On implants and veggie dogs 6/25/21

I was in Pittsburgh this past weekend and was bemoaning the loss of a cultural institution there, The Original Hot Dog Shop, listed in Google as “permanently closed.” It was better known as “The Dirty O” or “Essie’s Original Hot Dog Shop,” and it closed after 60 years. It opened up a block away from Forbes Field, where the Pirates used to play, and it debuted in 1960, the year the Pirates beat the Yankees in the World Series. The “O” was so beloved, Mark Cuban tried to buy it to save it, but to no avail. So there I was in Pittsburgh lamenting the loss of the “O” (full disclosure, I had a hot dog and fries there at 3 am after my wedding, some 37 years ago). So I asked a friend, where do you go for a dog these days? And he said Dee’s, without a moment’s hesitation. He added that he went there with his family, including his wife who does NOT like hot dogs. So she ordered a veggie dog, and when she asked the counterman what she should put on it, he replied, “meat.” So there it is. The New 60’s first ever comic that came complete with a punchline. Over the years, we’ve gotten lots of suggestions for ideas that we have taken and tweaked. But until now, no idea had ever come complete with a funny ending. I promised never to use people’s names to avoid embarrassing them, but in this case you know who you are and thanks for the story. It went down easier than, dare we say it, a veggie dog. A lot easier.

The second strip also came from a personal experience. This happened when my dentist shaved my four lower middle teeth into nubs and my periodontist pulled them a couple weeks ago. He put it implants, and I have to wait three months for them to heal. Now, if you are a certain type of person (hint: a guy) and you hear the word “implants,” what do you think of? Not teeth. And that’s what propelled us to our second comic of the week. One reason we love this comic is because it leads us to conversations like the following. I was getting off the plane Monday and looked at my phone and John had sent me his pencil sketch of the implants’ comic. The ending had Sam a little confused as he wondered why anyone would want bigger teeth. I wondered if “bigger” was the right word. Might it be fuller teeth or perhaps rounder teeth? In other words, what word would make the reader think instantly of breast implants. After much back and forth, we decided on “bigger.” And to think we could get paid for doing this…

Enjoy your summer as it starts warming up for good. Half of the New 60 staff is heading out to the beach, but don’t worry, this comic works remotely as well. Have a great weekend and we will be back to you next Friday with two new ones.

Andy and John