New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest Podcast

Michael Maslin returns to the podcast to talk some more about cartoons, process, motivation and the contests. We get into a great discussion on a new trend in humor that we're calling "shared experience". You can find Michael's Ink Spill Substack here: https://michaelmaslinsinkspill.substack.com Liza Donnelly's documentary , "Women Laughing", is starting to be shown in theaters. You can find where it's playing and learn more about it here: https://www.womenlaughingfilm.com Rusty Epstein's Reverse Caption Contest can be found here: https://www.reversecaptioncontest.com We also discuss the New Yorker Caption Contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #1002 (Monkey Showbusiness.) Finalists for contest #1004 (Some hair of the dog that checkmated you?) Current New Yorker contest #1006 (Godzilla Complex.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Bob Mankoff returns to the podcast for a fifth time. We talk with him about the changes to the CartoonStock contest, The recent decision by Air Mail to no longer publish cartoons in its weekly digital magazine and the current state of AI and it's ability to be funny. The co-hosts have a lively discussion on the current New Yorker contests and Paul, once again, digs in the gutter for another caption idea. Here's the link to the games page at CartoonStock: https://www.cartoonstock.com/games/ On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #1001 (Scared slickless.) Finalists for contest #1003 (Freezer burn to be wild.) Current New Yorker contest #1005 (The Bride & Groom get tanked.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Larry Wood joins us this week to talk about the contests and cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. We have some great discussions and disagreements on the finalists for the New Yorker and CartoonStock contests. Humor is very subjective! We discuss the winning entry for Contest #1000 (Rocky Swords Picture Show.) Finalists for Contest #1002 (Singin' in the Rain Barrel of Monkeys.) Current Contest #1004 (Hello Doggy, Checkmate!) Be sure to enter the latest CartoonStock Caption Contest with the new rules! The more people who enter, the bigger the cash prize and you can buy more than three captions! https://www.cartoonstock.com/caption-contest/current Buy Larry's book here at a new low price: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Caption-Has-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407 You can find the Reverse Caption Contest here: https://reversecaptioncontest.substack.com You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Guy Richards Smit joins us on the podcast this week. Guy has followed his muse down many paths: art, music, video production and most recently, gag cartooning. His art has been exhibited at The Museum of Modern Art, The Hirshhorn Museum and The Pompidou Center among many other museums and galleries. His first cartoon was published in the New Yorker in 2022 and he has had many published since then in the magazine and the Daily cartoons. We talk with him about his career, cartoons and recent projects. You can find his cartoons on his instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/guy_richards_smit/ Learn more about his illustrations from the World Series of Poker: https://www.poker.org/latest-news/cartoonist-guy-richards-smit-finds-art-in-pokers-smallest-moments-aXXr98K1Jlpz Attend his Gag Cartooning workshop this October: https://workshops.artstudentsleague.org/course/Smit-WS-The-Gag-Cartoon_cd_6448_7619 Buy his original cartoons and prints here: https://www.hawkandhive.com/guyrichardssmit You can also buy more of his artwork here: https://www.artsy.net/artist/guy-richards-smit Guy’s art will also be at the Charlie James Gallery in November (not on their schedule yet): https://www.cjamesgallery.com On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #999 (Elephant has left the building.) Finalists for contest #1001 (Snail Shell Hell.) Current New Yorker contest #1003 (Formal popsicle stand.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

John Klossner returns to the podcast to talk some more about cartoons, Children's book illustrations, his stint doing the Caption Contest Commentary for Beth's facebook group and puns. We really dig into puns on this one (fair warning). Here are the links to the books John worked on: Smalltown City https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZQM2ZBM?lv Everyone's Trash https://www.amazon.com/dp/1942155778?lv And some links to other Caption contests that John contributes cartoons to: https://moderncat.com/cartooncaption/ https://moderndogmagazine.com/cartooncaption/ Last, but not least, some Maine themed merchandise that uses John's illustrations (it's also his website, so go ahead and poke around in it!): https://www.jklossner.com/moose-merch On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #998 (Catch as cat canoe.) Finalists for contest #1000 (Don't do it, Arthur, you'll be swordy.) Current New Yorker contest #1002 (Monkey see, monkey doo doo da ron.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Olivia Noble joins us on the podcast this week. Olivia Started submitting her cartoons to the New Yorker through Submittable in 2024 and had her first Cartoon published in the magazine in September, 2025. She has had a second cartoon published since than and has had a cartoon appear in a recent caption contest. We talk with Olivia about her journey to becoming a New Yorker cartoonist, her process, cartoons and the never ending thrills of copy editing. She hopes to have a webpage or at least an instagram presence very soon so that people can find her cartoons! On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #997 (Up, up and a subway!) Finalists for contest #999 (Send the pachyderm packing.) Current New Yorker contest #1001 (He who snailt it, dealt it.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Larry Wood joins us this week to talk about the contests and cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. We were all pretty much in agreement with the New Yorker contests, but the podcast gang did take Larry to task for some of the Cartoon Stock picks. Larry was able to defend his personal picks, but could offer no defense for the other judge's picks (he actually agreed with us for a change). Larry also states that he thinks his caption for New Yorker Contest #1000 is one of the best he's come up with. We'll see how that works out! We discuss the winning entry for Contest #996 (Hot doggin' it.) Finalists for Contest #998 (I'm the catpun of this boat.") Current Contest #1000 ("Take a sword, leave a sword.") Be sure to enter the latest CartoonStock Caption Contest with the new rules! The more people who enter, the bigger the cash prize and you can buy more than three captions! https://www.cartoonstock.com/caption-contest/current Buy Larry's book here at a new low price: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Caption-Has-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407 You can find the Reverse Caption Contest here: https://reversecaptioncontest.substack.com You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Rusty Epstein joins us on the podcast this week. Rusty's cartoons have appeared in The Weekly Humorist, The Times and other magazines and will soon be published in the Wall Street Journal and the New Yorker (he recently received an "O.K.", but it has not been published yet). We talk with Rusty abbot his journey to becoming a cartoonist, his process and the challenge of tracking where you've submitted your cartoons. He has also created and runs the Reverse Caption Contest, a contest where he supplies the caption and you supply the cartoon image. You can find the contest here: https://reversecaptioncontest.substack.com On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #995 (Shell Shock Soccer.) Finalists for contest #997 (Upsy Daisy Pass.) Current New Yorker contest #999 (The elephant in the room Caption has left the building.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. Now Voyager is a new magazine featuring many of the cartoonists from the New Yorker. You can check out their website here: https://nowvoyagermag.com You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Avi Steinberg returns to the podcast to talk some more about cartoons, the rewards of being a kindergarten teacher and his soon to be published book, "The Jumble". We also talk about aour love of cartoon tropes (more desert island cartoons? Yes, please!) At the end of the podcast, Avi asks the hosts about their recent attempts at drawing their own cartoons. Those cartoons can be found in the comments at the podcast facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0wyEZdfNbg4CUK9TfvfYSyEXevKH7zjmcijodvpijXR5R6AHPjFkLx8jMxoop4XNl&id=100075679507023 You can pre-order Avi's book here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374395810/thejumble/ And check out Avi's webpage here: https://www.steinbergdrawscartoons.com On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #994 (Grocer? I hardly know her.) Finalists for contest #996 (Mystery Meet at the dog park.) Current New Yorker contest #998 (A feline for the shoreline.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Larry Wood joins us this week to talk about the contests and cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. We go over the New Yorker contests with some disagreement, but the podcast gang mostly agrees with the judges picks for the CartoonStock contest (except for Paul, who did not like one of the finalist picks). The contest did generate over $1000 for the cash pot, so we were all happy to see that the changes to the contest were generating more entries. We discuss the winning entry for Contest #993 (Hog heavin'.) Finalists for Contest #995 (Life's a pitch.) Current Contest #997 (Training up.) Be sure to enter the latest CartoonStock Caption Contest with the new rules! The more people who enter, the bigger the cash prize and you can buy more than three captions! https://www.cartoonstock.com/caption-contest/current Buy Larry's book here at a new low price: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Caption-Has-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407 You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

A short podcast this week with just the podcast co-hosts Vin, Beth, Nicole and Paul talking about the contests and their favorite cartoons from the current week's issue of the New Yorker (we'll get back into regular guests again next week). A straight forward podcast with only a short digression into Lonnie Millsap's world of sentient ground meat products (are the buns clothing or more like hair?) We discuss the winning entry for Contest #992 (Rats, my research proposal lost funding.) Finalists for Contest #994 (Grocery California, you can check out, but you can never leave.) Current Contest #996 (That dog don't bark, it just sizzles.) You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Cartoonist, Peter Kuper joins us on the podcast this week. Peter is a frequent contributor to the New Yorker, is the current cartoonist for Spy Vs Spy in MAD magazine and was nominated for a Pulitzer prize this last year. We talk with him about his career, his recent books, "Insectopolis" and "Wish We Weren't Here". We also talk about "World War 3", an ongoing collection of graphic stories created by a wide range of artists. You can find more about Peter at his website. You can also purchase his books and original art there as well: https://www.peterkuper.com Follow Peter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuperart Subscribe to MAD Magazine here: https://www.dc.com/mad On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #991 (Gored of the dance.) Finalists for contest #993 (In a pig's sty.) Current New Yorker contest #995 (Soccer to me!) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Keith Knight joins us on the podcast this week. Keith is a syndicated cartoonist and has been published in MAD, the New Yorker and many other magazines. He was also a co-creator of the Hulu series, "Woke", which was partially based on his life. His cartoons have won many awards, including a Comic- Con Inkpot Award for Career Achievement in Comics and a Harvey Award for Best Comic Strip. He is currently working on developing one of his cartoons, "One Black Kid" as an animated short. He has a Kickstarter to help fund this creation and has some great incentives for contributing to it, so check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/.../one-black-kid-a-keith... You can learn more about Keith at his webpage: https://keithknightart.com You can also follow Keith on his Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/cw/keefknight And his Substack: https://keithknight.substack.com On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #990 (Chicken pot pie holes.) Finalists for contest #992 (Love Lab-yrinth.) Current New Yorker contest #994 (A well balanced grocery purchase.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Larry Wood joins us this week to talk about the contests and cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. We go over the New Yorker contests without much disagreement, but the podcast gang does have some issues with how the CartoonStock caption judging went. We were all quite happy though to see that the prize pot came close to the previous set amount of $1,000. Keep playing and ask your friends and relatives to play as well. We discuss the winning entry for Contest #989 (You do have a Lego to stand on.) Finalists for Contest #991 (That's a big gambol.) Current Contest #990 (Pigs in a banquet.) Be sure to enter the latest CartoonStock Caption Contest with the new rules! The more people who enter, the bigger the cash prize and you can buy more than three captions! https://www.cartoonstock.com/caption-contest/current You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Jim Benton joins us on the podcast this week. Jim is a renown illustrator and children's book writer. He created "IT'S HAPPY BUNNY" which has generated three-quarters of a billion dollars in product sales. He has written over 40 books including these series: "DEAR DUMB DiARY,", "Franny K. Stein" and "CATWAD". Jim is also an accomplished cartoonist and has several cartoon compilations. The New Yorker has published one of his cartoons, so on top of everything else, he's also a New Yorker cartoonist! You can learn more about Jim at his website (and also order his books and other fun stuff!): https://www.jimbenton.com You can also check out his cartoons on his instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/jimbentonshots/ On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #988 (Shark Tells.) Finalists for contest #990 (Squawk Crossing.) Current New Yorker contest #992 (Lab Trial Marriage.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons: https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Ellie Black joins us on the podcast this week. Ellie started submitting to the New Yorker in 2017 and had their first cartoon published in 2019. Their latest cartoon was published in this week's issue! We talk with Ellie about being creative and funny, their cartoons and submitting to the New Yorker (the thrill of having a cartoon accepted and the agony of rejection!) Besides cartoons, Ellie publishes comics and has created a popular card game. Their comic, "Vampire Tears", can be found here: https://nif-shop.cartoonist.coop/products/vampire-tears And their card game, "Someone Has Died" (currently out of stock, but soon to be republished!) can be found here: https://www.gatherroundgames.com/someonehasdied You can find Ellie's cartoons and more information on the comics and card game on their Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/efblack36/ On Part 1 of the podcast, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #987 (Cat Airball.) Finalists for contest #989 (Yabba Dabba Duplo!) Current New Yorker contest #991 (It's jeté flesh wound.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Larry Wood joins us to help celebrate our 250th podcast! Nicole was not able to make it to the main podcast, so we recorded an additional one that we added to the beginning. The four co-hosts reminisce about some of their favorite podcasts and talk about how doing the podcast for the last five has affected them. Vin, Beth and Paul then join with Larry to talk about the contests and their favorite cartoons from the issue. We discuss the winning entry for Contest #986 (The only thing you need to sphere, is sphere itself) Finalists for Contest #988 (Card carrying Carnivour.) Current Contest #990 (Do you now how to drive a cluck?) Be sure to enter the latest CartoonStock Caption Contest with new rules! The more people who enter, the bigger the cash prize and you can buy more than three captions! https://www.cartoonstock.com/caption-contest/current You can order Larry's book, "Your Caption Has Been Selected: More Than Anyone Could Possibly Want to Know About The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest" here: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Caption-Has-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407/ Victor Chongchua has a new website dedicated to cartoon caption contests. It has a leader board for the New Yorker Contest, a curated list of caption contests you can enter and his own before and after contest for cartoonists. You can find it here: https://humororama.lol You can purchase original New Yorker cartoon art from Curated Cartoons here: https://www.curatedcartoons.com Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Polly Lou Adams joins us on the podcast this week. Polly is a fairly new cartoonist and has had a number of cartoons printed in the New Yorker and many more featured as the Daily cartoon. We talk with Polly about being creative, her journey to becoming a New Yorker cartoonist, her cartoons and we touch on the subject of A.I. and the current market for cartoons. You can learn more about Polly at her Webpage: https://pollylouadams.com Subscribe to her SubStack: https://poopscoop.substack.com And check out her cartoons on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollylouadams/ On Part 1 of the episode, we discuss the current contests: Winning captions for New Yorker contest #985 (Does a bear fife in the hood?) Finalists for contest #982 (Celestial kitty.) Current New Yorker contest #984 (One Million Legos B.C.) We also talk about our favorite cartoons from the current issue of the New Yorker. You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Frank Cotham returns to the podcast this week after a nearly five year absence. We catch up with Frank on what he's been up to (mostly cartooning and yard work) and have a nice leisurely chat with him about cartoons. Frank doesn't have a social media presence, but you can find his cartoons (over 1,000 of them!) at the Condé Nast Store. Be sure to buy a mug or print while you're looking! https://condenaststore.com/art/frank+cotham We also talk about the new Yorker caption contests: Winning captions for contest #984 ("I'm making bunny tears behind your back.") Finalists for contest #986 (Sphere Factor.) Current New Yorker contest #988 (Flush eating shark.) You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Tom Chitty returns to the podcast to talk about his upcoming book, "Nooks & Crannies of New York—from the Chronicles of Baron von Schoogenheimer". Tom's tome is a wonderfully whimsical compilation taken from the copious notes of Baron von Schoogenheimer during his stay in New York City. We learn about Cheese Pirates, Ghost League Baseball, Les Taxis du Savoir-Faire, Schneek's Hot Dogs and many more mysterious attractions from a bygone era (maybe they're still around and we're just not seeing them with our eyes glued to our phones). You can pre-order the book through Tom's KickStarter page here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/michaelgerber/nooks-and-crannies-of-new-york You can read more about the book and Mr. Chitty himself, at these links: https://www.baronsguide.com https://www.instagram.com/baronsguide https://www.drawnbytom.com https://tomchitty.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/drawnbytom/ We also talk about the new Yorker caption contests: Winning captions for contest #983 (Better lox next time with your bagel captions!) Finalists for contest #985 (Fuzzy Wuzzy had no flair.) Current New Yorker contest #987 (A cat 'n tonic highball, no chasers.) You can buy original New Yorker cartoon art at Curated Cartoons:https://www.curatedcartoons.com The home for all things to do with cartoon caption contests: https://humororama.lol Send us questions or comments to: Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com