Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for June 28, 2017

When ya comin’ home, Dad? I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then. You know we’ll have a good time then.

‘tis always about your life, Jonah, and never about your sister’s life

At least he brought all her stuff to ensure that she will feel at home while at Aunt Toni’s.

I think second lead in movies is the guy who is the supportive friend of the female lead whom she will ignore in favor of the rich, good-looking guy.

Based on his outfit, he’s taking the second lead at the Renaissance Festival.

“Can you believe it?”

No, I can’t. Second lead in what? A movie? A play? Either one, he’s going to be gone considerably longer than four days. And according to what someone commented yesterday, Jonah’s talent is mediocre at best. So who would give him second lead in anything? (Except maybe a porn film.)

What a selfish jerk. And we have people who defend this character? It’s hard to know if this is where he basically leaves her, or something happens, but I have a feeling that it might be the time.

Hmmm…..I wonder if Toni is rethinking her speech to Brad, right now- the one she made during their discussion right after the Fuze Follies were over?

I agree with Claudette’s comments. All of that luggage, dollhouse and various toys for 4 days? I doubt it. More like 4 weeks or 4 months.

Think he’ll survive the tour?

“L’enfer, c’est les autres” or “Hell is other people.” Jean-Paul Sartre. From “Huis Clos”, (“No Exit”).

Well, well. How decent of Jonah to thank them without asking if it might be okay to do this.

How does Jonah always know when Toni is actually available?

Judging by the pile of luggage, etc, he doesn’t have any intention of coming back for Shannon. Time will tell….what a JERK!

Well, he’s an unfit parent- probably the only reason they put up with him- for the sake of the child. Some honeymoon- roommate, brother-in-law, kid… Bad start to a marriage.

Toni or Brad needed to inform the self-important Jonah that he will regrettably have to turn down this opportunity, as they are unable to take Shannon for an extended stay on such short notice. Oh so sorry. (Next time, don’t alienate those whom you hope will be supportive of you.)

Second lead means he follows the first elephant into the circus arena and picks up any doodoo that drops in the sawdust.

For someone that selfish, I’m surprised that Jonah kept Shannon instead of putting her up for adoption.

“Second lead” sounds more like getaway driver in a bank heist.

Jonah is a loser and one of these days he will be at the wrong place at the wrong time and won’t be coming back.

I wonder why Shannon has a toy microphone?

And I wonder when Jonah found the time to pack all this stuff up for Shannon, but couldn’t find a spare minute to call Toni to make sure it was okay to bring her there…

“A Dumpster Named Jonah”

“Oblivion And Off”

“Assume The Imposition”

“Overnight Sensational”

“And I’m Crazy, For Tryin’…” (♪)

“Am I My Brother’s Daughter’s Keeper?”

“While This Cat’s Away…No One Plays”

“Whim, Lose Or Draw Forth Some Feelings”

“Don’t Cry Over Spoiled Plans”

“Gimme Shelter!” (♬)

“Vacation, All I Ever Wanted!….” (♪)

“…I Think It Was The Forced Of July” (♪)

“A Better Irritate, Than Ever!”

“Careless Whisper-er” (♩)

“Now, The World Don’t Move, To The Beat Of Just One Bum…” (♪)

“The Cat Left The Cradle, For A Part In Silver Spoons …” (♪)

“The Actor And The Gilded Cage”

“Time Off, In A Bottle” (♬)

“Who Lacks Relax?”

“It’s So Quiet, You Can Hear A Plan Drop!”

or

“Spoiler Alert!”

The director probably mis – dialed Jonah.

.

Either that, or in the Viva® paper towel demonstration commercial, the first lead gets to use the Viva® brand paper towels and Jonah gets to use the other leading brand.

Maybe Greg is thinking about killing off Jonah??Not many jokes in a childless marriage…and letting nature take it’s course, you wouldn’t have a child who could talk about until about 2044, Luann time.

Seriously, Shannon should file for legal custody … and then have Jonah pay child support. He’s the classic “deadbeat dad” already.

On the bright side, Brad and Toni are getting plenty of practice on being parents!

They should have booked a holiday away from the apartment as soon as they knew they had some time off! And definitely NOT told Jonah where they were going!

“Second Lead” Is that the understudy that gets the lead if the lead gets appendicitis?

That’s why Jonah is a bad actor. He has no clue what his audience thinks.

The great gig that Jonah has secured is “Eyez of Zeye 2, Presbyopia.”

ok…temporary interruption, but while Shannon is sleeping…“where were we?!”

My overall sense is that things would turn out far better for Shannon if this worthless bit of irresponsible, sponging bit of human detritus would OD on something and have Brad and Toni to raise her. Not that I would wish such a drastic life change on anyone just starting out in marriage, but Jonah is bad medicine.

Awwwwww, isn’t that SWEET? Panel 3: Trusting little Shannon in the Mighty Arms of Her Uncle Brad. You know, I’m tempted to drop My opposition and join the raising chorus of those calling for the kids adoption.

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaw.

Yo Brad? Tomorrow, Take the kid to fire station and let Her ride on the fire truck and wear a fireman’s helmet. Then take her for ice cream.

It’ll soften the blow when you sit Shannon down and carefully explain to Her what a Bum her father REALLY Is…..,

The other day I’d referred to negative responses to Jonah’s acting ability, and a couple of folks asked which strips were pertinent. I posted a response, but very late. In case they didn’t see it, and in case anyone else is interested, here’s what I wrote then. “June 3 and 4, 2011. Jonah on stage in ‘Les Misérables.’ Toni, Brad, Quill, and Luann in the audience, all agree afterward that he is awful, can’t sing, dance, or act. They are incredulous that he can believe he’ll be able to make a career of it, much less become a star. In the strip of 6/3, Toni characterized him as delusional. So, not ‘reviews’ as such, but the unanimous opinion of those who had come out to support his efforts.”

So just where is the mother of this kid? Dead or even more of a weasel than her father?

Am I the only person who thinks that this is all BS and Jonah just wanted to unload Shannon so he could go party for a while?

Nobody should have a child unless he or she wants one. They should not have a child unless they intend and are able to tend to it.

How typical this strip reflects so much of society today. People having kids and not wanting to take responsibility for them.

Looks like Toni’s robe got a few inches longer since yesterday’s article.

Also fascinated by how much STUFF he found time to pull together for her but it’s a last minute phone call.

Brad and Toni looks after Shannon for short periods of time each year, who takes care of her the rest of the time? Jonah???

I’ve been disappointed with the story lines lately so hopefully this will be a good one.

All really good comments this time people,way to go.

@jimmjonzz True enough, there’s ample evidence Jonah is a terrible actor, but then again, 4 days is about right for filming a minor-ish role in a movie. And terrible actors can appear in movies, sometimes several, if they look right for the part and the character resembles the actor. And Jonah has a pretty face, so that’s entirely possible.

The huge difference between acting in film and theater is that in film, you need to turn in one “right” performance in 20 “takes”, you don’t have to project, and you only need to remember your lines for a single scene at a time.

In short, film acting (when there’s no green screen) requires a LOT fewer skills.

What’s the over/under on the number of days until Jonah returns? 40?

Folks, let us not second guess Greg Evans. This is merely a comic strip.

I was wondering when this would happen. I don’t suspect it will be permanent, at least not this time, a young child really can be transported with that much stuff.

Jonah has never changed his own plans or put himself out for anybody. It’s always “What about me?”

One thing I thought about this morning Luannverse blog is that Jonah’s 4 days exactly corresponds to the 4 days that Toni and Brad actually had to be together. Both being firefighters having that kind of time off together is a rare thing.

He didn’t know Toni and Brad had time off. Does he expect them to screw up their career in order that he can chase after his?

Looks like more than 4 days to me. Will be interesting to see what happens if Jonah doesn’t show up in 4 days. Most legit ‘gigs’ last longer than that I’d think.

Should we be angry with Jonah for doing this, or should we be angry with Toni and Brad for letting him get away with it yet again?

Yes.

Quick! Put her down. Cover her up. Jump in bed & press the reset button. You know where it is!

Horrible thought: what if Jonah disappears for more than four days? Worst: what if he doesn’t come back at all?

@Chuck374 If Jonas didn’t know they had time off, he would have figured “they probably work different shifts, so there’s probably always someone home.” Narcissistic types usually imagine reality is arranged for their convenience.

Jonah sigh

Panel 2 is clearly foreshadowing an ominous future. It might not happen in this arc, but it will happen: something very bad – probably fatal – is going to befall the reckless Jonah, and Brad & Toni will become Shannon’s parents.

All her clothes and toys. Four days, huh? Toni & Brad, welcome to parenthood.

Seriously why doesn’t she let him know that he is intruding on there plans? That or straight out deck him or at the very least.

Perhaps if he misses one of these great opportunities he will get the picture…Nah that’s not how these kinds of people think. He would think they were selfish and blame them for the missed opportunity.

Time for Toni to put her foot down and have a 1-1 talk with her brother when he gets back. I don’t like his smirky look in panel 2 then slams the door in panel 3. To just dump Shannon off like that at the last minute is not cool either.

Is that a bag of dirty laundry too? ewwww !!!

‘And he wuz never heard from AGAIN!’

.

Who else is thinking that, for WHATEVER reason, this is going to be longer than four days??!!!

postponed intimacy, an annoyance, a roomful of toys, $265, holding a sleeping child against your chest, . . . priceless. There are some things nothing can buy. Okay, I am in a schmaltzy mood today!

Those who want Toni and Brad to “just say no”, are missing the point that they really love Shannon, and care more for her well-being than their own inconvenience or frustrated sex. However, the right approach to schedule a meeting with Jonah, to see if he can understand the inconvenience and possible harm to Shannon of dumping her off. If he fails to grasp this (quite possible), they can start charging for childcare. Refusing to look after her, doesn’t seem realistic for this couple. Adopting her seems unlikely. Bringing in child protective services would be counter-productive. No facile solution here.

Will they look out the window and see a U-Haul drive off?

I think i know how Brad could make Shannon smile and also feel more secure if Jonah either takes a long hiatus or takes a powder. Shannon woukd likely say that no one loves her because she is a brat. Then Brad would say, “Hey, i never turned my back on Luann and SHE was a real brat!” Then he would tell her funny kiddie stories about Luann. After that he could say, “but if you want to hear about a worse brat” and would tell funny kiddie stories about himself. After that he could tell Shannon that she fits in very well with their family.

The key always is that Toni and Brad really love Shannon. They realize that Jonah WILL do what he wants to get what he wants, and if Toni won’t watch Shannon, Jonah will leave her with who-knows-what? Toni’s had discussions/arguments with Jonah about doing this, the result is he calls HER selfish for never wanting to help him, as far as he’s concerned. He is selfish through and through, and Toni and Brad won’t risk Shannon’s well-being. I agree with the writer who said he thought Jonah losing his parents so young made him decide to keep Shannon so she wouldn’t go through the same thing. However, Jonah did not think about the ramifications of raising a child, nor of that a new-born baby would have no problems getting adopted to a loving family who she would know as her ONLY family. Again, Jonah doesn’t think too hard. I’m appalled in this strip not that Jonah once again dumped Shannon on Toni and Brad, but that he apparently took Shannon out of bed in the middle of sleeping, and hustled her over to Toni and Brad’s place without any to do. Does Shannon even know her dad is leaving her? Why isn’t Shannon dressed? Even if Shannon was only taking a nap, she wouldn’t have bothered to put on pajamas. This looks like Jonah rousted her up and is dumping her off without even saying good-bye. Even if he does come back on time, it may be the first real crack in Shannon’s trust in her dad. Yes, she loves him, she’s only six years old, and he’d have to be pretty bad to break his young child’s trust. But it will start breaking, and by time Shannon becomes a teenager, her feelings about her dad will probably be much, much different. This is also another reason why Toni and Brad put up with Jonah, they know this is affecting Shannon, even if she doesn’t know it yet.

I said it yesterday and I’ll say it again, He needs his ass kicked.

6

While four days seems extremely short for a normal “second lead” role in pretty much most “meaningful” acting gigs, the many “second lead” roles that Jonah might find monumental for his career include:

A) The voice-over role for a 15 second web ad for collegeinpajamas.com where an unmotivated late teen was seen dancing in his or her pajamas because just enrolled in that on-line college so they could stay at home all day doing nothing.

B) The role of “hunky male hand” that touches the cheek of the beautiful woman who is beaming a big smile into the camera and is happy about her new dishwasher detergent that removed last nights’ sticky spaghetti residue from the pot.

c) He is THE toe model for the “other brand” of nail fungus removing gel… the one that does not work compared to the “hero” toe which receives the name-brand nail fungus removing gel.

So, I am hopeful all of the folks who keep thinking Jonah is going to make a long, long-term exit in this arc…. are wrong. I hope Jonah does return, much like he has in the past, to take all the “glory” for whatever happens to be happening and suits his fancy about his momentary, occasional “dad” “gig” with Shannon. I am not quite feeling ready for Brad & Toni to become full time parents just yet.

And did he ever return?

No, he never returned

And his fate is still unlearned

(Oh, poor Jonah!)

He may act forever

On a stage in Lima

He’s the man

WHo never returned!

If——IF mind you, something does happen to Jonah the jerk, I hope it’s permanent. I can see it now…..he’s in a bad car accident, left physically disabled, and now not only expects Toni to raise his kid, but be nurse/caregiver to him 24-7. He then spends the rest of his days whining and complaining about his rotten luck. (“I couda been a contenda”…)

Horrible thought.

Toni and Brad may tolerate the inconveniences Jonah foists upon them for the sake of Shannon. But sooner or later (and not when Jonah is in the middle of dumping Shannon off yet again), they need to kick his sorry butt, or this will never end. As long as Jonah knows they will never put their foot down, nothing will change. They have trained Jonah very well that he can get away with this, so this pattern becomes his normal.

Humm. I don’t see Toni getting pregnant any time soon.

It would not break my heart to see Jonah written out – and not necessarily for the reasons being discussed here. Any depth to Jonah’s character seems to be culled from long-ago posts. Lately, Jonah’s only function in the play seems to be to escort Shannon onstage, then exit. (Yeah, he had a small “cameo” when he showed up at the last minute for the “Small World” performance.) Greg has Jonah singing the same song over and over – the character is despicable but uninteresting in its sameness.

Jonah had left Shannon with Toni so very often for so very many years that I suspect that she has made sure that she already has any legal documents in place for the essentials, emergencies, etc.

I’m sorry he’s given the biblical name of “Jonah”. “Jerk” could’ve been a better name!

https://www.dramafever.com/news/9-signs-you-may-be-suffering-from-second-lead-syndrome/

Here’s how I see the story line happening in the near future..

He’ll be telling Toni that the lead in the production he’s with will get sick or get injured so he’ll replace him. The thing is they will be going to Europe for 6 months to a year or longer. Toni again won’t stand up for herself so Brad will and tell Jonah to give full custody of Shannon to them or take a hike.

Either Jonah will take Shannon with him and then in a year drop Shannon off at the airport for Brad and Toni to pick up OR he’ll agree right then with Brad and leave Shannon in their custody

And here TJ can become the hero by taking care of Shannon and thus proving his worth to the house. I would also like to add that I do not like Jonah. In fact I dislike Les slightly less then I do Jonah who seems to think everyone is here to service his needs and pick up his slack.

We know why Jonah doesn’t have enough money to pay for child care . . .

So where is Shannon going to sleep and put her stuff? Time for her to take over TJ’s room and TJ to find another place.

Maybe Jonah will get really lucky and be hired full-time by the repertory company. Then, he will never come back! Good riddance!

Well, I can dream, can’t I?

A touring gig appears to be the most likely outcome. Jonah will leave an enthusiastic text or voicemail about what a great gig this is – and Brad & Toni have to do the right thing for Shannon. I wonder if Jonah is getting city or state funded help as a single parent. He would try to keep that too – while Brad & Toni have the kid.

What a wimp you are Shannon. Enabling your own brother to be a loser. You should be ashamed of yourself. If Brad walks, don’t be surprised.

Jonah isn’t coming back from this trip, Brad and Toni are going to end up with Shannon