Gary Larson brings a darkly humorous twist to classic TV shows, putting iconic characters in strange situations for comedic effect. The comic strips cleverly make fun of beloved shows like The Flintstones, Lassie, and Star Trek. The Far Side's surreal and morbid humor shines through as it parodies popular shows, offering a unique and entertaining perspective on classic TV entertainment. 
Gary Larson's Far Side is known for its hilarious take on classic TV shows, from Star Trek to The Flintstones. Despite its timeless humor, Larson also couldn't resist poking fun at iconic movies like King Kong and Alien, as well as rival comic strips like Peanuts and major franchises like Disney. For fans of classic TV entertainment, The Far Side is a surprising gold mine of humor.
Here are the ten funniest The Far Side comics targeting classic TV shows, from Lassie to The Flintstones. Stick around for our end of article poll and vote for your favorite!
- The Far Side vs The Flintstones Gary Larson Kills Off Fred Flintstone
The Far Side is known for its caveman-themed comics, so a Flintstones joke was inevitable. In this comic, Fred Flintstone's "Yabba dabba doo!" catchphrase leads to the suggestion that he's devoured by sabre-toothed tigers. It's a humorous turnabout, as The Flintstones often features 'Catasaurus' hides being used as various items.
- The Far Side vs Lassie Lassie Is Getting a Little Sick of Canine Heroics
Another hilarious comic depicts Lassie, the heroic dog, getting fed up with constantly saving the day.
Starring in 19 seasons of the original TV show and 10 movies, Lassie's heroic dog is still well-known today. In the Far Side comic, the collie is frustrated at not being able to get a drink in peace without being called on to help the Miller family, and Little Timmy in particular. Larson manages to avoid the usual "Timmy fell in the well" punchline that's often leveled at the show, and instead, adds a surprising twist about Lassie pushing a corrupt water company executive into a well after he attempts to scam the Millers.
Gary Larson's Far Side comics feature a variety of topics, but surprisingly, very few about the popular culture phenomenon, Star Trek. One memorable comic sees Montgomery "Scotty" Scott consigned to Hell, where his warnings about the Enterprise's engines are now applied to a 'megafurnace' keeping the underworld hot. Another comic features the Enterprise crew encountering the floating head of Zsa Zsa Gabor, leaving fans puzzled.
In some of The Far Side's funniest comics, classic movies such as King Kong, The Godfather, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves are referenced.
7 The Far Side pokes fun at Disney, Looney Tunes, and Rocky and Bullwinkle with a comic featuring snakes playing The Dating Game. The Dating Game, launched in 1965 and revived in 2021, features a single contestant asking three potential suitors romantic questions before choosing a date. The Far Side introduces animals to the situation and emphasizes their very different priorities.
6 The Far Side takes a jab at the classic TV show Bewitched, critiquing the plot line of a suburban businessman marrying a real-life witch. Despite running for over 250 episodes, Bewitched's repetitive plot of husband Darrin trying to hide his wife Samantha's magical abilities is mocked by The Far Side.
5 The Far Side humorously tackles The Love Boat, featuring the Pacific Princess sailing into troubled waters.
The Love Boat, a show that aired from 1977 to 1986, featured the crew of the Pacific Princess dealing with the romantic entanglements of one-off guest actors. While the show blended comedy and drama, it never quite reached the dramatic level of Gary Larson's comic parody, which portrayed the ship accidentally sailing into the politically tense Strait of Hormuz. The comic, published in 1987, referenced the complex restrictions and conflicts in the area, portraying the Pacific Princess as potentially causing an international incident. Another Far Side comic parodying The Love Boat humorously explores the idea of adventurous fish encountering a tragically familiar wreck.
Gary Larson's The Far Side is known for its surreal humor and often morbid subject matter, and it also took on celebrities in some comics. One such comic poked fun at the talking horse from the '60s sitcom Mister Ed, which Larson seemed particularly inspired by due to the show's surrealist choice to never explain how the horse could talk, aligning with Larson's own comedic style.
Larson's comics were inspired by Mister Ed, featuring various jokes such as swapping his name into the title of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the idea of the horse being turned into glue but still being able to speak. The comics also included a gag where the production company forced Ed to speak by threatening him with a lion, parodying the behind-the-scenes movie magic often involved in shows starring animals. Another joke sees a young Mister Ed being punished in school for talking during class, turning his miraculous speech into a character flaw.
In addition to Mister Ed, Larson also drew inspiration from the '50s Western The Lone Ranger. The Far Side comic referenced the show by depicting Tonto desperately trying to get the titular vigilante ready for the show as their iconic theme music has already started. Some of Larson's funniest comics broke the fourth wall, suggesting a bizarre reality where the characters fans see on TV are real but still know they're being filmed and have to be ready for the seemingly live transmission of their adventures.
The Brady Bunch, surprisingly poorly received during its original run, became iconic thanks to later syndication. Larson's comic parody depicts all the Brady's heads becoming a single, hydra-like monstrosity, created by the amoral Dr. Morrissey. The image is even funnier looking back at old promotional images for The Brady Bunch, which, in an effort to squeeze the large cast into a single shot, come close to doing Dr. Morrissey's work for him.
The Far Side hilariously references classic TV shows, including a Jeopardy! scene where an average contestant competes against Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. The comic pokes fun at the contestant's delusion of beating the famous geniuses and his attempt to save face over a massive point difference. The Far Side's surreal and morbid perspective sets it apart, even when referencing popular culture.
The Far Side, created by Gary Larson, was a popular comic strip series that was published from December 1979 to January 1995. Known for its surreal exploration of life and use of both human and anthropomorphic animal characters, it gained worldwide popularity. In 2020, Gary Larson decided to resume creating The Far Side comics and is now circulating them on his official website. Larson serves as both the writer and colorist for the series.