Someone asked recently on Facebook, “Has Jimmy ever told us where A&J live?” The short answer would be, “No, he hasn’t.” However, as is the wont of Facebook, a discussion ensued, and much was made of their proximity to “the coast.” It is true, the fact they’re within a day’s drive of an ocean, or a gulf, is one of the few tangible references to geography. More broadly, there is the weather, but that becomes a less reliable indicator every year. Speaking of weather, that does remind me of a backstory, which some of you have already heard. When United Media began syndicating Arlo & Janis, my editors in New York City were scrupulous about monitoring my work for any reference that might cause Arlo & Janis to be pigeonholed as a “southern” strip. I should mention that I am, by accident of birth, a native of the southeastern United States. My editors were not being condescending; they wanted A&J to have a broad appeal and not unintentionally be perceived as “Snuffy Smith, the Next Generation.” Choosing to ignore the slight slight that I couldn’t be trusted, I was on board with this completely. I, more than anyone, wanted the strip to have broad appeal. However, inadvertent cultural identifiers did slip in occasionally. I remember one conversation in particular, about black-eye peas being considered luck on New Year’s Day and whether it was a “southern thing.” However, I couldn’t help noticing it was always acceptable in cold months to depict a foot of snow on the ground, although probably half the nation’s population rarely sees an accumulation of show. So, where do Arlo and Janis live? Obviously the answer is going to be “nowhere in particular,” but that won’t stop me from talking about this more tomorrow.
63 responses to “Where’s Arlo?”
Arlo and Janis live in our hearts and minds….That just sounded poetic. I think that your syndicator gave you great advice as everyone can relate to them/.
Now another question? Where and/or do Arlo and Janis work? Again less discussion about the workplace has lead many to believe that they are retired…or are they working from home? Like their creator?
“Springfield.”
Like things created by one’s mind, it doesn’t matter. But humans have to attach reference points and personification to inanimate or nonhuman things.
Roger Rabbit anyone?
Jimmy it really doesn’t matter where.
Love the new daily by the way.
Our home on the Isle of Wight is less than ten minutes’ walk from the sea. (I’ve always assumed that you’re one of those old-fashioned Americans who likes to walk places.) Before that we lived on the mainland (aka ‘The North Island’), where nowhere is much more than a couple of hours’ drive from the sea. I can recommend it.
More states have a Springfield than don’t. Some are townships, most of those w/ a Springfield in it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield
Peace,
@Steve from Royal Oak-
A really early strip showed Janis at work behind a drafting board, so always assumed she was an engineer or maybe a graphic artist; knowing a lot of intelligent, attractive woman engineers, I’ve favored the former. Arlo on the other hand has always been depicted as a corporate drone at an anonymous corporation, which was sticking his carefree, counter-culture attitude.
Don’t forget that Gene lives somewhere close and has alligators in the water (in the skinny dipping hole). That means it is more to the South.
Ain’t nothin wrong with the south. A Tennesseean.
Just did some research, Since Arlo and Janis live about 4 hours from the beach, that means they are about 200 miles inland. Since Gene has an alligator in the water, that leaves only as far north as North Carolina. North Carolina has a Springfield about 175 miles from the shore. Alabama has a Springfield about 110 miles from the nearest shoreline. The other states have a Springfield that is too close, or almost no chance of snow.
My guess would be Springfield, NC because of the snow.
What do all of you think?
Obviously, Arlos and Janis live “Nowhere” and “Everywhere!”
As Jimmy Buffett would say, “It’s so simple it plumb evaded them!”
They live wherever Mr. Johnson needs them to live. lol
In the continental United States.
The Day family resides in Plum Nelly. Plum out of the city and nelly by the beach.
I posted my guess over on FB with a map. My guess is in line with Don’s, but I don’t remember the name Springfield ever being mentioned. The climate and proximity to the shore make me think North Carolina or Virginia… Ashville and Roanoke specifically.
I’m a geek/nerd, so I actually drew on a map: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155671230355659&set=p.10155671230355659&type=3&theater&ifg=1
Something is wrong with me. I do not think of where cartoon characters live or worry about it.
Any theories on Garfield, Jon and Odie? And the farm and relatives he used to visit at holidays?
Who Killed Roger Rabbit?
Actually, I would say there are two locations. One is inside Jimmy’s mind and the other is as Steve from Royal Oak said, inside our hearts and minds. And why would they need to be anywhere else?
As for where the cartoon characters live, some have been placed in real-life locations. Dick Tracy is in Chicago and Pogo is in the Okefenokee Swamp. Others get fictional homes, like Donald Duck and family in Duckburg, Calistoga. But really they all live in our hearts and minds. You nailed it, Steve.
Garrison Keillor? Latest falling rock in the #Pervalance? Apparently being a stuffy, sanctimonious public radio show host will no long shield one from improper sexual behavior.
Jackie has just changed her plans for us to attend the Garrison Keillor Show in Tulsa in April. Well, that’s $250 we can spend elsewhere.
Ghost: “Apparently being a stuffy, sanctimonious public radio show host will no long shield one from charges of improper sexual behavior.”
Now that so many are being accused, I have to wonder which accusations are accurate? Which ones are not? Not all accusers are necessarily innocent victims… some may be frustrated “victims” who willingly submitted to casting couch propositions and now have regrets or feel they didn’t get what they bartered for. Or are hoping for a payday if the accused pays up?
My point: Sex should never be used as a cudgel or bargaining chip.
You know Don, Michigan is surrounded by beaches, although we are probably less than 4 hours away from one. They have pulled some alligators out of some ponds around here. Usually they are pets that got too big.
All of these celebrities being exposed reminds me of a Fibber McGee closet. Well before my time, but my parents called our hall closet that. I think we may have a whole houseful of them in America. I hear Bob Hope was quite busy On the Road as was Charles Kuralt. Although in Kuralt’s case, it was a “shadow family” that came out after his death.
Trucker: Totally agree with your point. But whatever it was in Keillor’s case led MPR, after investigating the allegations, to completely sever all commercial relationships with him. An awful lot of costly smoke for there to be no fire.
And today the #Pervalanche hits just keep on coming. What is it they call Wednesday? Oh yeah, Hump Day.
Will you have sex with me for $100,00?
Of course!
Will you have sex with me for $2.00?
What do you think I am?
We’ve already established that. We’re just negotiating the price.
Anon, I think that I was in Junior High when I heard that joke. Always loved it and still use it on occasion.
? I started reading this strip when I had a job in Boston, and Arlo’s office looked like mine, so I might even have heard his voice in my mind with a New England accent. The horror!
Very much off topic:
Something I don’t see very often: a misspelled word in a comic strip.
Examine the last panel of Tank McNamara for 11.29.17.
http://www.gocomics.com/tankmcnamara