I know this is only a 40-item list, but I was really shocked not to find the wonderful adaptation of Jean Shepherd's books on it. When I first saw this one in 1985, I knew it was an instant classic. The cast is brilliant, the story is genius, the writing is pitch-perfect, and Shepherd's narration conveys just the right mix of enthusiasm and glee.

Who could ever forget the Red Ryder BB gun, Little Orphan Annie's Secret Decoder Ring, or Ralphie's poor little brother so muffled under winter coats and scarves that he "looked like a tick about to pop"? Peter Billingsley did such a magnificent job in the role of Ralphie, the daydreaming, put-upon young would-be hero, it's amazing that he never did another film. I don't think I'll ever get the sight of him reluctantly showing himself in that pink bunny suit ("He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny!" "He does not!" "Yes, he does. He looks like a pink nightmare!") out of my head.

That's the sound of this comic flying straight over your pointy little heads.

There used to be this old saying: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Whatever happened to that?

If people take offense, it's because they WANT to. Notice I said take offense. That's the correct term. You have a choice about it. You can say, "OMG you meanie!!!" or you can shrug your shoulders and say, "I guess some people find that funny." The fact that almost nobody does the latter anymore (in the media, at least) says a lot about who we've turned into, and where we are as a country.

Harrumph!

It's amazing the stuff people will get their knickers in a twist over. What, Obama hasn't noticed the dozens of similar satirical illustrations on the cover of New Yorker over the years?

What the hell ever happened to a sense of humor in the U.S.? When did we get so bloody literal-minded?

You're talking as if there's something wrong with women having a different style. Considering the ridiculous ego circus that cuisine has become, with silly dishes that are 99% about the chef's ego and not at all about the experience of eating, I'd say it's a good thing that the new women chefs lean more towards how the diner experiences the dish and not how she'll look to other chefs.

of people thanking Gary for this article. All day seeing these humorless reactions, I've been thinking, "Have these people never seen a New Yorker before?" It's hardly the first time the mag has run satirical images on the cover. In fact, it's a pretty typical example of pointed, sardonic New York-style humor.

And for those of you whining about how it "mocks Obama", you have so completely missed the point, I'm amazed you're on the same planet. It doesn't mock Obama at all, it's mocking his detractors. Can you guys really be so dense you don't get that? And please don't come back with the tripe about how dumb hillbillies will think it's aimed at him. How many of those do you think read the New Yorker, anyway? It's an excellent cover for the audience it's aimed at, namely, sophisticated people who understand irony and satire. Which apparently doesn't include Obama's campaign people.

I vote for A Christmas Story. Don't know why it wasn't included in this follow-up, but it's brilliant, funny, and my two nephews (5 and 10) love it.

Look, Cary, if you're going to post fake letters followed by ridiculous self-indulgent tripe, why don't you just call your column fiction and be done with it?

Drama, 1992. Was greeted as a "shrill screed" and "unrealistic" by critics when it came out.

I give us another five years before it comes true in all aspects.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105215/

Find it, rent it, whatever. If you want a glimpse of America in a few years, you can't do better than this.

I thank the gods I was lucky enough to be young when my body still belonged to me. You couldn't pay me enough money to be a young woman now.

Yeah well, Broadsheet writers tend to get "skeeved out" by practically everything. I'm supposed to be surprised that you find a woman in a position of advantage getting her rocks off on her own terms makes you feel icky? I suppose we should just go back to Victorian times, when men were the only ones allowed to pay for sex, and women could only "close their eyes and think of England".

I had the silly pleasure of being one of the folks dancing with Matt in that video. Last September he came through L.A., and had a dancing shoot at Santa Monica Beach. It was a lovely afternoon, I got to meet some great people, the dancing was HELLA fun, and Matt is a sweetie.

Oh, and I have no idea why, but watching his dancing videos always makes me tear up. It must be the music he chooses for them, plus the idea of joy and dancing as a thread that ties the world together. I don't know, it just touches me every time.

Keep dancin', dude!