My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #974

In The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #974 from the issue of January 12, 2026, a couple and their cat watch helplessly as their living room is occupied by weightlifting mice. The man holds a broom up and speaks. The drawing is by Dan Misdea.

"I thought our cheese was hormone-free."

These captions didn't pull their own weight:

"Why didn't I let Charles Atlas make a man out of me?"
"I give up. Let's move."
"This is why I never wanted a home gym."
"Damn those January gym promotions."
"I thought they'd lose interest in the home gym."

January 24, 2026 Update:  The Finalists

January 31, 2026 Update:  I voted for the caption from Toronto.

February 7, 2026 Update:  The Winner

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My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #950

In The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #950 from the issue of June 30, 2025, a hot dog in a clothing store tries on a small bun for size. The saleswoman speaks. My entry appears below. The drawing is by Dan Misdea.

"Not everyone can pull off a man bun."

July 19, 2025 Update:  The Finalists

July 26, 2025 Update:  I voted for the caption from Vancouver.

August 1, 2025 Update:  The Winner

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My Copy of Dan Misdea's The Light Inside

I was pleased to run into New Yorker cartoonist Dan Misdea at the Princeton Children's Book Festival on October 7. Several of his caption contest cartoons have appeared here on the blog. His new book is The Light Inside, a beautifully conceived and illustrated book for children ages 3 to 7 and for bloggers of all ages.

The Princeton Children's Book Festival artwork for this year is by Mika Song:

Princeton Children's Book Festival
October 7, 2023
Mika Song

https://princetonlibrary.org/childrens-book-festival/

Princeton Children's Book Festival
October 7, 2023
Mika Song

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My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #868

Mister Softee is getting in touch with his feelings on a psychotherapist's couch. Welcome to The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #868 from the issue of October 2, 2023. My caption is shown below. The chill drawing is by Dan Misdea.

"Would it be so wrong of me to sport a halo top?"

These captions lacked insight:

"Every day some bastard calls me a conehead."
"They won't go out with me once they learn my name."
"At my age I should know more than one jingle."

October 14, 2023 Update:  The Finalists

October 21, 2023 Update:  I voted for the caption from San Francisco. You know, the third one.

October 28, 2023 Update:  The Winner

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My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #852

I took a slice out of The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #852 from the issue of June 5, 2023. My caption is shown below. The drawing is by Dan Misdea.

"I got tired of just flies."

These captions burned the roof of my mouth:

"I'm really the [Frog] Prince of [Pizza] Pies."
"Invite me over and we'll share what's left."

June 12, 2023 Update:  The Finalists

June 25, 2023 Update:  I voted for the caption from Mount Horeb.

 

June 30, 2023 Update:  The Winner

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The CartoonStock Cartoon Caption Contest No. 164

Nature comes home to roost in the CartoonStock Caption Contest #164. Let's go over how this new monthly cash prize contest works: $5 buys up to three entries and no more. Real cash prizes are $500 for first place and $100 for each of five runners up. As of this writing, I've spent $45 over the first nine contests and this one makes $50. I somehow won $200 along the way. As more people enter, I don't expect to keep doing this well. My three new entries are shown below, above the break. The full-color drawing of a home infested with beavers is by Dan Misdea.

"Happy anniversary to you too. I got you a Louis XIV clock."
"But you can't take care of even one."
"No, not even if they're rescues."
* * *
"Why do we have to give a dam?"
"This isn't the way I wanted to be closer to nature."
"First of all, yes, I'm glad you remembered my birthday. . ."
"Let me clarify what I meant by whatever you want."

March 14, 2023 Update:  The Winner

My captions, it seems, were not worthy of debate:

Caption Contest Deliberations, Part 1

Caption Contest Deliberations, Part 2

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The CartoonStock Caption Contest #142

It's time to play in the CartoonStock Caption Contest #142. My three captions are shown below. The drawing is by Dan Misdea.

"But I'm not ready to take an oasis."
"We're stuck here unless that purse holds a ham radio."
"Do you really think you're up to playing Mary Ann?"

November 24, 2021 Update:  The Winner

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The CartoonStock Caption Contest #139

We have arrived at the close of the CartoonStock Caption Contest #139. These contests will now last for two weeks through at least the end of the year. My three entries may be seen below. The drawing is by Dan Misdea.

"The Amazing Race headed inland six years ago."
"Are you here for the pub crawl?"
"Your clothes are so last year."

October 13, 2021 Update:  The Winner

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