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My dying wish is for an owl/camel hybrid, which I call camowl.

Garfield’s Garfood!

As you can see, I've only made good on half the promise. We've got the blog rollin' in the new layout, but there were just too many cross-browser bugs to put it up on the main page quite yet. (Plus, there's the issue of redoing about a hundred images within the new format.) At least y'all can converse without pine to the left and Santa to the right -- we'll get the whole ditty up soon. Thanks to Brian for putting it together. Still have some tweaks to make here and there, but we're getting close.

I didn't have high hopes for this one before putting it together, but I kinda dig the way it came out. And if you've ever eaten a package of Garfield and Friends fruit snacks, you will too. It's an essay on Garfield's Garfood -- a collection of candies, snacks and kitty treats branded with the fat cat, all from the late `80s/early `90s. I just picked up season 2 of Garfield and Friends on DVD, and realized how much that show used to mean to me. It was my absolute fave for a short while. If you're around the same age as me and were also bit by the Odie bug, you should remember at least a few of the things seen in the article. Get to it. And while you're at it, pick up the DVD sets. I know how the strip's been received in the past few years (read: poorly), but the cartoon was great stuff. I haven't gotten up to any of the episodes with the "oh we're the ants" songs yet, but it's good to know that the future holds treasure.

Also picked up Freddy Vs. Jason, the only film featuring either character that I hadn't yet bought. It was moreover to see the infamous original ending, and after seeing the infamous original ending, I can say for sure that it's a good thing they changed it to the dreamy Freddy/Jason lake epilogue. If you thought the film relied too heavily on the kids and not at all enough on the title characters, the original ending would've really pissed ya off. I hope they get around to making whatever kind of sequel they decide on -- at the horror convention, Englund pretty explicitly said not to expect Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash, as Raimi/Campbell would prefer to do an all-new Evil Dead flick than throw their legacy to the wolves, so to speak. On the upside, he seemed confident that Freddy would be tangling with Michael Myers down the road, and I only hope that doesn't mean Jason's going to be left in the dust. I'd personally rather see each character return to their respective series for individual films closer to their original appeal, but that's seeming less and less likely. Ah well.

Speaking of movies, it's looking to be a way-great summer with Batman Begins and War of the Worlds being two definite must-sees. X-E's reliable snail of a designer, Brian, saw Batsy last week and loved it. And as far as War of the Worlds goes, I'm pretty sure I'll love it even if it's the worst movie ever made. I'm even slightly interested in Shark Boy and Lava Girl due to the 3-D thing, which is overstated in the television ads to the point where it'd be worth seeing in theaters just to watch all the kids cry with disappointment.

Posted by Matt on 06/05/2005. E-mail me!



Discussion Thread: 141 comments

HOLY SHIT! KRANG’S BODY! KRANG’S BODY! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 5:43 PM


Damn. I got beat.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 5:44 PM


I haven’t seen the "static" background yet, but I really like the wood.

I’m glad someone else liked the U.S. Acres part of Garfield and Friends. Everyone I know hates it.

Chestnuts roasted by BrightNoah @ 06/06/2005 6:36 PM


Actually I believe Garfield and Friends shows up every now and then on Toon Disney. I don’t know the exact times, but if you have a satellite dish you might get the channel.

And thanks for the MST3K info, I wonder how they got the rights to all those episodes for DVD releases. My favorite episode in that was the Final Sacrifice, although I also liked the Wild Wild World of Batwoman and Manos: Hands of Fate.

Chestnuts roasted by mjf7583 @ 06/06/2005 6:54 PM


New layout looks good. Come on everyone, let’s not be too hard on Matt for leaving the Christmas stuff up, I am sure he had been working to take it down, and came across some problems. Let’s just enjoy it as is, and have fun!!

Chestnuts roasted by nobody @ 06/06/2005 7:11 PM


I LOVE GARFIELD!! Do you guys remember a cat litter box commercial several years ago with Garfield on it, but it was after Lorenzo Music died, and the voice just wasn’t the same? Depressing as hell–right up there with the cocky Snuggles bear. I wish I had my old Snuggles Bear, because I would rip its head off for being so freakin cocky. Now that I feel better…

I have Garfield stuff around–pj pants, checkbook (a couple of different designs from Garfield’s 25th Anniversary 2 years ago), a big plush pillow, the movie DVD, the Christmas special on a used VHS my boyfriend won on Ebay for me (I dont want the DVD–the video is more nostalgic!!!!!!!!!).

This trove of interesting items looks appealing, but blackened candy ruins it for me. I was still hoping this stuff would look at least somewhat edible, not like poopies and tar. Yeah, that sounded really immature. who cares?

By the way Matt, I’m interning at CBS-3 in Philadelphia, and I remembered how CBS and Nickelodeon are connected by the mere fact that their ownership is under Viacom. Pretty groovy.

Anyways, as usual, another great article! Great blog design!!!!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 06/06/2005 7:44 PM


Black Jack gum is awesome! 8000 points for referencing it :D

P.S. Has anyone picked up the Toys ‘r’ Us exclusive Kids Next Door action figures yet? If so, are they cool?

Chestnuts roasted by Eddie Lightning Frog @ 06/06/2005 7:49 PM


I forgot to mention that I was a few days shy of 6 when Garfield and Friends came on, and it was vital Saturday morning cartoon viewing. CBS always showed the best cartoons. Apparently, I’m supposed to suck up at the internship and say this, but I don’t. I just say that I watch the news and Dr. Phil. There’s a crazy habit.

Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 06/06/2005 7:51 PM


Looking back on my gradeschool self I must’ve been a real loser because I preferred the Heathcliff to Garfield.

Whereas Heathcliff was an everyday Nick cartoon for me, my only love for Garfield was contained to his holiday specials and wacky Colorform set. That should’ve clued me in that Garfield was the better orange cat… only the elite get holiday specials and Colorforms.

Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 06/06/2005 8:02 PM


nice little layout, Matt.. I myself am also a fan of Calvin and Hobbes and the far side..erm..garfield not so much, but nice little article.. the movie I’m looking forward to this summer is Charlie and the chocolate factory..I like burton and Depp is good in his movies..whoo.

Chestnuts roasted by Jenny @ 06/06/2005 8:14 PM


I remember checking out garfield books at the library and getting the "that’s not appropriate for second grade reading time" from my teacher.
My favorite part of the US acres part of garfield was the depressed duck with the innertube. poor thing, i always felt bad for him.

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 06/06/2005 8:55 PM


Hey Matt, is there a blockbuster summer you antcipated more than the rest?

For me it’s a tie between 1989 and 1990. There were too many good movies for a preteen kid those years. For those of us just slightly too young to fully understand the Star Wars hype, the years of Batman, Back to the Future 2&3, Gremlins2, TMNT, Dick Tracy, Indy JonesIII, etc. were probably our first real taste of sequel and/or over-merchandized movie anticipation.

Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 06/06/2005 9:35 PM


Actually Mars, "Frumpy the Clown" was a comic strip by Judd Winick (from "The Real World") that lasted for about two years. Like I said, time forgot him.

Chestnuts roasted by Alex @ 06/06/2005 10:18 PM


Matt – I keep forgetting to post this, but I wanted to let you know I have an old Garfield coloring book from 1983 that is in good condition (except for the handful of pages I colored with my horrible neon crayons) that I could send you some pics/scans of if you’d like.

Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 06/07/2005 12:43 PM


NEON? ….ugh. That is SO bitner.

Chestnuts roasted by Bitner @ 06/07/2005 12:47 PM


Love this article, especially that first paragraph? When did cartoons get so political anyway? As a kid I could care less about what president made office. All I wanted to see was Odie get booted across the room. Oh yeah, congrats – you made Fark today. http://www.fark.com/

Chestnuts roasted by Derek G @ 06/07/2005 1:03 AM


I LOVED Garfield & Friends, and when I get money, i’m gonna get the DVDs.

I am also saddened to say that the voice of Wade Duck, Howard Morris, passed away May 21. Sucks. Wade was one of the best characters on that show.

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 06/07/2005 1:11 AM


Always fun to read about Garfield.

Chestnuts roasted by Aristobulus @ 06/07/2005 3:20 AM


I can’t believe you forgot the Garfield and Odie suckers! They were these huge suckers with a piece of rubber molded around them and giant wax plug along the bottom to seal them in.

Chestnuts roasted by Bobbo @ 06/07/2005 10:24 AM


anyone remember scooby doo dog treats?

think they still make em

Chestnuts roasted by Zodiac Digital @ 06/07/2005 7:53 PM


Oh how I loved me some US Acres! I think my parents were even aware not to mess with me while that was on.

Condorman. I remember the cover box more then the movie. Basically some superhero dressed as a condor that could fly. I would rent it, be let down, forget about it, and repeat.

cheers

Chestnuts roasted by Dopus @ 06/07/2005 8:03 PM


Anyone remember the Garfield ice cream bars?
Talk about licking some p—y!

Chestnuts roasted by jbird @ 06/08/2005 2:34 PM


Matt, the recent run of articles have been really strong. Good job. The House article is in my X-E Top 3.

Chestnuts roasted by Jason @ 06/08/2005 8:32 PM


Recently, in a country gas station between Dallas and Austin, I spotted a Garfield food product: a gummy pizza about the diameter of an orange, loaded with gummy toppings of all shapes, colors, and presumedly, flavors. I’m not sure what the crust was made of.

Chestnuts roasted by joeyjojo @ 06/08/2005 11:50 PM


I loved Garfield when I was younger. Does anyone remember the U.S. Acres cartoons that came one around the same time as Garfield & Friends? I loved Roy Rooster.

Anyways, my fondest Garfield memory comes from making my Garfiled stuffed toy talk. One time he told me that if my dad gorrected me on more time, he was gonna kick my dad’s ass.

Garfield ended up on the roof of the house for a day. He kept his fat mouth shut after that

Chestnuts roasted by Brownbag @ 06/09/2005 10:36 AM


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