your finger on it) that keeps you coming back for more, day after day.
Gretchen's Mom over 14 years ago
W6BXQ, John:
I left a message for you on yesterday’s board regarding your question about the wiki address I listed in my previous comment.
notinksanymore over 14 years ago
I’ve always wanted a dishwasher, mostly because a dishwasher can stand water much hotter than my poor hands. I know most dish soaps are antibacterial, but I still say the best way to kill the germs is to run the dishes under scalding water for a minute or two.
W6BXQ, John over 14 years ago
GretchensMom
Yeah, I saw that. Thank you for answering. I did the copy and paste routine also but got different results. That’s the way it goes sometimes. At least all’s well that ends well.
MrsLuke
Thank you for that link, I enjoyed reading the article.
Brother_James437 over 14 years ago
A dishwasher, how romantic……..NOT!!!
mrslukeskywalker over 14 years ago
If you didn’t read the article, and only judged it by it’s name, you also don’t read the strip, you just criticize the comments, just like I was saying in my first comment.
Elly is a self important, raving, lunatic with a foul disposition and a big, screaming mouth. I find that intolerable. Nobody should have to live with what she does. 90% of us call a spade a spade. I don’t see anyone siding with John either, so if the comments are so upsetting to you, DON’T READ THEM! Nobody is going to change their mind to accommodate a couple of political correctness addicts. Look where political correctness got this country. I’ll say it the way I see it. If you don’t like it, too bad. Don’t read the comments, what ever, but this daily quest to have everyone explain WHY they comment the way they do is redundant, boring, and antagonistic.
“Don’t pick on Elly!!!” What do the people who cry this daily SEE, when they read this strip? I see Elly brutalizing everyone who comes in contact with her, including the readers! If YOU DON’T see that, you need to sharpen your comprehension skills, or quit making excuses for what may just be your own behavior.
lindz.coop Premium Member over 14 years ago
I don’t care if folks pick on Elly – and your article link was interesting MrsLuke. I can see why you might hate her – it’s just that I don’t. I don’t care if you hate her, I guess I just find it as hard to understand as you find it hard to understand my point of view. I think she is a victim of her time. Maybe for those who didn’t live thru the 60’s & 70’s battles women had to endure even be spoken to civilly, (sp?) they wouldn’t understand (but I think you said you were old enough for that era (maybe I’m wrong)). His remark last week about “HIS money” certainly hit a nerve with me. I guess I just don’t get as mad at her – maybe I should, but I don’t. I sure don’t think she deserves a punch in the chops as someone suggested earlier (I work with a Center for Abused Women, so that also hits a nerve). So go ahead and hate her – but you have to allow folks who don’t hate her to say what they feel too.
amongthestars over 14 years ago
I started reading the strip as a young teenager (too many years ago lol) and followed it until the end, am now interested to see the beginning which I missed the first time around.
Yeah Ellie is pretty self centred and annoying - so was I at that age - my character evolved, so did Ellie’s!
RinaFarina over 14 years ago
One reason I come back to this strip after leaving it time and time again is that something holds Elly and John together. In spite of all their fights, their marriage does have some kind of a solid foundation. I don’t understand it, and that’s like real life too. I know lots of marriages in which I wonder how they keep going but they do. And lots of others that end in divorce which comes as a complete surprise to me.
lindz.coop Premium Member over 14 years ago
Rina – there is such a thing as “negative attention is better than no attention at all.” Maybe that’s what the attraction is between John & Elly. There is also something to the idea that folks who never fight aren’t really having much in the way of communication or much of a relationship at all. Sometimes they wake up one day and say “what am I doing here?” And sometimes they find someone else who does inspire an emotional response in them.
mrslukeskywalker over 14 years ago
Lindz, I wasn’t even responding to you, if that makes you feel better. Your last comment comes as a complete surprise to me. I was talking to the ones who started this today and keep on going. You and I are pretty much in agreement. I do see your point.
I don’t condone violence at all. I don’t think anybody ever did, except Susan in both of her comments. I didn’t see any outrage from you at her suggestion in her final sentences, which I won’t repeat, because if I quote it, my whole comment will end up deleted for it. You can’t say that you ever saw me say such a thing, because I think you can tell, I’m the last one that would ever let someone smack me around. I also don’t like living with screaming and yelling, and ranting and raving out of control, which is all she ever does. They should know at the shelter you work at that her behavior is also abusive. They take kids away for that!
I also think that we ALL define our comments well enough to rule out anything other than criticism of ACTIONS in this strip. Other than John being an idiot, he never hit her. She however is highly abusive with her words and behavior. After this past week, we have all had enough of her behavior. It was unrelenting and it continued today too! She can’t feel all that limited if she behaves the outrageous way she does. She thinks she’s so smart, yet as many keep pointing out, she never uses her big girl words to define and correct the issues in her life, she just behaves the way she did all week instead, and it never solved her problems.
This was written in the 80’s, and I really can’t say that the same discrimination of women that existed in the 60’s and 70’s really continued into the 80’s, unless people let it. In the 80’s, I don’t know anyone who thought they were the property of their husbands, as they may have in the 60’s and early 70’s.
Anyway, I look at the comments as what 50 people a day are saying about what Lynn Johnston wrote as a story line. I’m not taking them as a personal attack, unless they’re calling me out by name and personally attacking me, and not the other 40 people who said the same thing I did. It happens every day, and nobody cares about that, just that someone called Elly a raving lunatic when her big mouth was open as wide as a cave for 4 panels, and she proved it 15 days in a row.
My personal opinion never much mattered to people before, the way it seems to here. I also don’t know why my comments stand out so much more than the other 40 people saying the same thing, but I think they should get an equal turn at the questions and personal attacks from the PC bunch too!
And since when did anyone ever have to ask my permission to speak their piece? They do it anyway, the same as I do. That accusation is outrageous.
If people don’t like what’s going on in this 30 year old soap opera strip, complain to Lynn Johnston. I don’t write the thing. She created these characters, and their personalities aren’t an accident. Take it up with her. I can’t do anything but comment on what she put out there.
I also stick up for Elly plenty. I did today too, but nobody sees THAT. Noooooo.
I’m tired of having everything I ever say twisted into pretzels and spat back at me as something I never said. This is ridiculous. You only have yourselves to blame now. I’m sick of you all. When you finish chasing off everyone who sees the truth in this NOT funny strip, you can all agree and gush about how wonderful the bitter, screeching shrew is. Tootle-oo! You happy now?
lindz.coop Premium Member over 14 years ago
I wasn’t attacking you at all and you’re right we do often agree (probably as much as we disagree). Certainly, I think we agree about right and wrong regarding what goes on between married folks in arguments. You’re probably right that by the 80s, women were asserting themselves more, but they were still nowhere near equal – they’re not equal today (saw an article yesterday – still 77 cents on the dollar). I think women in the 80s were still fighting the battle tho and some of them probably got pretty hot about it. My big thing with the whole scenario that has been played out for over a week now is the fact that he said it was HIS money – outrageous!! You seem to react more strongly to her behavior ( which I admit has not been very adult), while I see him as more than just a doofus (or whatever you called him) I think he really doesn’t get it about what might really tick off a women who sits home with his kids 24/7. And I guess I know how it would tick me off if I was in her shoes. So – her character bugs you most and his character bugs me most but I don’t go as far as you and Susan – I can’t bring myself to hate either of them. But I do understand better now where you’re coming from. Thanx again for the article!
mrslukeskywalker over 14 years ago
I think you should look back at what I DID say regarding John in this arc. You seem to have missed a lot.
Anyway, had enough of this. Bye. Find yourselves a new villain. Being here feels just as nasty as living in Elly’s nuthouse.
BooksLover over 14 years ago
She work hard at home, and she didn’t deserve those words, but he apologized, so I think it’s time for her to drop the subject for good :-)
Gretchen's Mom over 14 years ago
Brother_James437 said: A dishwasher, how romantic……..NOT!!!
No, a dishwasher may not be as “romantic” in the same sense as jewelry, flowers, candy, etc. are … but I’d rather have my dishwasher than a big expensive diamond ring! Is any of that “romantic” stuff going to do my dishes for me??? I think not!!!
bluetopazcrystal over 14 years ago
athomas917-
I live in Canada, and dentists do very well, indeed. My daughter’s orthodontist has yachting magazines on his table to read. Our basic medical plans don’t really cover the dentist. You need Blue Cross or a similar plan, usually provided by the employer as a benefit.