OFFBEAT: Caveman family comedy 'The Croods' safe from extinction

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

Lack of trust sours debate, makes solution difficult

Your Jan. 18 editorial cartoon of President Barack Obama taking aim at our Second Amendment rights was quite apropos to the conundrum the gun ban folks and the NRA folks, such as myself, are experiencing. Members of both groups want to prevent another tragedy.

'Jackson 5ive: The Complete Animated Series' 1971 and 1972

Though young Michael Jackson and his brothers never had the chance to lend their voices to their animated counterparts for the 1971 Saturday morning cartoon series "Jackson 5ive," their singing voices are heard on all 23 episodes.

OFFBEAT: 'The Jackson 5ive' Saturday cartoon show finally on DVD

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"MUTTS: A Shtinky Little Christmas" by Patrick McDonnell

Andrews McMeel Publishing, $9.99, Ages 8 and older "MUTTS: A Shtinky Little Christmas" by Patrick McDonnell

OFFBEAT: Holidays a perfect season to enjoy Charlie Brown and Snoopy in Chicago museum exhibit

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Bum Bum Jones and Wife Tasha Push for the Perfect Relationship

Bum Bum Jones and wife Tasha share everything from laughs to arguments in the comic strip "Bum Bum Jones," created and drawn by Andre Weems, a 1991 graduate of Hammond High School.

Bum Bum Jones Comic Strip Logo

Bum Bum Jones is the name of a new comic strip about relationships created and drawn by Andre Weems.

Bum Bum Jones Comic Strip Panels

Andre Weems, a 1991 graduate of Hammond High School, has created a transitional panel comic strip called Bum Bum Jones that devotes a funny spin of storylines to relationships.

Drawing from inspiration: Hammond native-turned-New York cartoonist credits Jean Shepherd influence

Andre Weems, a 1991 graduate of Hammond High School, credits two forces for igniting his career in comic strips.

Cartoon on burning Quran was insulting, disrespectful

The cartoon by Gary Varvel regarding the burning of the Quran was, in my opinion, insulting and disrespectful. Varvel, in this cartoon, shows coffins of American soldiers being unloaded while also showing President Barack Obama apologizing to the Afghans.

Hanna-Barbera Animated Sketch Art of Singer Davy Jones for "Scooby-Doo" 1972

Singer Davy Jones provided his own voice for his Hanna-Barbera cartoon likeness featured in a 1972 episode of the animated 'New Scooby-Doo Movies.'

Cartoon is disrespectful toward Catholic teachings

Usually, I enjoy the cartoons on your Opinion page; they're funny, clever and fair because you poke fun at all factions. However, the Feb. 14 cartoon by Gary Varvel depicting President Barack Obama as Pope Benedict XVI with Secretary Kathleen Sebelius holding a chalice of contraceptives is d…

Ghost of TV Memories Past

Ghost of TV memories past? This TV "screen shot" features a "bumper," which in broadcast terms is a screen graphic to separate content programming from paid commercials. In this case, the information bills the airing of the "Casper the Ghost" animated cartoon that aired on Chicago's WFLD Cha…

OFFBEAT: 'Family Circus' creator Bil Keane's life and legacy includes Alzheimers charity

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Bil Keane and Family Circus Comic Strip

Bil Keane, creator of the Family Circus comic, works on a drawing Sept. 22, 1999, in his Paradise Valley, Ariz., home. Keane, died at age 89 on Nov. 8, 2011. His funeral is Nov. 19, 2011.

DVD release celebrates 25 years of cartoon female fighter's power to fight bad guys

When actress Melendy Britt was asked if she wanted to provide her distinct voice to a new female superhero "who promised to be popular," she wanted to first hear more about the character who would be her vocal alter-ego.

Something Fishy

SOMETHING FISHY - - "Today" show critic Gene Shalit has become familiar to viewers for his over-the-top personality, including lending his voice and image to a character tribute on Nickelodeon's cartoon "Spongebob Squarepants" named Gene Scallop, who is a feared fish restaurant critic.