This post updated 10 May 2022 - I originally stated that all except one of the versions of Why, Dad, Why? which appeared in the Cheeky titles were drawn by John Geering. I have since realised that in fact two Why, Dad, Why? episodes in the Cheeky Annual 1980 were drawn by an artist (the same person in both cases) who I'm unable to identify - one example can be seen below.
I am once again indebted to Stephen Archer who has researched the original run of Why, Dad, Why?, which commenced in Whizzer and Chips dated 03 October 1970 and concluded in the Whizzer and Chips Annual dated 1974 (published of course in the autumn of 1973). Fans of the toothy funster will be aware that a strip entitled Why, Dad, Why? began in Cheeky Weekly dated 30 September 1978 and continued (albeit absent from 16 issues) until the final edition of our grinning pal's comic, appearing thereafter in various Cheeky Annuals and Specials. However, these Cheeky versions of Why, Dad, Why? were not straight reprints of the original strips, but were redrawn interpretations of the scripts written for the first series. Manny Curtis drew the originals but the revivals of the feature were illustrated (with two exceptions) by John Geering.
 |
| Whizzer and Chips 19 June 1971 |
 |
| Cheeky Weekly 08 September 1979 |
With the help of Stephen's synopses of the plots of the original run of WDW, I have been able to link most of the Cheeky versions to their original counterparts.
The table below lists WDW's original run, and shows the scripts selected for reinterpretation in Cheeky titles (and also Why, Dad, Why? as Star Guest in Whoopee! and Whizzer and Chips)
The issue of Whizzer and Chips dated 21 August 1971, and the Whizzer and Chips Holiday Special of 1971 have proved elusive so no synopsis is presently available in those 2 cases.
The reinterpreted Why, Dad, Why? scripts did not adhere to the original publication order and were seemingly chosen at random, with the first episode not among those selected for re-drawing. The same abandonment of the original order and exclusion of the first episode became evident following Stephen's research into Ringer Dinger and the Cave Kids which were reprinted (in those cases featuring the original artwork) in the Cheeky titles..
Where the same synopsis is shown on 2 rows (such as Whizzer and Chips 17 July 1971), it indicates that the redrawn script covers 2 elements. The script that originally appeared in W&C dated 24 June 1972 was printed on one and a half pages in the Cheeky Holiday Special 1980, and the strip in the Cheeky Summer Special of 1979 was similarly split over a page and a half. All the other 2-row entries in the table indicate 2-full-page reprints. All the WDW strips in the Whizzer and Chips Annuals were 2-pagers, but none of those scripts were reprinted.
There is one instance of a synopsis appearing 3 times in the table below (Whizzer and Chips 04 December 1971), and I'll explain that after this table.
| TITLE | COVER DATE | FEATURE | SYNOPSIS | REPRINTED IN | COVER DATE |
| Whizzer and Chips | 03-Oct-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns magic | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 10-Oct-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Hide-and-seek with Dad | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 17-Oct-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Superstitions | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 24-Oct-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad takes refuge behind the armchair | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 31-Oct-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Things don’t go swimmingly at the park | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 07-Nov-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s fireworks | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 14-Nov-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s wig | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 21-Nov-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Coconuts | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 28-Nov-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s late for work | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 05-Dec-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | DIY with Dad | Cheeky Weekly | 05-May-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 12-Dec-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad hops to it at the zoo | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 19-Dec-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | The lumberjacks | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 26-Dec-1970 | Why, Dad, Why? | The earmuffs | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 02-Jan-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad buys a computer | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 09-Jan-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son meet the Human Brain | Cheeky Weekly | 09-Dec-1978 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 16-Jan-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad takes up meditation | Cheeky Weekly | 10-Feb-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 23-Jan-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son and the crooked workmen | Cheeky Weekly | 21-Oct-1978 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 30-Jan-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son loses his voice | Cheeky Weekly | 18-Nov-1978 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 06-Feb-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go fishing | Cheeky Weekly | 14-Jul-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 13-Feb-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son wants to be a spaceman | Cheeky Weekly | 04-Nov-1978 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 20-Feb-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go for a drive | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 27-Feb-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son end up in police cell | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 06-Mar-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | TV aerial trouble | Cheeky Weekly | 11-Nov-1978 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 13-Mar-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The parrot | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 20-Mar-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The encyclopaedia salesman | Cheeky Weekly | 27-Jan-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 27-Mar-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son and the Red Indians | Cheeky Weekly | 16-Jun-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 03-Apr-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The banana skin | Cheeky Weekly | 30-Sep-1978 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 10-Apr-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s Easter Egg | Cheeky Weekly | 21-Apr-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 17-Apr-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns to spell | Cheeky Weekly | 09-Jun-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 24-Apr-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The blocked chimney | Cheeky Weekly | 25-Aug-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 01-May-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and the violin fiddle | Cheeky Weekly | 04-Aug-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 08-May-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s quiet afternoon | Cheeky Weekly | 21-Jul-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 15-May-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go to the gym | Cheeky Weekly | 14-Oct-1978 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 22-May-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son play rugby | Cheeky Weekly | 15-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 29-May-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad tries to lose weight | ||
| Whizzer and Chips Holiday Special 1971 | 01-Jun-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | ** Issue not available ** |
||
| Whizzer and Chips | 05-Jun-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s nap | Cheeky Weekly | 03-Mar-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 12-Jun-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son receives dose of medicine | Cheeky Weekly | 07-Oct-1978 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 19-Jun-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son goes to the dentist | Cheeky Weekly | 08-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 26-Jun-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Rubber kangaroo | Cheeky Weekly | 01-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 03-Jul-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son and the L-plate | Cheeky Weekly | 28-Apr-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 10-Jul-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns to dance | Cheeky Weekly | 23-Jun-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 17-Jul-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Passing the dog show (Human boxer and lost dog) | Cheeky Annual 1980 | 01-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 17-Jul-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Passing the dog show (Human boxer and lost dog) | Cheeky Annual 1980 | 01-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 24-Jul-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns about gravity | Cheeky Weekly | 12-May-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 31-Jul-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s beard | Cheeky Weekly | 17-Mar-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 07-Aug-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go to the park | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 14-Aug-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad cleans the windows | Cheeky Weekly | 22-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 21-Aug-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | ** Issue not available ** | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 28-Aug-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns to ride a bike | Cheeky Weekly | 28-Jul-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips Annual 1972 | 01-Sep-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | A visit to the library | ||
| Whizzer and Chips Annual 1972 | 01-Sep-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | A rainy day | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 04-Sep-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son stargazes | Cheeky Weekly | 24-Feb-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 11-Sep-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go to the zoo | Cheeky Weekly | 10-Mar-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 18-Sep-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Repairing the shelf | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 25-Sep-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns about colours | Whizzer and Chips | 12-May-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 02-Oct-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The wasp | Cheeky Weekly | 30-Jun-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 09-Oct-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The bonfire | Cheeky Weekly | 29-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 16-Oct-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Army manoeuvres | Whoopee! | 05-May-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 23-Oct-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The flat tyre | Cheeky Weekly | 31-Mar-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 30-Oct-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns left from right | Cheeky Weekly | 24-Mar-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 06-Nov-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Buying fireworks | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 13-Nov-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The loose floorboard | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 20-Nov-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns bus courtesy | Cheeky Weekly | 17-Feb-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 27-Nov-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns about superstitions | Cheeky Weekly | 03-Feb-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 04-Dec-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s forgotten something | Cheeky Annual 1980 | 01-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 04-Dec-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s forgotten something | Cheeky Annual 1980 | 01-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 04-Dec-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s forgotten something | Cheeky Weekly | 10-Nov-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 11-Dec-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The blocked gutter | Cheeky Weekly | 06-Jan-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 18-Dec-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | The lost coin | Cheeky Weekly | 26-May-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 25-Dec-1971 | Why, Dad, Why? | Christmas decorations | Cheeky Annual 1980 | 01-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 01-Jan-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The New Year party | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 08-Jan-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s stilts | Cheeky Annual 1981 | 01-Sep-1980 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 08-Jan-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s stilts | Cheeky Annual 1981 | 01-Sep-1980 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 15-Jan-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son beat the carpet | Cheeky Weekly | 24-Nov-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 22-Jan-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s lasso | Cheeky Weekly | 13-Oct-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 29-Jan-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and the wishing well | Cheeky Weekly | 20-Oct-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 05-Feb-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The mouse | Cheeky Weekly | 27-Oct-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 12-Feb-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son can’t sleep | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 19-Feb-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Indoor games | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 26-Feb-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s boss visits | Cheeky Weekly | 01-Dec-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 04-Mar-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son learns about X certificate | Cheeky Weekly | 03-Nov-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 11-Mar-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad won’t let Son ask questions | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 18-Mar-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son and the radio show | Cheeky Holiday Special | 01-Apr-1980 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 25-Mar-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s long trousers | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 01-Apr-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad in the boxing ring | Cheeky Weekly | 18-Aug-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 08-Apr-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The parking space | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 15-Apr-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | A walk in the country | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 22-Apr-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The alarm clock | Cheeky Weekly | 19-Jan-1980 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 29-Apr-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The maze | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 06-May-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad takes Son to school | Cheeky Weekly | 02-Feb-1980 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 13-May-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad dives for treasure | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 20-May-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Hypnosis | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 27-May-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go the travel agent | ||
| Whizzer and Chips Holiday Special 1972 | 01-Jun-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Milkshakes and ice lolly | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 03-Jun-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad digs the garden | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 10-Jun-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The ice cream van | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 17-Jun-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son bird watches | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 24-Jun-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The seesaw and the swing | Cheeky Holiday Special | 01-Apr-1980 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 24-Jun-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The seesaw and the swing | Cheeky Holiday Special | 01-Apr-1980 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 01-Jul-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son and the bolas | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 08-Jul-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go trainspotting | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 15-Jul-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s donkey ride | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 22-Jul-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s repeats make trouble | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 29-Jul-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Uncle Egbert’s visit | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 05-Aug-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Keep fit with Dad | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 12-Aug-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son’s surprise present | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 19-Aug-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The motorboat | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 26-Aug-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The show jumping contest | ||
| Whizzer and Chips Annual 1973 | 01-Sep-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Frozen pond and burst pipe | ||
| Whizzer and Chips Annual 1973 | 01-Sep-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Lighting the fire | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 02-Sep-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go to the circus | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 09-Sep-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The hiking boots | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 16-Sep-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The dog show [2] | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 23-Sep-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son go to a music shop | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 30-Sep-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The supermarket trip | Cheeky Weekly | 22-Dec-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 07-Oct-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Bearded ladies | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 14-Oct-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The street market | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 21-Oct-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad and Son make toffee | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 28-Oct-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s roses | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 04-Nov-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Son tries to fly | Cheeky Weekly | 08-Dec-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 11-Nov-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad loses his key | Cheeky Weekly | 15-Dec-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 18-Nov-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad’s old banger | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 25-Nov-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The loose floorboard [2] | Cheeky Annual 1980 | 01-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 25-Nov-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The loose floorboard [2] | Cheeky Annual 1980 | 01-Sep-1979 |
| Whizzer and Chips | 02-Dec-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad on the subs bench | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 09-Dec-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Dad learns yoga | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 16-Dec-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The lost cat | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 23-Dec-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | The regimental get-together | ||
| Whizzer and Chips | 30-Dec-1972 | Why, Dad, Why? | Decorating the Christmas tree | ||
| Whizzer and Chips Annual 1974 | 01-Sep-1973 | Why, Dad, Why? | Balaclava helmet | ||
| Whizzer and Chips Annual 1974 | 01-Sep-1973 | Why, Dad, Why? | The waxworks |
The script for the 04 December 1971 issue of Whizzer and Chips was utilised a further 2 times...
 |
| Whizzer and Chips 04 December 1971 |
 |
| Cheeky Annual 1980 I can't identify this artist |
 |
| Cheeky Weekly 10 November 1979 |
There are 3 Why, Dad, Why? episodes in the Cheeky titles that I have not been able to link back to an earlier script;
Cheeky Summer Special 1979
The episode begins with Dad and Son carrying a picnic hamper onto the beach. Dad says they need to keep the food cool, and Son puts the hamper into the sea. Then there's confusion over Dad's plan for a dip and his request to Son to buy a pair of trunks - Son returns carrying trunks of the luggage variety. The strip ends with the pair using the trunks as boats.
Cheeky Weekly 29 December 1979
Son asks Dad why they must invite their relatives to Christmas dinner. The meal descends into a food-fight, but by the end of the evening everyone agrees they haven't enjoyed themselves as much for years.
Cheeky Annual 1982
Son asks Dad what UFO stands for, after which Dad has an altercation with a frisbee-throwing kid and his father, then our heroes witness a real UFO landing. The aliens abandon their invasion plans after suffering Son's incessant questioning.
It's possible that these 3 tales may be based on material originally appearing in Whizzer and Chips dated 21 August 1971 and/or Whizzer and Chips Holiday Special 1971, the 2 issues that have evaded our search. Please get in touch if you have the comics in question.
