Balloonacy or logic?

Speech/thought bubbles are one of many techniques used by lads' mags to add extra humour to a story. For example, an article about sex addiction might have a stock photo of an amorous-looking couple on a bed, with a speechie coming from the mattress saying, "Would it kill youse to have an early night?" OK, not my funniest hour, but you get the idea. Some editors are stricter than others on the use of such devices. I had an ed who wouldn't permit inanimate objects to be shown speaking or thinking. Animals could only have thought balloons, with the exception of parrots, who were allowed to give full voice to their opinions.