pig pen is one of the most iconic members of the Peanuts gang, and one of the oldest. Indeed, Pig-Pen has been making readers laugh since 1954, introduced just four years later Peanuts First entered syndication. During that time, the famous dirty Peanuts Character was at the center of many jokes. However, arguably none of them can compare to one running gag as old as he is, mostly because it shows just how clever the creator of PeanutsCharles M. Schulz, indeed.
In a series of four Peanuts comic strips, Charles M. Schultz tells one long joke with Pig-Pen right at the center of it. And it’s absolutely hilarious, even by today’s standards.
in the Peanuts Comic strip published September 8, 1954, Patty is scolding Pig-Pen for how rude he is. She tells him that no one will admire him if he doesn’t clean himself up, and he will basically be a pariah as long as he stays this dirty. But before Patty can even finish her point, Schroeder walks up to them, and he’s just as dirty as a pig pen.
in the Peanuts Comic strips published September 9, 1954, Patty turns her attention to Schroeder, scolding him for being influenced by Pig-Pen. Then she tells the two that no one else will want to be around them if they don’t bathe and clean themselves. But, just like before, someone else walks by before Patty can finish her point. This time it’s Snoopy, and like Schroeder before him, the pup is just as rough as a pig’s pen.
in the Peanuts Comic strip published September 10, 1954, Patty has had enough of seeing so many people influenced by pig-pen. She calls Charlie Brown to complain, telling him that both Schroeder and Snoopy let themselves get disgustingly dirty all because of Pig-Pen, as they seem to be following his lead. But, little does Patty know, Charlie Brown is just as rude as Pig-Pen while talking to her on the phone, as he is also influenced by Pig-Pen.
in the Peanuts Comic strip published September 11, 1954, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Schroeder decide that Patty was right all along. They made a mistake in allowing pig’s pen to influence him like he did, and they did not allow themselves to be so dirty. So, they all clean up, and call Patti to let her know how proud of them she would be. However, in the final panel of the strip, it is revealed that Patty herself is covered head-to-toe in dirt, as she also falls to Pig-Pen’s influence.
Why Charles M. Schulz’s Running Pig-Pen Gag Is So Genius
Schulz effectively tells the same joke 4 times, making it funnier each time
This running pig-pen gag is basically just the same joke told four times in a row. One character (or characters) tells Pig-Pen that being rude is wrong and that no one else will be influenced by it, only to be proven wrong immediately after saying it. While one might think the joke would stop being funny after the second or third comic strip, that’s not the case. And the reason for this is the progression and evolution of the joke.
It’s not like an endless line of Peanuts Characters are walking behind Schroeder, continuously proving Patty wrong in-sequence. The gag evolves each time, as it starts with Schroeder, doubles with Snoopy, changes it with Charlie Brown, and adds a final twist with Patty. The setup and the punchline is the same in every comic strip, but because of the progression and evolution of the joke, it just keeps getting funnier. And this is pure comedic genius from Schultz.
The 70-year-old pig-pen joke is a perfect example of why Peanuts is so timeless
Of every comic strip that has been published, it is safe to say that Peanuts stands above the rest as the most timely. Not only has it transcended the comic strip medium into the realm of feature films, animated series, and holiday specials, but the original comic strip itself has stood the test of time.
This running gag alone is a perfect example of why this is the case, as it is a truly hilarious joke that is just as funny now as it was 70 years ago. You’d think that a joke told in the 50s wouldn’t hold up as well today as it did back then, but this one – and many others like it – proves that’s not the case, and it’s all because of Schultz’s timelessness. Humor and comedic genius.
Related
While this Peanuts Gag with Pig-Pen is a great example of the timelessness of the entire comic strip, it is far from the only one. Even the oldest look back Peanuts Comic strips, readers will find jokes that hold up just as well and are just as hilarious. However, in regard to pig pen Specifically, it’s by far his funniest Peanuts joke, and it perfectly shows how smart Charles M. Schultz really was.