Independent, locally owned New Orleans bookstore Octavia Books offers author events, book signings, and hand-picked titles for all ages.

Octavia Books dot com.

Criollo restaurant offers a culinary adventure prepared by a tiny animated French chef.

A five course dinner experience comes to life at each place setting using projection mapping, located in the historic Hotel Monte Leone.

Learn more at criolloNola.com This program is supported in part by a community arts grant made possible by the City of New Orleans as administered by Arts New Orleans.

Support for this program comes from the Gail and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, committed to funding educational causes.

Steppin out is made possible in part by Susie and Peggy Villare.

From Jazz to Jambalaya Theater to galleries, Stepping Out brings you the best of our local arts and culture scene each week.

Let's step up and step out together.

Keeping WYES strong.

A Steppin Out Special.

Vic and Natly and Bunny.

I'm Peggy Scott Laborde, and welcome to a special edition of Steppin Out.

Vic and Natly and Bunny.

Bunny Matthews, that is.

The prolific cartoonist and writer.

And his two most famous creations, Vic and Natly Broussard.

For nearly a decade, the ninth Ward cartoon couple came to life each week on Steppin Out, where we literally gave bunnies iconic characters, a voice and a weekly chance for them and their creator to offer their commentary on life in their beloved hometown.

Bunnies work is the focus of a new book published by the historic New Orleans collection Bunny Mathews His Life, Art, and obsessions, by authors Allison Fenster Stock and Michael Tilson.

His art, including Vic and Natly and so much more, is also highlighted in an exhibit at the Historic New Orleans Collection, on view until May 2027 at 520 Royal in the French Quarter.

The HNOC has been collecting Bunny's work since 1979, and acquired a large collection of his original drawings after his death in 2021.

Over the years.

WYES has also donated many archival videos from Steppin Out to the collection, which is where the Vic and Natly cartoons we're about to enjoy, have thankfully been preserved.

Before we look at some of them, let's look at Bunny himself in this profile from former WWL-TV anchor Karen Swenson.

Vic and Natly are the quintessential New Orleans characters created by another one, Bunny Mathews.

For nearly 40 years, his cartoons captured the spirit of the city, its people, and its personalities.

He once described his famous characters to Angela Hill.

They just, you know, New Orleans couple, and they loved New Orleans food and music and culture and your ultimate New Orleanians and these ultimate New Orleanians came from the mind of one.

While he was born in Monroe and lived in Abita to Springs, Bunny Mathews was New Orleans.

Bunny's cartoons would end up running in nearly every publication in town.

He was also a talented writer, covering music for offbeat, where he was also editor.

His words, like his pictures, could spark controversy.

And as for his cartoons, they didn't start with Vick and Natly.

He began drawing for the weekly paper Figaro, where the editor had an idea.

We were just talking one day and it was his idea.

There was a guy in New York in the Village Voice, to a strip that was about people in New York, in the subways talking, and he said, you know, in New Orleans, this would be a lot funnier if you did.

People in New Orleans, things they say.

He created Vick and Natly for the Times-Picayune in 1982.

This is the first cartoon, and for decades, he'd chronicle the comings and goings in their ninth Ward bar, because that way, people from all walks of life black, white, poor, rich, whatever could come in and out of this place and you could have conversations and it would be real.

Because even more than funny, I want it to be real, you know, really like New Orleans.

Buddy Mathews cartoons showed the real New Orleans from what people thought to how they spoke.

But he said he never set out to make fun of the city or its people.

I don't I don't try to make fun of people.

I'm one of these people.

I know that from all these years, going out and signing autographs and bookstores and all this kind of stuff.

I've never had one person ever complained to me.

And the people that you would think that really have strong accents are the ones who love it the most.

Leidenheimer Bakery loved Vic and Natly so much they hired Mathews to draw a cartoon for their delivery trucks.

It was a naturally New Orleans way to celebrate the art of someone who spent his life observing people in America's most interesting city.

I would never live anywhere else in America.

You know, in 100 years that people see this.

I want to say this is the way New Orleans was.

You know, it's the truth.

The more than 500 Vic and Natly's segments that Bunny Mathews produced for Stepping Out covers a wide and colorful range of topics, from local politics and the ups and downs of Saints football seasons to Jazz Fest and holidays, including one that New Orleans celebrates better than anyone else.

Mardi Gras.

Ya know Natly Them Mardi Gras Costumes just seemed to fit a person.

What do you mean Vic?

Well, like this one.

I feel pretty comfortable being a kid.

I guess so all you got to do is sit around doing nothing, giving everybody else commands Let me see Leroy float six.

Neutral ground side.

Uncle RJ, float seven.

Riverside.

Riverside.

What's the riverside of Canal Street?

Vic what are you doing?

I'm trying to memorize my list of all the people I know on carnival floats.

Oh, that ought to be rough on your I.Q., I.Q.?

I don't know anybody named IQ.

What floats he on?

Come on Natly I hear it coming.

Just a minute.

Just a minute.

I gotta check my mascara.

Come on, will you?

I don't want to miss none of this parade.

Woman.

Listen to you.

Most of the year, you got the energy of a oyster The carnival comes around and you're Richard Simmons, junior.

Now Vic, When we get to the ball, I don't want you steppin all over my toes when we start dancing.

Natly.

Since when were you desperate dancer?

Well, I studied dance for many years.

Hey, what are you talking about?

Watching Saturday hop with John Peel on the TV.

Come on Natly We got to get to the parade.

Hold on a minute, Vic.

I gotta finish wrenching these dishes.

Yeah, but I gotta get there in time to buy a couple of corn dogs and a candy apple or two.

Is that the only reason you go to parades to eat?

Naah ah, Checking out them.

Girls on the dance teams ain't bad neither.

Hey, mister, throw me some pearls.

Throw me some panties.

Listen to you.

A grown man begging for pearls and panties.

Now, does that sound normal?

Don't ask me, Natly.

I always thought they didn't have no such thing as normal during carnival.

Hey Natly, I got this letter from the crew of Rex.

They need a couple of guys from the ninth Ward, so they're asking me to join.

Yeah.

What do they want you to do?

Drive a tractor?

Ain't nothing like these balls at the auditorium.

I love the old traditions.

You sure it ain't young debutantes you love?

So Natly, What you giving up for lent?

I don't have to do that.

I'm exempt.

Exempt?

What do you mean?

Well, I figured that being married to you qualifies me for sainthood.

Vic and Natly celebrated many other holidays from Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas to the special local celebrations of Saint Patrick's and Saint Joseph's Day.

The luck of the Irish to you Natly, you want a green beer?

Vic Broussard, Youre something else today, you Irish.

Sunday.

You're going to be Italian.

How come you ain't Chinese during Chinese New Year?

Hey, I would be, but they ain't got no parade.

I tell you, I love Saint Patrick's Day.

Green has always been my favorite color.

Yeah.

You're right.

Natly.

Green cabbages.

Shamrocks.

Green beer.

Actually, what I had in mind was green money.

Hey Natly.

Come on, woman, you don't want to be late for the Saint Joseph altar.

Saint Joseph.

I like how you get religious when it involves food.

So Vic, you like my new Easter bonnet?

That's nice Natly, except for one thing.

You forgot something.

Whats that doll?

The kitchen sink.

Natly, I don't get what's so appealing about running around in a bunny suit.

Ah Vic, You know how I love carrots.

Carrots?

I thought you hated carrots.

Nah, I love all carrots.

14 carrots, 18 carrots and 24 carrots.

All right.

Natly is the 4th of July, and me and the boys got a big day planned.

You and the boys.

What about the little wife?

You ain't taking off and leaving me here while you go partying all day.

Hey, I thought it was supposed to be an independence day, Not for you, Vic Broussard.

Give me a hand with these bags, will you Natly?

what are you doing?

I already made groceries once this week.

Vic.

Groceries?

You think I crossed that causeway for groceries?

This is fireworks.

Come on Vic, You ready for trick or treat?

Yeah.

Let's hit the streets.

You ain't gonna get scared now, are you?

Me?

Scared woman.

I'm only scared of two things.

Roma taking away my homestead exemption and the Saints losing.

Yeah Natly, tomorrow night is when all the creepy, scary, weird people go roaming around.

So what you're saying, is it your typical Saturday night in New Orleans.

Hey Vic, looks like you put on another 50 pounds from eating all that turkey and dressing.

Don't worry.

I'm going out for a little exercise at the track.

Oh, yeah?

How many laps you gonna run?

Well, actually, I was going to sit in the grandstands at the fairgrounds and let them horses do the running.

Now Vic, I want you to bring me to see celebration in the Oaks tonight.

Okay, Natly.

But don't forget the crowbar in case you get stuck in the little train again.

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Comfort and joy.

Listen, Vic Broussard, I've been.

I better not see you comforting no Joy, or no Jane or no Julie.

You hear me?

Vic, You make a darling Santa Claus.

You gotta be kidding.

I'm the least jolly poison in the ninth Ward.

Yeah, but your costume don't need no fake padding Vic.

You're naturally Santa Claus.

Well Vic, I just finished writing my annual letter to Santa Claus.

Santa Claus?

That's pretty funny, Natly.

A woman your age still believing in Santa Claus.

What's so funny about that?

Look at you.

A man your age still believe it in the Saints.

Well Natly.

Christmas is just around the corner.

Yeah, Vic, it won't be long before we hear them tiny feet landed on the roof.

You know what that means, I don't know.

I thought I got rid of them roaches in the attic.

Oh ho ho!

What you want for Christmas, little girl?

Well, Santa, how about a mink coat?

$1 million and the Saints in the playoffs.

Playoffs?

Listen, I'm only Santa Claus.

Saint Jude takes care of the impossible cases.

I guess it ain't too early for me to make my Christmas list.

Now, wait a minute.

Don't be making no long list.

Long?

It's only got one item, $1 million.

Happy new year Natly Happy new year, Vic.

You know, we ought to go bowling tomorrow.

That's a good idea.

You could use a little exercise.

Exercise?

I meant that we'd sit in front of the TV and watch the bowl games.

So Natly.

that there's some kind of special Valentine's candy you want.

Yeah.

Vic.

Diamond studded.

Throughout the year, Vic and Natly would often turn their attention to local festivals, including the Jazz Fest.

Here are some of those favorite cartoons.

So Vic, You bringing me to Jazz Fest or what?

Well, Natly, I ain't too sure they got my kind of music.

Oh, yeah.

That's true.

Now that we ain't got Lawrence Welk around no more.

Well Natly, I guess you're going to drag me out to the Jazz Fest again.

Oh, stop complaining, Vic.

I know there's gotta be something you like about the fairgrounds.

Oh, yeah.

The daily double, the trifecta.

Ain't the Jazz Fest great, Vic?

Yeah.

Natly.

Great for Sweating off that extra 20 pounds.

It's kind of like spending the whole day in the sauna.

Oh.

Stop complaining.

This is your culture.

Culture?

The way I'm sweating.

Aquaculture would be more like it.

Well, Natly, I'm ready for the Greek festival.

Don't you mean you're ready for them Greek pastries?

Hey, don't you got no respect for the wisdom of the ancient Greeks?

I only hope them ancient Greeks was wiser than you.

And what's that supposed to mean?

I just doubt they went around making garlands out of poison ivy.

Come on, let's go to the French Quarter's festival.

Vic, How many times I gotta tell you, it's the French Quarter, not the quarters.

Oh, yeah.

That ain't logical, woman.

A quarter is a coin, and quarters is where you live.

If you ask me, a quarter is the approximate size of your brain.

Vic Broussard.

Like most New Orleanians, Vic and Natly were devoted New Orleans Saints fans, even when the team didn't give them much to cheer about.

One point What's your problem now Vic?

The saints lost by one lousy point.

That ain't fair.

They shouldn't let no team lose my one point.

Yeah, but what about when the Saints win by one point?

Well, hey, you gotta have some exceptions to every rule, right?

So how did you like that movie, Vic?

Kind of reminded me of the way the Saints been playing.

What do you mean by that?

You see, it started out all hot and heavy, and then it sort of whimped out in the second half.

The playoffs Natly, can you believe it?

We made the playoffs.

It's hard to believe, Vic, with people like you around.

Always saying we got the worst quarterback, the worst receivers, the worst owner.

Yeah, but you gotta admit, the Saints got the best critics.

Come on Natly, We gotta get to the Who Dat festival at the Superdome.

What are you wearing?

that most obnoxious shirt.

Your own?

Of course.

If ya aint obnoxious How can you be a Saints fan?

4 and 0 ?

Can you believe them Saints?

I'll tell you Vic.

they gotta have somebody up in heaven pulling strings.

Yeah.

Natly.

Hap Glaudi!

So, Natly, who you like in the Super Bowl?

LIke?

Who Id like would be the Saints We hope that you've enjoyed this.

Look back at Vic and Natly brought to life here on Steppin Out.

We should note that the voices of Vic and Natly were performed over the years by WYES staff members, most frequently Beryl Caminiti and the appropriately named Vic Giancola as well as Andres Calandria, Linda Lopez, Maria Estévez and Melanie Andrews.

Special thanks also goes to both them and Douglas Degan and Nola Media Transfer Services who restored the videos of the Vic and Natly segments that we've just enjoyed, courtesy of the Historic New Orleans Collection The Bunny Mathews exhibit is on view there through May 2027.

A wonderful way to explore the work of this true Crescent City character and those he created.

Thanks for watching.

Independent, locally owned New Orleans bookstore Octavia Books offers author events, book signings, and hand-picked titles for all ages.

Octavia Books dot com.

Criollo restaurant offers a culinary adventure prepared by a tiny animated French chef.

A five course dinner experience comes to life at each place setting using projection mapping, located in the historic Hotel Monte Leone.

Learn more at criolloNola.com This program is supported in part by a community arts grant made possible by the City of New Orleans as administered by Arts New Orleans.

Support for this program comes from the Gail and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, committed to funding educational causes.

Steppin out is made possible in part by Susie and Peggy Villare.

From Jazz to Jambalaya Theater to galleries, Stepping Out brings you the best of our local arts and culture scene each week.

Let's step up and step out together.

Keeping WYES strong.