I Hate Doctors Like This
I have a few comments about today's new-run of For Better or For Worse:
Hey, Dr. Patterson! Some patients like to give you a lengthy description of what’s going on, because they have this bizarre idea that doctors don’t know everything and might need that information to make an informed diagnosis. You know what’s really rude, Dr. Patterson? Pretending to listen to your patient and then making a bad pun about it.
And what is up with this sitting behind the patient? I had dental work done a few weeks ago and the dentist sat on my right while his assistant sat on my left. And just to give you a little hint, Dr. Patterson. When you are holding a sharp dental instrument, it’s a really good idea to open your eyes.
And Lynn Johnston, just to let you know, in modern dental offices, the dentists chairs usually have these things called lights over them to help to illuminate the inside of the mouth. I know it’s been a long time since you have been in one, so here’s a picture.
Also, Lynn Johnston, here’s a picture of a new-run featuring Jean Baker. You seem to have forgotten how she looks. Just to let you know, drawing a head with short, dark hair and glasses is not sufficient to be called Jean. I don’t know who this pointy-headed freak is that John is calling Jean, but the nose shape, jawline, and hair style on the real Jean are different. Here’s another new-run picture of Jean Baker to help you. It also has a picture of new-run Ted McCaulay, which you might find interesting, since the drawings you did of Ted in the last 3 days don’t look anything like this.
Here’s a question for you, Lynn Johnston. Do you really think dentists ignore long-winded patients trying to describe their medical problems, or are you trying, once again, to disparage your ex-husband’s dental skills?
One last question, Lynn Johnston. Now that you have gotten to the point where you no longer draw Ted McCaulay, Jean Baker, Michael or Elizabeth Patterson like you used to; how long will it be before you started drawing Elly or John Patterson where they are no longer recognizable?
Hey, Mavis Snodwigg! Get yourself a better dentist!
Hey, Dr. Patterson! Some patients like to give you a lengthy description of what’s going on, because they have this bizarre idea that doctors don’t know everything and might need that information to make an informed diagnosis. You know what’s really rude, Dr. Patterson? Pretending to listen to your patient and then making a bad pun about it.
And what is up with this sitting behind the patient? I had dental work done a few weeks ago and the dentist sat on my right while his assistant sat on my left. And just to give you a little hint, Dr. Patterson. When you are holding a sharp dental instrument, it’s a really good idea to open your eyes.
And Lynn Johnston, just to let you know, in modern dental offices, the dentists chairs usually have these things called lights over them to help to illuminate the inside of the mouth. I know it’s been a long time since you have been in one, so here’s a picture.
Also, Lynn Johnston, here’s a picture of a new-run featuring Jean Baker. You seem to have forgotten how she looks. Just to let you know, drawing a head with short, dark hair and glasses is not sufficient to be called Jean. I don’t know who this pointy-headed freak is that John is calling Jean, but the nose shape, jawline, and hair style on the real Jean are different. Here’s another new-run picture of Jean Baker to help you. It also has a picture of new-run Ted McCaulay, which you might find interesting, since the drawings you did of Ted in the last 3 days don’t look anything like this.
Here’s a question for you, Lynn Johnston. Do you really think dentists ignore long-winded patients trying to describe their medical problems, or are you trying, once again, to disparage your ex-husband’s dental skills?
One last question, Lynn Johnston. Now that you have gotten to the point where you no longer draw Ted McCaulay, Jean Baker, Michael or Elizabeth Patterson like you used to; how long will it be before you started drawing Elly or John Patterson where they are no longer recognizable?
Hey, Mavis Snodwigg! Get yourself a better dentist!
posted by howard at 9:37 PM
13 Comments:
howard,
Here’s a question for you, Lynn Johnston. Do you really think dentists ignore long-winded patients trying to describe their medical problems, or are you trying, once again, to disparage your ex-husband’s dental skills?
I'd say that she was doing both things; I never got the impression that she understood or cared how Rod made his living. She never gets the equipment or terminology right, assumes that listening to patients is a boring waste of time and likes to show John as an easily-frustrated bungler. Small wonder he wanted her to tune down John's idiocy; her petty act of vengeance was hurting his career.
Yeah, any doctor that acts like he doesn't want to hear what I have to say about my own ailment is a doctor I drop, pronto.
I can only assume that John went to a dental school for the blind, where he was taught to yoke the patient from behind to immobilize him/her, and then reach around with the instruments and work by touch alone. No wonder his patient's fillings are falling out and the partial denture doesn't fit right.
I doubt Lynn did this to disparage Rod as a dentist. I think it's her usual inattention to detail. But what I'm wondering is, why is she doing new strips about John's dental practice? Especially when there are other topics that could really benefit from some new strips. If it's one-liners she thinks she needs, she could do them on other topics. John is/was so closely tied to Rod that I think the classy choice would be to try to avoid doing new strips featuring him prominently, which should be easy given that there are few new strips. Of course, few of Lynn's choices re: her divorce have been classy...
Thanks for the links. I'd forgotten Mr Fuddmulch. Now there's Mavis Snodwigg to add to the list of John's patients. Who else? Mr Morberg, Miss Wilson, Jeffrey, Melissa (three times), Mrs Bonyun, Mrs Divot, Fred, Mr Dilbutt, Brandi and Dierdre...I've picked these out of the collection book summaries I did at the Foobiverse. The names seemed pretty normal up until Pushing Forty and then Lynn started making up ridiculous names, like Mr Pervrett, who was the driver of the sports car when Elly had her minor traffic accident and defended herself in court, and her OB-GYN, Dr Fundus Sphyncter.
The thing is, these made-up names aren't even funny. Just open a phone book, grab a name at random, and go with it. Otherwise we wind up with a strip where characters like Sheilaugh [intentional sp] marry Mr Rod, er, Rood, and incidental characters have to use pseudonyms to disguise their shame at having John Patterson as their dentist.
DreadedCandiru2,
She never gets the equipment or terminology right
That was the funny part of this. It’s like when she can’t draw a proper toilet. How hard would it have been for Lynn Johnston to go to Rod’s office and take a few Polaroids for reference pictures?
qnjones,
But what I'm wondering is, why is she doing new strips about John's dental practice?
Dr. Rod Johnston supposedly sold his practice and was out of dentistry in preparation for his retirement with Lynn. What is not well-known is that Dr. Rod Johnston, after his divorce, went back to being a dentist. Because of this, I am not so sure that writing new strips featuring John Patterson as a rude dentist are accidental. As many times as Lynn has maligned Rod in the press and in this strip over the last 2 years, it would not surprise me if she is trying to hurt his current business out of spite.
forworse,
The names seemed pretty normal up until Pushing Forty and then Lynn started making up ridiculous names, like Mr Pervrett, who was the driver of the sports car when Elly had her minor traffic accident and defended herself in court, and her OB-GYN, Dr Fundus Sphyncter.
There was a strange transition there. Someone must have told Lynn that strange names are funny and she has never let it go. She has an odd sense of humour about some things. Elly’s nose is the classic case. For some reason, Lynn decided big noses are funny, and sometimes Elly’s nose would reach ridiculous sizes for no apparent reason. What’s funny about a woman with a big nose? Only Lynn Johnston knows.
howard,
What is not well-known is that Dr. Rod Johnston, after his divorce, went back to being a dentist. Because of this, I am not so sure that writing new strips featuring John Patterson as a rude dentist are accidental. As many times as Lynn has maligned Rod in the press and in this strip over the last 2 years, it would not surprise me if she is trying to hurt his current business out of spite.
It doesn't surprise me either; I halfway expect to see her squawking about how unfair it is when and if Rod slaps her with a lawsuit because of it. The same laws that allowed her to go crazy slapping people with C&D orders tend to prevent her from using her strip as a club to beat her ex over the head with. If she doesn't see that, she's a bigger and uglier fool than I thought.
dreadedcandiru2,
It doesn't surprise me either; I halfway expect to see her squawking about how unfair it is when and if Rod slaps her with a lawsuit because of it.
If there is anything to admire about Dr. Rod Johnston, it is that we have not seen him publicly retaliate to comic strip or print interview assaults from his ex-wife. I would be surprised if he filed a lawsuit.
Hmm, I thought Rod stole all Lynn's millions? If so, why would he have to go back to dentistry? I'm sure Lynn would tell us he did it so he would be able to surround himself with gorgeous young hygienists. ;)
qnjones,
Hmm, I thought Rod stole all Lynn's millions? If so, why would he have to go back to dentistry?
For pretty much the same reason she cancelled her retirement plans, I'd say. For what I understand, she was supposed to retire from doing the strip and he from dentistry so they could go off into the sunset together. After the divorce, there was no point in either of them quitting so they're both back on the job.
Plenty of single people retire. Early, even. You don't have to be married to enjoy doing things other than work.
That is, unless you don't really have a ton of money in the bank the way your ex-wife claims.
qnjones,
That is, unless you don't really have a ton of money in the bank the way your ex-wife claims.
It also implies that Rod is not getting a huge amount of alimony either. Of course, as a physician in private practice, there may not have been that much difference between his annual income and Lynn's.
Forworse: in your list of dental patients, I can add one more: Mrs. Feggmutz.
Ew.
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