In-jokes.

[Roger Kettle]

Over the million years that I've been writing cartoon strips, I've only come up with a couple of "in-jokes". (For example, I once wrote a strip called "The Devils" which was set in Hell and, in the final script, I had Andrew and I turning up in Hades with Satan saying "About time, too"). Anyway, there is a famous Simpsons episode where Homer is reading a paper and saying "Oh, Andy Capp, you lovable, wife-beating drunk!" I've written a script where Andy is lying on the couch, watching T.V. and saying " Oh, Homer, you lovable, child-throttling drunk!"
Of course, I'm never going to send it to the artist since it's about eight years since the original jibe. I just had to get it off my chest.

[The Peepmaster]

No. Definitely don't send it to the artist.

We should sell it to him. He's worth a mint. (We could chuck in a couple of mugs too).

Great idea for a strip by the way.

[Rob Baker]

I reckon that quote is far more famous than you think, Roger!
It's from ?Marge Vs, the Monorail?, from 1993, which for my money is one of the best Simpson's episodes.  There's a nod to Fred Flintstone at the start too:
  ...?Simpson! Homer Simpson! ;  He's the greatest guy in history ;  From the!  Town of Springfield! ;  He's about to hit a chestnut tree!?...
No, I think you should submit it - Simpson's Fans will love it.
And as Peepsie suggests, Matt Groening might make you an offer you can't refuse for the original..

There's another reference in ?Make Room For Lisa? from 1999:-
Homer is lying on the couch with his back to the viewers and says:  ?That Andy Capp was on to something?

And in the brilliant Family Guy episode ?And the Weiner is....? Peter is playing darts at his local pub, 'The Drunken Clam':-
PETER:  Yes! I win again, Andy!
[camera zooms out, and we see Andy Capp]
ANDY:  Come on, mate - one more game before my wife notices that I'm not snoozing on the couch.
FLO [offscreen]:  Too late!
[Flo walks up to him and beats him up with a rolling pin] .

I tried to find these 3 clips on YouTube , but , er, couldn't.

I don't know if you're all seen it before but this is the last ever Devil's strip which Roger mentioned:



Note Andrew's pen going in one ear and out the other 

I'm intrigued now Roger, what were the other in-jokes then?

[Rob Baker]

I think I found another one (in the last strip) from March'06:




Great stuff 

[Roger Kettle]

No. Definitely don't send it to the artist.

We should sell it to him. He's worth a mint. (We could chuck in a couple of mugs too).

Great idea for a strip by the way.

When I said I wasn't going to send it to the artist, I meant Roger Mahoney. There's no point in him drawing it up as a) it's far too much of an in-joke (hence the post heading) and b) it wouldn't be published.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

If Mr Mahoney won't do it, Roger, perhaps you could persuade another cartoonist to draw it up for you then send it to Matt Groening? I reckon there must be someone out there who'd do it just for the fun of it, and the possibility of a thank you note from ol' Matt. Can't think who though.

[Roger Kettle]

Hmmm. This might be fun.

[The Peepmaster]

If Mr Mahoney won't do it, Roger, perhaps you could persuade another cartoonist to draw it up for you then send it to Matt Groening? I reckon there must be someone out there who'd do it just for the fun of it, and the possibility of a thank you note from ol' Matt. Can't think who though.

Excellent idea, Tarks. A versatile cartoonist of high renown and exemplary skill is required. Of course, I immediately thought of YOU!

(I remembered you have a CCGB directory of cartoonists that might fit the bill).

[Mince]

Can't think who though.

I'll do it.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Can't think who though.

I'll do it.

Let me rephrase - Mince will do it.  :

[Mince]

Great! What am I doing, by the way?

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Repainting the ceiling of the Cystine Chapel (well, you might as well be). Not magnolia though.

[Mince]

Black and red stripes.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Let me guess - Michelangelo was your favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, yes?

[Mince]

I'm not that dumb, you know!

He's a football player. The stripes were a guess at the football kit colours.