Gil Thorp by Henry Barajas and Rachel Merrill for November 25, 2022

(blinks) Exactly how many cameramen were standing out there for a HIGH SCHOOL game??

Mr. Destiny’s formative moment.

That’s right, fans! We’re going to a commercial in the middle of this play!

I know players were a bit slower then, but come on!

Wait! They’re watching the game tape… The game tape had commercial breaks?

Nice to see Big Hand Luke wearing his VT throwback jersey (what? no Carolina Blue?) as he closes in on Willie Mays Tays.

And a shout out to Sign Man on his return from sports exile.

P1- Even in 1987, Marty was afraid of commitment. He shoulda gone full Fu Manchu.

P2- Sign Man is truly the Milford High School Harry hanging around for at least 35 years.

P3- Lukey’s skin looks as smooth as a baby’s bottom. He later took hormone injections to become BHHLHM.

Question, is this live or is it Memorex?

Gil hopes Tays can repel Martinez with flatulence since he can’t outrun him.

And remember fans , in all reality , this exciting game is being brought to you by Bud & Lou’s Tavern convinently located across from Milford High, Shakey Jake’s Tattoo Emporium and School Supplies and the Check Us Out Show Lounge . Please patronize our sponsors . Now back to the semi live action.

Signman sure has been around a long time

Well, the commercial break makes (a little?) sense if this is a recorded rebroadcast of the game. Or a highlight show? But doesn’t seem like it. Was Milford the #1 seed, is that why they’re hosting the championship game? Despite the home field advantage, Gil’s squad choked. And speaking of choking, don’t be eating while you’re reading today’s Mopped Up Thorp, you wouldn’t want to choke when you start laughing. Or sighing and rolling your eyes, either way.

P2.5 “That’s it Hays, show that Martinez the magical power of Milford’s AMAAAAAZZING sloppy joes!”

What…the…actual…?!

What? No love for the entire Fistpump Man family? They showed out big time for the playdown finale.

Luke Martinez’ uniform reminded me of the time that Sergio Garcia ashowed up on the first tee for the final pair in the last round of the US Open dressed head to toe in that shade of yellow. At the time he was one stroke down to Tiger Woods. I remember commenting that if I’m Tiger Woods, I looking at that and thinking I just won the tournament. In my mind it was one of the most humorous moments in professional golf history.

It’s just possible that this isn’t Milford’s own game tape, but a recording of a local TV station’s highlights/recap show. Unlike college programs with big libraries of game film, a high school program back in the day might just record Friday Night Football after the 11 o’clock news for some scouting of other teams.

P4:Shirtless Marty at a bathroom sing: “Got P0rnstache? Me, too! That’s why I use the Ronco P0Rnstache trimmer!”

P5:Mimi enters stage left in nothing but a towel, drapes her arms around Marty: “It’s great for the beaver, too!”

P6: Sloppy tongue kiss.

P7: Gill turns the VCR off. “Okay, that’s all I needed to see! I guess I really DON’T pay attention to Mimi!”

Was Tays just jogging before? Great coaching insight from Gil.

P1- This was the last time Marty wore a tie.

P2- RICOLA!!!!!

P3- The game was moved to the gray field at Eastern Michigan to avoid potential rioting in Milford.

It would appear in panel 1 that Marty Moon has appropriated the title of the 2005 Gil Thorp “Playdown Pandemonium” basketball anthology. Hopefully the writer, and his editor, will invest some time in reading it so that at least basketball can be accurately depicted during the upcoming season. That is if there will actually be one.

Coaches Held Hostage: Coach Kaz, Day 45. No attempt to connect anything with 45 today. Just found out the that the first new friend I made in DC back in 1975 — Dick Belanger — died this morning of brain cancer. Thankfully, I was able to visit him in his home in Bethany Beach a couple of times in the last several months. May his name be for a blessing.

P1-“Knock three times On the ceiling if you Want meeeeeeee…”

P-1: Special Guest Appearance by Jim Croce. (Song – If I had Wine in a Bottle).

P-2: Revealed – Milford is cheating. Tays is driving Wonder Woman’s Invisible Car (notice him shifting gears with his free hand).

P-3: We always knew Luke was Yellow!

I. Can’t. Even. Is it me, or is this strip now in the hands of a 12-year-old kid who got his hands on mom and dad’s gummies?

A commercial break in the middle of a play? Just when I thought this couldn’t get any dumber.