Influences

When friends start talking about major influences in their lives, I tend to drift off into the background.  Mine are not usually the norm.  People have shared famous presidents, major philosophers, biblical authors, etc.  These are mine.

Mad Magazine.  Memories of M&S pharmacy on Centinela, back in the corner of the store where the comic books were displayed.  Plus mom would put one in my Christmas stocking every year.

Paul Conrad, political cartoonist for the LA Times.  I loved his drawing style and wit.  A lot of my cynical view of politics were formed by his cartoons.

Get Smart, Buck Henry and Mel Brooks, TV show of the late sixties.  Absurdity can be hilarious. I Want to build my own cone of silence.

Smothers Brothers Comedy hour,  While friends religiously watched Laugh In, I was glued to Sunday nights at 9pm.  Not only did I love the satire, but also the music, not so much the bickering between the two brothers.  I always was fascinated by the photo montage backed by Mason Williams' Classical Gas.

Gary Trudeau, Doonesbury,  I don't agree with his politics, but love his satire.  He reflects the times we live in.

Gary Larson, the Far Side,  Self explanatory.  Must be all that rain in Seattle.