Source: Editors and Publishers

Many Papers Won’t Run Next Two ‘Opus’ Strips With Sex Joke, Islamic References

NEW YORK At least 25 of the 200 or so “Opus” client newspapers might not run the Sunday-only comic’s next two episodes, which feature Islamic references and a sex joke.

That’s according to Washington Post Writers Group Executive Sales Manager Karisue Wyson, when contacted today by E&P. WPWG Editorial Director/General Manager Alan Shearer added that more than 25 clients might not use the strips because the syndicate hasn’t heard from about 150 of the 200 papers it alerted.

“Whenever something lands close to the edge, we give editors enough notice” in case they want to run substitute comics, said Shearer.

Berkeley Breathed’s Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 strips — which comprise sort of a two-part series — show the Lola Granola character wanting to become an Islamic radicalist (and wear traditional Muslim clothing) because it’s a “hot new fad on the planet.” Content also includes what Shearer described as “a sex joke a little stronger than we normally see.”

Wyson said some client papers hesitated to run a sex joke and others won’t publish any Muslim-related humor, whether pro or con. “They just don’t want to touch that,” she said.

Violent protests took place after a Danish paper in 2005 published cartoons picturing Muhammad.

Link to view cartoon here. (didn’t work for me though so if you can see it let me know what all the fuss was about)

H/T Ace

Technorati Tags: berkeley breathed, islam, religion of flaming crispy pieces, cartoons

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