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Cheeky Weekly ™ REBELLION PUBLISHING LTD, COPYRIGHT ©  REBELLION PUBLISHING LTD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED was a British children's comic with cover dates spanning 22 October 1977 to 02 February 1980.

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Thursday 21 April 2022

The How and Why of Why, Dad, Why?

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.

4 comments:

  1. I can't help with who drew the Cheeky Annual 1980 story (it has a certain resemblance to Arthur Martin but I'm sure it isn't), but it looks as though Bob Paynter gave it to the Annual editor to recycle, and either he or another member of editorial forgot he'd done that.

    You have however done me a favour. I always wondered who had drawn Dad Rules OK in Whizzer and Chips in the 1980s (King Charles V, Queen Diana and Willy the 5 year old Prince of Wales) and I now know that it was Manny.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Andy - I must admit Manny Curtis wasn't a name I was familiar with until I began working on this post. I found the info here https://ukcomics.fandom.com/wiki/Why,_Dad,_Why%3F

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  2. Both the 1971 holiday special and the 21/8/1971 issues are currently on eBay, but as funds won't allow me, I can't bid on either of them ☹

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    Replies
    1. Hi Bruce. Thanks for the info. I've never used eBay, so I won't be bidding, but maybe the person who wins those issues will be a reader of this blog, and get in touch. We can but hope!

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