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With 6 years of bad jokes, awful gimmicks and shameful cover mock-ups on my hard drive, I figured I’d give you a little insight into the many ideas that go nowhere here at the Floss factory. Here’s one of the worst:
“Goofus and _____” was a short series that was meant to ape the Highlights Children’s Magazine series. I was a huge fan of the original, and we figured it’d be fun to have Goofus going through time, and contrasted with several scientists and historical figures all starting with the letter “G.” Goofus and Genghis Khan, Goofus and Gary Hart. There are at least (at least!) 4 more important people starting with “G” and our hard-hitting coverage planned on tackling them all. Despite Steven Smith’s terrific drawings, you can probably tell why this one got canned immediately. Enjoy.
Note: Be sure to click on the image to see all 6 panels (assuming your tolerance for bad jokes is high enough).
I LOVED Goofus and Gallant! It was my favorite part of Highlights (excepting the Timbertoes of course). My mom hated it though, she thought it encouraged kids to live up to an unrealistic standard of perfect behavior (though noteably the same argument didn’t work for me when it came to her rules)
posted by Julia on 2-12-2008 at 3:14 pm
Wow, this is fantastic…I want to see more, not rejection!
posted by Fruppi on 2-12-2008 at 3:23 pm
Highlights was awesome. Y’all should look into reviving this, just for reminiscence’s (sp?) sake. :-)
posted by nutmeag on 2-12-2008 at 3:26 pm
Anyone who remembers G&G should read a piece by Jim Stallard titled “Goofus, Gallant, Rashomon,” in the McSweeney’s collection titled “Created In Darkness By Troubled Americans.”
posted by Joe Maz on 2-12-2008 at 3:29 pm
I love it! You should totally do more!
P.S. Thanks for your valentines promo. After reviewing my Credit Card bill I now know forwarding that blog post to the wife finally got me a subscription to your magazine, so I could actually read your Goofus stuff!
posted by Witty Nickname on 2-12-2008 at 4:18 pm
Not sure what this says for my taste, but I don’t see why it got canned! I thought it was pretty funny. Maybe it is due to a lingering affinity for Goofus and Gallant. :)
posted by kate on 2-12-2008 at 4:19 pm
I definitely want to read Goofus vs. Genghis Khan.
In Xanadu, did Kublai Khan… whoops, wrong warlord!
posted by Allison on 2-12-2008 at 4:31 pm
Wow that was actually pretty funny, I actually got a good chuckle out of that.
posted by Scott on 2-12-2008 at 4:45 pm
I can’t believe you guys think this is one of your worst ideas! I loved it in Highlights when I was little. Now, I’m pretty sure there is one in Mad magazine (a parody of course). One in mental_floss would just make the site a little bit better than it already is.
posted by Reggie on 2-12-2008 at 5:24 pm
Oh how I want to see Goofus and Genghis Kahn
posted by Melodye on 2-12-2008 at 5:49 pm
You should do one with Goofus and George W. (Although, you would have the same drawing for both sides of the comic.)
posted by Billy on 2-12-2008 at 7:28 pm
LOVED Goofus and Gallant. That was the first page I turned to in the waiting room at the dentist’s office.
posted by Lebetho on 2-12-2008 at 8:05 pm
I don’t see why you cut this! You should totally bring it back! As for Goofus and Genghis Khan…
posted by Ash on 2-12-2008 at 9:22 pm
I am 47, 6′-5″ tall and 350 pounds, but I STILL go straight for ‘Highlights’ at the dentist’s or doctor’s office! Goofus and Gallant Rock! (That, and hidden pictures!)
posted by Greg Steinmayer on 2-13-2008 at 7:30 am
I don’t know why this feature got canned. I think it’s funny! I want more Goofus And _____ ! Goofus and Godzilla? Goofus and Gunga Din? Goofus and Gary Larson?
posted by Craig on 2-13-2008 at 8:46 am
Goofus and Galahad(Sir)
Goofus and Geek Squad
Goofus and Gilligan
But I do LOVE Goofus and Ghengis!
posted by JaneM on 2-13-2008 at 8:50 am
Billy:
G. W. and Gallant, maybe?
posted by Ashley on 2-13-2008 at 11:11 am
I hated Goofus and Galant when I was a kid. What really turned me off was the few times Goofus actually was trying to do good, it wasn’t good enough. Some 30 yrs later I still remember Galant did wrong by cleaning up a spill using paper towels, but Galant used a mop and bucket. Still makes me want to throw rocks at the mother who preferred Galant over Goofus.
posted by rascally s~ on 2-13-2008 at 11:34 am
I want more! These are great…
posted by kitsana_d on 2-13-2008 at 11:51 am
I always thought Gallant was a brown noser. I would have much preferred to hang out with Goofus. Goofus probably had much more fun than boring Gallant.
posted by Mel on 2-13-2008 at 5:52 pm
Yay! I loved Goofus and Gallant! Well, this is definitely worth a blog-posting, anyway!
posted by Steph on 2-14-2008 at 11:33 am