At this point, I don't know if you need me to analyze Saturday's strip, so I'll just make a few comments.
What the heck is Mike doing in panel 2? I assume he's putting toothpaste on his brush, since the thing he's holding is dark, like the toothpaste tube next to the sink in panel 1, but it's suddenly a lot wider; it looks like a ketchup bottle!
BWAH! to ellcee for pointing out that Deanna must close her eyes and think of Elly! And man does she look smug in that last panel. She probably did get explicit instructions from the Big E.
Mike, "not sure when it will run" means it will almost certainly not see the light of day. In real life, that is. But this is Lynn's world; we're just in it. Still, usually when an editor tells you that, it means they'll hang onto your crappy column just in case the regular columnist is hospitalized or something.
Re: the Kelpfroths' entries in "Who's Who": One of Melville's interests is bowling. Well, there you go! Instead of banging a broom handle on the ceiling, take your bowling ball upstairs, roll it along the hallway, and if it gets away from you and bumps down the stairs...well, you live here too. And Winnie enjoys entertaining! They can host the loudest people they know!
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Some other remarks:
A friend of mine, who might be reading this (hi, Steve!) told me that he's noticed Mike looking more and more like he did in high school. In other words, he's reverting. Not surprising, IMO, since we now see that he's married his mother.
When did the trend of columnists bitching about the tiny, meaningless little annoyances that don't make life any worse unless you're a total neurotic begin? I'd like to say the 1980s, but my awareness of the phenomenon does not necessarily mark the genesis of it.
When do I wear my robe? 1) For a short time after I get up, assuming I'm not leaving the house as soon as I've pulled myself together. 2) Immediately after showering, until my hair's dry enough that it won't saturate my shirt. 3) If I get up in the middle of the night. Other than that, I don't like that heavy thing flapping around.
Times I've turned my back on Cookie Monster when he's implied that he's In The Mood: Zero. Unless I'm deathly ill, or was just about to start something important. I've never used the headache excuse either; sex cures my headaches.
Cookie Monster and I do not share toothpaste, either. I like my brand and he likes his. I think a lot of people are like that, actually, otherwise there wouldn't be so many different brands.