Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 03, 2018

A whole new era for Gunther is about to start. Slavehood.

So many rooms in a 10×10 plot!

Unless he’s building a Tardis, there’s no way that all of that will fit in that tiny area.

I think these people are unclear on the concept of a “guest house”. That term implies that Gunther and Les each reside somewhere else, and they stay in the house only when they come to visit. If so, then why would they both visit at the same time?

Uh, Gunther.

Unless Leslie’s clothes are ripped from having spent a vigorous night with Tiffany, there ain’t gonna be a whole lotta calls for “sewing” at the Guest House. And that means YOU will end up doing ALL the Work, you big DUMMY!

I’m telling you people, Gunther’s Sewing Machine is an instrument of Devil! ;)

A sewing room is all it takes for Gunther to agree to move in with his high school bully? I…. I have no words.

It’s the children’s story of “Not Me” and “I’m The One” all over again …

Not a whole lot of thought on Gunther – or mention of him – from his side.

Really it sounds like Gunther would make the perfect wife for Les.

Um, Mr Gray, just keep the sewing room in the main house. The guest house is getting too crowded

Goofus and Gallant are soon to be roomies!

Mr. Gray is just a few steps behind his future stepson knowing the kid’s talents.

I know – storyline. However, wouldn’t simply getting the boys an apartment be simpler and cheaper? Also, why would Les and Gunther really want this? The prospect of constantly being under the gaze of an uncle and mother, respectfully, would not excite many twentysomethings I know.

I thought a guest house implies that’s were a guest of the family stays.

Geez – Did I just hear Mrs Berger say it’s OK if Les doesn’t cook or do laundry because Gunther can take care of it for the two of them? Mrs Berger appears to be visualizing one big happy family. She will probably go home – turn on “The Sound of Music” – and twirl all over the place. Gunther should look into some kind of job like sewing up bearskins in Alaska.

Okay, I have to say it … I simply can’t resist …

SEW WHAT?

Heck, can I move in?

If Gunther can repair wicker chairs:I cane. I sew. I’m conquered.

Will there be any room for the Olympic size pool and the hot tub.

Awww, look at little Gunthie pout in that second panel! Good thing Mommy managed to pique his interest, or else he might’ve needed a binky and a nap.

Why do I get the feeling that Gray is only doing this to hint that maybe the boys should just move out already?

Why would you want to live with the person who bully you it makes no practical sense.

Yes, Gunther, you can sew. Who could forget all those wonderful costumes you may for the school plays. Of course, that was before you have stubble on your face!

If you have an adult in your home and they can’t do laundry, that’s your fault. That says more about you than them. Sure, you do all the laundry when your child is a child. That’s expected. A college kid? Mr. Grey is just taking shots at Les. He enjoys it.

Never thought I’d agree with BJ on anything, but I do see this as irony. I remember when Gunther was explaining how he’d planned his whole future out: get an engineering degree, marry a booksmart woman and have 2.5 kids (yeah, he said 2.5 kids), live in a house with a picket fence and a granny flat for his mother. The idea being that she would be out of his day to day life, but always available if need be for baby sitting. So now the idea that he would be in a ‘guest house’ becomes ironic…

I have lost track, how is Les connected to the man that married Gunther’s mom? This is the same Les whose mom is Anne Eiffel?

Even the mere anticipation of this story line frustrates me. Now, if it was "Knute "and Gunther, it would be a different story.

The Odd Couple: The Next Generation

So….Gunther of course (rightly or wrongly) resents the mere thought of having to pick up after Les….prepare any food that Les may (or may not) eat (he’ll probably scarf down the meat and the bones, to the last…leaving an empty fridge)…gather Les’ laundry (if he doesn’t, Les’ stinkables may decide to take over the place)…. but….. the prospect of sewing clothes together (which I’m sure Les will care nothing about) is what eventually brings a smile to his face, naturally….

-

(Gunther, in 6 months:) “One first-class ticket to a remote Peruvian village, please!”

“Importing A Domestic”

“I’ve Graduated, And Still I Get Homework!”

“Thick As A Fa-bric” (♬♪♩)

“Holding Patterns”

“A Sort Of Earnest, Hemming, Way”

" The Home Life Of ‘Lay-Low’, And ‘Stitch’ "

" ‘Take’ And ‘The Spat-Man’ Handle The Case Of The Missing Socks"

“Having A ‘Get-Off-My-Laun-dry!’ Moment”

“It All Comes Out In The Wash, Anyway!”

“Rooms, For Improvement”

“Chaotic Organization Theory”

“The Knits Of Kin”

or

“Home Wreckonomics”

Al. It sounds like you’re suggesting a place that Gunther and momma would love to live.

Gunther will make a fine wife one day.

Yesterday’s panel showed five stakes across the end and four deep on the sides. Today’s panel shows six on the sides. (One is behind Mr. Gray) I don’t think we are seeing the whole thing here.

I am almost becoming one of those who feels sorry for Gunther, who always seems to be behind the train. Given I have no idea where this arc goes from here, with the sewing declaration only being something he does in addition to the other things, that Les does not do, I will await better hints.

He finally mentioned something Gunther both DOES and ENJOYS doing.

6

While the dimensions are now confirmed to be far larger than the appearance yesterday, all of the things Al is speaking about the home having sound (at least to me) somewhat lavish for a “guest house”. With what Al has planned, he really seems like a caring individual today. In the past, folks have had all sorts of opinions and assumptions about him, but this seems quite well thought out and appropriate.

If Les and Gunther take Al up on the offer to stay there, it will be good for both in the short term. It will help Gunther by not having him acquire (as much) debt during college, so he can start his after college adult life on more stable financial footing. As for Les, it should give him a bit of financial flexibility so he can figure out and continue to become a better person and eventually figure out his path in life.

But…. the “I Sew!” statement by Gunther is more than a bit disconcerting. With his hesitancy yesterday about the guest house idea, to see him won over by the potential of a “sewing room” is flabbergasting. If that is truly enough to get Gunther “on board” with the idea…. then Gunther is turning completely back into a nebbish…. no turning into a worse nebbish than before.

Now, do not get me wrong… there is nothing wrong with sewing, and nothing wrong with Gunther enjoying it as a hobby. But, having that sewing room being able to tip the balance in terms of his “buy in”? Ugh.

Gunther needs a break. Maybe Tara can meet Gunther and get help with her homework. I bet she is a really good flirt.

I have to laugh at the people who are so concerned about Gunther and sewing. Did they worry when Gunther turned his back on a potentially good career in Peru working with the computer network at Rosa’s uncles’ place? No. They didn’t worry when Rosa kissed him good bye and he stood there like a stone, either. And I sure know that they didn’t worry when he got angry at his mother. (No; they just get enraged at me for daring to talk about it, and accuse me of hating him. Not Pipe, who says the same thing, notice. Just me.) But let Gunther show that he’s interested in sewing and the world is coming to an end.

……….

Since I guess it’s up to me to be the contrarian, let me explain the world of men who sew. One of them is George Clooney (that’s right. THE George Clooney) who once fixed a broken zipper on a date’s dress, telling her he had tailoring experience. And he DID fix the zipper; he wasn’t using that as an excuse to remove the dress.) Then there’s Chris Martin from the band ‘Coldplay’. He and the other band members all sew their own performance clothes because they say it gives them greater control over their visual identity.

……..

Paul Arquette and a rocker pal of his, Ben Harper, used to run a clothing line called ‘Propr’, and Paul took sewing lessons. (Arquette also knits and was on the cover of a mag about Hollywood knitting on behalf of breast cancer charities.) Speaking of Pauls? Paul Newman used to sew on his own buttons when they fell off his jackets. Anybody worried about the late great Paul Newman?

How much would a dorm room at Moony cost for the rest of his college career? And since Les is employed full-time, shouldn’t he be earning at least part of his own rent money? Paying Gunther’s dorm fee, and letting Les live in an apartment (partly subsidized by Uncle Al), would be quite a saving over building this guest house, and it would make everyone involved be much happier all around. Of course, that’s precisely why it won’t happen.

Gunther and Led in the same guest house….does anyone else hear the them to The Odd Couple right about now?

We have not heard the possibilities of the list of tasks that would be suited to Les yet. We know he already knows how to wash dishes from his duties at Das Fuze, he could shovel up doggie bon – bons, clean out the cat box, and run the pumice stone around the toilet.

Gunther is behaving like a 2 year old in the second panel. I hope the Evans never saddle some poor female to this immature baby/man. He would not be able to have a mature conversation about problems. He would stomp his feet and pout.

Gunther, run, don’t walk, away from this sick arrangement as fast as you can.

I don’t think Gunther will spend more than 1 night in this guest house with Les. He will complain to mommy the very first day and she will let him come back into her home. Les will be happy to have his own place, until Mr. Gray joins him after Irma kicks him out.

I still am not convinced that Irma will marry Al…

“This room could be storage. We’ll put Quill’s body there.”

Gunther is struggling with his own self-image & identity as he approaches manhood. He wants to be brave and adventurous, but prefers comfort & predictable. Bilbo Baggins was sort of similar in that regard but he somehow went on a grand adventure in The Hobbit.

I see Gunther developing more as a person and learning about his own powers. We’ve already seen what a summer in Peru & a beard can do for him. He did well in the IT dept and he was game to try & keep up with Rosa – for awhile. Expect more development & struggle fir Gunther. Possibly even a fight.

Looks like Mrs. Berger has trimmed down quite a bit ….. this guy, Mr. Gray, I don’t know …….

Time for Gunther to move to L. A.!

so this guest house scenario is really a lesson on living skills, i.e. doing your own laundry, cooking meals, keeping house essentially. Gunther who at least has experience is accustomed (by the grumpy looks on his face) to being waited on, but no longer. Les, however, doesn’t have any experience in these activities and I predict he will prove to be a slob and that Gunther will hate cleaning up after him.

I think I finally figured out Mr. Gray builds a dream house. (He is bland, but not a Blandings.)

Mr. Gray is behaving exactly like Mayberry’s Aunt Bee and her pickles.

He thinks he is doing good, but has no idea of the damage he is creating.

How long will it take to build this house, at the rate events proceed in this strip? Maybe Al will buy a prefab so it will instantly appear.

Okay; maybe the proposed guest house, though still very narrow, is much longer than we thought yesterday. That still does not make it comfy for two disparate lads both attracted to the same young lady. Not even sewing can cure that!

Does Gunther have any job? Does Gunther’s Mom give him an allowance? Maybe Gunther sees himself as somebody with no options.

SPOILER

….

Maybe I’m right about this marriage…