This episode features an interview with John Rose, the cartoonist who creates “Barney Google and Snuffy Smith,” the syndicated comic strip that turned 100 this year. Rose talks about how he goes about writing and drawing a century-old legacy strip, from his daily routine to the changes he’s brought to the characters since taking over in 2001. He also addresses Barney Google’s origins as a sporting strip all about horse races and boxing; Snuffy’s moonshining origins; why he brought back Barney after a 15-year absence; and how he responds to criticisms of the broad hillbilly stereotype that gave rise to Snuffy and which he still exemplifies.

https://blueridgefreestate.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/brfs-john-rose.mp3

Read “Barney Google and and Snuffy Smith” and find out more about the strip at SnuffySmithComics.com.

Our music includes 1923’s “Barney Google (with the Goo-Goo-Googly Eyes)” by Ernest Hare and Billy Jones, as well as a version by the Andrews Sisters.