Brooks on Books: My Turn Next by Bil Keane

Ok, this isn't so much a TV book, but since we talked about The Family Circus way back in our first season, the strip is a solid member of the BOTNSverse, and besides, I wrote about Wanna Be Smiled At? before. So why not a look at 1981'a My Turn Next, another paperback collection of Bil Keane's comic?

Note that this book comes to us "with hugs and kisses!" There is plenty of trademark cuteness in this set of panels, originally published in 1977. You see a lot of cute sayings, cute misunderstandings, and generally cute behavior.

However, some of the strips have a bit of an edge. Edge may be a strong word, but at least a bit of bite and certainly some truth. I find some of these are really funny. 

You have to admire when the panel talks a walk on the wild side and gets a bit risque:

Some of my favorite Family Circus sequences are when they go on vacation. My Turn Next! has a series of the Keanes hitting New York City. I love that whenever they go somewhere, the kids end up wearing t-shirts with the name of the destination and waving pennants with the name of the destination...while they're still on vacation! This family loves to travel.

But even a great trip to the Big Apple has its disappointments. Take this one, which really strikes me as funny.

Another thing I love is how often Bil and Thel have blank looks on their faces. The kids are expressive, emotional, often out of control. Yet their parents usually are the picture of impassivity no matter what's going on around them. If life is a Circus, these folks don't seem too excited by it.

These two are almost kind of edgy!

I like the sense of exhaustion in these ones:

And finally, just because, here's an example of a kid driving a parent to do something that will make the kid cry but restore her own sanity,

Brooks on Books: "Wanna Be Smiled At?" ("Affectionately Drawn by Bil Keane")

I'm gonna just say it right here once again: The Family Circus rules.

At least the original version of the strip does. Sure, it has its cloying moments, but in its earliest days, the panel offers some genuine laughs. 

Lest you wonder why we are talking about this book here, remember we discussed A Family Circus Christmas way back in our first season!

I dug up this book from my archives and tore through it this week. I loved it!

First off, P.J. rules. OK, so this cover does get at the occasional sentimentality of the strip. Also, though, P.J. IS adorable.

Here's the thing: Even if the gags aren't the best, there is often some kind of amusing facial expression that sells the panel. You get Billy scowling, Jeffy worrying, Dolly being earnest, and many times P.J. just sitting there with a goofy grin. Sometimes the kids are creating a total disaster scene in, say, the kitchen, and P.J. is in the background with a serious facial expression, and that's just as funny.

There are variations on some recurring themes: Kids say darndest things, kids embarrass their folks in public, kids create utter chaos, etc. Keane's drawing is not just affectionate, though, but it's effective. Subtleties in the faces and backgrounds often enhance the joke. Yes, I just referred to "subtleties" in The Family Circus.

It's a great book and about a 5-mintue read. I probably looked at this a lot when I was a kid, and I am paying for it now because it's starting to fall apart. I think I got my parents' 75 cents worth, though.

Holiday Special

In our first ever Holiday Special, we try to unpack the complex mythos of Rankin-Bass' The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold, then make a heartwarming visit to the Keane family in A Family Circus Christmas. Plus a holiday-themed "TV Guide Game." A note to our listeners loyal and new. This marks the end of season one, but we'll return in January with a look back on season one and details on season two. Stay tuned and happy holidays!

Check out this episode!