That bombastic denizen of Washington, D.C., is leaving.
Which one? No, none of the members of Congress. I refer to Sen. Snort, who for decades has been a figure of fun in “Grin and Bear It,” a single-panel comic that runs in quadruplicate in The Sunday Oregonian.
After today, “Grin and Bear It,” with Sen. Snort and endless gags about prisoners, lawyers, doctors, patients, wives, husbands, cave people and the gas-guzzling Belchfire 8, will be gone from the Sunday comics in this newspaper.
So will “B.C.,” a move that has drawn substantial protest.
As Peter Bhatia, executive editor, said in a note to readers in Monday’s editions, the newspaper is altering the comics lineup. The daily strip changes took effect that same day.
“B.C.” and “Bound and Gagged” were dropped from both the daily and Sunday comics pages. In addition to “Grin and Bear It,” no longer appearing on Sundays will be “Over the Hedge” and “Meg” (the strip is being discontinued).
Joining the daily pages as of last Monday are “Get Fuzzy,” a new strip in this newspaper, and “Pickles,” which has been running Sunday only. “Get Fuzzy,” with its strange, one-fanged cat, Bucky, also will run Sunday. Daily strips being added to the Sunday sections are “Sally Forth” and “Baby Blues.”
By late last week, about 500 readers had protested the changes, the bulk of them in regard to “B.C.” About 100 praised the moves, most with “B.C.” in mind. About 70 readers spoke up for “Over the Hedge,” a good showing.
Bhatia said in his note to readers that “B.C.” had lost “its edge and originality.” He also said a controversial strip published on Easter Sunday was a factor, but not a decisive one. (Supporters found in that strip a strong Christian statement; critics, including some Christians, saw it as offensive to Judaism and, along with some other “B.C.” strips, preachy.)
Supporters of “B.C.” were outspoken. “It was just a matter of time when your anti-Christian bigotry would win out,” wrote one reader.
“I was sincere” in saying that the strip has faded, Bhatia said last week. “I think ‘B.C.’ is over the hill. Its time is past.” He saw the Easter theme as further evidence of a strip losing its touch.
At the same time, he admitted, “There is a lot of strongly held feeling for ‘B.C.’ ”
As for religion, the problem, in my view, is not the strip’s occasional Christian theme. Other comics periodically make Christianity a presence; “B.C.” tends to offer a sermon.
Bhatia bases comics decisions on more than a reader survey, such as one done in December.
“I’m always looking for a mix,” Bhatia said. He looks at the humor. He also considers the variety of artistic styles and content, as well as originality. Content ranges from animals and family life to soap operas such as “Judge Parker.”
In addition to “B.C.,” “Doonesbury” stirs up readers. Some readers see “Doonesbury” as liberal, political drumbeating and ask that it be sent to the editorial pages. Often the same readers want The Oregonian to bring back “Mallard Fillmore,” which they see as a conservative equal of “Doonesbury.”
Bhatia views “Doonesbury” as satire, whereas “Mallard Fillmore” is political commentary. I would add that it is heavy-handed commentary at that. Although friends of President Bush might not like recent “Doonesbury” strips about the incumbent, the comic aims in many directions. Bill Clinton was a target for eight years.
The strip also has fun with society in a variety of ways, including, this past week, with computer camps for kids. If it is outdated, it is with that drug-addled throwback, Duke.
All things considered, Bhatia said, “I’m comfortable with ‘Doonesbury’ on the comics page.”
How comfortable readers will be with the altered comics layout remains to be seen. As Bhatia said, “Everyone makes connections to different strips.”
For now: Good night, Sen. Snort, wherever you will be.
