Welcome Matthew Diffee:
We’re joined on the Starline by Artist, Author, Writer, and Cartoonist for the New Yorker. His 2nd edition of his book “The Best of the Rejection Collection: 297 cartoons that were too dark, too weird or too dirty for the New Yorker” is now out. We welcome Matthew Diffee
Matt, let’s go Beyond the Mic. You’ve been contributing cartoons to the New Yorker since 1999. How many have you sold and what’s your lifetime batting average?
As you started looking at these rejects, were there some you said… OH NO… but immediately placed into the “must go into book pile”?
So the cartoonist chat room must be great…
What make drawing so enjoyable for you?
I’ve talked Stephen Pastis recently while he’s drawing a strip every day while you’re drawing a cartoon that might never get in.
Are you pencil first then ink or just depends on what you can grab?
The Rockin’ 8:
It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions; answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.
1. Favorite BBQ joint in Austin?
2. You hosted The Steam Powered Hour aka Hee Haw for Hipsters off Broadway. What’s your favorite Broadway show?
3. Favorite cartoonist when you were a child?
4. Your first tweet was a list of things better than a New York City Hot Dog. Do you regret having “American Gladiators” on that list?
5. What do you really procrastinate doing?
6. If your life was made into a movie, which current star could play you?
7. Best pizza topping?
8. Person who inspires you the most?
Which of the cartoonists excite you for the future of your business? Why?
How has cartooning changed for the better or the worse in the last 10 years?
One Big Question:
With people sensitivities so easily riled up, how much harder is it for a cartoonist to get something sold today?
The Wrap:
Like cheese pizza, and Gary Larson and procrastinates everything. His book “The Best of the Rejection Collection: 297 cartoons that were too dark, too weird or too dirty for the New Yorker” the revised second edition is now out. We thank Cartoonist Matthew Diffee for taking the time to talk with us today.
And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.
Listen to other Beyond the Mic conversations with cartoonist here.
Listen to other Beyond the Mic conversations with authors here.
