I think your analysis here is compelling, but there's another angle where I think this one works a bit better: If we assume the humor is 100% about the comical overreaction of the younger patrons, rather than about the guy in the Phish shirt, then I think most of the flaws you point out actually work out better. Then he can be a senior citizen, moving at a snails pace, already easily blocked by the guy jumping the bar, etc. Because that more or less switches the tone from making fun of him, to making fun of the 20-somethings that are so terrified of Phish.
Of course, even in that case, the whole thing could still be improved. If we're teasing the young guys, go big or go home. Have a guy busting through the wall behind the jukebox. Have one weeping on the floor in fetal position. Have a dude parachuting in to stop it!
Heh. That would be a fascinating riff on the theme, Brian!
As often happens, reading these comments has sharpened my thinking about how I see the strip. I think the joke as dual-edged, at the expense *both* of the Phish fan *and* of the younger patrons. In other words, it’s a true intergenerational joke, not just one generation poking fun of another. That was not as clear to me before your comments, though!
I also think that, regardless who one sees as the butt of the joke, the humor is at least partly bound to the drama of whether the Phish fan will reach the jukebox, and so it shouldn’t be a foregone conclusion.
I’ve long dreamed of authoring a one panel in the New Yorker (or Highlights) where a man dressed in a vaudeville style approaches a clerks window. Over the window it says “US Patent Office.” The vaudeville man says “now stop me if you’ve heard this …”. Maybe it would fit more in Popular Mechanics.
I love this cartoon and am going to share it with friends. Some of my best friends in college were major Phish-heads. I even got dragged to a Phish concert once. Or maybe twice? it's all hazy now, (which is most definitely a Phish joke.)
I agree that the joke punches both ways, at the Gen X Phish lover and at the young kids who are scared of Phish. I also think the idea that Phish albums might be in a jukebox at all is kinda hilarious. I would be very surprised to find a Phish album in a jukebox-- might that also be another layer of the joke?
Good question, Melanie! Someone said somewhere that the presence of the jukebox dates the cartoon—but it turns out that jukeboxes have bounced back in popularity, due to resurgence of interest in vinyl! How that bodes for Phish, though, I couldn’t possibly guess.
Are you aware that the Grateful Dead begat Phish? in my generation, many deadheads transferred their allegiance to Phish. I'm a late generation boomer, born 1955, my parents were teens when I was born and I'm not a typical boomer at all.
what follows is an AI analysis, I'm jot finding any errors here
"Phish is often considered a musical descendant of the Grateful Dead, with a strong influence from their improvisational style and heavy touring culture, meaning that while they are distinct bands, Phish is seen as carrying on the legacy of the Dead's jam-band approach to music, especially after the death of Jerry Garcia; however, Phish has also actively sought to differentiate themselves with their own unique sound and approach to songwriting. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key points about their relationship: [1, 2, 3]
• Musical similarities: Both bands are known for extended jams, improvisation, and a focus on creating unique live experiences with varying setlists each night. [1, 2, 3]
• Fan culture overlap: Due to their similar musical style and touring practices, many fans of the Grateful Dead also follow Phish, leading to a shared community. [1, 2, 3]
• Influence of Jerry Garcia: Trey Anastasio, Phish's guitarist, has openly acknowledged the influence of Jerry Garcia's playing on his own style. [1, 2, 3]
• Collaborative performances: Members of Phish have occasionally performed with surviving members of the Grateful Dead, most notably Trey Anastasio playing with Phil Lesh. [1, 2, 6]
Distinguishing factors: [2, 3, 7]
• Musical complexity: Some argue that Phish incorporates more complex musical structures and jazz-like elements compared to the Grateful Dead's often more folk-based sound. [2, 3, 7]
• Songwriting: While the Dead heavily relied on songwriting from Robert Hunter, Phish tends to have a more collaborative songwriting approach with a wider range of lyrical themes. [5, 8]
Incept, like from Inception. The barman is going to get into the Jukebox Guy's dreams and try to plant the idea that he's never liked the stoner scene, and so avoids Phish. In fact, this is already a level one dream sequence, which is why everyone is being over-physical, like they're in an action movie. Now the barman is going to have to go deeper.
I think your analysis here is compelling, but there's another angle where I think this one works a bit better: If we assume the humor is 100% about the comical overreaction of the younger patrons, rather than about the guy in the Phish shirt, then I think most of the flaws you point out actually work out better. Then he can be a senior citizen, moving at a snails pace, already easily blocked by the guy jumping the bar, etc. Because that more or less switches the tone from making fun of him, to making fun of the 20-somethings that are so terrified of Phish.
Of course, even in that case, the whole thing could still be improved. If we're teasing the young guys, go big or go home. Have a guy busting through the wall behind the jukebox. Have one weeping on the floor in fetal position. Have a dude parachuting in to stop it!
Heh. That would be a fascinating riff on the theme, Brian!
As often happens, reading these comments has sharpened my thinking about how I see the strip. I think the joke as dual-edged, at the expense *both* of the Phish fan *and* of the younger patrons. In other words, it’s a true intergenerational joke, not just one generation poking fun of another. That was not as clear to me before your comments, though!
I also think that, regardless who one sees as the butt of the joke, the humor is at least partly bound to the drama of whether the Phish fan will reach the jukebox, and so it shouldn’t be a foregone conclusion.
I’ve long dreamed of authoring a one panel in the New Yorker (or Highlights) where a man dressed in a vaudeville style approaches a clerks window. Over the window it says “US Patent Office.” The vaudeville man says “now stop me if you’ve heard this …”. Maybe it would fit more in Popular Mechanics.
That’s wonderful, Andrew!
I love this cartoon and am going to share it with friends. Some of my best friends in college were major Phish-heads. I even got dragged to a Phish concert once. Or maybe twice? it's all hazy now, (which is most definitely a Phish joke.)
I agree that the joke punches both ways, at the Gen X Phish lover and at the young kids who are scared of Phish. I also think the idea that Phish albums might be in a jukebox at all is kinda hilarious. I would be very surprised to find a Phish album in a jukebox-- might that also be another layer of the joke?
Good question, Melanie! Someone said somewhere that the presence of the jukebox dates the cartoon—but it turns out that jukeboxes have bounced back in popularity, due to resurgence of interest in vinyl! How that bodes for Phish, though, I couldn’t possibly guess.
https://www.therevolverclub.com/blogs/the-revolver-club/why-jukeboxes-are-more-popular-than-ever-in-2024
Are you aware that the Grateful Dead begat Phish? in my generation, many deadheads transferred their allegiance to Phish. I'm a late generation boomer, born 1955, my parents were teens when I was born and I'm not a typical boomer at all.
I know nothing about this, Alicia! Does knowing this somehow make the cartoon even funnier?!
what follows is an AI analysis, I'm jot finding any errors here
"Phish is often considered a musical descendant of the Grateful Dead, with a strong influence from their improvisational style and heavy touring culture, meaning that while they are distinct bands, Phish is seen as carrying on the legacy of the Dead's jam-band approach to music, especially after the death of Jerry Garcia; however, Phish has also actively sought to differentiate themselves with their own unique sound and approach to songwriting. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key points about their relationship: [1, 2, 3]
• Musical similarities: Both bands are known for extended jams, improvisation, and a focus on creating unique live experiences with varying setlists each night. [1, 2, 3]
• Fan culture overlap: Due to their similar musical style and touring practices, many fans of the Grateful Dead also follow Phish, leading to a shared community. [1, 2, 3]
• Influence of Jerry Garcia: Trey Anastasio, Phish's guitarist, has openly acknowledged the influence of Jerry Garcia's playing on his own style. [1, 2, 3]
• Collaborative performances: Members of Phish have occasionally performed with surviving members of the Grateful Dead, most notably Trey Anastasio playing with Phil Lesh. [1, 2, 6]
Distinguishing factors: [2, 3, 7]
• Musical complexity: Some argue that Phish incorporates more complex musical structures and jazz-like elements compared to the Grateful Dead's often more folk-based sound. [2, 3, 7]
• Songwriting: While the Dead heavily relied on songwriting from Robert Hunter, Phish tends to have a more collaborative songwriting approach with a wider range of lyrical themes. [5, 8]
Generative AI is experimental.
[1] https://time.com/3857031/grateful-dead-phish-legacy/[2] https://alanpaul.substack.com/p/when-phish-met-the-grateful-dead[3] https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/inspired-by-grateful-dead/pl.e6ce9382d3a64d308ed212496dd88603[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/phish/comments/zenvbe/how_did_jerrys_death_impact_phish_tour_and_what/[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/comments/15nxmkd/what_are_some_differences_between_the_grateful/[6] http://www.deaddisc.com/GDFD_Play_Phish.htm[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/SteelyDan/comments/nxh42t/why_are_phish_and_the_grateful_dead_always/[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunions_of_the_Grateful_Dead
I was wondering the same, considering the way Steven wrote it.
This was a fun read. Typo alert: "barman is moving to incept Jukebox Guy." Intercept?
Incept, like from Inception. The barman is going to get into the Jukebox Guy's dreams and try to plant the idea that he's never liked the stoner scene, and so avoids Phish. In fact, this is already a level one dream sequence, which is why everyone is being over-physical, like they're in an action movie. Now the barman is going to have to go deeper.