Okay, folks, buckle up buttercups! We're diving headfirst into the wonderfully warped world of Gary Larson's The Far Side. Get ready to snort coffee out of your nose, because we're counting down some of the funniest cartoons ever hatched from his brilliant, slightly twisted mind.
Prepare for talking cows, clueless cavemen, and dogs with a serious superiority complex. Basically, pure comedic gold. So, without further ado, let's get this laughter train a-rollin'!
The Cows That Type
Picture this: a seemingly normal field, cows grazing peacefully. But wait! Inside the barn, it's a whole different story. A cow sits at a typewriter, diligently typing away, while the farmer reads the report:
"Hey Diddle Diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon...we're bored."
I mean, come on! The sheer absurdity of livestock suffering from existential boredom and channeling it into bad nursery rhymes is just peak Larson genius. My own cat just stares at walls all day, so maybe I'm missing something!
It's the kind of joke that makes you think, "What if animals are just secretly judging us...and writing poetry about it?" And honestly, that's a thought that keeps me up at night!
School for Gifted Children
This one is just a simple image, but the implications are hilarious. A row of kids are sitting at desks, taking a test. The twist? They’re all facing a blank wall.
The caption reads: "School for Gifted Children." The beauty here is in the implied reason. They're so smart, the questions are internal, not written down. Either that, or the teacher forgot the test questions!
It’s a brilliant, deadpan jab at expectations, intelligence, and the utter weirdness of formal education. You know, because schools are totally normal and don't have weird things happening on daily basis.
Midvale School for the Gifted
Here’s a close cousin to the previous cartoon, and it’s just as chuckle-worthy. A door labeled "Midvale School for the Gifted" is shown. Sounds normal enough, right?
Except the student is *pushing* on a door clearly marked "PULL". Talk about a brain fart of epic proportions! We've all been there, haven't we?
This cartoon is so relatable because it taps into those moments of utter, inexplicable stupidity we all experience. It's a reminder that even "gifted" people can have their off days. Makes me feel a little better about forgetting where I parked my car...again.
The Lion and the Tourist
This is a classic Far Side setup: a lion stands outside his den, looking dejected. A female lion approaches him, asking: "What's wrong, dear?"
His response? "I just can't shake this feeling that we're missing something." We then see the interior of the den...filled with half-eaten tourists wearing silly hats and fanny packs.
It's the casual cannibalism mixed with existential dread that makes this so funny. Plus, who hasn't felt that nagging feeling that they're forgetting something important? Even if that something isn't a pile of discarded tourist remains!
Cows Tipping…The Humans?
Everybody knows the myth about cows tipping. But what if the tables were turned? That's the genius of this cartoon.
A group of cows are sneaking up on a group of unsuspecting humans sleeping in tents. The caption? "Cow Tipping." Brilliant! The reversal of roles is just hilarious.
It's a perfect example of Larson's ability to take a familiar concept and flip it on its head, creating something completely unexpected and funny. Who knows, maybe the cows *are* plotting their revenge as we speak!
Dog Hell
Oh boy, this one is dark but undeniably funny. A dog is standing at the gates of Hell, and the devil is saying: "No, no, Fido! What do you *mean* you can't sit, stay, heel, or speak?!"
It’s a perfect commentary on the pressure we put on our canine companions to be perfectly obedient. Turns out, even the devil has expectations for good doggy behavior.
Plus, the idea of a hell specifically designed for badly behaved dogs is just ridiculously funny. Imagine an eternity of chasing squirrels and peeing on fire hydrants. Sounds kinda fun, actually!
The Scientist and the Ant
A scientist is shown holding a magnifying glass over an ant hill. Classic science stuff, right? Wrong! He's yelling: "Well, I guess this proves it! Ants are just *stupid*!"
The humor is in the scientist's skewed perspective. He's judging the ants based on his own human standards, completely missing the intricate social structure and hard work they're engaged in.
It’s a reminder to be humble and avoid jumping to conclusions about things we don't understand. Besides, who are *we* to judge ants? They're way more organized than my sock drawer.
What Dogs Think
This one hits close to home for any dog owner. We see a person throwing a ball for their dog. The dog's thought bubble? "Ha! Fooled him again! He thinks I'm bringing it back!"
It perfectly captures the slightly mischievous, self-serving nature we often suspect our dogs of possessing. They're not just our loyal companions; they're also master manipulators!
It’s hilarious because it rings so true. I swear my dog only pretends to listen to me so he can get more treats. And you know what? I'm okay with it!
The Caveman's Wheel
A group of cavemen are struggling to move a massive stone block. They're sweating, straining, and generally having a terrible time. Next to them, another caveman is happily rolling a round stone...the first wheel!
The other cavemen are completely ignoring him, saying things like, "Ugh, Oog. Always showing off!" and "Hey, Oog. Get back to work!"
This cartoon is funny because it highlights the resistance to change and new ideas that often exists, even when those ideas are clearly beneficial. It's a reminder that progress isn't always easy, and sometimes, you have to ignore the naysayers and invent the wheel...literally!
"Told ya not to drink that water!"
This one is delightfully morbid and slightly disturbing. Two vultures are sitting on a tree branch, looking down at a group of hikers.
One vulture says to the other, "Told ya not to drink that water!" Implying, of course, that the water was contaminated and doomed the hikers to a gruesome fate.
It’s the casual, almost nonchalant way the vultures discuss the hikers' impending doom that makes it so funny. It's dark humor at its finest, and a reminder to always pack a water filter!
The Bear Trap
A bear is caught in a bear trap. You'd expect him to be in pain, right? Wrong! He's wearing a Groucho Marx disguise – glasses, nose, and mustache – and yelling: "Help! I've been caught in a people trap!"
The absurdity of a bear trying to outsmart humans by pretending to *be* a human is just pure comedic genius. It's unexpected, ridiculous, and utterly hilarious.
It's a reminder that sometimes, the best way to deal with a bad situation is to embrace the ridiculous and put on a fake mustache. You never know, it might just work!
Bonus: The "Bummer of Being You"
Okay, I know I said I'd stick to specific cartoons, but I *had* to mention the phrase "Bummer of Being You." Larson didn't invent it, but he certainly popularized it.
It perfectly captures those moments of existential angst and self-doubt we all experience. It's a universal feeling, expressed in a simple, relatable way.
So, the next time you're feeling down, just remember: it's okay to have a "Bummer of Being You" day. Just don't let it last too long, and maybe read some Far Side cartoons to cheer yourself up!
So there you have it, folks! A whirlwind tour of some of the funniest Far Side cartoons of all time. Hope you enjoyed the ride! Remember, laughter is the best medicine. Except for actual medicine. You should probably still see a doctor if you're feeling sick.
Now go forth and spread the joy of Gary Larson's genius! And if you happen to see a cow typing away at a keyboard, please let me know. I have some questions.
