The Enterprise has one less angry couple

Say farewell to Leroy and Loretta Lockhorn, the perpetually argumentative married couple who made us raise an eyebrow, smirk, and even laugh on occasion.

They have, for several years, been a part of our features section, but they are no more. Readers will now have to settle for the five Lockhorns panels currently featured in the Sunday comics section.

They’ve been missing from the daily pages for almost a week now and only a handful of readers have called to say they noticed. One reader argued that the single panel cartoon took up very little space, but unfortunately, though space is a major consideration, it isn’t the only consideration. The cartoon also costs money – an investment we have to consider based on our perception of reader interest and our knowledge of other options.

Yes, to some people the angry, lazy, flirtatious, misogynistic husband and the spendthrift, perpetually demanding, bad cook of a wife, were like friends invited into their homes. But it’s time for a change. As I’ve repeated often, newspapers, especially today, are about change.

Imagine a newspaper filled only with Dogpatch, Snuffy Smith, Hi and Lois, Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace and Peanuts. Sure, they are all long-time favorites. But what would your life really be without Dilbert, Baby Blues, Zits and Dinette Set? In many cases the original authors of the long-time favorites have died and their drawing pens have been taken up by colleagues or family members. Bright new cartoonists are waiting for a chance to share their talent with a generation of newspaper readers. You might have your favorites, but if we don’t give new choices a chance, you might not realize you have other options.

So, we’re asking you to be patient with us. Our job is to inform and entertain you. We continue to try to do our very best to succeed at that job. Trust us. We’re professionals.