From Alvin to Yogi
Okay, enough of the frivolous stuff. Let's move on to a subject with which we all can relate, cartoon characters.
I found a list of the leading cartoon characters on the internet. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed by the the list leaving out some of my favorites.
Alvin Chipmunk
Angelica Pickles
Atom Ant
Barney Rubble
Bart Simpson
Batman
Beavis & Butt-Head
Betty Boop
Blossom
Boo-Boo
Brutus
Bugs Bunny
Buttercup
Cartman
Cat Woman
Charlie Brown
Donald Duck
Eliza Thornberry
Elmer Fudd
Fat Albert
Felix the Cat
George of the Jungle
Gerald McBoing-Boing
Goofey
Homer Simpson
Tom & Jerry
Josie
Lisa Simpson
Maggie Simpson
Marjorie "Marge" Simpson
Mickey Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Olive-Oyl
Pebbles Flintstone
Piglet
Pikachu
Pink Panther
Pluto
Popeye
Road Runner
Robin
Scooby-Doo
Shaggy
Simon Chipmunk
Snoopy
Spiderman
SpongeBob SquarePants
Superman
The Joker
Theodore "Theo" Chipmunk
Tigger
Tommy Pickles
Top Cat
Tweety & Sylvester
Wile E. Coyote
Wilma Flintstone
Winnie the Pooh
Woody Woodpecker
Yogi Bear
Okay, after some careful consideration, Cartman tops my list of favorite cartoon characters. If you watch
South Park, you know he's one of the four
main characters which also include Stan, Kyle, and Kenny. I think I've watched every freakin' episode of South Park. Cartman is fat, difficult to get along with, definitely selfish, and he has a foul mouth. In spite of all this, I find him charming because he makes me think of a friend with whom I grew up…except that he wasn't fat. He seems to be amoral and I know most people would find him objectionable, but I find him amusing and his own worst enemy. Yeap, that was my young friend, bless his heart. Some folks might attribute his horrible behavior to his mom, single, sex-addicted, and a drug user. Not me. Being grounded in reality, I think Cartman invented himself and believes his behavior serves him well. Ah, my childhood friend. Cartman often tries to position himself to Lord it over his friends whom he requires to, “Respect my authoritah!” It seldom results in the desired effect, but instead ends with Cartman declaring, “Screw you guys…I'm going home.” (See “
Repect My Authoritah.”)
Daffy Duck is an example of a bit player who hit it big. He started with the small role in a Porky Pig cartoon, “Duck Dodgers,” but went on to bigger roles as a rival of Bugs Bunny. I understand that Bugs and Porky found the way he could steal scenes “Dis-spicable.” His tendency to have tantrums were scenes worthy of Jack Nicholson. Being Irish, I'm very familiar with folks having hissy-fits. (See “
Daffy Duck Compilation.”)
Heckle and Jeckle go back a pretty long way. As a kid I loved these two identical magpies who consistently outwitted their foes and maintained a good sense of humor. I think I used them as role models for myself. They were a little abrasive at times…something I would never be. (See “
Super Salesmen.”)
I've known a lot of Wile E. Coyotes---consistently setting traps and catching themselves in them. Often I have been able to see where their plots and plans are leading and give them a wide berth because I didn't want to be caught in the same traps in which they were about to catch themselves. As for the Roadrunner, an extremely boring character except for his lightning speed. (See “Coyote Falls.”)
You've got to love Yosemite Sam. Sam is often presented as a gunslinging prospector, pirate, outlaw, or cowboy who was extremely aggressive with a hair-trigger temper. His irritant was often Bugs Bunny. I loved Sam's ineffective rants which often ended in his being exhausted. I know you too can relate to Yosemite Sam: just think back to your last family reunion. (See “
From Heir to Hare.”)
Hmmm…no female characters chosen. I don't want to be accused of being Sexist. What about
Olive Oyl and Betty Boop: one a bit of a wall flower, the other, well, Betty Boop. These choices seem well balanced.
(See “Brotherly Love” for Olive or “Betty Boop Cartoon Banned for Drug Use 1934”) Betty---your choice.”
Choose your favorites carefully. They may tell you more about yourself than you want to know.
enough
(That’s all Folks)
