Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 08, 2018

Suddenly dormitory life seems to be very appealing.

Just say no.

Oooh, the Bergers are in deep (dare I say it?) doodoo!

“You look like you’re straining…” LOL! Once a mom, always a mom! Seriously though, why does it feela bit like Mrs. Berger just pulled a fast one on Gunther? And… I wonder how the corresponding conversation will go at the Gray household?

“Yes” to Irma marrying Al Gray.

“*HELL NO*” to Gunther EVER sharing ANYTHING with Les.

Sakes Alive, Irma! Your Son has selflessly and graciously agreed to You marrying Al, You expect Him to also live with guy that used to Beat Him Up?? Can You say “Asking too Much?”

Irma If you want to help Gunther, You’d Help Him Pack and Pay half his Rent….,

Looks like Gunther needs a suppository.

Gunther looks like he is about to puke in the third panel. For cripes sake, just tell her you can’t stand Les and why. Irma is so doting, she won’t force him on you – but not if you don’t let her know.

Of course, none of this ever made sense from the git go. There was no reason why Gunther couldn’t have moved into the dorms just like Bernice and Tiffany did, except then this story line wouldn’t exist…

Welllll… Gunther shouldn’t fret too hard. He did just tip his hand yesterday about moving out in a few years, so him being in that guest house would only be temporary. Unless this new news from Ma Berger triggers him to move out sooner, thereby eliminating the guest house possibility.

It makes me very happy to see Gunther giving up comfort for the comfort of his mother. Wizardgoat was right, there is some hope for him after all. Gunther, I am proud of you!!

I’d love to see the zoning code of Pitts. In most places, a ‘guest house’ is exactly that: not permanent housing, just a place to let visiting relatives stay instead of sleeping on the floor of your living room…

What a face!

Okay, its been almost two weeks and a determined Tiffany should have dropped about 10 pounds by now. Let’s turn up the heat, Tiff, I’m a bit weary of skim milk Irma.

As far as separating from his childhood household, Gunther was trying to be a good sport and bite the bullet. However in the last frame, Mrs. Berger is amazingly myopic. I guess she feels that big boys and girls should forget their personal preferences and develop a mature attitude about the business of having a roof over their head. In poor U.S. neighborhoods and in many parts of the world, all sorts of people have to live under the same roof. But Gunther could skip a year of school if necessary – get a job – and share a small place with…..anybody but Les!

Why does Ma Berger still call him “Mr. Gray?”

I bet that Gunther and Les end up being friends. They are in this soup together, and they are actually getting along together. So I think that the marriage proposal will at least be agreed to by next Wednesday. Or not. We will see. Greg and Karen do not set up this much unless there is some kind of resolution that makes sense. Greg? Karen??

Didn’t see that plot twist coming, did you Gunthie? Still, points to him for sucking it up and being halfway mature about it.

Gunthie would rather burn in hell then live with Les!

Aneurysm in 4..3..2..

Interesting. Nice to see little Gunthie manning up a bit and taking it (reluctantly) on the chin. I guess the Evanses will ensure we get to see Les and Gunther live in the same digs, because it would make for interesting interactions and a more engrossing storyline!

The answer seems fairly easy. You have an honest talk with mom and Mr. Gray. Les and Gunthie get along well enough to survive family functions; however, they are not well suited as room mates. Take the money earmarked for the guest home and put it towards a dorm room or two. Or build two mini houses or two separate single person efficiency styled rooms.

Time for Gunther to move to one of the dorms or find a roommate and get an apartment…

Selfless Gunther shines forth. What a prince!

Either Gunther’s trying to form a hero’s chin to overpower his desire to veto the proposition….

-

Or “his #2 concern” picked an awfully inconvenient moment….

-

Or he’s imagining that he can suplex Les, whenever he wants….so as to make this an easier medicine to take…..

“The Things We Do For Love” (♬)

“Les Is More?”

“The Rain In Brain Falls, Mainly Because He Is A Pain”

“All I Want Is Life Beyond The Thunderdome” (♪)

“Between A Crook And A ‘New Start’ Place”

“The Jig Is Up, The News Is Out, You’ve Finally Bound Me!” (♪)

“That Renegade, Will Have It Made, And He Won’t Even Use Bounty®™!” (♪)

“We Don’t Need A Bunk!  I Don’t Want A Bunk!” (♪)

“I Give Up The Bunk! Don’t Gotta Have A Bunk!” (♪)

“I’ll Give Up The Bunk!  Don’t Need A Bunk!”  (♪)

“One Duration, Under A Thumb”  (♬)

“If It Makes You Happy…Then I….Guess So…” (♪)

“Filled With A Layer Of Grudge”

or

“A Sacrifice Fly In The Ointment”

So Irma is letting her son decide whether or not she marries?

Isn’t he old enough to find his own place by now? I understand he’s close to his mom but #1 she doesn’t rely on him physically, like she isn’t disabled. #2 She’ll have Mr. Gray around now so she won’t be alone. No reason for him to stick around like this.

And, now we come to the proverbial fly in the ointment. Gunther is being mature enough to put his mother’s happiness over his won wants. But the idea of Les being his step brother, much less living with him is making his blood pressure skyrocket.

what ever happened to LuAnn’s ex that was rooming with them?

Can we stop calling him Mr. Gray!!!

Can we stop calling him Mr. Gray!!!

Of the three cliffhangers we were left with last week, it appears that the wedding will be addressed first. Here’s an interesting way it COULD play out. Gunther convinces mom he’s good to go with the wedding. This sets up a couple of situations. Mr. & Mrs. Gray now become a superfluous couple (much like Mom & Pop DeGroot) relegated to being brought back briefly on occasion. Although another big wedding would seem to be a headache after Brad & Toni’s, so it’ll probably be small. The wedding exacerbates the friction between Gunther and Les. Shortly before or after the wedding, the Grays confront the new step brothers re their behavior. Irma takes on Gunther and Al, Les. They call a truce and form a sibling relationship more akin to Luann and Brad’s, or Brad and TJ’s, maybe. The potential for strips involving Gunth and Les is limitless. The Gray’s could disappear on an extended honeymoon or move to climes to be determined.

That still leaves us with two major cliffhangers involving Gunther, Tiff, Les and Ann Awful. AND! Where is the signature character in the strip; Luann? I don’t think the crew know what the “next big emo thing” is for Luann yet!

Of the three cliffhangers we were left with last week, it appears that the wedding will be addressed first. Here’s an interesting way it COULD play out. Gunther convinces mom he’s good to go with the wedding. This sets up a couple of situations. Mr. & Mrs. Gray now become a superfluous couple (much like Mom & Pop DeGroot) relegated to being brought back briefly on occasion. Although another big wedding would seem to be a headache after Brad & Toni’s, so it’ll probably be small. The wedding exacerbates the friction between Gunther and Les. Shortly before or after the wedding, the Grays confront the new step brothers re their behavior. Irma takes on Gunther and Al, Les. They call a truce and form a sibling relationship more akin to Luann and Brad’s, or Brad and TJ’s, maybe. The potential for strips involving Gunth and Les is limitless. The Gray’s could disappear on an extended honeymoon or move to climes to be determined.

That still leaves us with two major cliffhangers involving Gunther, Tiff, Les and Ann Awful. AND! Where is the signature character in the strip; Luann? I don’t think the crew know what the “next big emo thing” is for Luann yet!

If Gunther don’t want free housing, he can always leave the teat and go out on his own. He is plenty old enough.

Les needs to live in a house provided by his uncle, for financial reasons. If Gunther can’t afford to live in the dorms, maybe it’s time for him to go back to Lima and earn some more money, instead of moving into the guest house with Les. Now, can Quill afford to live in the dorms when he and Gunther move out of the Berger home? Or has he moved in with Aaron Hill in Hawaii?

So, I’m all for Gunth’s mom being happy, but I have two issues with this plot:

1. She calls her boyfriend Mr. Gray – to any of you in committed relationships, do you call your significant other Mr/Mrs when in polite discussion? Is this a Victorian era?

2. Didn’t like how “Mr. Gray” proposed. Not on a knee, nor in a romantic setting. Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts :)

Irma!

Irma Berger!

This may come as Great Shock to You, but Your son Gunther and His soon to be Worthless Punk of a Step-Cousin, AREN’T two five year old boys, that You’ve just told to stop fighting and go out in the backyard and “Play Nice.” They aren’t Your “Boys” anymore, They’re "GROWN MEN.

And Expecting Two GROWN MEN who Really Don’t Like each other to live together in a tool shed, excuse Me, “Guest House,” because YOU think it’s “Cute?” That’s Called PRISON.

Irma, Marry and Be Happy. But Don’t Force Your Son to “share” in YOUR Happiness. Cut Those apron strings let Gunther breath and live HIS life FREE for a change.

And Take half of the money that You and Al are going to waste on building that “Stockade” and use it to help set Gunther up in an Apartment. One WITHOUT Les.Take the other half of that money and use it to bail Les out of jail when He INEVITABLY Screws Up.

That Said, Premature Congratulations on Your semi-engagement to Al Gray. I hope You Two Love Brids will be “Happy” together or something…….,

They have these things called “apartments” where you pay a small amount each month to live in them. You could put the boys up in one each for a couple of years, cheaper than building a guest house.

They have these things called “apartments” where you pay a small amount each month to live in them. You could put the boys up in one each for a couple of years, cheaper than building a guest house.

I’ve been reading this strip since the 80’s and it just keep getting better and better. Les and Gunther as roommates has nice ring to it!

So instead of having Brad and TJ we are going to have Gunther and Les. Also, I was wondering, Why build a guest house – Mr. Gray and Irma both have houses, tho Mr. Gray’s is implied, so boys live in one and Mr. and Mrs. Gray live in the other.

Tomorrow: will Irma ask her son how his “friend” Tiffany is doing?

“Mom, only you can decide whether or not you should marry Mr. Gray, and I’ll support you either way but my living with Les is not a good idea. I think it’s time for me to find a place of my own. Don’t worry, I’ll be visiting you a lot!” — My fantasy response for Mature Gunther.

A study in cognitive dissonance.

A study in cognitive dissonance.

A study in cognitive dissonance.

A study in cognitive dissonance.

Irma: "Gunthie? You look like you’re straining…

Gunther: “Straining what? Straining peas??!! No, Mom! But I’m really good at mashing yams to a pulp!!” :)

Not sure anyone may find this comment, but on the off chance someone does can I get some help here – doesn’t Quill still stay there? Or he off on a project or staying at the university now?? I can’t remember.

Several comments from me today:

1) I am disappointed that Irma Berger appears to have said “no” to Al because she was concerned about how Gunther would take it.

2) Now because Gunther is “ok” with it…. Irma Berger is reconsidering and appears to be willing to marry Al. To me, this sort of “flip-flop” from Irma would make me quite nervous if I were Al Gray.

3) If I were Al Gray…. I would feel rather “second class” if I knew how this decision and potential reversal in the decision was made by Irma.

4) I am happily surprised that Gunther has made a kind choice and is trying to be supportive of his Mom. It is far less selfish than his behavior had been in this regard.

5) So many folks constantly suggest Gunther move away. But, if Gunther is (as we have been led to believe all these years) really focused on his academics, the cost savings of living at home will give him far more time to devote to deep study of his major than he would otherwise have if he had to have an outside job to pay for other living arrangements. In academics, if you have MORE time for study… and USE it for study, you tend to have a far greater chance to excel. I would anticipate Gunther may want to try to be at the TOP of his academic game as he works towards his career goals. This, to me, is a strong enough reason to stay at home for his undergraduate degree.

Also, Gunther will be probably 23 – 24 when he graduates from Moony. He will likely have earned high enough grades to get a graduate assistant ship covering tuition and a living stipend for graduate school. Then he will be out of the Berger family home at a really nice age where he can further explore his romantic interests.

So, do we get the 2018 version of the Odd Couple, or does Gunther soon move out to live with a friend? Like Mordy said, sharing a home with Tiffany would be interesting.

So, do we get the 2018 version of the Odd Couple, or does Gunther soon move out to live with a friend? Like Mordy said, sharing a home with Tiffany would be interesting.

Mr. Gray’s plan seems multi-faceted to me."1. Marry the love of his life and establish as private a life as possible2. Reduce Mrs. Burger’s dependence and doting on Gunther3. Reduce Gunther’s dependence and doting on his mother4. Gunther to room with Les so his independence can rub off on him..5. Les to room with Gunther so his goodness and trustworthiness can rub off on him.

Mr. Grey keeps his lips tight even when kissing Irma.

I AM glad that Gunther has matured a bit more once again!

Third panel: Gunther swallowed his tongue and is trying to cough it back up.

Third panel: Gunther swallowed his tongue and is trying to cough it back up.

Gray is taking some grief over the guest house thing. I think it rather sweet that he sees that Irma has a hard time letting go of her son. He isn’t demanding G to move out, he is putting up a whole chunk of change to please his woman. G will still be close and coddled, but the two love birds can have their own space.

I don’t see why they don’t just build an addition onto the house with an extra bedroom for Les instead of a whole separate house.

Oh, Gunther. Just move into the dorm at Moony. Work part time for the boarding. Or sneak in with Tiffany. She is a little rule breaker. Les could have the guest house all to himself.

Don’t fight it, Gunther. Just Say No! No shacking up with Leslie Knox, though Ma Berger IMO should marry the mysterious Mr. Gray….

Well no one else seems to have gone here, so:"Hey, Irma how many shades of Gray does Al have?

“The Wings We Dip For A Dove” (♬)

“Lester Is Morster?”

“The Strain In Stain Flails, Manly Beach He Is A Sprain”

“All I Want Is Life Bouy The ComeunderStome” (♪)

“Between A Clock And A ‘New Star’ Face It!”

“The Swig Is Up, The Blews Is Out, You’ve Finally Roped Me In!” (♪)

“That Rain Again, Will Have It Make Me, And He Won’t Steven Use O!” (♪)

“We Don’t Need A SHUT UP! I Don’t Want A SHUT UP!” (♪)

“I Give Up The Bunk! Don’t Gotta Have A Bunk!” (♪)

“I’ll Give Up The Bunk! Don’t Need A Bunk!” (♪)

“One DERP DERP DERP DERP, Under A THERP THERP THERP” (♬)

“If It Makes You SLappy…Then I….Wuss So…” (♪)

“Filled With A Layer Of Spoooooge”

or

“NOT!” PLEASE STOP!

On board ship, there’s a saying, “In an instance, your worst enemy can become your best friend”. Don’t see that happening for Gunther and Leslie.

SPOILER ALERT

…..

Gunther seems to have won a battle. But what about the war?

Man that’s rough. I have been with my wife for30 years. I hate the idea of another man being with her. But I would want her to be happy. If it was the other way around though I don’t see why I would get married again. I don’t want any more kids.