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Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for August 16, 2016
Transcript:
Toni: I can't watch Shannon! I need to be at Brad's now! Man: But this is a major audition, sis! Toni: and this is a major wedding planning meeting! Man: So change it! I can't change the audition! Toni: Why do you do this, Jonah? Why is your life so chaotic?! Jonah: Mine? Shannon: Got your swimsuit, aunt Toni!
Flash Gordon over 8 years ago
Yes you, doofus, your life is total chaos. You do not deserve to have shannon. Meanwhile, Toni can take Shannon with her to âBwadâsâ place. After wedding planning they can think about ways to legally take Shannon away from mr doofusberg.
Dreamdeer over 8 years ago
I never noticed Toniâs tattoo before.
Templo S.U.D. over 8 years ago
this sure is one harsh sibling rivalry that their [late] parents canât stop
TexanAtHeart over 8 years ago
She shouldnât have answered the door.
wiselad over 8 years ago
Luann!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 8 years ago
Read Jonah todayâs Calvin and Hobbes.
TexanAtHeart over 8 years ago
Toni, call Luann. Sheâll go swimming with Shannon, But Jonah knew far enough in advance to have made arrangements. Someone should give Jonah a list of babysitterâs phone numbers. He needs to grow into his Daddy pants.
ericbrower over 8 years ago
Ironically, Jonah is right about one thing. His life is a lot smoother than Toniâs. Mainly because every time something happens, he dumps all his responsibilities on her and Brad.
I must say though; His barging in, and ordering her to change her plans for his benefit (not even really for Shannonâs) has got to be a new low.
margaretannehill over 8 years ago
I miss Quill. Wish he were back in the strip.
kenhense over 8 years ago
We may find out that Jonah is seeing a girlfriend sometimes when he claims there is an audition. I also note that Jonah doesnât seem to ever have any other friends to help â or any money to get a sitter. Also â Jonah makes the plans â swimming this time. The type of activity should be up to the sitter â maybe even taking Shannon along for the wedding plans. Sheâs old enough to understand Brad & Yoni need to make wedding plansâŠ
Mikeyj over 8 years ago
This was posted on my FB ticker tonight⊠real life Shannon!
blunebottle over 8 years ago
What Toni should say: âLack of planning on your part does not constitute a crisis on my part.â
Mikeyj over 8 years ago
Good pic, there, Mikey!^^Yeah, sheâs even got the eyebrows!
wingzero7X over 8 years ago
Toni about to stab him or clobber him XD
ironman01 over 8 years ago
Major explosion in 10, 9, 8,⊠Unfortunately Shannon will be in the blast zone.
luann1212 over 8 years ago
Man this a mess between those two siblings with a marriage and the life of an innocent child in the balance. Nobody canât say that this strip does not cover complicated subjects and interpersonal relationships. Jonah has the nerve to imply that Toni has a chaotic life, out of control. He is so selfish, and blind, and unwilling to take responsibility, and so used to dumping on his sister that all he is really doing is abusing Toni just as badly as Dirk ever did, but emotionally, while at the same time running away from the responsibility of dealing with his child because she is an impediment to his selfish life. This is Luannverse, with a clear analogue to real life issues. Makes it all so addictive doesnât it?
sactiger over 8 years ago
Jonah is really starting to p*ss me off now. Iâve know selfish jerks like that IRL â my ex-wife, for one. Note to Evans â either redeem him quickly, or âghostâ him.
wreck it ralph over 8 years ago
Does Jonah have a real job?
OneTime59 over 8 years ago
Appears Jonah is gonna get his way again. Toni wonât be able to turn down Shannon for a day at the beach, now that Shannon has already helped (with Jonahâs influence) make the decision by finding the swimsuit.
ravonlea over 8 years ago
I know Sunday Strips are generally stand alone , but if this is one of the times it isnât⊠then Luann canât take Shannon to the pool b/c she is with the Kidz 1st group taking them to work in the garden. This all could be happening on the same day, whether it be a Sunday or Monday: The fire call, the audition, the meeting w/ the wedding planner and the Gardening outing.
JayBluE over 8 years ago
âHas heâŠ.â (âȘ)
A) Lost his mind? (âȘ)B) Can he see, or is he blind? (âȘ)C) (Noticed) If Shannon rifles through Toniâs bureau drawers?OrâŠD) Does he even care, at all? (âȘ)
imbaldeagle over 8 years ago
Thatâs only PART of the swimsuit, Shannon.
Jogger2 over 8 years ago
I thought Toniâs Tatoo was temporary.
31768 over 8 years ago
yeah, and Iâm sure Shannon came from one of those âauditionsâ
imagenesis over 8 years ago
I hate it when losers are blessed with children!
Willywise52 Premium Member over 8 years ago
Just..sayâŠNOâŠToni.
JayBluE over 8 years ago
âUnconscious DecisionââIncensed And InsensibilityââGoofus And Gal- about -to -knock -you -outââTurn Around, Look At Me Herâ (âŹ)âPostcards From OblivionââAn Acute Case Of ObtuseââUnsuspecting At LargeââA Heedless GrapeââIgnorance Is Bliss JonahââAn Unconcerned CitizenââImpervious And ThemâorâIndifferent Strokesâ
caddymarie over 8 years ago
I REALLY hope she makes a stand here!
Mordock999 Premium Member over 8 years ago
Oh Good Grief, Toni! Just Give IN, Like You USUALLY Do and Take the Kid Swimming, for Cripes Sake! And When You Call and Tell Brad the âGood Newsâ and He Objects, Just Remind Him of what the Two Of You Agreed to in the August 3rd and 4th Strips.
You Remember. All that CRAP About âHaving Shannon Around MOREâ and âBalancing Schedules of Firefighters and (SNORT) âActorsâ and Brad Giving Up HIS âFree Time Offâ to Look after the Munckin?â Yeah, THAT.
Well Lady, HERE It IS.
Sarcasm Off
Argythree over 8 years ago
Thanks for your work on trying to resolve the issue of where Toni was trying to take her shower. I figured that she was at home because the plot needed her to be there after todayâs âtoon, because (1) Shannon wouldnât have been allowed back in employeeâs quarters in a station, and (2) the âtoon showed Shannon searching Toniâs clothes dresser to find her swimsuit while ignoring the angry discussion; that couldnât have happened in the fire station.
To me, though, a more important issue is how many posters yesterday were assuming that there were no shower facilities in the average fire house, or at least none for women fire fighters, as if Toni were the first woman fire fighter in the US or something, or as if this issue had not been dealt with before.
In fact, the issue of whether to handle showers through unisex or gender specific facilities has been a continual discussion in that industry. Anyone interested can find some of the discussion at www.firehouse.com/article/12086477/fire-station=design-supplement-gender-the-fire-station.
Whatever the ultimate design decision of a jurisdiction, the point is, showers for fire fighters have been incorporated into fire house design for some time, and not only has the gender issue been part of the discussion, but also the transgender issue is part of the discussion.
So, for those who think that Toni would naturally have to go home to shower; not likely. She is at home because the plot needs her to be at home, not because there are no shower facilities in the fire house.
Sisyphos over 8 years ago
Jonah is either totally delusional, or a lying con man, or entirely egocentric. There is no evidence that he ever has been or ever will be an actual employed, working actor. In fact, I continue to doubt that these never-ending auditions even really exist. Maybe he just dumps Shannon and goes off to play pool and drink beer with some equally unsavory buddies.Toni needs to lay down the law to Jonah. Shannon is his RESPONSIBILITY, not just an occasional option as suits his convenience! Call the Law down on him, Toni. Itâs for the best.
Tapatio75 over 8 years ago
He is always going to auditions, that means that he is not good enough to get the role, maybe a change of career?
Daniel J. over 8 years ago
She needs to stop being an enabler. As long as she continues to drop all her plans whenever he shows up asking for something, heâll continue doing it.
comicboyz over 8 years ago
Just donât use the tools in your hands against Jonah. Brad doesnât deserve to have a jailhouse bride.
jrankin1959 over 8 years ago
Toni, just tell him the truth: âShannonâs more mine and Bradâs daughter than yours â and we arenât even married yet!â If he still insists on the audition, thereâs little hope.
catshade over 8 years ago
Actually I believe Toni and Brad have more experience raising Shannon than Jonah. They can have custody while Jonah has visitation rights when decides to see his daughter. He needs to grow up and be an adult.
old_timey_dude over 8 years ago
Hit him with the wrench, Toni. Youâd be doing him a favor.
Schrodinger's Dog over 8 years ago
â18" is behind Bradâs big head in the top strip, so they are counting down 18, 17 (nearer) ⊠Toni must be in â16âin the bottom strip, because the angle is much larger, you see only the further door and not the nearer one.Actually, itâs very good continuity !
ACTIVIST1234 over 8 years ago
Stick to your guns, Toni. Betcha olâ Jonah can find another sitter.
ACTIVIST1234 over 8 years ago
Cross-strip alert: Toni, check out what Susan says today in âCandorvilleâ
comicboyz over 8 years ago
Jonah will never give up custody
ĂŠÂČ over 8 years ago
Man, this guy would be perfect as one of those irresponsible jerks that populate so many daytime soap operas. And all heâd have to do is play himself. Sad thing is, heâd think he is acting up a storm and wouldnât see the connection between his role and his reality.
Pointspread over 8 years ago
A fine job of solving that one! -Dr WatsonYou (hopefully) did put it to rest Brd.
whiteaj over 8 years ago
Hit him with your towel, Toni!
Schrodinger's Dog over 8 years ago
Toni, pulling the screwdriver from Jonahâs chest, " OK Shannon, help me wrap up your daddy in the shower curtain, so we can take him to the city dump" ( aside: âmy carâs trashed anyway since I had to drive home wearing those filthy firemanâs clothes!â). Back to Shannon: âThen weâll go swimming, OK?â
Doctor11 over 8 years ago
Johan is a selfish jerk who doesnât care about anyone except himself and doesnât deserve to be a father since heâs always pushing his own daughter on his sister, and doesnât care if he interferes with her life by doing so.
TORAD_07 over 8 years ago
I do hope Luann can save the day, but she might also be part of the wedding planning meeting (Toni needing a âmaid of honorâ).
In re: âadopting Shannonâ I agree that it would be difficult to prove Jonah âunfitâ as a parent, since he does ensure that someone takes care of Shannon when heâs not around. Itâs not like heâs leaving her alone or âabandoningâ her in that context. I think the only way it will happen is if they can convince Jonah to give her up voluntarily. And Iâm not sure heâll do that so easily.
Get ready for the wedding âdrama and trauma.â
Pointspread over 8 years ago
If Toni does anything but say ânoâ to Jonah then she is still the doormat she was for Dirk. The brat takes after her father (itâs all about me) so it would be good if Shannon hears why Toni will not be looking after her. That way she can start learning about responsibility. SOMEONE has to teach her, and it wonât be her dad.
CalvinRocket over 8 years ago
Your lack of planning does not make it my emergency..
LeePIII Premium Member over 8 years ago
Too bad, so sad. Iâm going to Brads. Make other arrangements. Perhaps you need to miss the audition, because I am NOT giving up this for you. Face up to your responsibilities.
StarWarsGuy500 over 8 years ago
Stab him with the screwdriver Toni! Make him suffer! MUHAHAHAHA!!!!!âŠ..UmâŠsorry about that.
ct0760 over 8 years ago
finally she takes a stand, although I have a feeling sheâs still gonna end up bringing shannon along who will make a mess of things
CynthiaLeigh over 8 years ago
Toni could do the usual â pawn the kid off on Luann.
Vorticia over 8 years ago
There are ways to fix thisâŠwhere doofus gets his way as well. However, I agreeâŠhe is a not so great dad. It might be in the best interest for all if Shannon permanently stayed with Toni and BradâŠJonah could visit in between auditions.
Endunamoo over 8 years ago
Dude.. I wouldnât have answered the door.
3pibgorn9 over 8 years ago
Itâs not chaotic, itâs thoughtless and irresponsible.
Ron Dunn Premium Member over 8 years ago
Anyone else notice the squiggly line on the left side of the dresser drawer? Was there something warm on it and Shannon bumped it while finding Toniâs swim suit?
gcaldwel over 8 years ago
I bet you there isnât even a audition, he just goes and hangs out with his friends and get high.
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 8 years ago
If they decide to take Jonahâs behavior into actual pathology, which i kind of doubt, then Borderline Personality Disorder will be one possibility. Should he ever totally freak if he realizes that Brad comes before him for Toni (which will have to happen if their relationship is to work), or â worse â wants to tell Toni how to write her Will or insurance to favor him over Brad then you will know they decided to go there⊠(In Borderline Personality Disorder the people honestly do believe that others should place them first and that no matter how badly they treat those others that should still be the natural response. It can be a little hell at times interacting with such individuals.)
ToetagProductions over 8 years ago
Hit him with the wrench and knock some sense into the creep.
muffin05 over 8 years ago
The point isnât about Jonahâs life being chaotic, itâs about his inconsideration and irresponsible parenting. He is allowed to believe that Toni has to adjust her life to suit his needs. He needs to take Shannon along with him wherever he needs to go instead of her dong so. And Shannon may be an innocent victim, but she will grow up to be manipulative and guilting people if she isnât allowed to be disappointed once in a while. Toni has her hands full and needs to tell him her life counts too.
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 8 years ago
Great catch w the doors!
BJShipley1 over 8 years ago
Itâs unfortunate that Shannon has to pay the price, but using her as leverage is emotional blackmail. Itâs not Toniâs problem, and whatever happens is not her fault.
locake over 8 years ago
That is a heavy wrench Toni is holding. Jonah might not want to anger her right now.
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 8 years ago
Oh, i see that squiggly line. It is ABOVE the pulled out section of the top dresser drawer. You are right. A person has to wonder what it might be.
locake over 8 years ago
Toniâs mistake is to get emotionally involved in Jonahâs problems and argue whit him. She should calmly tell him one time that she has other plans, then go take her shower and get dressed. Then leave and lock her door behind her. If Jonah has left Shannon there she can take the child with her to her meeting. A child at a wedding planning meeting would be a little distracting, but not enough to cancel the meeting.
Toni could report Jonah to Child Protective Services for abandoning Shannon, but that would be a little drastic. She could leave Shannon alone in her apartment and claim she didnât know that Jonah left her there, since she already told him she could not watch the child. Neither of those choices would be best for Shannon.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member over 8 years ago
Time to call Child Services. Take the kid away from Jonah for a while until he takes responsibility.
Schrodinger's Dog over 8 years ago
i Think the squiggly line in the third panel is symbolic of things settling back in after Shannonâs rummaging.
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member over 8 years ago
7Again, interesting on a variety of levels to me:1. Jonah is being made to look like an even worse jerk than usual today. His smarmy reply of âMine?â to his sister really irks me. 2. It appears to me that Greg has written Jonahâs utterance of âMAJORâ in the âBut this is a major audition, sis!â line in italics. If it is really meant to be italics, as it appears, this is a very interesting and subtle technique Greg usedâŠ. to me it suggests that Jonah views everything concerning himself as âMAJORâ, but that we readers (and presumably Toni) realize that most of Jonahâs âMAJORâ events are really minimally important.3. From the odor curl in the last panel, it appears that Toni must put some of her dirty clothes back into her chest-of-drawers. This seems really odd to me, but perhaps in a small apartment putting odoriferous clothes back into a dresser is a common approach as she likely has to use a clothes washer either at a laundromat or some distant location.4. From what my wife tells me, most folks with blond hair and a very light complexion would not typically buy a lot of yellow clothes as it would not be typically very âflatteringâ. So, it is interesting that Toni appears to have a stereotypical yellow, polka-dot bikini. :) 5. I am probably too much of an old fuddy-duddy about such things, but I am not overly fond (read as, I dislike) that Toni sports a tattoo. Yes, I realize that a sizable percentage of young people her age sport tattoos, many of them ENORMOUS. But, unfortunately, I still am not fond of them at all. In my OPINION, tattoos never ADD class to a personâs appearance. The best one can hope for is that the tattoo is neutral in terms of affecting a personâs appearance, IMO.
50srefugee over 8 years ago
This is a âmajor wedding planning meetingâ, because if Toni fails to attend, or is even much later than she already is, Brad might well conclude that Toniâs actively avoiding the wedding. She hasnât shown many signs of enthusiasm.
âStringing the mark alongâ is the phrase that pops into my mind.
===
Toni must no show up to a wedding planning date with a another manâs child in towâeven her niece.
Brad would be absolutely within his rights to demand that Toni chose, on the spot, between him and Shannon.
He needs to know, if heâs smart, that she is in fact marrying him and that she intends to start a family with him, instead of hiring him as a live-in nanny for her niece.
===
Of course, Iâm still not sure why Toni needs to marry Brad in the first place. She seems perfectly competent and willing to run her own life.
ACTIVIST1234 over 8 years ago
Love Shannon in the 2nd panelâ unlike her dad, sheâs a real go getter. Makes plans and gets things going! Must have gotten that from her momâs genes.
comicboyz over 8 years ago
All,I have to admit with all of the edgier arcs lately, this one, to me, is the edgiest. Not in content but in the larger and deeper themes of parenting and being a good one.
TORAD_07 over 8 years ago
Hey, I forget⊠which Daytona sibling is the older?
seismic-2 Premium Member over 8 years ago
Jonah is not a totally irresponsible person. He apparently keeps Shannon well clothed, fed, and healthy. Remember that Shannonâs Mom took off as soon as the child was born, so in all likelihood she and Jonah had only a brief relationship, never a marriage, and the baby was almost certainly unplanned. In those circumstances, how many young, single guys would even have kept the baby that their girlfriend abandoned? Surely most would simply have put the child up for adoption, but Jonah apparently did feel responsibility for the child, and having lost both his parents, perhaps he also wanted a family. So he is not a totally irresponsible person.Jonah needs someone to straighten him out on how single parents arrange day-care or their children, but instead we are being led to demand that it would be in everyoneâs best interest â especially Shannonâs â if he were no longer her Dad, since Brad and Toni have done such as great job as babysitters. Sure, there are some chomped fingers and holes smashed into the wall with sledgehammers that we are asked to overlook, but even if we do that, is it really in Shannonâs best interest to uproot her from the only home sheâs known, from the father whom she clearly loves, and from the person who has in fact cared for her for most of her life? Obviously, that is what will happen here (when some audition does in fact lead to Jonahâs getting an acting job far, far away), but it seems like overkill for addressing a straightforward childcare problem, and I cannot see it as actually being a good thing for the child.
Terminal Frost Premium Member over 8 years ago
I am beginning to think that Jonah is a wasted zygote.Letâs just suppose he makes it as an actor. He would be required to put in all kinds of weird hours, possibly travel to locations, etc. so he would have even LESS time for his kid.
Argy.Bargy2 over 8 years ago
security âblanketâ
Exactly! Very well put!
Caldonia over 8 years ago
Maybe donât have this argument right in front of the child
Schrodinger's Dog over 8 years ago
.Brad got his matching one the next day.
Luanaphile over 8 years ago
So far I am giving Toni a B+. She is keeping her anger in check, and has explained that she has a prior commitment, every bit as important as Jonahâs audition. Bringing up the âchaoticâ bit, however true, precludes an A-. Jonah manipulates his sister by raising Shannonâs expectations. Sadly, there may be no way to maintain healthy boundaries without disappointing Shannon.
SactoSylvia over 8 years ago
Iâm glad your âIâd have been born with itâ attitude doesnât apply to clothing⊠at least as far as your avatar photo is concerned! ;)
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member over 8 years ago
Brdshtt⊠I am not sure if you were specifically replying to me or not, but the âsquiggly lineâ above the clothesâŠ. to meâŠ. looked like it represented odors. That is why I was wondering about it. I do not think I would not have interpreted it as âupheavalâ as others have suggestedâŠ.. without the suggestions. So, I am still glad I asked the question and made suppositions about it, otherwise I would not have gotten the insight of others. But, to me, your comment at the end âI mean, it is critical to the story, and all that, you knowâŠâ seems a bit on the biting and mean side to me. I am not sure why the idea of talking about what the squiggly line meant would provoke that sort of response in you. You usually do not respond in a biting or mean fashion. So, if I misinterpreted your intent, I apologize. If, however, your intent was to be mean and biting towards my questioning of the âsquiggly lineâ⊠now at least you have a better understanding of why I think it was something useful to comment on, even if you personally do not think it was appropriate to discuss.
Wooded trail over 8 years ago
say no and let him watch his own child.
Train 1911 over 8 years ago
He trying to keep them from a wedding
ohwhatever over 8 years ago
Whatever happened to Aaron Hill?
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 8 years ago
And it seems that he regards Toni as his security âblanketâ!Perhaps this time she will decide to be a âwet blanketâ
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member over 8 years ago
BrdshttâŠ. okâŠ. I am sorry. I just wasnât sure this time what your comment meant. BTW, I am very glad you wrote a reply back to me. It was helpful.
Make Mine Marvel over 8 years ago
A lot of people here seem to be furious with Fishbait for being an irresponsible parent, always taking Toni for granted. I donât disagree, and Iâm willing to believe that some of his âauditionsâ are really no such thing.
I do think itâs fair to point out, though, that Toniâs been enabling this situation for most of Shannonâs six years. While itâs certainly wrong for Fishbait to treat his sister as he does, itâs partly her fault that heâs never really thought about building up a network of backups.
There are more than one guilty party in this situation. Iâd like to see this arc result in some serious growth for all three Daytonas, but I wouldnât bet money on it.
And as a PS, Iâll repeat what Iâve said before, that B&T have already made a place in their relationship for Shannon, she knows it, and has benefited greatly from their love and support. Shannon herself will have something to say about all this, you just watch!
Make Mine Marvel over 8 years ago
And the squiggly line is clearly a swaloop, indicating recent motion, rather than a waftarom, indicating aroma. Any fool can see that!
ashfae over 8 years ago
I really, really want to kick Jonah in the head. What a clueless, inconsiderate ass. Poor Shannon.
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 8 years ago
Frank, in a past strip Jonah took Shannon to a party of adults and had her keep to herself to a bedroom in the host or hostessâ home.
jsanfor over 8 years ago
He needs a major boot to the head.
GuntherGrass over 8 years ago
Or swallowed by a whale?
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 8 years ago
Bryan and spread,Trilogy is not new here and neither am i. I also do not consider Shannon to be a brat. She has had a bad example, but when given a chance she was willing and able to become a much kinder childer, something you also mention, Bryan. Perhaps it is a definition thing. If she did not try to grow and become a better child then i coukd see using that word, but not with her growth in personality.
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member over 8 years ago
I thank everyone for the various interpretations about the âsquiggly lineâ. To me I would have not considered the line to represent anything BUT an odor without your suggestions. To my manner of thinking, a âmini tornadoâ would have been drawn to show dishevelment. Now, with your help, I can see the squiggle in that same sort of âdisheveledâ fashion.
Luanaphile over 8 years ago
Jonah is fascinating to me. He is some kind of primordial force. Self-assured, clear about his passions, distressing anyone close, but centered, together. Whatâs the answer to these kind of people?
Schrodinger's Dog over 8 years ago
What??!!! Itâs a joke !!!!!
Schrodinger's Dog over 8 years ago
God forbid !!!! ouch !!!!!
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 8 years ago
Hey, anyone who enjoys beach volleyball: the first set was great and the second set will start soon. INCREDIBLE playing! It is 11:40 EST now
gromit82 over 8 years ago
I have to say that Jonah has gotten to the point where he is annoying me as a reader. (By contrast, TJ might be annoying to deal with if I had to deal with him personally, but as a character in a comic strip he is more entertaining than annoying.)Even if Jonah was sure he could impose upon Toni to take care of Shannon during his audition, why would he specifically promise Shannon a trip to the pool if he couldnât take her there himself?
Argythree over 8 years ago
SPOILER
Someone is whining about not achieving a desire because of inadequate âhelpâ. Hint: the whinerâs name is not Shannon.
Argythree over 8 years ago
LOL!!
JayBluE over 8 years ago
security âblanketâ!^Yep!
Trainman over 8 years ago
I want to see her in that swimsuit! I have been waiting for years!! Letâs get it on!