Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 01, 2017

what a complicated mess

Today’s episode title: “A Bumbershoot For A Nincompoop”

sound advice Mr. Black

Oh good, Pru is a drama queen! That should liven up the strip considerably!

It’s overacting.

Caution, Mr. Gray, Ms. Berger may wonder about what you’re saying. Is this your opinion of relationships, in general?

Don’t remember. Does Gunther’s mom ever wear pants, or is she always in a dress?

I admit saying, “It’s over,” is close enough to saying, “It was going on,” that my beloved Prudence is pushing the limits of truth and honesty.

I also note the uncle was as happy with the toss as predicted.

The umbrella in Les’s hair is a nice touch.

Love that little umbrella sticking in Les’s hair…

Leslie looks good in an umbrella.

Several interesting observations:

Pru did not get chastised for sloshing Les with the tea.

Obviously, a number of people don’t know that Pru is gay.

This likely ends this arc, and next week will start another. Until now, I thought the current arc wasn’t over.

“No Girlfriends” is at least easier to keep straight.

Huh. Pru DIDN’T give the necklace back.

Well, I’m sure THAT was just an oversight, right Pru?

RIGHT Pru??

Pru???

Ok. That’s over. Now what kind of Dr. was Piro seeing?

I smell ham.

1. Why are they just standing there and no one is handing him a napkin to wipe off his face?

2. Why he was interested in Prudence if the first thing she comes up with is tossing a drink in his face?

3. Why doesn’t my uncle want me to have a girlfriend?

4. Why does Mrs. Berger have a hard time counting to two?

5. If the point of this was to avoid the embarrassment of having declared Prudence to be my girlfriend, how in the world is this going to stop that from happening the moment Mrs. Berger tells this story to any of the Luann crowd that already knows Prudence is gay?

Mrs. Berger didn’t know what was going on – but I think Mr. Gray knew about Pru, and I think he knew about what Les was up to. This guy has run clubs before – keeps his eyes and ears open but doesn’t say much. He let Les run to the brick wall – another lesson.

I’ve wondered for a few days if Mr. Gray knows about Pru’s orientation. I don’t recall that ever being made explicit and I’m too lazy to dig through the months of strips to research that. Can anyone cite a definitive or even suggestive depiction of such?

Mr. Gray: How could Pru be your girlfriend? Everybody here knows she’s gay.

Good thing there were no drinks around when Luann was breaking up with Quill!

If anything, at least now Leslie can put acting on his resume… if he squints a little…well, more than he does, now…

“Fits To A Tea”

“Gray’s Anomaly”

“Zero Rows Your Boat” (♫)

“Knox And Pings, The Engines Of Regress”

“All Juiced Up, And No Place To Go”

“The Revolutionary Worn”

“….And The Pursuit Of Crappiness”

“Left At The Alter”

“Bread And Circus Fleas”

“Kryptonite For The Man Of Steal”

“Catch 22, And Release”

“Re-Lie-Able”

“Truth Or Consequences…Mostly Consequences”

“The Circle Of Li(-f)e”

or

“The Best Mislaid Plans…”

I just… I just can’t. These convoluted story lines are making me miss the days of Aaron Hill.

I guess after flinging off of his head in the air in the last panel of yesterday’s strip, the tiny umbrella decided that his hair was not a bad landing spot, after all! Guess it proves that his hair isn’t all moussed and gelled up and as rock hard as his head is….

Either his uncle knows what’s best for him, he has a heart of stone, or he can tell bad acting when he sees it.

Mr. Grey has taken on a Black mood. P.S. The parasol is a cute touch. Makes Les seem a more sympathetic character.

perhaps a little TOO overly theatrical, Prudence.

An academy award winner. Pru rocks.

The only concern I’ve seen from Señor Gray, is that Les might not be honoring his monetary obligations. A girlfriend would just complicate that. And Uncle is correct.

All better now. Les will be able to pay his Mom. Uncle Al is happy. Gunther’s mom will not be confused about Les’s affairs. And Pru will not be the object of Les’s desire.

Well, and Uncle Hitch (Mr. Gray) ain’t crying a bit. and it looks like he knows something we don’t know about Les, Judging from his comment. Or don’t we know about his poor taste.

“You’re fired!” … oh, wait

tea isn’t usually that thick.

I am getting tired of Mr. Gray. His body language as well as the the words he uses are almost always confrontational. He never really seems worried about resolving problems. He seems much more worried about assigning blame. For instance, if he thinks that Les is dating Pru, why is breaking up the best solution? Shouldn’t Les learn how to navigate multiple relationships? Les needs to learn how to manage relationships with parents, friends and romantic partners, all at the same time. You lean noting from avoiding problems.

ACTING!!!!

I knew that Mrs. Berger would remember Les saying Pru was his girlfriend. Us women remember things like that.

In the meantime, the lies are piling on…

I had to wait to write this little comment. Usually I do before I go to bed because in Chicago GoComics has been pretty good about having the new panels up shortly after midnight. But on this I had to sleep on it a bit. I think Pru is over-acting a little, but the most interesting thing to me is the reaction of Mrs. B and Mr. G. She is sharp enough to remember what Les had said about his TWO girlfriends, revealing the lie, while Mr. G seems so gleeful (well as gleeful as he can being drawn the way he is) that Les is not with this expensive girl anymore. Neither of them have a clear picture of what is really going on, but that does not matter as long as Les is not revealed as a kind of hapless, needy, not very perceptive young man. Now onto a new arc, but still curious about what will happen to Les and Pru, will they go on, but on different tracks? WIll they be friends, and will this help Les begin to heal?

It feels like they’re groping around for interesting stories in the wake of the wedding. I just don’t find this to be one. And Luann, the character, could really use a storyline.

Mr. Gray just stepped in it. Now he’s fixing to jump up and down.

That went well…so far.

I know the feeling, Leslie.

I wasn’t loving this storyline, but the payoff made me burst out laughing. Pru’s big breakup scene was actually pretty funny.

Pru: “And take you can take your stolen TV WITH you! … (oops!)”

.

Les: “D’oh!”

.

Mr. Gray and Ma Berger: “Bwwwahhhh???!!!”

Monday: back to the pursuit of the missing TV? Will Gunther and Tiffany throw caution to the wind and actually kiss? Will Jack ask Luann out for another date, and to where? Stay Tooned!!!!

And you never will, Les, because you’re a creep!

And there you have it. NO need for long discussions or fill-in-the-blank Q & A. It is done, fini.

The fact remains that mrs. berger is thirsty, damn it!

The fact remains that mrs. berger is thirsty, damn it!

Pru is having a little fun and I suspect that Les feels a little like he is being made “fun of"….. all good. I just hope that Pru’s job and reputation are not on the line. I note a positive change in Les already; he doesn’t hesitate to be straight up and honest in his answers.

It’s ok Les. I was the same way at your age. Could not get a date no matter what I did. I gave up for a few years, then in my late 20’s and early 30’s after I physically and mentally matured…lets just say I was a late bloomer….women were all over me. Am now married to a wonderful and beautiful woman and have a loving and devoted family. Just be patient…..and cant believe im giving advice to a cartoon character…lol.

End of arc? Kinda’ hope so, I’d like to see some happy stuff. Come back Knute, all is forgiven.

Yup. You are right, Mr. Gray!

It’s all for the best.

Now don’t get all worried over this Bad Boy, Ma Berger. You can’t even save your own offspring!

I’m puzzled by the little umbrella on Les’s head… not part of Fuse dress code. It is almost as if he knew he was going to get wet…. or maybe it is just for effect.

Ha! Beautiful. Funny! A nice demi-completion of an arc! Way to go, Pru and Les! Silliness, heartfulness, and drama to boot! Thanks, Greg, helped my (challenging) morning! .. (ps, love the umbrella).

I’ll be happy to see the end of this storyline. I’d like to see Luann grow up a little, find a nice guy. And gol-darn-it! Where are Brad and Toni?