Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 03, 2023

Oh Man! Sounds like Irma and Al love Tiffany and want her to stay forever.

Complaining about her not paying rent is ridiculous. She was never told she had to pay rent and I don’t think either of them pays rent.

It’s clear Al hates Bets. Wonder if he’ll ever learn to accept her?

Looks like Les will have to tell Tiff he wants his old room back, now that she’s well.

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So will they kick her out or make life at the Gulag very uncomfortable for our dear friend Tiffany? lol

Already the worried mother and stepfather for Gunther, aunt and uncle for Leslie.

So they knew about Tiffany and did not mind that she was living with two boys but instead are worried that they have left Tiffany on the Gulag. Also Al’s subdued tone in welcoming Bets suggests that he still doesn’t like that Black girl, Maybe he’s worried about the morality of Gunther shacking up with her but it almost sounds like racism.

But the writing is confusing because “did you leave her” seems directed at Gunther. Since Gunther is committed to Bets it sounds ( to me) that Irma is asking if Gunther has broken up with Bets.

Still it is illogical for Al to be upset with Gunther having sex with Bets but is OK with Tiffany living in Leslie’s room and for all anyone knows “pays” for it with sex. If Al was upset with BeGun then he ought to have been upset with Les and Tiffany

As I opined several times. Al & Irma LOVE Tiffany! I’m lovin this. This should be good!

They’ve made Al angry by showing up there with Bets and not Tiffany. If they are smart, they will reverse their plan before Al and Irma kick them both out and give their cottage to Tiffany.

I have a hunch that Tiffany will return from the party with the news that she is going to stay at the dorm.

Backfire

Did you leave her? No, she left. To go party. Next question?

Les can get his room back and offer Tiffany the chance to stay there. That way, Tiffany will likely move away without being kicked out.

Les and Gunther your plan just backfired. Tiff is loved by Al & Irma.

Ooops.

They like Tiffany. It isn’t always about racism. Personality means a lot.

Seems that they knew about Tiffany’s injury and don’t want her abandoned. After all, Tiffany came for care and comfort..

The boys will have to do their own work of removing Tiffany.

Yikes!

Tiffany is a charmer?

3rd Panel- Al Gray’s eyes?

I wasn’t expecting such concern for Tiff from Al and Irma. Forget about Gun and Less, maybe Tiff will end up as the middle of an Al and Irma sandwich. Calling Dagwood Bumstead.

I’m afraid Gunther and Les’ flawless plan won’t work. Irma and Al really seem to think of Tiffany as the daughter they never had, maybe they were even hoping that she and Gunther would get together and they see Bets as an obstacle without caring about what Gunther and Tiffany really want… But now I feel sorry, because I’ve thought the same many, MANY times.

Well…. Al is SOOO thrilled to see Bets… (not)..

Interesting considering we haven’t seen Irma or Mr. Gray interact with Tiffany even once. They seem very worried about her yet don’t seem to know that she’s completely recovered.

And yeah, Mr. Gray seems less than enthusiastic to see Bets. He clearly doesn’t like her. But at least he mentioned her, Irma ignored her presence completely.

Sufferin succotash.

There! See? “Gunthie.” I told you that woman was annoying. Bets was right.

So now, We are about to get to the “meat” of the matter and We haven’t even had dinner yet.

By their very rude “greeting” of “Where’s Tiffany?” It’s clear the Gray’s love Tiffany. Much better than they “like” Bets. Very telling.

But I want to hear them say they were okay with Tiffany staying rent free at the Gulag.

Say it out loud.

Right in front of Bets.

Some fans have said Al’s “racist.” I wouldn’t go that far. Not yet. In fact, When Al first met Bets back on 2021, he seemed to like her. Even had no problem with the idea that “Gunthie” might have “knocked her up.” That’s right on up until he found out she wanted to move in. It was Irma that was cool toward Bets, immediately referring to her as “Gunthie’s Friend.”

At any rate, and whatever the outcome, I don’t see Tiff getting kicked out of the Gulag. Heck, she’ll probably get an invite to stay with Al and Irma.

In fact, I’ll almost bet that the “subject” of Tiffany even staying the Gulag, never even comes up during dinner. And Bets, Gun, and Tiff will have to figure out to get rid of Tiff themselves

Either way, the Gray’s just insulted Bets. Again.

The Gray’s may not be bigots.

But they are most certainly hypocrites.

Simply say, “Tiff has gotten a lot better, even going to a party tonight. She’s even the reason we’ve come over. Since she’s better, we can face the fact the house isn’t big enough for three people. Les has been sleeping on the floor in the living room. So we’re hoping, she take it better if you suggest she move back to the door, instead of hearing it from us.”

Irma’s acting like she hasn’t seen Gunth and Les for years.

I think the parenting instinct is the reason Irma and Al care for Tiffany. They know that her Dad shows her no love. Tiffany has no real family structure.

Is Mr. Gray into young, rich, zaftig blondes?

Well! I always say misdirection play, which I learned watching football here in the Central Division, and even though he was a Viking I used to love Fran Tarkenton, but to put it in more usual terms, Luann is very much constructed around plot twists, and the insertion of Irma and Uncle Al in this situation is a he..l of a plot twist. A lot rides on it, and I think the Evan’s are carefully “pulling the trigger” on the hidden issue here. First on the greeting. Irma ignores Bets while she extols Tiffany. I don’t hate characters, and in fact my instinct is to defend them (comes naturally -:) and I try to find the “good” in them, so, for example, I don’t hate Tiffany and I try to point out the good things I see in her development. But Irma is the racist here, her firm hope is that Gunther somehow gets, as a gf, Tiffany, whom she thinks is far better for her precious Gunthie. UGH, UGH, UGH! I know those hypocrites from 76 years of searing existence in this great but troubled country. Don’t hate her, that is not allowed by my religion, but I’ve never liked her, and she has crushed her son’s spirit in so many ways, and now he has the temerity to love a Black woman! I’m not sure about Uncle Al. He is a man of the world and might have a more practical approach and his character, while agreeing with his wife, actually might see Bets as a far superior personality than Tiffany, far more complete of a person than Tiffany, and tons stronger than his passive-aggressive stepson, a worthy adversary as it were. Can’t people here see the tragicomedy story here? Tiffany is revealed to by a manipulative, shallow, user, of Gunther and Les but now we now know Irma and Uncle Al love Tiffany. This poor, little rich girl with serious daddy issues. Gcomics is limiting me here, but this is quite a plot twist. How they portray it will be very interesting.

Is Al in the I hate bets club like many in the comments?

“No sir. She off partying and telling everyone what an easy mark you are.”

Les, it is definitely time for you to get out of there. Gunther is hopelessly tied to Mama, but you can make a break for it.

It’s up to Les to fix this mess. But how do you find the discipline to tell the girl of your dreams that she can’t live here anymore?

Bets was right – seeing Al and Irma is annoying – for her. I never thought I would see the Irma character (the loving, caring one) portrayed as so rude. She doesn’t even acknowledge Bets’ existence. And Al, well he can barely stand to see her either. It’s obvious they don’t consider her an appropriate match for Gunther, and that they would like to see him with Tiffany. It’s good Bets and Gunther have a strong relationship, because that kind of stuff can be a real deal breaker.

Gunther’s mother is a very loving person, she might even love the woman who is in a relationship with her son. Unless it’s because Betts basically crashed with “the boys” over the summer, I don’t understand why Al seems so disapproving of Betts, and, then why does he seem to approve of Tiffany?

Tell us how you really feel about Bets, won’t you Al?

The two sons let Tiff stay in the house. Les should tell Tiff that since she’s well now and about to move about normally, she must vacate his bedroom. She can sleep on the sofa or recliner. In a short time she’ll move back either to the dorm or her mansion.

Looks like Al likes Bets as much as I do. LOL!

Wow, so now every one who has disliked Bets because of her controlling and narcissistic nature toward Gunth is assumed to do so because of the color of her skin?

Of course Al and Irma knew Tiffany was staying there. They had to have seen her car in the last 2 or 3 months.

Al clearly does not like Bets. Look how small his “And Bets” is in his word balloon. I wonder why he does not like her, but he likes Tiffany?

YUK!

I still think Al may tell the guys to leave and either rent or give the apartment to Tiff.

Well something certainly is at play here as I awake this morning. First, it seems that The Gray’s delight in Tiffany has Well! Something certainly is at play here as I awake this morning. First, it seems that The Gray’s delight in Tiffany has carried over from their first dinner meeting. Second, there is an implication that they are aware of Tiffany residing in the Gulag AND that she was in a condition not to be “left alone.” Third, Bets is getting short shrift on the attention meter for some as yet unrevealed reason giving weight to her “annoying” comment from yesterday. Fourth, while the Gray’s gush over Tiffany, the bloom seems to be off the rose for the other three. Fifth, Tiffany seems blissfully unaware of teapot tempest swirling about her.

Given the recent arcs with Tiffany – the Quad girls with all its troubles, the return to the McManse, scare and injury – it seems somewhat disturbing that some great disturbance in the Force" has occurred in Tiffany’s fortunes while we were away dabbling in romance novels and the return of Not-Piro.

With but one day to close out the week, Gnk seems to have many of the commenters “wrapped around the axle” with trepidation as to where all this is going. Even my friend 1212 has been lured away from his unshakable life position that “hilarity will ensue.”

Tomorrow’s strip is probably one on the most anticipated to have come along in a while. Stay tuned.

Is Al channeling Ward Cleaver? Why is he wearing a coat/tie for an informal dinner with 19 year old relatives?

will Bets say something? or will she remain silent to the “dis” ?

toon in tomorrow !

Backlash…big time!

Gee, with treatment like that is it any wonder Bets doesn’t like having dinner with these two? And yet commenters were getting their torches and pitchforks out yesterday.

Say “She’s not dressed! She was walking around in her underwear.” Mom will have her out in minutes!

Ok, Gunther! Get a backbone tomorrow and tell them how Tiffany is using them!

I forgot that Al was also taken with Tiffany. June 8, 2017. Wonder who’s going to tell them Tiffany’s at a dorm party and they want her gone. §:-o

Tiffany’s allowed, but not Bets. Okay. Momther and Al are pretty much hypocrites.

well… this is going well. %

Talking is a lot easier than doing.

Tiff is the daughter they never had!

Some tasks are more difficult than others. They are only done if the reward is great enough.

Interesting about Tiffany: How can somebody that seems so clueless be so manipulative?

Okay i’m shocked their both okay with tiff staying and in fact love her.. but i’m entirely on board with it.

Would have been easier to confront Tiffany. Maybe . . .

Smile,Uncle Al. The world isn’t in THAT bad a shape.

I must say the reaction of Al and Irma blew me away. Many have commented on possible racism. I hope that’s not the case. Back to square one. If the boys want Tiff gone, they’re going to have to grow a pair and tell her so. Unless she comes back from the party and announces that she is ready to move on. Don’t expect that as she has two boys waiting on her hand and foot.

Just say that like in t hat Marx Brothers movie,things are getting a little crowded in there.

Meanwhile,Punk is feasting on cold pizza.

Okay, that plan may not work as expected.

Ain’t happening with them it seems…..

Tiffany is not at all clueless, she knows exactly what she’s doing, else she would not be quite so manipulative. All knows what she went through with his sister (Ann) and her dad so there may be some affection there because of it. I agree, their treatment of Bets serves no useful purpose, except to alienate her and possibly Gunther as well, but I don’t believe racism plays into it. I’d like to think we’re headed toward some kind of reveal of Bets’ family. The girl is too secretive! And she likes to have the upper hand when it comes to Gunther and his family. She and Tiffany, as has been pointed out, are cut from the same cloth when it comes to playing people. This will lead to a battle of the fittest (or maybe wits?) between these two females, I’d wager.

Gunther, you don’t pay rent! Get a job, like Les has done!

I don’t think any of them pay rent.

Is there a chance Al is prejudice against Bets??

This is just goofy. GnK’s current version of slapstick, apparently.

On the other hand, advice columns are full of letters about parents who are this crazy.

Real story writing could explore parental favoritism in all its dimensions here. (Lookin’ at both Irma and Al.) But we’ll see.

to summarize:

Boy “G” is friends with girls “B” and “T” ….

Girl “B” is black.

Girl “T” is white.

Parents prefer/like girl “T” over girl “B”.

ipso facto, the parents must be racist ?

No. Tiff isn’t joining us because she prefers to party hardy at the dorm.

Al’s jacket looks like a lab coat. Doesn’t he ever take the tie off?

Irma doesn’t include Bets in her greeting and when Al says her name the font is smaller suggesting she is not important to them. But as I recall she had Christmas dinner with the Bergers in 2021 and they all looked happy. Mixed messages….

Perhaps Mr. Grey is an associate of Tiff’s dad…

Can Leslie Knox rise to the the squash challenge? I think not. Bets was right on; Irma and Al are concerned for “the dear girl”!

If Les & Gunther arn’t happy with the situation any more than they need to decide what all they want, set some boundaries, and talk with Tiff. Right now they sound like a couple whiney haters who weren’t invited to the dorm party. Bets take heed, competing with Gunny’s mom won’t end well. Gunther still has to set some boundaries.

Hmmm. Al saying “And Bets” in smaller letters is troubling. It is like he is minimalizing her.

So, it’s okay to not care for Tiffany, but if you don’t care for Bets, then you’re a racist.