'Dilbert' Has 2,000 Newspapers and One Blog -- Which Launches Tuesday

By: Dave Astor Scott Adams today is adding a blog to a "Dilbert" empire that already includes a widely syndicated comic, best-selling books, and a newsletter e-mailed to more than 400,000 people.

Problems delivering the newsletter are among the reasons for launching the new blog. "Because of spam filters, I suspect far less than 400,000 people are getting it," the cartoonist told E&P.

Other reasons for entering the blogosphere? "I plan to talk about anything that strikes me as amusing and interesting," replied Adams. For instance, he'll offer his thoughts about the editing of potentially controversial "Dilbert" strips and discuss "God's Debris," one of his non-"Dilbert" books.

The blog, of course, will also include reader comments. Some of these will come from the pool of e-mails -- ranging from dozens to hundreds a day -- sent to Adams. Others will come from people interacting directly with the blog, which has a link at Dilbert.com.

But the exact nature of the blog's content will be "kind of an organic process," said Adams. "I've got some ideas, but how it actually develops? Who knows. If I write about something that gets no comments, I'll write about something else. ... I'm really looking to entertain."

How will the busy Adams find time for the new endeavor? "I do have a BlackBerry, so I can be writing for the blog while I'm standing in line at the DMV," he said, referring to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The California-based cartoonist added that he doesn't plan to cut back on any of his other work, but will perhaps be forced to get less sleep and exercise.

Another thing that will be mentioned on the blog is the fourth annual Weasel Poll, in which Dilbert.com visitors vote for the "weaseliest" people and entities. Voting starts Tuesday, and is scheduled to last until Nov. 6. Last year, more than 43,000 people cast their ballots (E&P Online, Dec. 8, 2004).

Why the poll? "It embarrasses people who have made the public the maddest," said Adams. "I'm offering my readers a little revenge."

There are six categories -- weaseliest country, company, profession, organization, behavior, and individual. In the last category, President Bush is among the 13 nominees.

"Dilbert" appears in more than 2,000 newspapers via United Feature Syndicate.