Doug Funny! The newest kid in the town of Bluffington! I remember watching this show right after school, wishing that I too could keep a journal and write down my thoughts. I finally did get around to keeping an actual paper journal. It took a few years but I never forgot completely. I identified with Doug. He was the new kid in town, he didn’t know anyone or have any friends. He felt like an outcast. That describes a few years for me through middle school. I was going to a new school for 6th grade. I was not looking forward to leaving all my friends back in 5th grade, which was a phenomenal year for me. I danced with a girl for the first time at the 5th grade dance! I beat a few kids up, I mean it was an all star year and 6th grade everything changed. I felt everything he felt. Apprehension about making friends, fitting in, and crushing on girls. I remeber thinking to myself how creepy and perverted Doug’s next door neighbor Mr. Dink was! He was a middle man that tinkered in many fields but was a master to none. He took a shining to Doug and often spoke to him as an equal resulting in quite a few awkward exchanges. he just seemed sleazy and Doug was just so naive.
Doug’s main man “100 hunit grand” was Skeeter. They colorded him blue but growing up we all knew he was the black kid. He wore parachute sweatpants, he was constantly dancing or beat boxing. He was so damn animated! I mean even for a cartoon character, he would make noised and piss of his strict but caring parents. Doug’s main antagonist (besides himself) was one Roger Clotz, the neighborhood bully. He was what one would consider “trailer trash” While his mother meant well, she didn’t have the money, means, or discipline to raise him right. He would make Doug’s life a chore whenever he could. But when he got his comeuppance every now and again it was oh so sweet. And lastly, Doug’s enternal flame, his sweet heart, the girl he dreamed of being with on a daily basis: Patty Mayonnaise! She was a bronze skinned, golden haired beauty who Doug sought to squire! Most times she was playfully oblivious to his longing for her and other times she was all to aware of who the nicest guy in town was. Doug made a young, chubby boy believe that nice guys didn’t always have to finish last. He never compromised his integrity in order to fit in…and if he did we always forgave him for it because he was sincere. I’m still trying to catch a nematoad, maybe this summer.
