Comedians Tackle *The New Yorker*’s Cartoon Caption Contest
Several comedians have recently participated in The New Yorker‘s popular Cartoon Caption Contest, offering their humorous takes on the magazine’s iconic cartoons. The contest invites readers to submit captions for published cartoons, with winners receiving recognition and a small prize.
Michael Ian Black’s Attempt
Comedian and actor Michael Ian Black recently documented his experience entering the contest in a video released on March 23, 2026. Black’s video details his thought process as he analyzes various cartoons, commenting on their visual elements and attempting to craft witty captions. He noted that even the cartoonists themselves sometimes struggle to caption their own work.
Jim Gaffigan Also Participates
Actor and comedian Jim Gaffigan has also tried his hand at captioning The New Yorker cartoons, as documented in a YouTube video.
José Arroyo: A *New Yorker* Cartoonist
Although many comedians are attempting to *caption* cartoons for the contest, José Arroyo is a published cartoonist for The New Yorker. Arroyo’s work appeared in the magazine from 2019 to 2022. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winning comedy writer who has written for Conan O’Brien, Bill Maher, and others. He has also self-published two comic books, “Seething With Joy–The humor and anger of Jose Arroyo” (2012) and “Seething With Joy Vol. 2” (2015).
The Enduring Appeal of the Contest
The New Yorker‘s Cartoon Caption Contest has been a long-standing tradition, attracting both amateur and professional humorists. The contest’s popularity lies in its accessibility and the challenge of distilling a cartoon’s essence into a single, clever caption. The contest provides a unique platform for creative expression and a lighthearted engagement with the magazine’s artistic content.