Et Tu, Family Circus?

This is today’s instalment of The Family Circus, and I can’t think of a better illustration of the fact that the recession has taken over the funny pages.

Actually, I find this pretty funny, mostly because of P.J.’s sad expression. He knows that Billy isn’t kidding and being all whimsical and kid-like: Bil really is going to kick one of them out of the house. But note that Dolly is looking at Billy in a condescending way, because she knows full well what Billy will not admit to himself: as the oldest and the one best able to support himself, he’s going to be out of the house and in the coal mines by next week. (The Comics Curmudgeon seems to hate Jeffy the most of the four Keane kids, but for me, Billy is clearly the most obnoxious.)