Wacky Packages Forum

Wacky Packages Discussion => General Wacky Packages Discussion => Original Series => Topic started by: NationalSpittoon on August 28, 2016, 02:38:51 PM

Title: Bad gags
Post by: NationalSpittoon on August 28, 2016, 02:38:51 PM
Not sure of too many, but I do know of Cram's..

"No one will have to cram it down your throat to get you to eat it"

I believe it means the lady on the left is "No one," trying to get you to eat it. Not really completely sure, but no one is.. If you know this or other confusing gags, please tell me.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: MoldRush on August 28, 2016, 05:59:56 PM
Good observation - it actually is poorly worded and contrary to the visual.  Maybe "mom will have to cram it down your throat" would work better.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bigtomi on August 29, 2016, 02:40:50 PM
Not sure of too many, but I do know of Cram's..

"No one will have to cram it down your throat to get you to eat it"

I believe it means the lady on the left is "No one," trying to get you to eat it. Not really completely sure, but no one is.. If you know this or other confusing gags, please tell me.
I recall Jay discussing this exact thing a while back (like, years ago), but I don't recall those details. My best recollection was that it was likely misread when it was proofed and was backwards, but nobody noticed it...at least, not in time. I could well be misremembering...
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Ruffs on August 29, 2016, 02:51:14 PM
You're getting old Tom but it's OK
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on August 29, 2016, 02:59:31 PM
I recall Jay discussing this exact thing a while back (like, years ago), but I don't recall those details. My best recollection was that it was likely misread when it was proofed and was backwards, but nobody noticed it...at least, not in time. I could well be misremembering...
I think the gag writers were stoned.  There are a lot of gags that make no sense. Good thing the art was top notch and the characters were funny.  Skimpy Beanut putter?  6 up, you hate it, it hates you, Minute Lice, is there a gag here?  Fink, the sassy grapefruit, Dopey Whip, use for all purposes, Really?
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bigtomi on August 29, 2016, 07:52:15 PM
You're getting old Tom
Beats the alternative, I suppose.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Joe G. on August 29, 2016, 11:06:19 PM
I think the gag writers were stoned.  There are a lot of gags that make no sense. Good thing the art was top notch and the characters were funny.  Skimpy Beanut putter?  6 up, you hate it, it hates you, Minute Lice, is there a gag here?  Fink, the sassy grapefruit, Dopey Whip, use for all purposes, Really?

I agree.  It's the art that makes classic Wackys classic.  As a kid, I never laughed at the writing but the art cracked me up.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: mikecho on September 01, 2016, 11:29:40 AM
I've got one that I can't figure out-how do you pronounce "Escuire" from the 4th series(OS run)? I know its real name is "Esquire" and how to pronounce that,but the Wacky name isn't too clear.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bigtomi on September 01, 2016, 05:26:46 PM
I've got one that I can't figure out-how do you pronounce "Escuire" from the 4th series(OS run)? I know its real name is "Esquire" and how to pronounce that,but the Wacky name isn't too clear.
I would say the pronunciation is the same...at least, I say it the same way.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: mikecho on September 01, 2016, 07:34:51 PM
Thanks,that's a big help. I figured that's what it was,but I wasn't too sure.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Bigmuc13 on September 09, 2016, 10:25:41 AM
I think the gag writers were stoned.  There are a lot of gags that make no sense. Good thing the art was top notch and the characters were funny.  Skimpy Beanut putter?  6 up, you hate it, it hates you, Minute Lice, is there a gag here?  Fink, the sassy grapefruit, Dopey Whip, use for all purposes, Really?

I agree, there are quite a few that are clever, there are lots that just aren't funny or don't make a lot of sense.  Have you ever noticed that the bullseye scores on Windchester are backwards?  The out ring is 50, the middle ring is 30, and the center is only 10.  So you get more points for a lousy shot.  Did they do that on purpose?
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Jean Nutty on September 09, 2016, 02:32:27 PM
Have you ever noticed that the bullseye scores on Windchester are backwards?  The out ring is 50, the middle ring is 30, and the center is only 10.  So you get more points for a lousy shot.  Did they do that on purpose?

I've never noticed that. How hilarious.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: quas on September 09, 2016, 05:36:38 PM
I've never noticed that. How hilarious.

But not original:

http://www.madcoversite.com/mad071.html
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on September 09, 2016, 07:51:44 PM
I agree, there are quite a few that are clever, there are lots that just aren't funny or don't make a lot of sense.  Have you ever noticed that the bullseye scores on Windchester are backwards?  The out ring is 50, the middle ring is 30, and the center is only 10.  So you get more points for a lousy shot.  Did they do that on purpose?
LOL, never noticed!
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on September 09, 2016, 07:53:34 PM
Maybe we should do "one a days" here in checklist order and series order and critique the gag of each title.   Will take a year and half but might be fun.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: NationalSpittoon on September 10, 2016, 04:54:49 AM
Maybe we should do "one a days" here in checklist order and series order and critique the gag of each title.   Will take a year and half but might be fun.

Good idea.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: NationalSpittoon on September 10, 2016, 04:56:39 AM
Die cuts #1- Boredom's

Boredom's
Instant Coffee
One cup puts you to sleep forever


One cup puts you to sleep forever? It kills you?
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Bigmuc13 on September 10, 2016, 05:04:17 AM
Maybe we should do "one a days" here in checklist order and series order and critique the gag of each title.   Will take a year and half but might be fun.

I like it.  It will definitely get you to notice stuff yo never noticed before.  I saw someone already started, and they started with the die cuts.  So we will be at the for a long time  ;)
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Bigmuc13 on September 10, 2016, 05:05:11 AM
Die cuts #1- Bordem's

Bordem's
Instant Coffee
One cup puts you to sleep forever

One cup puts you to sleep forever? It kills you?

Not a lot to this one.  I like the sleepy cow.  But yeah, I guess you die of Boredom!
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: quas on September 10, 2016, 06:11:04 AM
Not a lot to this one.  I like the sleepy cow.  But yeah, I guess you die of Boredom!

I think when all is said and done we'll find most of the wording lame and end up back at what we already know, namely, that it is the great Norm Saunders artwork that captivates us all.  Just a hunch.

But I still like the idea of doing the one-by-one as well.....should be entertaining.  This could be a very long thread, especially if we continue on into ANS and OLDS!
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: NationalSpittoon on September 10, 2016, 07:17:35 AM
I think when all is said and done we'll find most of the wording lame and end up back at what we already know, namely, that it is the great Norm Saunders artwork that captivates us all.  Just a hunch.

But I still like the idea of doing the one-by-one as well.....should be entertaining.  This could be a very long thread, especially if we continue on into ANS and OLDS!

There's still a lot more to ANS, however. You never know though, I guess some might be a little odd to figure out.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: jaylynch on September 10, 2016, 07:34:19 AM
Cram originally said "You have to cram it down their throat to get 'em to eat it," or something like that.  But when the Topps lawyers saw it, they changed the wording so that it wouldn't disparage the product.  This happened a lot... But what are you gonna' do?  That was and is just the way things are in the gumcard biz.  It kills the humor...but avoids the lawsuits.

Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: jaylynch on September 10, 2016, 07:35:49 AM
You just have to backwards engineer some of these gags to ascertain what the gags originally were.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: koduck on September 10, 2016, 08:06:48 AM
Cram originally said "You have to cram it down their throat to get 'em to eat it," or something like that.  But when the Topps lawyers saw it, they changed the wording so that it wouldn't disparage the product.  This happened a lot... But what are you gonna' do?  That was and is just the way things are in the gumcard biz.  It kills the humor...but avoids the lawsuits.

Funny you should mention this. Back in 2007, I asked if we could change the wording on the motion card to make more sense and was told that we need to leave it as is. I figured it was a legal issue.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: RawGoo on September 10, 2016, 08:44:02 AM
Funny you should mention this. Back in 2007, I asked if we could change the wording on the motion card to make more sense and was told that we need to leave it as is. I figured it was a legal issue.

Are there any lawyers that love Wackys?  Sometimes I wonder if they just see lawsuits..............
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: NationalSpittoon on September 11, 2016, 03:22:57 AM
Diecuts #2: Fearstone


Fearstone
You'll tire of our tires


So this one will put you to sleep too? At least it sounds more like just being bored. Maybe Boredom's gag and this gag should be switched...
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: Fanatical_and_Sickly on September 11, 2016, 06:41:20 AM
Fearstone - You'll tire of our tires

get tired of them always blowing out and fearing for your life while driving?
just not a good one at all.
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: bandaches on September 11, 2016, 11:04:15 AM
get tired of them always blowing out and fearing for your life while driving?
just not a good one at all.
I agree, another gag that is awful.  There needs to be a reference to scaring or fear in the tag line.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on September 11, 2016, 11:05:19 AM
Die cuts #1- Boredom's

Boredom's
Instant Coffee
One cup puts you to sleep forever


One cup puts you to sleep forever? It kills you?
how about "dullest cup ever"?
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: quas on September 11, 2016, 11:08:58 AM
how about "dullest cup ever"?

Or "Even the caffeine won't keep you awake".

I like the idea of suggesting an alternative, rather than simply critiquing what Topps went with.
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: quas on September 11, 2016, 11:10:31 AM
I agree, another gag that is awful.  There needs to be a reference to scaring or fear in the tag line.

"The rubber doesn't meet the road"?
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Jean Nutty on September 11, 2016, 11:20:45 AM
Are there any lawyers that love Wackys?  Sometimes I wonder if they just see lawsuits..............

Here's a gag that's easy to understand!

        (http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/rbishop224/Trvial%20Lawsuit_zpsczugq8we.jpg)
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: NationalSpittoon on September 11, 2016, 11:29:39 AM
Or "Even the caffeine won't keep you awake".

I like the idea of suggesting an alternative, rather than simply critiquing what Topps went with.

This and Bandaches' are very good. Definitely better than the old gag. Maybe Fearstone could be something along the lines of "Rabid Rubber" or something?
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on September 11, 2016, 12:13:40 PM
Here's a gag that's easy to understand!

        (http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/rbishop224/Trvial%20Lawsuit_zpsczugq8we.jpg)
"piece" stuck up my nose???? Why not pea?
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on September 11, 2016, 12:14:22 PM
Or "Even the caffeine won't keep you awake".

I like the idea of suggesting an alternative, rather than simply critiquing what Topps went with.
Toadally agree!  I don't believe in critics who aren't also authors.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: NationalSpittoon on September 11, 2016, 03:29:02 PM
"piece" stuck up my nose???? Why not pea?

It does look like a pea.
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: NationalSpittoon on September 12, 2016, 02:15:45 AM
Diecuts #3- Vicejoy

Vicejoy
20 Butts
Vicejoy's got the taste that rots
Fungus tip cigarettes


Vice = Immoral or wicked behavior
Joy = A great feeling of happiness

So Vicejoy means wicked happiness? Then why do the cigarettes have to do with fungus and rotting? Maybe "They make you insanely happy" or a better variant of that phrase would be more fitting. Never really thought the name fitted.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Jean Nutty on September 12, 2016, 10:31:42 AM
"piece" stuck up my nose???? Why not pea?

I pondered the same thing, and concluded I wasn't smart enough to understand that gag.

I thought maybe it was a green M&M, but that doesn't make any sense.

What could get stuck up your nose that you would sue for?    I have no clue.

Quote
Maybe we should do "one a days" here in checklist order and series order and critique the gag of each title.   Will take a year and half but might be fun

I think something like this would be fun. If there's interest / if we want to explore the idea, we could start a thread to discuss it.

(I'd consider helping to post images if we wanted to include them in the discussion.)

Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: NationalSpittoon on September 12, 2016, 01:08:39 PM
I think something like this would be fun. If there's interest / if we want to explore the idea, we could start a thread to discuss it.

You want to start a new topic? If so, it should be done early, but we'd have to restart it completely. It is necessary, I guess though.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: quas on September 12, 2016, 02:33:40 PM
Toadally agree!  I don't believe in critics who aren't also authors.

And so if we start a new thread, it will be to both critique and suggest what we think might have been better.

Then Topps can start a whole new Wacky series featuring "Wacky Classic" with the old wording and "Wacky Rebirth" for the new wording concurrent with the 50th anniversary............
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Fanatical_and_Sickly on September 12, 2016, 03:56:35 PM
I pondered the same thing, and concluded I wasn't smart enough to understand that gag.

I thought maybe it was a green M&M, but that doesn't make any sense.

What could get stuck up your nose that you would sue for?    I have no clue.
My thought is that it's meant to be a green Trivial Pursuit game piece, one of the those cheese wedge shaped doohickeys.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bigtomi on September 12, 2016, 03:59:38 PM
one of those cheese wedge shaped doohickeys.
You scientist types are so technical...   :P
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Jean Nutty on September 16, 2016, 11:00:10 AM
You want to start a new topic? If so, it should be done early, but we'd have to restart it completely. It is necessary, I guess though.

Not necessarily - I was simply replying to bandaches idea of going thru every series and discussing each title, one a day for a year and a half.

That would be a big endeavor and we'd want to explore if people were interested. It would be rude to clutter up your thread w/discussion  >(

(This type of thing has been done in the distant past, with discussion about positive and negative opinions about the artwork and the gags)   
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on September 16, 2016, 07:46:24 PM
Not necessarily - I was simply replying to bandaches idea of going thru every series and discussing each title, one a day for a year and a half.

That would be a big endeavor and we'd want to explore if people were interested. It would be rude to clutter up your thread w/discussion  >(

(This type of thing has been done in the distant past, with discussion about positive and negative opinions about the artwork and the gags)   
It's all a moot point, the other thread has been started and seems to be going pretty well.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Gurgle on September 17, 2016, 09:42:26 AM
The reason 6 Up has "You Hate It, It Hates You" is because the 7 Up slogan was "You Like It, It Likes You."

Plus, I always loved the absurdity of "Beanut Putter" and I'd be disappointed if the early WP gag writers were NOT stoned.


(https://s21.postimg.org/4wsitm5qr/z2y2ggflap11xm.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/4wsitm5qr/)


I think the gag writers were stoned.  There are a lot of gags that make no sense. Good thing the art was top notch and the characters were funny.  Skimpy Beanut putter?  6 up, you hate it, it hates you, Minute Lice, is there a gag here?  Fink, the sassy grapefruit, Dopey Whip, use for all purposes, Really?
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Gurgle on September 17, 2016, 09:48:32 AM
I wrote that gag and you are correct, sir. "Piece" refers to a game piece. Maybe I should have included the word "game" before "piece."


My thought is that it's meant to be a green Trivial Pursuit game piece, one of the those cheese wedge shaped doohickeys.
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: Gurgle on September 17, 2016, 09:57:36 AM
I always interpreted it as getting joy from vice. The rest was just to make the cigarette gross, I guess.

I have a fondness for some of the gags that sprawl a little bit like this one. I think as time went on in ANS, gags got more specific and almost anal in a way every line had to fit exactly. Sometimes it would work great, other times not. Some of the gags would be cumbersome and seemed forced.

To me, slightly abstract gags like this come across almost like riffing and having fun. And maybe rushing to meet deadline!



Diecuts #3- Vicejoy

Vicejoy
20 Butts
Vicejoy's got the taste that rots
Fungus tip cigarettes


Vice = Immoral or wicked behavior
Joy = A great feeling of happiness

So Vicejoy means wicked happiness? Then why do the cigarettes have to do with fungus and rotting? Maybe "They make you insanely happy" or a better variant of that phrase would be more fitting. Never really thought the name fitted.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on September 18, 2016, 06:15:18 AM
The reason 6 Up has "You Hate It, It Hates You" is because the 7 Up slogan was "You Like It, It Likes You."

Plus, I always loved the absurdity of "Beanut Putter" and I'd be disappointed if the early WP gag writers were NOT stoned.


(https://s21.postimg.org/4wsitm5qr/z2y2ggflap11xm.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/4wsitm5qr/)
I think kids liked saying you hate it, it hates you just like saying Ajerx so I am good with that even if the gag is weak as appealing to kids is the priority.  Beanut Putter, just seems to random and too absurd, sorry.
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: bandaches on September 18, 2016, 06:21:32 AM
I wrote that gag and you are correct, sir. "Piece" refers to a game piece. Maybe I should have included the word "game" before "piece."
I think "game"wouldn't have been necessary if the 3d rendering on the piece was done better, I assume that is the flat bottom of the game piece showing, the rendering makes it look spherical.
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: bandaches on September 18, 2016, 06:59:50 AM
I always interpreted it as getting joy from vice. The rest was just to make the cigarette gross, I guess.

I have a fondness for some of the gags that sprawl a little bit like this one. I think as time went on in ANS, gags got more specific and almost anal in a way every line had to fit exactly. Sometimes it would work great, other times not. Some of the gags would be cumbersome and seemed forced.

To me, slightly abstract gags like this come across almost like riffing and having fun. And maybe rushing to meet deadline!
I think all lines should align with the gag but I think the issue with ANS is they are way too wordy.  I don't feel every line and every word of an original product needs to be incorporated into a wacky. 
Title: Re: Gags that are hard to understand.
Post by: Gurgle on September 18, 2016, 09:31:57 AM
It's not for everyone, but "Beanut Putter" cracked me up as a kid. It sounds like something you would say accidentally and then laugh, but makes no sense whatsoever.

6 Up never did much for me, even though it has a gag that "fits."


I think kids liked saying you hate it, it hates you just like saying Ajerx so I am good with that even if the gag is weak as appealing to kids is the priority.  Beanut Putter, just seems to random and too absurd, sorry.
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: Gurgle on September 18, 2016, 09:38:19 AM
I agree about the wordiness.

Here's the rough of Trivial Lawsuit and the final. You can see how many jokes were added.

(https://s11.postimg.org/pfhcncl5b/Trivial_Lawsuit_Compare.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/pfhcncl5b/)

I think all lines should align with the gag but I think the issue with ANS is they are way too wordy.  I don't feel every line and every word of an original product needs to be incorporated into a wacky.
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: bandaches on September 18, 2016, 09:43:24 AM
I agree about the wordiness.

Here's the rough of Trivial Lawsuit and the final. You can see how many jokes were added.

(https://s11.postimg.org/pfhcncl5b/Trivial_Lawsuit_Compare.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/pfhcncl5b/)
Ugh, the 50% line and suing for over 25 years don't belong at all.  Why did the 2-6 get changed to 2-78?
Title: Re: Bad gags
Post by: Gurgle on September 18, 2016, 05:59:21 PM
The edition did have a line about "Celebrating 25 years" so that addition made sense.

I don't know about the 78.

(https://s12.postimg.org/yc0yaiobd/image.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/yc0yaiobd/)

Ugh, the 50% line and suing for over 25 years don't belong at all.  Why did the 2-6 get changed to 2-78?