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Dakota Midday: The Enduring Legacy of 'Nancy'

Guy Gilchrist

Cartoonist Ernie Bushmiller introduced the character Nancy to newspaper funny pages in 1933. Today Nancy is drawn by Nashville-based cartoonist Guy Gilchrist, who first started drawing the strip with his brother Brad in 1995.

Gilchrist got his big break in 1981 when he and his brother were hired to produce a daily Muppets comic strip for the late Jim Henson. Dr. Suess, Woody Woodpecker creator Walter Lantz and Beetle Bailey cartoonist Mort Walker also played important roles in his development as a cartoonist. Gilchrist now works to help inspire others the way those legends inspired him.

Gilchrist joined Dakota Midday and discussed the enduring legacy of Nancy and the future of comic strips as newspapers decline.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.