Talk:Tom and Jerry

Tight, and very well written, I can see the cross-over in terms of the cat-and-mouse elements. As Tom and Jerry are comedy characters, it is a bit difficult writing something original and funny about them, so the idea of a dark, parallel world is probably one of the only ways to tackle the subject. However, there are issues. I think this needs, at least, to relate more to the slapstick element, as it is the contrast that is the comedy strategy. One thing I have learned is that to make a cryptic concept work well is very difficult, because it requires several elements to be in place:

• It needs to be treated like an extremist article, and pass Poe's law. The cryptic message has to be so obvious (and funny), that the reader totally gets it, and can concentrate on the jokes.

• The two "worlds" need to have many obvious parallels (not just conflict), so a joke on one side will work just as well on the other. This is the holy grail of cryptic articles, because if the ideas can be made to work together, you will get two clever jokes for the price of one. If it doesn't, the reader will constantly be trying to seek where one side fits into the other, i.e. solve a puzzle.

• The story has to be just as convincing and valid in both worlds — told straight down the middle — not divert to fit one or the other.

• The reason the stories link, also has to be funny.

One of the only times I really made the concept work was UnNews:Syriza wins in Greece; leader vows to end Archaic austerity, where the parallel world of medieval austerity was an obvious metaphor the real world. I would have gone for Tommy vs Gerry (WW2), then the names of the characters do not have to change, and the relationship easily flips. Will have a bit of a play, but it is certainly a tricky one.  EStop ⚓ 08:58, November 4, 2015 (UTC)

Thank you for the feedback. While some may not realize it at first, my comedy strategy for this article is that it's actually based on real life. Yes, in the early 60s, MGM farmed out animation to Communist Czechoslovakia, resulting in 13 very strange T&J shorts that are considered low quality, and documented here.--EpicWinner (talk) 10:05, November 4, 2015 (UTC)

Okay, thanks for the useful information. That's great, because links it nicely as the "story". The key is then to make that link obvious throughout. I am just looking at another issue, but may be able to so something with it now. I'll be in after reading up on it.  EStop ⚓ 10:34, November 4, 2015 (UTC)

In addition to doing minor tune-ups, would it be possible for you to flesh out the article a bit more? Perhaps some stuff about W&P's history? I'll admit, I'm not that good at coming up with original material; I'm more of an editor.--EpicWinner (talk) 10:40, November 4, 2015 (UTC)

A good editor too, if only I could write as fast! The fleshing-out will happen as a consequence of working in jokes and drawing parallels so no problem.  EStop ⚓ 10:52, November 4, 2015 (UTC)

Do you think we should bring Tom and Jerry to life? I.e. let them discuss their abusive lives both on and off screen as actors? It may open a door for some additional comedy?  EStop ⚓ 12:16, November 4, 2015 (UTC)

I think it would give the article a surreal twist but would it fit in the overall scheme? I would have thought the contrast is between what Tom and Jerry looked like in the MGM days with their classic stereotypes, 'mammy', the 'piccaninny' look after an explosion etc. --RomArtus*Imperator ITRA (Orate) ® 13:41, November 4, 2015 (UTC)

Sorry, EpicWinner, but as I told you on my talk page, the above "comedy strategy," to nearly all potential readers, is instead a riddle, where only you know the answer. This is amusing to you, and not to the reader. It would be nice if you would not pester other writers to drop what they are doing and adopt your priorities, naow. Spıke 🎙️14:23 4-Nov-15