Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for November 21, 2011

Yeah, sure. Brad really believes that line. Another scheme, and, for once, TJ is not the instigator.

Something to do with finding him a job, I guess. I don’t think it would be Toni’s plan of revenge on TJ for the Eiffel confrontation, which means Toni is stupid enough to get involved in another scheme with him, which means she deserves whatever she gets.

Poor, gullible TJ. Knowing him, he probably believes Toni wants to “have a fling” with him.

Brad was not fooled by TJ’s lame explanation. But, I think it has something to do with Thanksgiving. Maybe cooking for the firefighters at her station? Maybe a surprise for Brad about getting recalled to duty?

I think it’s high time I acknowledged what the numbers bear out – that Mojitoaby’s commentary has positively impacted traffic in this forum. Hey, Mo: there’s a career waiting for you as a forum booster!

Methinks Toni will lit into TJ for his harebrained idea to go and see Ann and nearly costing her relationship with Brad.

Yay! We’re back to a Brad/TJ/Toni arc. I think if it had something to do with getting Brad a new job, Toni wouldn’t be trying to keep it secret. So, I believe it has something to do with planning Eiffel’s comeuppance. … Going to bed now, as I am too tired to make the obligatory “TJ is gay joke.” I’m guessing Josh will cover that on Comics Curmudgeon.

Just realized something. TJ really needs to talk on the phone more quietly. Between Brad overhearing the thing about Toni threatening to hit Ann and now Brad overhearing his shifty roommate talking about secrets, TJ needs to talk more quietly when he’s hiding something. Otherwise, I can’t see him ever doing very well as leader of the Mafia. … So, is TJ one of those people who shouts his head off whenever he is talking on his cell phone? Or does scheming just get him excited? Like he’s thinking, “Finally! I get to do something besides cooking and washing dishes! Time to think up a crazy scheme, the only other role I play in this strip!”

What a s*** eating grin on TJ’s face!

First truthful words out of TJ’s mouth in I can’t remember how many strips and it’s “I love Seacrest…” Ryan is shuttering somewhere right now.

TJ’s pun is a totally transparent attempt to cover. What does Toni have in mind? What might Brad now do? I don’t know, but TJ’s involvement usually spells disaster-in-the-making….

I like the idea Brad is coming back to the Fire Dept. My 3rd time saying Brad will be back.

Smooth as chunky peanut butter.

@ShagsCA

My elders always told me never trust anyone with an “S”-eating grin. They quoted that from their friends.

TJ loves Seacrest? I thought he was straight. Meaning TJ.

While I admit it seems likely that Toni’s surprise will involve Brad’s return to the active firefighting duty, I am shocked that no one here has suggested the possibility that she’s going to propose to him!

She knows Brad wants to marry her, she feels empowered after standing her ground to protect her turf, and she knows he is in need of a pick-me-up after walking out on his job.

Could she be ready to take the leap?

Dear Greg,TJ is a sneak! He’s just as slimy as Tiffany, he merely disguises himself as a friend. PLEASE get rid of him!Sincerely,a reader in Indianapolis

I wonder if Toni is going to quit to Brad will get recalled?

Brad’s getting sharper at cutting through BS.

Probably a Thanksgiving gift of a position for Brad and a surprise party to spring the good news by the two conspirators.

Geez That was fast. I guess that talent contest got boring already. See ya later

TJ bailed on Toni and let her take all the blame for his stupid idea. I’d say he’s about to get burned.

What gave it away is that Brad knows no one could love that little twerp Ryan Seacrest!

The game is afoot, with two of the sneakest people in the world at large.

TJ reminds me of what I hate about dung beetles….their stupid little s***-eating grins…..

Awwww, Mojitobaby – you broke my heart ;-( Here I thought you were an authority on everything and yet you said yesterday, “@Bill the Butcher – Thanksgiving’s always the last Thursday in November – it’s the 24th.”

Actually, Thanksgiving is observed on the every fourth Thursday of November. The holiday is celebrated in remembrance of the pilgrims and in order to give thanks.

2011 – Thursday, November 24th,2012 – Thursday, November 22nd

After Toni’s little escapade with Eiffel, her proposing to Brad would just be another emasculation job on him—typically, the man proposes (yeah, yeah, equal rights, it’s not as unusual now, etc., etc.) and Brad would just see it as Toni once again, not letting him do it in his way and in his time. But hey, what do I know? With her being a firefighter, she can carry him over the threshold…..

I bet Toni’s pregnant

WHAT?!!?

TJ is STILL Alive after That stunt he pulled??

Brad:

WHY is TJ STILL living under Your Roof?WHY is TJ talking to Your Girlfriend?WHY haven’t You POUNDED the Virtual CRAP Outta TJ?!!!?

I’m just glad this storyline hasn’t been dropped for a short time and another takes its place.

So either Toni is going to get back at TJ i n the Firestation, or Brad has a very good chance of getting his job back.

Either one will be fun to watch.

Brad is behaving like he doesn’t know of TJ’s involvement in his dismissal. I think he does. I’m betting that he and Toni cooked up a plan to get TJ the same way he gets everybody else – with a scheme. TJ’s being lured to the fire house to receive a little justice.

Whats Up?

….or the Steve Allen show…

Toni is planning something special for the holidays and want’s TJ’s help. Given that TJ is a master chef, it seems reasonable so far. Murphy’s law will raise its ugly head soon, though.

Either that, or Toni needs TJ to fly with her to L.A. as her agent to firm up the Eyez of Zeye movie part. They will be on the same plane as Tiff and Quill.

Scenario 1: TJ arrives at the fire station, Toni: Oh, TJ, after that whole Ann Eiffel fiasco, I realized that Brad is a butthole, and you are the only one I want.Scenario 2: TJ arrives at the fire station, Toni: Hey, TJ, thanks for comin’. Let’s talk about why Brad won’t talk to me and how I can make our relationship stronger.Reply to this comment saying which scenario you like best.

Agreed – I think Toni’s working some kind of deal or exerting some sort of leverage to get Brad’s job back. TJ cooking for free may be involved..EIther way I fear we’re gonna run up against a lot more “you can’t do that in real life” circumstances that are applied solely because they resolve the current problem quickly.

@Dragongirl neither. The only reason I conceive is that the fire station wants to give Brad a surprise party or reward/award. TJ is only useful as Brad’s roomate.

TJ isn’t gullible…also he’s a good freind …BUT…can’t think of a better guy to call when ya wanna hide a body ;)

more than likely its more to do with TJ’s cooking skills and a surprise holiday by Toni

You couldn’t be more wrong..Brad is the one who’s pregnant.Toni and TJ are arranging a surpise baby shower for him at the firehouse. And altho those two-stripe-sleeve shirts of his look fairly roomy, I hope some stretchy maternity wear tops will be among the gifts.

When Toni was apologizing to Brad, the fact that TJ was the mastermind behind Brads firing was not yet mentioned. It now appears that the making up is over. Brad “appears” to have never been told of TJ’s involvement. Do you think Toni took all of the blame? Of course not. Brad knows everything. He and Toni have arranged something special for TJ. And TJ is easy to motivate. Tell him you have a secret and you have his complete attention. Unless Toni has decided to get TJ back all by herself for TJ’s trechery, Brad knows all about it. And if he doesn’t yet know, he soon will.

My guess is, dinner and a proposal… And she needs a cook.

T.J. is so adorable.<3

You heard it here first kids…. Brad tails TJ to the firehouse to find out that the secret is TJ meeting Toni behind his back, and I’m sure that from his observation point, peeking through a window, he sees a “thank you” hug as more than that…. take it from there……

Toni has wised up. She has figured out that TJ is an idiot and made the call to him to get him out of the apartment and she will soon be seen knocking on the door while Brad is home alone. I hope it is not for adult activities, but we shall see

If Brad hits the redial button on the phone and Toni answers after hearing “secret” in a conversation it may lead to some drama.

So, who ended up eating the pickles? Is that supposed to be TJ’s lunch?

It’s amazing, and kinda fun the way people can give life to semi-abstract art. (I earlier called it semi-surreal, in error). Greg has a cast of characters that people actually pull for or try to predict. It’s almost like a soap opera. The girls are better looking and mature than the boys, but that’s the way it is. My only problem is that the teachers all look like they should have retired centuries ago. Also, wish I saw more of Puddles.

Hi. New to this discussion, but this is my favorite strip.

Definitely pro Brad/Toni, but I wonder what will become of TJ once they do marry. I hope the Thanksgiving secret is the re-hire. The wedding might still be a bit off, although Brad seems to have passed the “parenting” test with Toni’s niece.

As an interesting twist to the “re-hire,” perhaps Toni, in an effort to repent for her Ann Eiffel faux pas, will arrange for Brad to take her position on the FD and she will go unemployed (assuming the same FD budget issues). Far fetched, I know, and I trust Brad would refuse this. But, hopefully, it would show Brad how much Toni cares about him.

The longer term concern is how they will handle Luann & her classmates’ aging process. They can’t stay in High School forever. Will they all go to the same local college? Or at least be able to hang out together? That transition is where I think we might see a Brad/Toni wedding.

Hopefully :-)

Holy crapping pancakes, Batman, how is Brad “smart”? If Brad’s “smart” then Luann’s a genius. He’ll “bide his time” because he has no clue what’s going on. I’d love to have him across a poker table from me. Derp.

@ mallardjusted

Brad doesn’t buy the Seacrest/Secret bit which wouldn’t fool anyone, but he’s not any more infomed than he was before so “biding his time” is not a mastermind choice. He may be an adult, and he’s a nice and decent guy and occasionally heroic but IIRC he’s always the last to know. It took him the entire weenieworld arc to figure out what Ann Eiffel was up to.

Do people outside southern caifornia know that Seacrest was the radio announcer for STAR98.7 before American Idol ever came to pass?

I hope this isn’t about revenge on Anne Eiffel…Brad is well rid of her despite the circumstances of how it happened. Knowing Toni, I have a feeling that this will be more constructive than DEstructive.

It strikes me that Toni wants to see TJ at the fire station because 1) it’s more public than an apartment, or 2) it involves the fire department. It is secret because it involves Brad and 1) it’s a commendation and/or an opportunity, 2) it could be embarrassing to Toni if he found they were meeting together, or 3) Brad could be angry with Toni if he found out. It involves TJ because 1) he is Brad’s roommate or 2) because of TJ’s culinary skills. Seems to be related to Thanksgiving and a public feast probably to benefit the unemployed..With that in mind – I have lots of opportunity to be partly right, but be miserably wrong. At least I’ll probably know within 3 days.

Oh, yes – it’s amusing because Toni is proposing a scheme to TJ instead of the opposite – which ALWAYS happens!

I smell an Eiffel Plan. She might have Toni held hostage or something. There is something wrong……

I’ve said it before, TJ will be a lawyer or surely need one…

Eiffel’s history. It was a hoky name anyways. My guess it’s a surprise for Brad to make up for interfering.

I liked the name Ann Eiffel. It’s better than calling her, Smelda Armpitz from Germany.

I bet it’ll never happen – or at least, not until the end of the decade. If they married, the dynamics of the relationship would just tank – no conflict, no edge, no nuthin’.

And as Greg’s stated before, “happily ever after” is great for fairy tales, not for comic strips.

“Conflict is funny, harmony isn’t”.

That would be “no”.

Maybe TJ and Toni blackmail Ann Eiffle into making a substantian donation from weinie world. The extra money enables the fire department to rehire Brad?

b|bIf they married, the dynamics of the relationship would just tank – no conflict, no edge, no nuthin’.b|b

Nonsense. In For Better or for Worse, married life portrays plenty of conflicts and interesting storylines. Maybe it is just that Lynn Johnston was better at it than Greg? Nancy and Frank hardly have conflicts.

They could be on the West Coast, like me. It’s 10:51 here and I’ll be going to bed soon. I usually read Gocomics when they renew a little after 10 PM Pacific time (1 AM Eastern time).

You keep insisting that Greg’s ulterior motive is to somehow bring Brad and Toni and Crystal and Knute into the strip on an equal billing basis, a sort of “Luann’s World” where that universe is exploredmore inclusively – but this spin is not what he actually says.

If there was a “Reader-Meter” that measured interest in “Luann” it would’ve taken a big dip today. When “Luann” is about Brad and Toni – interest goes up. When it’s about most anything else, borrr-ring. One thing that helps make the Brad/Toni storyline compelling is the fact that it’s not THE story. It’s doled out in snippets. If it was all B/T, all the time, it would quickly run itself into the ground.Other characters have stories to tell… And the strip IS called “Luann” – even though she may be (to some) the dullest title character in the comics. So I’m afraid the meter’s just going to have to dip.

And that conflict is one-note. Henpecked husband, miserable wife. Not much “writing” involved there, guys..It’s a total trope, and whether it’s Maggie and Jiggs or Cora and Dithers, or The Lockhorns, it’s only good for tired gag-a-day strips – the same joke dressed in slightly different clothing. Talk about deadly..Hey, if you want to kill off a good relationship, be my guest. .Now – anyone remember how long “Moonlighting” lasted after David and Maddie hooked up? Yeah, “about 3 minutes” is right. People got bored, the thrill was gone.

that grins not fooling any one tj!!!