So High School
Flip phones, English Class, and College Applications
THIS WEEK:
A high school reunion
“Back to the Drawing Board:” Falling star
“Where Are They Now?” Teacher Appreciation Week
BEHIND THE PAY WALL: More high School cartoons
Perhaps you’ve noticed, but we’ve found a way to talk about Taylor Swift’s new album for the last four weeks. This week, give a listen to one of DiPerri’s favorite songs on The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology as we kick off our high school reunion…
Give me a full Taylor Swift album of 90s dream pop! Yes, please!
Wayback Wednesday is apropos since this Substack publishes on Wednesdays but most of the flashbacks (“Flashback! To the film reel! On one screen! In MY town!” - that’s how Real Buddy sings it so that’s how His Real Wife and Frega and DiPerri sing it) … most of the flashbacks were dubbed “Throwback Thursdays.”
This strip was based on two true stories, both involving youth theatre. I directed a high school production of Pride and Prejudice in 2018 and everyone wanted to play Elizabeth (of course). Nearly 20 years prior, the summer before my freshman year, my classmates and I were involved in a summer teen theatre production. At the wrap party, the girls were arranging the guys as the Backstreet Boys for a surprise lip synch performance.
“Who can I be?!” I asked.
:: A girl assigned me a name ::
“Which one is he?” I asked.
“He’s the ugly one no one likes,” she said.
This is how every rejection from the comic strip syndicates felt. Also, the mailbox number in the first panel was part of a second landline phone number that we had until I was about six or seven-years-old that I still have memorized and that my parents swear never existed. They’re wrong.
Bring your friends!
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, last week, here’s a Frega DiPerri cartoon, previously published in Kappan magazine.
TRUE STORY!
Speaking of stories, yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, Frega inspired DiPerri to sit down to write something on his grandmother’s typewriter. The typewriter is in perfect condition and has a good ribbon but will need a little oil. Looking forward to writing more on it soon!
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