06/05/2005 Entry: "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.

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 06/05/2005 07:51 PM EST

I couldn't force myself to watch War of the Worlds, even if the only movies playing besides it were Fast Getaway IV and Ernest Shits a Cactus. I am in Ultimate Hate Mode for Tom Cruise right now. He is such an ass. Plus, he's gone batshit crazy, and I'll never be able to watch Top Gun again w/o thinking about clams and body-robbing aliens.

End rant.

Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 06/05/2005 08:15 PM EST

Garfield Fruit Snacks = Best damn fruit snacks ever.

Chestnuts roasted by Larry @ 06/05/2005 08:17 PM EST

"Star Wars" (no, I haven't seen it yet - the movie theaters in Wildwood are NOT great, and I haven't been able to get anywhere else), "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and "Bewitched" are my summer must-sees. I'm not a fan of Batman, Tom Cruise, or the "Ahhh! The Aliens are coming!" school of sci-fi. Casting Shirley McLaine as Endorra, "Bewitched"'s mother-in-law from hell, is enough to pique my interest in that, and even if it doesn't match the original book any more than "Willy Wonka" did, "Charlie" should still be quite a ride with Depp and Burton at the helm.

As for the new layout...better late than never, I say.

I've been dying to get "Garfield and Friends" on DVD, but I've settled on the specials discs, and I must say it's nice to see some of these again. I've been a fan of Garfield since even before the show was out, and I still read the comics (though they are past their peak).

Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 06/05/2005 08:20 PM EST

Hey Garfield and friends rocks!! I didn't know it was even on DVD. (duh!)
OT: has anyone seen Napoleon Dynamite? I am probably the last person on earth to see it, but I thought it was rather entertaining. Matt should do a review of it!! Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Chestnuts roasted by TW @ 06/05/2005 08:23 PM EST

The new layout rocks.
Shark Boy and LAva Girl is going to be THE breakout hit of this fall - mark my words! The sleeper hit for next year will be this weird thang...

www.wienertakesall.com

Somehow I don't see it coming to a theatre near you lol.

Chestnuts roasted by Greg Lavorchek @ 06/05/2005 08:36 PM EST

For those of you who've been hanging for a few -- do you like the wood background, or should I switch back to the gray? (This is only for the blog, mind you.)

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/05/2005 08:38 PM EST

I think the wood looks a little better

Chestnuts roasted by d-roc @ 06/05/2005 08:45 PM EST

Oh, I wanted to mention I watched this great campy movie Friday night called Convent w/ a still-sexy Adrienne Barbeau (Ruthie from Carnivale and the love interest of The Swamp Thing). Great schlocky fun. Here's some pictures of the zombies. Their blood and teeth glow like Snap-Sticks on the Fourth of July.

Oh, and Coolio's in it. What more could you ask for?

I like the wood background. It seems more finished, I think.

Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 06/05/2005 08:47 PM EST

Wood is good...

Those older fruit snacks i am guessing they are from 84 or 85 because thats what i remember garfield looking like then. Unfortunately i threw away all must garfiled books so I can't exactly check myself on that...Bon Apetit!

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 06/05/2005 08:51 PM EST

I like it better the way it was before, it went nicely with the red.

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 06/05/2005 08:55 PM EST

I miss Christmas already

Chestnuts roasted by Gene @ 06/05/2005 09:07 PM EST

Looking good!

I just found a bit of cool trivia about what could have been the third film in that famous shark series:
JAWS 3 - People 0

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 06/05/2005 09:10 PM EST

Nice, new layout. I like the wood grain, kinda gives it a...hickory flavour.

Chestnuts roasted by Road Block @ 06/05/2005 09:15 PM EST

It is important to note here that Garfield is heavily affiliated with the Midwest-based Meijer super market chain. He appears on thousands of store-brand items there, and everything tastes just a little bit better knowing that he doesn't care that you can't afford to buy real products.

Chestnuts roasted by Classic @ 06/05/2005 09:21 PM EST

I love it!! The blue Snaggletooth gives the blog an "exclusive" feel but then Slimer brings it back down to earth to give it that "hey, I'm just like you" feel.
Can't bring myself to get the GARFIELD DVD's because they (like the current GET A LIFE'S) are all "best of" volumes instead of complete seasons. Same thing for MST3K. I don't understand why (in a DVD format) the distributors don't release the entire season.
Haven't seen JASON vs. FREDDY yet but it is on the Netflix's list ready to help me enjoy/waste time this summer.

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 06/05/2005 09:23 PM EST

Manimal -- are they? I'm pretty sure they're full seasons. If not, then I've been misled!

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/05/2005 09:24 PM EST

Pretty sure but I could be wrong....I'll check good buddy

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 06/05/2005 09:26 PM EST

I stand corrected and I am glad to be wrong. They appear to be the entire season according to what I just read. Good deal. Now if we could just get GET A LIFE....

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 06/05/2005 09:30 PM EST

I guess "Volume" threw me off. Like the LOONEY TUNES volumes which have no reason or rhyme as to why those particular shorts have been chosen.

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 06/05/2005 09:32 PM EST

liked the gray stoney stuff better, but not because i don't like the boards

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 06/05/2005 09:36 PM EST

As usual, I am late for a reply again, but I liked the gray. Probably the "odd one out", but oh well.

Chestnuts roasted by TW @ 06/05/2005 09:38 PM EST

It seems like wood's in the lead, but the gray still has its supporters. (It was intended to be TV static.) My problem with it was that it was kinda bland, and mixed with the plain red, it just gave too high of a percentage of the layout without any real flavor.

Brian prefers the static, though, and wants to see if he can create a different one. I'm leaning towards the wood, but you know me and boardwalks.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/05/2005 09:43 PM EST

does anyone out there still have a smoke free generation t-shirt? I have been trying to find one and am now willing to have one made, I just can't remember what the logo looked like

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 06/05/2005 09:44 PM EST

Now on a more Garfield-y note, anyone remember a brand of Nachos with Garfield on the bag? I used to see those all the time, and, the consumer whore I am, always thought they must have been some retarded god's version of ambrosia, tasting like garfield just shat gold into a cellophane bag. Garfield makes any day a happy day!

Chestnuts roasted by Road Block @ 06/05/2005 09:50 PM EST

A tv w/out the cable static/snow effect would be cool for a background. I like both backgrounds though.

Chestnuts roasted by TW @ 06/05/2005 09:51 PM EST

ugh. I cannot write tonight. I just meant the snowy effect, not with a tv!! AAARGH!

Chestnuts roasted by TW @ 06/05/2005 09:53 PM EST

garfield nachos with mexican garfield who wore a poncho and a sombrero. I think they still make them

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 06/05/2005 09:56 PM EST

Shit... I remember Garfield Nachos... great stuff... horrid cheese nacho flavour that filled that Junk Food Junkie urges.

Garfield Stripe Gum? Still have fond dreams of that stuff... Seemed only to last one month, tho.

Chestnuts roasted by AlphaCentaurian @ 06/05/2005 10:03 PM EST

kb- it's a long shot, but try these two sites-
www.wickedcoolstuff.com
www.tshirtsforall.com
I have not idea where you could find one directly, but I hope you have some luck on either of those sites.
Matt, an apology, I read your post too fast, and didn't read the part in the parenthesis where you said the grey was supposed to be tv static. I am officially the blog dumba$$.

Chestnuts roasted by TW @ 06/05/2005 10:14 PM EST

Oh, TW, that's the least offensive thing I've been told all week.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/05/2005 10:15 PM EST

My vote is for the "Very Starwberry" variety of Garfield fruit snacks. Always a staple at my household circa '91-'94ish.

http://bisqwit.iki.fi/nesvideos/ badass video game speedruns

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 06/05/2005 10:18 PM EST

Anybody else out there with really high monitor resolution notice that the wood knots in the left side of the screen look like eyes staring at you?

Chestnuts roasted by Gene @ 06/05/2005 10:30 PM EST

The chain "Meijer's" has Garfield on all of the "store brand" items. Like the bags of Honey Nut cereal (the cheerio rip off) has him dressed up in a bee costume, hanging by a rope tied around his waist with a bubble that says "Show Me The Honey". But he is on EVERYTHING.

Chestnuts roasted by Cannedpasta @ 06/05/2005 10:31 PM EST

aliens and pigs eyes

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 06/05/2005 10:33 PM EST

Aww...no mention (as far as a quick perusal shows)of the Garfield Rubber covered lollipops? Believe they came in Garfield and Odie molds around 88-9.

Chestnuts roasted by DarkCloud @ 06/05/2005 10:40 PM EST

trajeal: I'm with you on the Tom Cruise hating. A lot of people were talking about his interview on Oprah, so I saw some of it (apparently I don't know what pain is), and...Tom Cruise is a hyperactive cyborg programmed to love, spaz, kill, and destroy.

I will take on him and Oprah if I have to. I don't know how I'll defeat Oprah, but I'll drown Tom Cruise in Dawson's Creek.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (somebody mentioned that Depp looks like Amelie in the movie and I agree), and even Bewitched. I was semi-excited for the Fantastic Four, but looks like my fears of it being not so awesome will come to fruition.

Chestnuts roasted by Dr. Acula @ 06/05/2005 10:46 PM EST

The wood background works because it makes me feel like I'm looking down at a Trapper Keeper that is resting on the filthy porch of a dilapidated log-cabin. Y'see...it's like I'm hatching some high-profile burglary within the pages of my tattered Trapper Keeper while hiding out in an isolated cabin deep within the Louisiana bayou. Every night an orchestra of chirping crickets and croaking bullfrogs lulls me to sleep whilst I gaze out my bedroom window, carefully planning a daring string of robberies across the Florida panhandle that will hopefully fill the gaping void that was left within me when my beloved girlfriend Peggy-Sue was killed in a hail of FBI-gunfire outside the First National Bank of Poughkeepsie.

Plus, brown is the color of poo...

Chestnuts roasted by The Yeti @ 06/05/2005 11:26 PM EST

My "Tom Cruise loving" days have died, except for one thing. There is only ONE THING that he did that I will always love. Lestat - I loved him in Interview With the Vampire, but everything else - down the drain!

TW - I just watched Napoleon the other night for the first time. Ha! It was good - but, at first, you might ask yourself if the 90 some minutes watching it was REALLY worth it. It takes a bit for it to sink in and become addictive enough for you not to be able to forget it - ever.

Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 06/05/2005 11:35 PM EST

Ohh DarkCloud! Those lollipops tasted SO disgusting! :X Ugh, I forgot all about them... It was nearly impossible to get the rubber off of them, and of course, trying to put it back on, after the 'pop was wet n sticky was even more impossible... and you know you had to try.

They tasted like slightly sour plastic ... or maybe kind of puke flavored.

At least mine did.

Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 06/05/2005 11:41 PM EST

First off, I like the new layout.

Second, does anyone remember Garfield magazine? I used to love magazines based on popular cartoons. Also, anyone remember Alpo Catfood had Garfield as it's spokesman?

One more thing, does the season 1 Garfield DVD have the "Friends Are There" theme song? I hate that they never show it in the reruns.

Chestnuts roasted by Tetsu Deinonychus @ 06/05/2005 11:56 PM EST

Hah! Yeah I remember getting them as good deed treats. Man they were horrid before you got past the layer that touched the rubber directly. Weren't all that great when you reached the center either.

I believe Garfield was mangoberry or something like that and Odie was just plain cherry.

Chestnuts roasted by DarkCloud @ 06/05/2005 11:59 PM EST

I don't think I ever had an Odie one - just the horrible translucent orange Garfield, and that would totally make sense if it was some kind of mango - because I can't stand mango now! I'm glad to know where that stemmed from, since I like just about every other fruit there is.

I don't think I ever made it much past that first icky layer - it was too nasty. :X After once or twice of taking the rubber Garield off, it stayed on, and mom probably threw it away after a few days of nagging me about it.

Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 06/06/2005 12:22 AM EST

It definitely looked like static, that's why it was cool. I like the fishes as well.
Manimal, I agree with the annoyance at "best of" type DVD sets. Most recently I was disappointed to find out that Laugh-In! is like that...there's a legit reason for it for MST3K though, because they have to finagle the licensing for each individual movie so season sets are impossible to arrange.

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 06/06/2005 12:26 AM EST

You misspelled "Sarlacc".

Chestnuts roasted by MutantHamster @ 06/06/2005 01:07 AM EST

The wood probably won't be too bad once I get used to it, but right now it makes my soul hurt. I fear change like that.

Also, there are some really creepy patterns in the wood. Are the aliens and pigs in there on purpose?

Thirdly, a bit of an idea. I think it might be neat to have some kind of drop down list layout changer thing. That way I could bring the x-mas layout back and become a happy and well adjusted person again.

Chestnuts roasted by Jeff @ 06/06/2005 02:03 AM EST

Maaaaaaaaaatttttt.....why haven't you read my Garfield and Friends Supapage yet? Don't make me whine louder...

Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 06/06/2005 02:03 AM EST

I always thought Lyman was the unsung hero of "Garfield." For one thing, he was the one to apparently abandon Odie at Jon's place and then run off to wherever it is Binkley and Frumpy the Clown and the other comic strip characters time forgot live.

But didn't he once appear in animated form? One of the early specials or in a "quickie" bit on the series?

One thing I like about Jim Davis is that if "Garfield and Friends" writer Mark Evanier (www.povonline.com) is right, even if Davis is squeezing every nickle out of that cat he can at least he gives a damn about the quality of the merchandise. I like to imagine he was right there sampling the fruit snacks on the factory floor.

Chestnuts roasted by Alex @ 06/06/2005 02:06 AM EST

I didn't see the boardwalk, but I vote for it

"another lonely seaside town/where the seasons closed it down/but if you close your eyes you can almost hear the sounds of crowds gone by"

"boardwalk dreams all boarded up/another souvenir made to be broken"

ID the song and get the right to make fun of me for loving it

Oh and welcome to IsNegative, my brother/sister in...charge? =)

Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 06/06/2005 02:17 AM EST

Alex, you mean Binky the Clown. Binkley was the carrot-topped kid with the anxiety closet in Bloom County. "Frumpy the Clown" does not exist.

Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 06/06/2005 02:21 AM EST

Ooooooooooh, I see it. Expand your browser window you dumb mac AND AOL user.

Yeah a little creepy, but hey I'm still in love with closed down boardwalks. So emo. Speaking of which, Carnival is in town and she's not here.

Sorry, didn't mean to have a pity party.

Yes, I vote for the Boardwalk.

Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 06/06/2005 02:27 AM EST

oh man, good memories of garfield foods. Thanks for the ride.

Also the new layout is pretty cool, the wood is awesome.

and to mars: very nice job on the garfield supapage!

Chestnuts roasted by the80sruled @ 06/06/2005 02:55 AM EST

Does anybody else remember Garfield's canned pasta from franko american? I think it came out in the mid 90s. It's so strange I was just lamenting about how mead doesn't make Garfield school supplies anymore.

Chestnuts roasted by pikachulover @ 06/06/2005 03:10 AM EST

I enjoy the wood, though when I first saw it, I didn't really get how it fit in with the theme of the site. My confusion has settled though, and now I like it.

Chestnuts roasted by Mara @ 06/06/2005 03:20 AM EST

I miss Lyman so much. He needs to come backk to revamp the strip!

I used to have this massive Garfield collection growing up. It grew to around 200 Garfield items. I packed it away when my family and I moved in 2000.

Chestnuts roasted by Anita @ 06/06/2005 03:58 AM EST

I think the wood looks pretty generic. I don't get how it fits in with the site either, but meh. It took that long for... wood? Mmmmkay. On a Garfield note however, that used to be one of my favorite TV shows. I remember one Christmas holiday, one of the major networks (was it CBS?) went nuts and decided to do kid friendly programming in the afternoon and they played quite a few eps of Garfield and friends which thrilled me to no end. I kept thinking "this is the last one" but they kept on coming. It was the only time that ever happened though =(

Chestnuts roasted by kittycatgirl2k @ 06/06/2005 04:51 AM EST

The kitty in your cat treats picture is cute. My cat actually heeds every call for cat treats. In fact I think 'treats' is one of the few words that he actually understands.

I have no idea what the deal with Lyman is, he's kind of like Bob the Dinosaur in Dilbert or that girl with the masive hair on the Boondocks, characters who just get written out for some particular reason.

Chestnuts roasted by mjf7583 @ 06/06/2005 08:23 AM EST

The wood background will always remind me of The House and of every Halloween-themed article and every F13 review on this site, and that's a good thing.

I remember the Garfield pasta in a can. Wasn't it cheese flavored or something?

I wish they'd show Garfield and Friends on Boomerang. I think I asked this before, but does anyone else get this channel? They're tagline is, "It's all coming back to you", and they only show old school cartoons. It's awesome, and luckily, the MiniTraj's love it as much as I do. The Jetsons, the Flintstones, lost Scooby Doo eps, Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote, Adam Ant, the Smurfs, the Snorks, the Hair Bear Bunch, the Banana Splits, Jonny Quest, Magilla Gorilla, Huckleberry Hound, Wally Gator... It just goes on and on. Whee!

Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 06/06/2005 09:24 AM EST

I like the wood! But moreso I like the new stickers on the trapper keeper logo. Feels summery.

Chestnuts roasted by Yeah! @ 06/06/2005 09:31 AM EST

I personally think that US Acres should have broken off and made its own spin-off. I look back at that now and realize how much _er it was than the Garfiled toons. Fill in the blank if you must.

Chestnuts roasted by Warx @ 06/06/2005 09:35 AM EST

Good call Squee and thanks for the explanation. I guess my only head scratcher now is why couldn't they have taken care of all of that in one move? I mean, if the MST people were able to clear all the licensing issues, shouldn't that take care of all the rights in a package deal? I guess not which is unfortunate.

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 06/06/2005 10:00 AM EST

Hey Matt, ITA with you about the original ending though I didn't see what was so controversial about it. It's not like Freddy never possessed anyone before. I thought it was just kind of dumb, and I though I did like the movie, I also thought that we didn't get to see Jason and Freddy enough so it wasn't as scary as it could have been.

I used to watch Garfield and Friends all the time and loved it. Garfield was always one of my favorite comic and cartoon characters. I'm a hare's breath from 30 though, so should I be embarrassed that I'm actually considering getting the DVDs? As I get older, I wonder if I should keep indulging my inner child.

Chestnuts roasted by Kay @ 06/06/2005 10:11 AM EST

It wasn't controversial -- they didn't use it because test audiences laughed and booed it. Plus, what's-his-face was looking way too goofy at the moment of truth.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/06/2005 10:14 AM EST

It's good to know someone else was a huge Garfield fan as a kid. In 1988 when I was in second grade, I sent a letter to Jim Davis. A few weeks later I got a reply by the man himself. He wrote it on some nifty Garfield stationary and sent me an autographed black and white card with a picture of Garfield riding on Odies back. I have no idea where they are now but my mom has a photo of me holding them up right after I got them.

Chestnuts roasted by Jeff @ 06/06/2005 10:29 AM EST

LOVED Garfield fruit snacks....they were in my lunch at school everyday for a long time...and I also remember those rubber topped lollipops people were mentioning as well- I think I thought they were good...

I vote for the wood! Reminds me of 'the house' and the version I have of 'the house' in my life...plus, it's homier...homeyer...homi- more like home!

Ahhh, Garfield & Friends! What an awesome show that I cannot wait to buy on DVD when I get back to Canada! So glad to hear it's out!

Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 06/06/2005 11:01 AM EST

i'm so intrigued now - on the bubblegum, the flavors are grape and fruit. last i checked fruit comprises all manner of different flavors - so is this 'fruit' some sort of combination? like a fruit punch? or is it a mystery fruit? oh god this is going to kill me!

Chestnuts roasted by jim. @ 06/06/2005 11:24 AM EST

Does anyone remember the movie Condorman? came to mind for no apparent reason over the weekend. Loved the garfield specials, always had them on tape at relatives houses and watched them instead of whining or moving.

Chestnuts roasted by RAS @ 06/06/2005 11:37 AM EST

Pikachulover, you can still buy Garfield school supplies at Big Lots. You day has been made, I know. You are welcome.

Matt, I think the wood backround along with the Jason, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Slimer make the site too halloween looking. I blame that horror convention. But, since we're going spooky, I would use tv static because it reminds me of the kid communicating from the tv in poltergiest...and the Spice Girls video that spoofed that movie. Hooray!

Chestnuts roasted by Kennef @ 06/06/2005 11:51 AM EST

I mean "your" day. Whoops.

Chestnuts roasted by Kennef Again @ 06/06/2005 11:52 AM EST

Great article Matt, however I have to ask: How the Hell can you eat that stuff?
As for the background, I see the wood briefly when the page is loading, then the grey. Right now I would vote for the wood, but if the grey could look more like static than it does (at least to me, right now it looks just slate grey) it might be cool.
Not a sermon, just a thought.
I doubt anyone else will get that joke, but it works in DC.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 12:06 PM EST

Condorman! I think I remember that one. Vaguely. Wasn't it a 70's Disney thing with a dude who becomes a secret agent/superhero with all these gadgets (possibly based on a comic book character he created?) Sorry my recollection is so sketchy. I remember renting it as a kid, if I'm thinking of the right movie. I think I'll do some searching for the hell of it.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 12:10 PM EST

Boomerang is owned by Warner Bros., and Warner owns Hanna-Barbera. So it's all Looney Tunes and H-B (and to a lesser extent, Ruby-Spears) properties.
As for MST3K, they are having a tough time on the individual copyrights. According to TV Tome, Sandy Frank yanked the 'rights to his stuff after one too many rips from the Best Brains gang. Which means no 'Time of the Apes' unless we KEEP CIRCULATING THE TAPES.
Sandy Frank, Sandy Frank,
he's the cause of all our pain......

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash, MST3K Info Club member #20454 @ 06/06/2005 12:16 PM EST

Man,I used to eat those Garfield fruit snacks back when I was 5.I can't believe I even remember that.It's too bad they never made Calvin and Hobbes fruit snacks.

Chestnuts roasted by Suren @ 06/06/2005 12:20 PM EST

I'd sooner blow up your house.

Chestnuts roasted by Bill Watterson @ 06/06/2005 12:21 PM EST

"happy birthday, happy birthday, whoopty-doo whoopty-doo, may your day be pleasant, open up your presents, just for you just for you!"...gummi bears kicks garfields ass at candied confectionaries. all so called "fruit snacks" were like rocks, yet tasted like rubber.

Chestnuts roasted by retro @ 06/06/2005 12:31 PM EST

Thanks Brian for the new blog layout. My favorite thing is the Toys r' Us price tag on the Trapper. $16.99!!! Wow, I wonder how old that price tag is and what it went to.

I like the wood background. Makes me feel like I walked into a creepy building abandoned for the last 20 years and stumbled across someone's old stuff... perfectly preserved of course... like that old bottle of Pepsi waiting for Matt back at the upstate house.

Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 06/06/2005 12:56 PM EST

The TRU sticker can actually be seen in a fairly old article -- very visibly, too. Your mission: Find that article.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/06/2005 01:08 PM EST

Fruit snacks used to be so awesome. I remember how happy I used to be while eating my Garfield fruit snacks. Now fruit snacks are really soft and chewy and not nearly as enjoyable. Bring back the fruit wrinkles and I'm a happy camper.

Chestnuts roasted by Lizzy @ 06/06/2005 01:17 PM EST

Time of the Apes was one of my favs! Damn! I'd love to get that on DVD. The video of it I have is, shall we say, now of lower quality, or, shall we say, played until any audio on it is barely, um, audible, or shall we just say it sucks. I vote for #3.
I joined the MSTies as well, but I seem to have misplaced my membership card. Damn damn damn dirty apes!

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 01:20 PM EST

Hey Matt,
Another great article and based on one of my favorite characters. I've been a Garfield fan since I was little: Jim Davis being my cartooning idol and wanting to pick up a pencil and become a cartoonist because of him. So naturally I'm not doing anything like that now and I work for a movie photo archive instead. But I digress: I still love Garfield to this day and had the honor of meeting Jim Davis back in the mid 90's when he was here on Long Island at a animation dealer (sold cels, etc.) One of the nicest guys and he autographed my "Garfield Fat Pack" the first 3 Garfield books in one. A treasure I still keep along with all the other Garfield junk I've collected over the years. Here's to Jim and his fat orange cat...and for a great article? Thanks goes to Matt!!

Chestnuts roasted by Melissa Y. @ 06/06/2005 01:26 PM EST

A 1991 Krang!

Mission Complete.

Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 06/06/2005 01:30 PM EST

Meijer (our local grocery spot)carries Garfield pretzels which are letter shaped. Not sure what that has to do with Garfield, but he's on the package.

Chestnuts roasted by Joe in OH @ 06/06/2005 01:36 PM EST

Lyman, according to Davis himself, was axed in '93. Good luck finding him.

Chestnuts roasted by !MNc99 @ 06/06/2005 02:06 PM EST

As for MST3K, they are having a tough time on the individual copyrights. According to TV Tome, Sandy Frank yanked the 'rights to his stuff after one too many rips from the Best Brains gang. Which means no 'Time of the Apes' unless we KEEP CIRCULATING THE TAPES.

Man, I am learning so much! Thanks XErs!

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 06/06/2005 02:18 PM EST

I don't think X-E could ever be TOO Halloween. If the halloween layout had been up for as long as the christmas one, well I would have been a very happy person.

So what do you say we start the Halloween countdown now, and keep it going year round.

"We can live like Jack and Sally if we want/Where you can always find me/And we'll have Halloween on Christmas/And in the night we'll wish this never ends/We'll wish this never ends"

Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 06/06/2005 02:49 PM EST

I'm likin' the new layout! It looks like your standard X-E layout, which is as it should be. It's a good change from the X-Mas layout, which was up for far too long.

Anyway, I couldn't help but get excited at your recollection of Hot Warheads. I never see the hot variety anymore, just the sour kind. I guess people just didn't like 'em. I did. But then again, I also like tobacco, beer, and black licorice. Some people like beer, some people like tobacco products (but that number seems to decrease daily), but how many people do you know who happen to like black licorice. I'm sure there are ven fewer who like Hot Warheads. But I could very well be wrong here.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 06/06/2005 03:01 PM EST

I like black licorice. In fact, this article reminded me about Blackjack gum, and I'm trying to order some right now.
I also like beer. And tobacco. I fear we are not long for this world Nate.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 03:15 PM EST

Oh man...the TIME OF THE APES episode of MST3K is the best EVER! I've watched it more times than probably any other single episode of any television program.

"Ten hut!"
"Fliiiiing CRAP!"
"They're gonna give him a 21-turd salute."

Chestnuts roasted by The Yeti @ 06/06/2005 04:14 PM EST

I hate Monday!

Chestnuts roasted by Garfield @ 06/06/2005 04:27 PM EST

Wow, Toys 'R Us Garvey Gun tags STILL look like that. Same color, same everything, BUT... I'll have to do some investigating as to item numbers, because that has 7, and we only go by 6 numbers - no more, no less... Oh and there's no store number code in the top left corner. hehe...

Yes, I do work there - I'm not just obsessed or anything.

Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 06/06/2005 04:39 PM EST

Does anyone remember the packages of gum that like (i'm picking a number here, I don't remeber how many it had in it) 7 pieces, but only 5 tasted reguler and the other 2 were hot. created the fun game of who got the hot crappy gum. Remember getting it while swimming. Remember buying a lot of junk food while swimming. mmm pie.

Chestnuts roasted by RAS @ 06/06/2005 04:46 PM EST

HEY EVERYBODY!!!

Still...haven't....seen...Episode...III...Dying...Over...Here!!!

BTW, I dig the new blog layout. Also, it is fun to google yourself and see all of your entries on X-E!!!!!

Oh Trajeal, we go in to Wiesbaden tommorrow morning, we get to do a 3D ultrasound. They want to check the amniotic fluid (says its low) and they think the long bones are growing to slow (sigh). Hope all goes well.

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Chestnuts roasted by EMajorwitz @ 06/06/2005 05:23 PM EST

Don't feel too mad Erik, I haven't seen it either, and it's playing EVERYWHERE here. I guess maybe I should feel guilty.
Try not to worry about the baby stuff either. I don't have any kids myself, but most of my siblings do (all except my younger bros, who BETTER F-IN NOT ANYTIME SOON), and not a single one had a "normal" pregnancy. In fact I don't think they exist.
I just went back and saw Matt's challenge. Accepted!

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 05:40 PM EST

"I'm Superman, I can fly!"
"I'm Spider-Man, I can walk up walls!"
"I'm Garfield, and I hate Mondays!"
PONK!
"Ow!"

Erik, as long as you don't see demon horns, or Wolverine-like claws, and change her oil every 9000 miles, you'll do ok.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 06/06/2005 05:41 PM EST

HOLY SHIT! KRANG'S BODY! KRANG'S BODY! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 05:43 PM EST

Damn. I got beat.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 06/06/2005 05:44 PM EST

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 06:36 PM EST

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 06:54 PM EST

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 07:11 PM EST

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 07:44 PM EST

Black Jack gum is awesome! 8000 points for referencing it

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 07:49 PM EST

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 07:51 PM EST

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 08:02 PM EST

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 08:14 PM EST

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 08:55 PM EST

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 09:35 PM EST

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 EST

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 AM EST

NEON? ....ugh. That is SO bitner.

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

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 01:03 AM EST

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 01:11 AM EST

Always fun to read about Garfield.

Chestnuts roasted by Aristobulus @ 06/07/2005 03:20 AM EST

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 EST

anyone remember scooby doo dog treats?

think they still make em

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

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 08:03 PM EST

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

Chestnuts roasted by jbird @ 06/08/2005 02:34 PM EST

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 08:32 PM EST

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 EST

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 EST

Great entry about all of Garfield's foodstuffs. One would think the cat born in an Italian restaurant would have a line of pizza or pastas.

Chestnuts roasted by Divaah46 @ 06/09/2005 11:43 PM EST

I distinctly remember Garfield having a line of "round ravioli" in the early to mid 90's. I have an ad for it on the back of a comic book somewhere. They kept pushing the fact that the ravioli was round-shaped in the ad, like that made it better tasting than the squared variety.

Chestnuts roasted by Joseph McKlay @ 06/10/2005 09:51 PM EST

I have to disagree about this summer's movies. All these remakes just point to "baaaaaad!". I'm boycotting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in my own little way.

Revenge of the Sith IS the summer of 2005.

Chestnuts roasted by Ekkostar @ 06/11/2005 02:20 PM EST

Firstly its nice to see that You found the time to finally ditch the christmas layout tho I didn't really mind it sticking around way past the season I guess the fact that my rents have left a handful of christmas lawn ornaments in the front yard for almost a year. Secondly I always found it a little odd that no one ever thought to make a Licensed Garfield Lasagna you would think that its a no brainer since Garfields a lasagna junkie

Chestnuts roasted by The Krypt Angel @ 06/13/2005 11:37 PM EST

-->> Hey and look.. nomore X-mess!!

Chestnuts roasted by ~tOkK @ 06/14/2005 03:42 AM EST

Garfield stripes were definitely available in the summer of 1989. my birthday is in late August and I recall well my strong Batman urges at the time and a resultant sleep-over wherein Garfield stripes were a goodie bag item.

Chestnuts roasted by Belgand @ 06/14/2005 09:51 AM EST

Garfield is the spitting image of my dad. I once got him a stuffed Garfield for father�s day and he hugged it like a kid. Even he admits he looks like him, chubby, dry, square teeth and all. Funny it's almost Fathers Day again with this article. Maybe aliens are after Tom Cruise. What do other girls see in him anyway? Personally I like Johnny Depp over him even at his worst... Cry Baby anyone?

Chestnuts roasted by Christi Oblivion @ 06/16/2005 07:24 AM EST

Garfield and Friends Fruit Snacks are the best "fruit snack" I ever had and my cat loves them too, seriously.

Chestnuts roasted by joey @ 06/16/2005 11:12 AM EST

I used to LOVE those Garfield rollups! The thing I remember the most vividly about them is that they made your shit turn this BRIGHT GREEN color! And you know that counts alot when you're a kid!

I only vaguely remember the fruit snacks though. Which is weird, because I was a huge fan of the fruit snacks of the late 80's/early 90's.

Chestnuts roasted by Al @ 06/16/2005 08:38 PM EST