Gary Larson, the creative genius behind The Far Side, grew up immersed in the iconic television landscape of the 1960s. His exposure to classic shows shaped his unique comedic style, paving the way for parodies that have resonated with audiences for decades. As the popularity of Larson’s work continues to thrive, the question arose: Which of his classic TV show parodies is the most humorous? To address this question, we conducted a poll in February 2024, and the results were intriguing.
Polling revealed an enthusiastic response, with even the least favored entry garnering 65 votes. While nostalgic favorites like *Bewitched*, *Mr. Ed*, and *The Love Boat* still have their charm, the standout performers were those tied to franchises that maintain their relevance today. *Jeopardy!* ranked third in popularity, followed by *Star Trek* in second place, but capturing the top spot was Larson’s darkly humorous take on *The Flintstones*.
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Far Side’s Funniest Comic References to Classic TV Shows |
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|---|---|---|---|
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|
Show |
Votes |
Vote Percentage |
Ranking |
|
The Brady Bunch |
65 |
3% |
#9 |
|
Bewitched |
74 |
4% |
#8 |
|
Lassie |
103 |
5% |
#7 |
|
The Love Boat |
139 |
7% |
#6 (Tie) |
|
Mister Ed |
145 |
7% |
#6 (Tie) |
|
The Dating Game |
190 |
10% |
#5 |
|
The Lone Ranger |
263 |
14% |
#4 |
|
Jeopardy! |
286 |
15% |
#3 |
|
Star Trek |
302 |
16% |
#2 |
|
The Flintstones |
373 |
19% |
#1 |
The Flintstones: Top Far Side Classic TV Parody
Gary Larson’s Amusing Take on the Modern Stone-Age Family
The winning comic from our poll highlights two saber-toothed tigers contemplating their recent meal of Fred Flintstone, the beloved character from the 1960s animated series. This was not the only occasion Larson poked fun at the residents of Bedrock; he also depicted archeologists unearthing the Flintstones’ mailbox in another strip.
The enduring fondness for *The Flintstones* as a cornerstone of animated humor amplifies the engagement with Larson’s comics. Equally revealing is Larson’s fascination with prehistoric life, evidenced by his frequent comedic exploration of caveman-themed humor.
Larson’s Caveman Fascination Extends Beyond The Flintstones
Iconic Prehistoric Humor in The Far Side
Cavemen, alongside Larson’s favorite cows, stand as the quintessential figures in *The Far Side*. Over his 14 years of cartooning, Larson produced myriad prehistoric gags, often juxtaposing ancient behaviors and inventions against contemporary life.
Larson’s caveman strips often reflect a humorous belief that our ancestors had a rudimentary understanding of their world, evident in their frequently misguided attempts at innovation. For instance, one comic depicts the origin of checkers, which amusingly employs just two squares. Despite his penchant for mixing prehistoric figures with dinosaurs, Larson acknowledged this artistic liberty. In *The Prehistory of The Far Side*, he humorously confessed:
I’ve always felt that I’ve committed some heresy by doing cartoons (like the ones above) that mixed dinosaurs with primitive people. I think there should be cartoon confessionals where we could go and say things like, “Father, I have sinned – I have drawn dinosaurs and hominids together in the same cartoon.”
While Larson’s pop culture insights extended beyond television, he also expertly lampooned renowned films such as *The Godfather*, *Godzilla*, and *The Sound of Music*.
Even if Larson sometimes felt conflicted about depicting humans alongside dinosaurs, he inadvertently enriched the field of paleontology. His coined term “Thagomizer”for a Stegosaurus’s tail, after it disarmed a caveman named Thag, eventually gained acceptance within scientific discourse, redefining a part of Stegosaurus anatomy that previously lacked an official name.
The Far Side’s Expansive Beyond TV
Gary Larson’s Rich Tapestry of Movie Parodies
Larson’s ability to discern which subjects would withstand the tests of time is commendable, as he often referenced movies and personalities still relevant today. Noteworthy gags encompass a shaken horse exiting a *Godfather* screening and an adult version of Disney’s *Dumbo* seeking revenge against humanity.
Horror films held a special allure for Larson, perfectly complementing his morbid humor. Iconic moments included a shark from *Jaws* making a return with its distinctive score, Norman Bates from *Psycho* transforming from knife-wielder to tank operator, and a disturbingly transformed chicken becoming the new menace in *A Nightmare on Elm Street*.
Despite Larson’s penchant for poking fun at film and TV, pop culture returned the favor by slyly integrating *The Far Side* into its narratives. Iconic shows like *Cheers* and *The Simpsons* have made references to Larson’s work over the years. For instance, a *Simpsons* episode notably featured a recreation of one of Larson’s gags and even included a scene where Homer Simpson meets Gary Larson in the 21st season episode titled ‘Once Upon a Time in Springfield.’
Gary Larson possessed an extraordinary talent for identifying pop-culture references that would remain funny and relevant for years to come. This ability contributed to the legacy of The Far Side, establishing it as a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire humor across genres. As pop culture evolves, fans eagerly await the day when Fred, Wilma, Pebbles, and Bamm-Bamm stumble upon one of Larson’s beloved cavemen in a new *Flintstones* project.
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