Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 01, 2020

the wise man must’ve been Al Gray… can he spread the same advice to his nephew’s future stepsister?

In some instances Les.

“Tell no one about the baby”? Why? Do you smell a rat? I smell a rat.

On soaps, there’s often a big, dramatic reveal at the wedding.

Just Saying … ✨

TIFFANY JUST GOT CALLED WISE!! Mark it down.

It is pretty clear, based on panel 1 that Ann might/must be running a con with the pregnancy but to me what is most important about this panel is it shows the empathy and growth of Les responding to Tiffany’s conundrum regarding her lovesick, not deserving of it, father. She loves daddy so she endures evil Ann. Les is offering thoughtful advice, which shows his growth, and the root of her dilemma. What to do, what to do?

OMG, truer words were never spoken. At least in this strip. Can this be a turning point in at least one (possibly two) character’s development into an adult? (Luann, are you listening? Of course not, its a rhetorical question).

Wise words Les!!

That’s odd, majority of pregnant women don’t want their pregnancy to be kept secret. Why would Ann want tiffany to be quiet about it? That’s a HUGE red flag. Me thinks there’s something about the pregnancy that Ann doesn’t want anyone to know.

here is the thing, i don’t think i’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t want everyone to know she’s expecting or they are if i know the couple, the reason simply is they want to be the ones to tell everyone and that’s fair. or if a girl still in high school is scared to death about telling her parents about it and rightly so that i get too.

but Ann is i have no idea how old she is to be honest,why tell Tiffany that? i also smell a rat, does anyone even think she’s actually expecting i’m not so sure anymore is anyone?

Anne’s not pregnant she’s Faking It

She can boss you all she wants, Tiffany, but you don’t have to comply.

You aren’t the keeper of your dad’s happiness.

Consider how GnK’s playing the tension/intensity. The level went up with Ann attacking and getting kicked out of the Fuze. Then backed off before up again in the mansion. Now we’re somewhat down. It’ll be interesting how GnK (Karen?) resolve this. This pattern seems more pronounced than in the Toni-Brad-Dirk arcs. Karen’s learning.

Tiffany, you can just leave.

Warning! Warning! A “shoe fits” moment coming up!

(My way of flagging a political comment that will probably offend)

The whole “Move on” thing is so much BS. There are legitimate grievances here that will continue to fester. It’s a road to depression and suicidal thoughts. Instead of accepting all the bull that Ann is giving Tiffany she needs to assert herself. Do not give Ann that foot rub. Do not let Ann put that baby crib into Tiffany’s new room. And insist on talking to her father privately. Tom has let Ann do all the talking with Tiffany. Tiffany needs to break through that wall. But letting it all go, accept what Ann is doing is not healthy.

If I am not mistaken, Ann did not reveal anything about being pregnant. Tiffany confronted Ann – in front of Tom – and basically accused Ann of being pregnant (found Sonagram). Ann appeared shocked, but ran with the accusation and is now doing what she does best – be unlikable.

Yes! Let’s act we’re letting it go, only to make it look like we’ve decided to do something about it a few days later! And then act like we’re letting it go, again! We’ve made out a schedule that’s good for the next ??? months.

And it looks like Ann got topless to appear in the second panel. Shocking filth!

Ann demanded a gag order on the baby news? Of course. Because she is NOT pregnant. She is just waiting for the right time to fake a miscarriage and nobody would never know she was ever “pregnant.” Only Tom would grieve. Now, today’s strip. Same old. Much ado about nothing. You ought to discuss why Ann put a kibosh on the baby news with Les. And plan. Here’s my dime…Casually say to your dad: “You would think Ann would want people to know about the baby and be happy for you guys, right?”

And Tom replies with his usual “What?”

Tiff sighs and says “Ann told me not to tell anyone about the baby. Don’t you think it’s odd? Did she ask you to keep quiet too?”

I’d be curious how Tom responds to that. Could be:“She might want to be careful until she’s sure the baby is gonna be full term or something like that” avoiding saying “miscarriage.”

Or “Hmmm. I need to look at that ultrasound. Maybe it will have a clue why.”

Perhaps, “Yes, that’s odd. I will talk to her. I want to share the happy news myself.”

But I fear that will never happen. Tiff doesn’t talk to her dad. She still acts like a little girl around him. Ann is counting on that.

“And you will tell No one about the Baby! Understand?” Well Gee! I guess that means Gunther, as usual. But All Kidding aside.

I don’t know about you guys, but THAT doesn’t sound like any Mom-to-be that I ever heard of. Usually they want everybody and I mean EVERYBODY including total strangers to know about it. At the very least so that can get a sh*t load baby shower gifts.

Okay, it’s established. There’s a 99% certainty that Ann’s pregnancy is a SHAM. And I don’t mean Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, either. The amazing thing is, these two nitwits are actually buying into it.

WAKE Up, Dummies! Tell Gunther! Tell Luann! Tell Al! Wake the Dead! Tell the WORLD! And SOMEBODY had better be snooping hard and fast and gather some concrete evidence on Ms Eiffel and put a STOP to this travesty BEFORE the wedding.

Even if Ann is pregnant She needs to be STOPPED. Imagine the poor kid finding out that his own mother didn’t want anyone to know she/he was on the way.

PS: Did Ann tell Tom not to tell anybody? What’s to stop Tom from telling anyone at his office? Perhaps Tiff should tell her dad what Ann told her.

Too bad these two are being controlled by forces far beyond their imaginations. A normal Tiffany and Leslie, both enjoying free will, would promptly visit Uncle Al and get his advice.

And Uncle Al would resolve the situation on the spot.

But since the demon lords G&K control their every action, I guess we need to expect another week or four of this feeble inaction and brain dead dialog.

Tom comes home to find Evil Annie burned to a crisp in their bed.

.

Tiff: “Gee, dad, I never knew she smoked…”

A possible reason for Ann wanting Tiffany to tell no one about the baby would be that someone (say, Uncle Al) happens to know that Ann can’t have any more babies. Then again, perhaps G&K have a different twist in mind.

Surprise. Surprise. The only pregnant one here is Bets. (Not really, just messing with you).

I still have my doubts about Ann’s pregnancy. Besides, she’s gotta be in her 40’s meaning she’s pretty much past her child bearing years.

YES GIVE UP LIFE IS FUTILE!

go on vacait… oh wait she’ll have to come with you

Here is a thought. A lot of us believe that the pregnancy is not real. Ann was surprised when Tiff spoke out about the pregnancy. Ann was going to announce her engagement when Tiffany trumped her with the baby thing. What if Ann had no intention of using the sonogram pics now that she already got her ring? Tiff might actually have thrown a wrench in this engagement with out even intending to do so.

The only good thing about this situation is that Tiff is almost incapable of keeping a secret. By the end of the week all of the cafe will have heard about it. Cant wait to see Al’s reaction.

Yep !!! Wise words !! Get a job get your own place to live!!!

Call Al Gray and share your story, Tiffany!

Al Gray is the anti-matter to Ann Eiffel.

Why is Tiff so concerned about her dads happiness?

GROW-up!!! Les I am so impressed, now get a haircut so you don’t look likes hood

Difficult to believe that Les ever listened to a wise person…

“Gosh, Ann, I’m SO bad at keeping secrets! I’ll try not to blab, but, we’ll just have to see how it goes!”

Maybe it’s time for Tiffany to cut her father out of her life forever and start a new life for herself.

Sing like a canary, Tiffany!

Come on Tiffany or Les, go tell uncle Al already! I finally feel like Ann is about to get her comeuppance.

Tiff’s quote in panel 1 doesn’t make any sense. Unless Ann told Tom something similar. To me, that indicates the pregnancy is a scam to get Tom to marry her. And remember, scams are what Ann does the most if not the best.

That would mean that Tiff wasn’t supposed to find the sonogram, and the “pregnancy” was to be a private scam worked on Tom.

Forcing Tiff into the McMansion may have been a fatal mistake by Ann.

In Tiff’s position, I would tell literally everyone, including random store clerks, and possibly take out an ad in the local paper congratulating Ann and Tom on their upcoming child. Billboards aren’t that expensive in a small market.

I predict a great awakening in Tiff; an “Aha!” moment where Ann’s fatal mistake becomes clear to her. It will be the Uncle Al type of “leverage” that Tiff needs tp, euphemistically, “kill the witch.”

I also think that Tiff’s poisoned apple will somehow allow Ann to slip quietly out of the picture to preserve, in Tiff’s mind, some semblance of dignity for Daddy Tom and the mess he got into. This also allows Ann Awful to slink away and survive to return another day in another way.

BUT! GnK probably won’t follow my sage advice. So… yawn, time for coffee.

There is no baby…

This secret around the pregnancy is suspect. Maybe Al knows something about Ann’s possibilities to get pregnant? However; Les’ answer to Tiffany is great. They are more and more a great, and a bit sad, duo.

When did Ann say that? Did I miss a strip? But either way, that is making me hate her even more.

Ann told Tiff not to tell, she didn’t tell Les. Maybe he will spill to Mr Grey or Gunth who will tell his mother who will tell Mr Grey… the fireworks begin

The Les and Tiff commiseration continues:

Les’ comment in panel 1 indicates a weakening of the hateful attitude toward his mother. Now it seems that he is merely soured on her. It also indicates he has less of an investment than Tiffany in her “problems” at home.

Also, his “wise person” comment came from Uncle Al, probably somewhere around Les being hired at The Fuse. Does this foretell an Uncle Al type intervention is coming?

The romantic spark appears to be still missing between the two. But, as always in Luanniverse, things change. Just like Les appearing to be a totally redeemed character in the near future.

Perhaps, in the way of things GnK. Gunther will be morphed into the next villain. YIKES!

did I miss the conversation where she was told to not tell anyone about the baby? Shes doing the right thing by telling people she was told not to tell anyone. thats how problems get resolved.

I am wondering, is the ultrasound an old one of her son?

I can see another scenario. Playing the devil’s advocate, let’s assume Ann is pregnant. Pregnancy advances, Tom and Ann get married. Baby Farrell is born with Down’s Syndrome. Ann (narcissist that she is) claims she can’t cope and rejects Baby Farrell. Tiffany (in major maturity growth spurt) adores Baby Farrell. Tom realizes that Ann’s rejection of Baby Farrell borders on neglect/abuse and divorces her. Luann helps with baby sitting with Baby Farrell and decides on a teaching career path with an emphasis in Special Education because of her interactions with Baby Farrell. Ox, surprisingly, helps with Baby Farrell when Tiffany is forced by circumstance to bring Baby Farrell to work; Ox and Tiffany become an item.

Once again. It’s nice to be free of the McMansion.

Anyone else think that ultrasound is as old as Les?

Leave

I’m tellin’ ya. She isn’t pregnant.

I’ve always smelled a rat where that pregnancy is concerned.

I Say,, “GET A LIFE!” Seems to me Daddy has been more an absentee parent who just throws money at you when it suits him. Go talk to Nancy and ask her for help getting your life started.

I, too liked Sargeant Schultz. I think he was the best part of the show. Always cracked me up.

I don’t believe anne is pregnant

I don’t believe anne is pregnant and do believe that this is a con BUT I can’t imagine how Gregg would handle this mature topic in a strip.

This strip, like Tiffany, has become heavier. It simply needs to lighten up a bit and not paint the transition to adulthood as such a foreboding journey. Heck, a trip down the birth canal must have been easier. Thank goodness Frank and Nancy are still fun. Now, let’s concentrate on stuff more age appropriate…..like Bernice’s makeover, or the liberation of Tiffany (nice job opportunity in Paris, France).

Get yer dorm room back, of course…

She’s expressing concern for her father’s happiness…seems like she’s already grown up a lot.

I hope “grow up” means for Tiffany to take responsibility for her own welfare.

YEAH!!!! GROW UP!!!! You have the talents, skills, and knowledge to be successful at a lot of things. There are things like Student Loans and Small Business Loans, plus free support like SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) that will mentor you free in the small business of your choice.

Spread your wings and fly away from all this angst.

That doesn’t make any sense – Tom ran off all excited to start making plans for the baby and the wedding – did she tell him not to talk about it as well?

For me that would translate to “tell everyone you see about my pregnancy”.

Okay…so if she really is pregnant…she can just let everyone know that she’s just “gaining a little weight” as the months go by…

tomorrow: Gunther asks if Tiffany wants to stay for dinner. They’re having casserole.

With pregnancy tests available so early and easily available in the pregnacy, the rule of thumb is currently that you don’t announce the pregnancy until after 12 weeks because of the possibility of a miscarriage.

It would work IF Tiffany didn’t know for a fact that Ann is a con artist and a criminal and that there is good reason not to trust her around her Dad’s money.

Tiffany could hire a private investigator to dig up as much evidence on Ann as he or she can find, so she can present it to her father.

Or she can just tell him everything she knows and then just walk away. But staying quiet in this case would be wrong. It’s not just that she doesn’t like Ann, she knows Ann has done illegal things.

I have a hunch there is no baby.

I wonder if this strip will ever be about Luann again.

Just when I was convinced Ann IS pregnant… so why the secret? And why isn’t Les suspicious? Les being the rational one is weird, nice, but weird. Still doesn’t address it question of where Tiff is sleeping. I don’t think Les understands that if Tiffany stays at her father’s, Ann will treat her badly, to say the least. It’s easier for him to continue to ignore the situation he’s been ignoring for years, his mother.

Most likely because there IS no baby. The fake ultrasound was the back-up in case Tom didn’t propose over the weekend.

Grow up?? Not with this cast of characters.

Worst thing is that the baby is going to be her half-sister. All the drawbacks of having a sister and none of the good parts.

The sonogram was probably filched, or copied off the ‘net, and was Ann’s “ace in the hole” in case Tom didn’t propose. Since he did, she would have just destroyed the pic. Instead, Tiff found it. Back-up plan exposed and Ann had to scramble to cover for it. Now she’ll “miscarry” and milk it for sympathy. Ann is manipulative and selfish, she may even try to blame Tiff for it. We’ll see …

Hmmm, tell no one about the baby? I think it’s time for a slip of the tongue around someone you know can’t keep a secret. LOL!

What Tiff should have said:

Ann: “You will tell no one about the baby!”

Tiff: : “Sorry, too late. I’ve already told everyone at the Fuse.”

Did any wise man also tell you not to be a wise guy, Les?!

a couple of takeaways here: it does seem odd that Ann would ask Tiff not to tell anyone about the baby. Did she ask Tom to do the same? He seemed positively excited by the news. What solutions will Les offer now that the suggestion to just ‘grow up’ may not be enough.

IF Ann every gets busted, Tom will have no part in it. He is too trusting and oblivious to everything Ann does. Al Gray or TJ will be the ones to take Ann down.

Judging by that ultrasound, she’s going to pop a baby bump any second now. I was certainly showing with both my kids by the time they were that big, and I’m a bit, erm, let’s say stouter than Anne. I’ve got more room to hide a baby =D

What if Tom, disappointed in hearing there is no baby, suggests he and Ann adopt?

Did I miss something or does Tiffany have a listening problem? I don’t recall Ann saying “You will tell no one about the baby”? As far as the grow up advice, Tiffany is more grown up than Gunther (presumably still going into debt for college), Luann (functionally unable to date, living at home, and again, spending a lot of money training to go into the highly paid field of childcare or teaching?!) and Bernice (can’t seem to function outside of academia). She needs a better paying job to separate from her dad and Ann, and the only person who seems able to help her with that is Bets, who would turn Tiff into a social media disaster. This isn’t Tiff needing to grow up, its a nice little picture of a systematic failure. Tiff has shown she is hard working and wants money. She isn’t being compensated enough to meet her needs. Going into debt for college isn’t going to fix that, nor is working in dinner theater at the fuse. No easy solutions but telling Tiff to grow up is just hurtful when she is putting in the work.

it is possible that Ann wants to be married first and then let out the information about being pregnant.

My prediction: Les will tell his Uncle who will tell Les that it is impossible for Ann to be pregnant since she had a hysterectomy. Then eventually Les’ Uncle and Tiffany’s Dad will have a talk about Ann’s past present and future

I was about to comment the same.

Remember that, for the most part, G&K have been, let’s just say, “conservative” with this strip. It’s what made the last known Luann arc somewhat believable: That we would even be able to question “whether” Gunther and Bets were “doing it.”

For all the “evil” Ann has brought into the strip, perhaps that is one line that G&K still do not want to cross.

Although, at this point, heaven knows why!

This ought to be interesting writing in the next few segments of this series. Ann is not pregnant: I would almost be disappointed if Evans wrote it so that she was. If she’s got a sonogram, by now other signs would also be apparent.. did Tiffany’s father inherit his money? Because he’s possibly the dumbest character I’ve seen yet. Here’s a woman with a grown son who barely acted like a mother to him, and now all of a sudden she’s wanting a baby? How’s she going to fake weight gain (yes, I know some women don’t gain a lot) and other changes? Where’s she going to get a newborn? A doctor to keep the fakery going? Or is she just going to ‘lose’ the baby after she rushes ‘Daddy’ into marriage?

Maybe get advice from Mr. Grey

How come some characters in this strip have eyes that are white circles with dots in the middle and others just have dots for eyes?

Slave. Servants get paid

Tell no one? Could it be that she’s got another Sucker nibbling on her bait?

One who might blow the whole scam if he knows she is Preggers?

See my comment 6/30. Same.

“…but my dad is happy so what am I gonna do?…” Well Tiff, let your dad be happy but you need to be keep your sanity (and be happy too). Step 1- find activities that will enable to be gone from the house as much as possible. This could be more hours at the Fuse, a summer class or a volunteer activity. Study for your business classes in your room with the door closed or at a library. Step-2. Tell Ann that if she has chores for you to do, would she please just leave a list on the kitchen table and you can do them on your own (without her). Step 3- keep an eye out for other living options.

4

The easiest solution here (which means it WILL NOT happen, because…. hell, this is a comic strip…. and it needs to keep a story going) would be for Tiffany to speak to her father alone for 30 minutes, and have a heartfelt explanation by Tiffany of what she wants to do with her life…. her goals…. and to ask if her Dad will support her. And, she can also mention her worries about Ann (the Soufflé Lingere Scandal, the questions about college, the pregnancy thoughts).

She can then have her dad mull this over…. and the ball is on his court…. and Tiffany can start to focus on herself and her GOALS…. instead of all the ancillary crap that is just a set of peripheral distractions for her.

C’mon, Tiffany! Develop a spine. Don’t just kowtow to to the will of Awful Ann Eiffel. Do what you know must be done to stop her and save your love-blinded Dad from her evil clutches!

I guess Leslie Knox will help, since he has no great love for his mother, either….

Slip out the back Jack, make a new plan, Stan, don’t need to be coy, Roy… just listen to me. Paul Simon – Fifty Ways to leave your lover (substitute Ann Eiffel for lover).

Ann needs to make absolutely sure that she really is pregnant before too many people find out. But, what’s to stop Tom from spilling the beans to his friends?

Do the only thing you can do, Tiffany… Get out while you can. Find a small apartment, and let Ann and Tom deal with the mess they’re bringing on themselves.

The most surprising thing, for me, about Toms face, is that he doesn’t have Manga eyes like Tiffany.

1. Set up cameras to capture how Ann is treating her. 2. set up doctor’s appointments for her father and Ann. If she’s faking, sooner or later it will come out. Like on the first ultra sound.

Evil Ann is the one who needs to grow up (or get struck by lightning, run over by the ugly truck, …)

Oh My God – now Les understands wisdom?? And coveys it to others?? (Yes, I know, Tiff said it a couple of days ago, but still…)

This comic just keeps getting better!

Les will invite Tiff to Irma’s meatloaf night family meal. Then we will have some fun table conversation and find out the truth about Ann.

But is Tom happy? Or, has Ann forced him to do that in order to make Tiff’s life a living nightmare while at the same time fleecing money from him without his knowledge.

Can you say ‘manipulation’, boys and girls?

GROW UP??!!! That’s the worst advice I’ve EVER gotten!

Tell, Tiffany, tell! Tell EVERYBODY! And sooner or later it will come out that Ann had a hysterectomy years ago.

Rather than join everyone in replying to another comment, I’ll just say this one ends with Les being ahead of Tiffany in maturity this round.

Still don’t believe she is pregnant. I think she was going to use it as a backup to get him to propose which he ended up doing anyways and she was going to get rid of the evidence when she came back but Tiff found it before she could SO she figured she could take advantage of Tiff until she comes up with her “I lost the baby” when she can’t keep up with the lie anymore.

Time to invite all her friends and throw her a baby shower! Dad will love it!

Say sweetly, “Oh boy! I can’t wait to go with you to your next check-up!”

Depends how far along she is. A lot of women wait to share the news until 2nd trimester.

This is about Les and Tiffany not Tom and Ann.

Gunther, where’s that casserole ?!!!!!

The way things are now, I would not put it past Ann to want Tiffany to quit her job at The Fuse. As long as Tiffany is doing chores at the house, she might as well add nanny/babysitting duties to the already long list. And Tom, being the idiot that he is, will be all for it, thinking he’ll have a full family at last.

And, if Tiffany refuses to leave her job, she’ll be the selfish one. Never mind her plans to start a sports spa.

I get that sometimes the adult thing to do is put up with something you don’t like for the sake of others, but she’s just a stupid kid here. It is obvious that Ann is a gold digger setting up a marriage trap. She is SO concerned over her boyfriend’s finances when Tiff wants to spend money, yet goes on expensive trips, eats at fancy restaurants, and otherwise spends thousands of dollars of HIS money on herself. She is not only cruel to Tiff but also to pretty much everyone around her (let’s not forget her Karen moment that got her banned from restaurant recently) and whether this baby is real or not (I still insist she’s faking it) she is only using it as a tool to get him to marry her faster so she can set up a divorce where she will take him for all she can. If the baby IS real she can even milk him for child support.

All this “grownup-edness” is prolly good but Ann…grrrrr.

“Say no more, say no more…” Nudge nudge!