By Carol Stark
Globe Editor
JOPLIN, Mo. —
There is nothing I have ever written about in this column that results in as much feedback as a call out to readers for suggestions about comics and puzzles.
So, I wasn’t surprised when my e-mail started filling rapidly with comments about our recent change on Sunday to The Washington Post’s crossword. We made the change because of the complaints I was receiving about the lack of challenge our puzzle presented to serious crossword fans.
Apparently not everyone was unhappy with the old puzzle.
Here’s what one of our readers wrote:
“I dislike the new Sunday crossword puzzle with great intensity. Used to be I could solve at least 80 percent of the original one. I guess part of my brain must be empty — if I can get 50 percent of it done, then I feel lucky.”
I could feel the “great intensity” of the complaint along with all the others from people who were quite satisfied with the old puzzle.
On the other hand, I had notes and calls from those who liked the challenge and said that once they caught on to the way the puzzle was constructed, they enjoyed it.
The wisdom of Solomon was not within my grasp. Instead, I turned to results of a recent reader survey where comics and puzzles ranked high on the list when it came to newspaper enjoyment.
So, beginning today, we offer our readers not one, but two Sunday crossword puzzles. You’ll find them located in the People section of the paper.
You’re welcome.
Replacement for “Cathy”
Cathy Guisewhite will end her long-running comic strip “Cathy” on Oct. 3. I recently asked readers what they’d like to see in her place.
Lots and lots of suggestions; so little space.
Based on our reader responses, we have decided to replace the “Cathy” Sunday strip with “Stone’s Soup.” It’s a strip that already runs in our daily paper and is a favorite among our readers.
Beginning Oct. 4, “Pearls Before Swine” will take the place of “Cathy” in the daily paper. “Pearls Before Swine,” according to its creator Stephen Pastis, is the comic strip tale of two friends: a megalomaniacal Rat who thinks he knows it all, and a slow-witted Pig who doesn’t know any better. Together, this pair offers caustic commentary on humanity’s quest for the unattainable. It’s nothing at all like “Cathy,” but is an often- requested strip.
I had one reader who made suggestions, but mostly begged me to run a strip by a creator who was still LIVING.
We’re not much on change here at the Globe.
Which brings me to my next question. How many of you read “Prince Valiant” on Sunday? It is our longest-running comic strip, but, has it run its course? And, is chivalry really dead?
You tell me.
