Why Can't I Buy Fleas at the Flea Market?

Upchuck, Jane, and Daria are celebrating National Thrift Shop Day! Upchuck's still looking for a complete 1985 California Raisins posable eraser set in mint condition, Jane's hoping for some vintage art supplies, and Daria just wants to get out with her sanity intact.

On this day in 1997, The Chicago Tribune published an interview with Glenn Eichler and Susie Lewis. I can't be the only one curious about a potential alternate version of Daria known as "Butt-Chick," can I?

Fandom News!

• Vote in the Deadliest Warrior poll between Tetsujin-28 (Gigantor) vs. Starscream.


• Share your thoughts on story length.

Lights Out

A mere 230 years ago today, many colonial Americans in New England became convinced that Judgment Day was at hand. They had good reason for thinking so, as the light literally went out of the day. As much of New England settled into an unexpected twilight, panic set in. The event became known as New England's Dark Day of 1780. Click the link to find out what the cause was. Interesting science footnote. Daria at right provides a reenactment. (Okay, that's actually from "The Teachings of Don Jake," but what the heck.)

Veteran fanfic writer Erin M. has a New Shared World Proposal: Judith Strikes! One Daria in the multiverse has gone rotten to the core. What can be done about her? You can help... by writing the story!

NEW NEWZ: Glenn Eichler has another animated show in development. Read more here!

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• Falling into College: The Clip Show, by RLobinske (Part 9): Holding a box, Jane stood next to an easel and yelled, "Not just no, hell no! I'm not going to do it. No freakin' way!" With a shake of her head, Jane slung the box and stormed off the set. The box bounced off a sound stand and came to rest face up, so that "Jane Lane Paint-By-Numbers Set" could be clearly seen. From somewhere else on the sound stage, a voice said, "Okay, we scrap that one."
• Finn Morgendorffer 46: Shields Up, by HolyGrail2007 (Part 7): “I’m here because of one of your teachers, Janet Barch, my son’s biology teacher.” “Ah, yes. Truly a remarkable woman.” “What’s remarkable is the fact that she’s even allowed to teach here. She flunked my boy yesterday for no reason.” “As I understand it, your son did not do his project. That’s grounds for failure, and unacceptable at Lawndale High.”
• Kismet, by Sara Winters (COMPLETE!): This was a bad idea. The minute Daria saw Trent in her bedroom doorway, she knew that. And yet, she couldn't say anything when he invited himself inside to wait for Jane. Still, there was no excuse for the ribald thoughts that flew through her mind when he lay on her bed and smiled over at her. Trent remarked on her mattress as he placed his hands behind his head and crossed his legs. Daria had pictured getting Trent into her room alone before, but hadn't given any real thought on where to go from there—mostly because the idea itself was as improbable as Brittany being accepted into Mensa. (AoOO) (FF.net)
  
• Parents Are People, by Legendeld (Part 6): Daria waited until the first movie was starting before she turned to Quinn and asked, "How long have you been calling Amy Mom?" Quinn looked at her more than a little confused. Jane answered. "A few days at least. They've been getting along really well." "Really?" Quinn looked a little surprised. "I didn't realize I was doing it." "There isn't anything wrong with it," Jane said firmly. "Amy is being a pretty good mom to you two." "I guess." Daria said and she snorted before speaking. "Hell, I thought I would be the favorite with Amy."
• Tales of the Ringbearers: I Hate the Desert, by Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): "You seem to have the habit of—attracting attention. It seems that everywhere you go, you happen to find the worst possible kind of trouble. Courtney, you’ve run into Zombie Legionnaires three times!"

Graphic News

I'm back again, and today (this evening) is World Graphic Design Day, per Jane Lane. Celebrate as you see fit.

BREAKING NEWS: Glenn Eichler had a message for Kara Wild. Check it out, in context.

Speaking of graphic design, NomadX offers a new Daria artwork worth a long look: "Boxcar."

Richard Riordan is the latest addition to DariaWiki. Thank you, Dennis.

Disco316 has, for reasons unknown, re-edited Ronin's "The Brain and the Beauty" so that it is legible. Those interested may click the link. Don't worry, there's no artwork.

The Angst Lord Time Trials are being conducted on PPMB.

Also, new mind-boggling ficlets are appearing on Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have: TGIF. Brace yourself.

FF.net

• Even in Death, by Charliefox2012 (Part 1): “Dammit, Helen,” Jake said looking through a gap in the boarded up window, “They’re across the street, they’re attacking the Hendersons!” he yelled getting hysterical. “Hamiltons, Jake, and be quiet,” Helen said coming over to the window and looking. Six zombies were on the lawn of the house, and were pounding on the windows and front door. The family’s screams could be heard.
• Lambda, by SigDiff (Part 28): They arrived at the White Forest missile base several hours later. It was a flurry of activity as soldiers appeared to be preparing for an attack. Upon arriving, Grey Team was directed into the former control building for the missile silos, which the Resistance had converted back into a military installation. Aside from the still-functioning missile controls, there was a lab for the scientists, extensive barracks, a mess hall, and even a field hospital. After reporting in at the front gate, Daria and company found their way to the sick bay, where she was given an X-ray. “Yep,” the medic began, holding the print up to the light. “Two fractured ribs on your right side, the fifth and sixth. Both in two places.” [And Part 29: “Warning: Striders and Hunters inbound. All teams outside to repel."]
  
• Wristcutters: A Daria Story, by Charliefox2012 (Part 4): The girl scrutinized Daria a moment before she spoke, “Listen, my friend Rachel and I, we play this game where we try to figure out how people offed themselves,” Tania explained.
  

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• Complications, by Legendeld (COMPLETE!): Jane Lane tugged at the collar of the dress that was making her uncomfortable, even more than her current activity was. David was sitting next to her looking almost as miserable. He leaned over. “Do you think they would notice if we snuck out?” Jane shook her head before answering. “Quinn already laid down the law with me. You might want to be careful Daria doesn’t hear you plotting to run away from family togetherness.”
• Expecting Trouble, by Legendeld (Part 5): Quinn sat alone at the lunch table eating hamburger with a mountain of French fries. She didn’t bother to look around at the empty seats around her. She had moved in each of her classes to have a seat closer to the door. Aside from Daria and her teachers, she was certain she hadn’t spoken to a single living soul all day. She ignored the sounds of approaching feet because she couldn’t fathom a way that it would concern her. It wasn’t until chairs started being pulled out around her did she bother to look up from her plate.
• Lawndale's Finest: The Dark Knight, by NightGoblyn (Chapter 3, Part 6): “Where’s your sister?” Jane asked, taking the empty seat next to Quinn. “Business,” Quinn said, rolling her eyes. “It’s still annoying, but at least it’s not like some stupid party or something. You wouldn’t believe the places she gets off to sometimes.”
  
• Legion of Lawndale Heroes Special: Tokusatsu Team Up! by Lorenzo Sauchelli (Part 8): Charles swallowed hard when he realized what had happened. His body was back to normal –or at least as normal as the Planeswalker would allow– because Daria had seen him for what he was and was so disgusted by him that she had to break their mental link. His left eye was shaking, revealing the fear he had inside for all to see. He always thought he could one-up Daria and her accusations of pervert-hood any time he wanted to, but now?
• On the Clock, by Legendeld (COMPLETE!): I buried my sister today. It should have been me. If one of us was going to die, it should have been me. She wanted to save the world. At least she got to do that before she died.
• Tales of the Ringbearers: Temporary Duty, by Richard Lobinske (COMPLETE!): A couple hundred people were locked inside the track at Lawndale High School, from small children to the elderly. The worried and dejected looks on their faces had much more of an effect on Daria than their pale, lifeless skin. It made her furious at those responsible, as well as the guards holding rifles against her back as they prodded her through the gate and locked it closed.

Where's Glenn? (Part 3)

Okay, I think that's Glenn Eichler in the middle of the front row, chewing on a turkey drumstick as he watches Quinn perform in her play ("Fair Enough"). What do you think? All these white guys with beards look alike to me.

I missed a news item from a week ago: Dariaverse.com has a marvelous webpage with almost all of the known Legion of Lawndale Heroes stories on it. You've got them all in one spot! Kudos to Lorenzo Sauchelli for the page!

Roentgen's brand-new addition to DariaWiki: the Junction Belt.

Roentgen also provides us with a Scene No Daria Fanfic Should Have, but it's a story that definitely should be!

Someone has added a "Daria Tribute" video to the Daria Fan Club.

On FF.net, Farren O'Blivion is asking once more for feedback on her revised story, "Daria: The College Years." Chapter 11 coming soon.

Looking for a new Iron Chef on which to test your creative talents? Try this one.


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• Legion of Lawndale Heroes 13.4: For Those About To Rock, We Salute You, by Roentgen and Brother Grimace (COMPLETE!): Andrea hopped on her big BMW touring motorcycle—which would have shocked her fellow students if they knew she had it, or how it came into her possession—and roared out of Lawndale. Well, I’m out of here. I don’t need this place anymore.
• Long Trek Home, by Ranger Thorne (continued): “Just try to only use your powers in the cause of good,” said Mack. “I refuse to make any promises I can’t keep,” Daria told him. ALSO, in the latest section, great "in" references to several other fanfics. See if you can catch them.
  
• Size Does Matter, by BlackHole (Part 36): Daria was busy in the kitchen, preparing a sandwich for dinner when the doorbell rang. Knowing that everyone else was further away from the front door, she went to open up. On the way she used the dish towel hanging over her shoulder to dry her hands and the knife she was still holding. (SFMB)
• Turnabout Confusion Part II: All The King's Horses, by Dennis (continued): How the hell did I get myself into this? Jane mentally berated herself. She turned to see Skylar's handsome face in profile as he drove. Oh yeah. It's to make this oily sonofabitch crawl.
• Upholder of the Good, by SoCalledGoodeGuy (Part 3): “Welcome to the Take Back the Night self-defense seminar, ladies!” Mrs. Barch seemed to strut back and forth in front of a small crowd of girls. “Tonight you’re going to learn how to defend yourself from any sleezeball man who might think that he could take advantage of you! Or how to beat the crap out of a cheating husband.”

Where's Glenn? (#2)

Okay, so there's this bearded guy in a colorful shirt sitting in a dark theater in Is It College Yet? Could this guy be Glenn Eichler? He looks more like him than the previous guy. Wonder if the woman is supposed to be his wife (Michele Tomasik, editor for The Daria Diaries).

Some changes have been made to the main page of Backgrounders, defining which characters on Daria were major ones and which were minor, for the purposes of that website. I'd like to hear from you about that. Are there "major" characters you think are really minor ones, or vice versa?

More importantly, I'd like to hear from fanfic writers who have found the Backgrounders site to be of use to them in creating their stories. Daria is rich with unexplored territory, even seven years since the last original episode or movie appeared.

Ever wonder if Pizza King was a real place? Wonder no more.

Dennis, Richard Lobinske, Brother Grimace, and Disco316 have added a lot recently to DariaWiki. Latest page added is about Dominator.


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• Antiestablishmentarian Hikers, by Lawndale Lurker (continued): “Ohnoohcrapohdamn, we're doomed! Now we're all gonna die for sure! Idawannadieavirginnn! Waaaah!!"
• The Other Side of Time: Unfinished Business, by The Sidhe (continued): Tom Sloane got out of the police car and looked at the ruined shell of his childhood home. He could see the remains of the front door, marked off with police crime scene tape. Beside him stood a couple of detectives from the Lawndale police.
• Snuffed Animals, by Disco316 (Parts 18 and 19): By the time Daria had gotten to within a block of her home, she had walked off most of her frustration. She had even resolved to apologize for acting childish when she went over to Jane’s house the next morning. Maybe Jane would admit she was being childish too. However, her plans went out the window the moment she saw the car parked outside her house. [Note: part 19 is angst to the awesome power. Good show!]
  

Where's Glenn?

While watching "A Tree Grows in Lawndale" a while ago, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the background. I do believe that is Glenn Eichler standing between Helen and Jake. It resembles the B&W line image of him I've seen. First time I've ever spotted him. Anyone else recall seeing the GE Man around? Plus there's that old not-blind guy, too.

Twenty-seven years ago today, fanfic character Francis "Fran" Lawrence was born, who later became Quinn's friend in the Falling into College series by Richard Lobinske.

More later when I figure out what else to write.

LATER: Wait, I guess that isn't Mr. Eichler. GE doesn't wear glasses. Damn!

EVEN LATER: Kara Wild reports that someone from Shout Factory has expressed interest in Daria, but does not see it as likely to happen anytime soon. Let's keep hoping.

EVEN MORE LATER: This question was brought up as to what music would best be kept on a Daria DVD, per this list on DVDaria. Anyone have any musical favorites from the original series to add to this?

Won't You Guide My Sleigh Tonight?

Another of those curious alter egos that leave you scratching your head. Wonder if the outfit is used for the same role-playing purpose as that racehorse costume Helen has for those special bonding moments with Jake. Mrs. Bennett's husband would pretend to be a reindeer-friendly Santa Claus, and... oh, let's not take that any further. Sorry.

More soon.

Outpost Daria has updated for December 2008 with lots of new fanfiction.

Mike Xeno found a humorous article by the much-appreciated Glenn Eichler in the New York Times. Worth a read.

The people who started the whole "self-insert" thing in this fandom

"The Transformed Staff" section of the MTV site had a flipbook by the same name, shortened to "Transformed." The contents are interesting and this is probably one of those flipbooks that would have done well with pictures. Here we go anyway. (Glenn Eichler is at right.)

1. Brian Moyer, layout artist (First appeared as Doo Dad Shop employee in "Malled")
2. Mike Baez, Character Designer (First appeared in "A Tree Grows in Lawndale")
3. Amy Palmer, Producer (First appeared in "College Bored")
4. Chris Costan, Color Supervisor (First appeared in "Fair Enough")
5. Shane Guenego, Production Assistant (First appeared in "Quinn the Brain")
6. R.J. Murphy, Office Manager (First appeared in "Quinn the Brain")
7. Kirk-Albert Etienne, Character Designer (First appeared in "Quinn the Brain")
8. David Trexler, Production Manager (First appeared in "Quinn the Brain")
9. Chris Prynoski, Director, Creator of MTV Downtown (First appeared in "Esteemsters")"
10. George Brennan, Assistant Director, Celebrity Deathmatch (First appeared in "Fair Enough")
11. Cindy Brolsma, Producer (First appeared in "Quinn the Brain")
12. Maria Rodas, Associate Producer (First appeared in "The Lost Girls")
13. Lemon Krasny, Co-Producer (First appeared in "Fair Enough")
14. Karen Kunkel, Post Production Producer (First appeared in "Legends of the Mall")
15. Lisa Collins, Production Coordinator (First appeared in "Daria Dance Party")
16. Corey Block, Production Coordinator (First appeared in "Fire!")
17. John Lynn, Studio Supervising Producer (First appeared in "Fair Enough")
18. Glenn Eichler, Executive Producer/Creator (First appeared in "Fair Enough")
19. Jody Schaeffer, Background Designer (First appeared in "The Daria Hunter")
20. Tom Marsan, Art Director (First appeared in "I Loathe a Parade")
21. Sophie Kitteredge, Colorist (First appeared in "Fair Enough")
22. Karen Disher, Daria's supervising director designed this character and based it upon her very own self. “Burnout Girl” appeared in the original Daria pilot and is often seen roaming the halls of Lawndale High, lost in thought, much like Karen. (First appeared in the pilot)

Yeah, could have done with a lot more pictorial info here. So it goes.

And here's a picture of Kevin Thompson's Jeep. And The Pigskin Channel. And some nice Trent wallpaper on the back of this page. I notice that the Official Mystik Spiral Fan Club membership card was lost (not saved), but someone else saved it for us in another thread on PPMB, bless you!

Good As Gold

Glenn Eichler, shown here as he would appear if he were a character on Daria (which he was), received a congratulations e-mail from many Daria fans for winning an Emmy recently for his work on Colbert's show. Details are here. Check out S.C.'s picture of Daria with an Emmy!) Mr. Eichler was kind enough to write back and thank everyone, and that pretty much makes our day.

Thank you, Kara Wild, for making this possible!

On top of this, guess whose birthday it is today? Mike Judge, creator of Beavis and Butt-head and thus the pre-creator of Daria (I think that's right, because Glenn Eichler actually created her, if I recall correctly) is 46 today. Thank you!

One of Daria's brief appearances in the media a decade ago is highlighted here on Outpost Daria. Very cute. Thank God no one ever tried that when I was substitute teaching.

Richard Lobinske's "Daria Went Down to Georgia" took place in November (to correct an earlier mistake here), but October 17th, ten years ago, was the day a close friend of Karen Myerson passed away (Laura Austin), per the story.

Some fairly outrageous additions have been made to Scenes No Daria Fanfic Should Have-Who's Holding Daria Now?

Legendeld has updated his blog with some fanfic notes.

The most recent entry on DariaWiki concerns SMART Field Generators. (Thanks, Brother Grimace.)

A huge amount of new fanfiction is being written now, but I will have to update this weekend instead of tonight. Ciao.

Where's Glenn?

This image was one of many cast portraits sent to me years ago by a very helpful Daria fan. It's unusual because the picture is labeled "Eichler, Glenn."


Does anyone know if Mr. Eichler ever appeared in a scene in Daria? Something to keep in mind as you search the background of various crowd scenes.


Guys with beards, guys with beards . . .