The facts of life are all about youuuuu.....

I'm sure you TV buffs have witnessed the birth or adoption of another child on a long-running family sitcom or drama.  Usually this happens when the youngest of the original clan has experienced a growth spurt and is no longer the cute, funny, adorable moppet you grew up watching.  It's happened with the Bradys, the Huxtables, the Keatons, the Drummonds, and yes, even the Waltons (for one season anyway).  Why? Ratings tend to slip when TV show kids start hitting puberty.  Gotta do something to make the show fresh again.  Sometimes it works, but most of the time....not really.  The Brady Bunch, for instance, was already suffering from bad scripts and sinking ratings by the time season 5 came around.  Unfortunately, the obvious solution was not put into motion early in season 4, that being Carol Brady announcing she's pregnant.  No, the quickie solution was to import a young relative in the form of cousin Oliver halfway into season 5.  Sure, he wasn't the cause of the Bradys getting cancelled, but he sure didn't help!

I am digressing a bit, though.  The point is, Harvey Comics decided to add another character to Richie Rich's world.  Is Richie going to be getting a baby brother or sister?  FORGET IT!  Richie ain't having that!  But the Van Doughs, relations to the Riches, are expecting!  But this being a Harvey comic, there's no way the author of the following story is going to be so blunt and direct regarding the Birds and the Bees.  And we're sure as hell not going to get any graphic visuals!  That's a given!  But join us now as Richie meet for the first time his baby cousin Penny!     

Mater?  Pater?  If I ever called my folks by those monikers, I probably would've gotten smacked!  This is obviously a thing among rich kids.  At least in the world of Harvey Comics.  Anyway, Reggie's parents are oblivious to the presence of their son and nephew, going around mumbling and being deep in thought. 

Even Richie is affected by their lethargic behavior.  Hey, Rich, Regina is your mother; your aunt's name is Vanessa!  And she's obviously too pre-occupied to correct him. 

Yes, what IS going on?  Maybe Mr. Van Dough decide to have a vasectomy.  Or Vanessa is having her tubes tied! One spoiled rotten, mean, bratty kid is enough!  

Say, that's some souped-up ca...hey, WAIT A MINUTE!  What's Richie doing driving?  He can't be more than 11 or 12 years old!  Simple!  He's Richie Rich, bitch!  He can do whatever he damn well pleases!

Aw, that's cute!  Mr. Van Dough gets his consonants backwards!  And since when do doctors take on the role of bellhop?  He better not be expecting a tip! 

Ya know, I have to question the quality of education these rich lads are receiving!

What, was Peewee in the womb for over 5 YEARS???  I know that sex education is a sensitive topic for some, but a five-year gestation term is just plain wrong!

Is Reggie that upset he's not going to be an only child anymore?  Frankly, I'm surprised the Van Doughs decided to have another child!  You'd think they would have learned their lesson unleashing Reggie on the world. 

Is the doctor the only one working this hospital?  Is there a nurses' strike going on?  

Never mind all that!  We're now treated to the first appearance of the next Harvey Comics cash cow (maybe).

Aww, so cute!  Eyes wide open and a full head of hair with just a hint of a blonde dollar sign on her forehead!  

Oh, boy!  We're told to watch for more Richie Rich comics featuring Penny!  I'm looking forward to that about as much as Baby Trixie's adventures in the bland Hi And Lois comic strip, like the example below:

Yep!  Hilarious, right?
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OK, that's going to do it for now.  I'll try to have the next post up before Thanksgiving!

Excelsior!

Alan

Ooooo, that smell!

Ok, so it's been a while since the last post!  Been really busy and I haven't had time to devote to this blog!  But good news!  I have this post and another in the pipeline in about a week, so I'm going to be making up for lost time!  

You'll notice that I have a portion of the next pic cut out!  It's not a mistake; it's by design!  Obviously it's a Richie Rich story, but the title of it gives away the surprise, so I decided to crop it so nothing will be given away too soon!  Enjoy!

Had no idea Richard Rich, Sr. was into advancement of television technology!  I wonder how far the delivery guy had to haul that monstrous package!  This had better be good!  

So far Richie isn't that all impressed!  He also decided to change up his wardrobe a bit and opt for the white shorts instead of the usual blue!  But enough of the garment observation; Richie's dad is about to reveal what sets this TV set apart from all the others on the market!  The suspense is killing me!

REALLY???  I mean, it's sort of a nice novelty, but it'll wear out rather quickly.  TV is meant to be enjoyed with the visual rather than the olfactory senses.  Already I can see problems with this gadget!

Yeah, I suppose if you have the thing tuned to HGTV or the Food Network, it has its good points.  But careful you don't change the channel to AMC when The Walking Dead is on; who wants to smell rotting flesh?

Ya know, it's a good thing this "smellevision" hasn't been mass-produced.  Palpo would go out of business virtually overnight!  Then again, look where Dollar lives!  Probably has his own chef to create gourmet meals especially for him!  

Oh, come on, Regina!  You really think your husband would bring one of his mistresses home?  

Um...might want to change the channel from that forest fire!  Jamie Farr and Lou Gossett, Jr. make special guest appearances in this story as two firemen just cruising around.  Who needs fire alarms or 911 dispatchers when you've got firemen driving around the city like Malloy and Reed from Adam-12?  Did the fire station burn down?

Yes, don't worry, folks!  Jamie and Lou are on the job, going through your front door like it was papier-mâché but amplified with a "crasho" sound effect!

Hey, guys, the Rich family is NOT on fire!  Getting sprayed with a fire hose has to hurt like hell!  Especially for Regina seen here getting a high-pressure enema!  Ouch!

The joke's on you guys?  I don't think so! You just flooded their living room!  Judging by their embarrassed grins, I'd say this was all a part of the firemen's plan to strike a blow against those capitalist pigs!  Another tell-tale sign; look at the smug look on Lou's face in the upper left panel! 

It never was, Richard, nor will it ever be!  And better get a doc to check out your left foot; punting that heavy set had to hurt!

Hey, the Looney Tunes Hour is on and they're showing a Pepe Le Pew cartoon.  Yes, indeed, good thing getting rid of that "smellevision".  Could be worse, though; what if Blazing Saddles was on TV and they tuned in during the campfire scene?   Here's what I mean:

If the "smellevision" was still in the house, they couldn't exactly blame it on the dog, eh?

OK, that's it for now!  Next we'll have a little discussion about the birds and the bees Harvey Comics style!  Coming very soon!  Promise!

Excelsior!

Alan