Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 21, 2023

Yes! We’re all listening!

Oh, Bets, do tell what it is about.

You have her thinking Tiff, doing a better job counselling than Bernice.

It’s about how she treats Bets… and why. Is it because she sees Bets as being “wrong” for Gunther because she’s driven and assertive? Could the race be part of the equation?

Just go away, Bets.

Do you want to be with a guy who chooses mommy first? You’re a second fiddle, always will be. Think about that.

Gunther only pawn in game of life.

Tiff is growing up fast.

I think it’s less about who controls Gunther and more who controls Bets. Her attitude could easily be described as “No one tells me what I can or can’t do.” So she has gone to great lengths to defy Irma who is telling her where she can and can’t be.

In the immortal words of Janet Jackson… It’s all about Control! lol

Looks like Tiff is telling it like it is. Good for her!

So what will Bets’ reply to Tiff be??

Irma is winning a game she doesn’t even know she’s playing.

Who is that blond girl and what have they done with Tiffany?

Just get he control part out of your lives and just be!

Think hard, Bets.

Tiff nailed it.

Tiff is right is about control. There is that special bond between a mother and her son. Some wife’s have a hard with that bond.

Good point Tiff. ᕙ⁠(⁠ ͡⁠◉⁠ ͜⁠ ⁠ʖ⁠ ͡⁠◉⁠)⁠ᕗ

Tiffany has really matured, and I am glad to see it. She has also gotten wiser. Maybe the tea did some miracle to her.

Suddenly reality strikes and Bets is stopped in mid-thought. And……..Tiffany realizes that she and Kip may be playing the same game when Stef comes back with her sagging pom-poms.

So sometimes Tiffany is the smart one. I like it!

Bernice used to be the voice of reason in this strip, but Tiff is definitely starting to encroach upon the role.

Now we’re back to my original debate: Are Gun & Bets passionately in love – or is this just a way of standing up to Irma? It appears that Gunther’s life has been inordinately impacted by his close ties to Mommy and that he did need to be “rescued.” And do Gun & Bets belong together or not? Maybe we’ll get a better handle Saturday – or not. Anyway this issue is far more interesting than the contests between Lu & Bern.

And here I thought it might’ve been because you loved him an wanted to be with him.

So, Bets, you don’t actually know why. You are just being reactive. You don’t like being told, being marginalized, so you reacted with “Watch me.” Wanna show her? Get Gunther to move out of Gulag and into a place of for both of you. THAT’d be showing her. You did not do that because you know perfectly well Gunther won’t go for it. Well, you got yourself a mama boy. What are you doing about it? Put up with it or what?

My point, and I do have one. (∩ ⌣̀_⌣́)

And this just got intresting.

I wouldn’t be surprised if uncle Al has security cameras on his property and already knows about Bets and Gunther.

I love when Tiff shows her sensitive, maturing side, and her greedy, capitalistic side (inherited from her father, no doubt) is pushed into the background.

At least, Bets is helping with the packaging of the tea. That tells me that there may be hope for her.

Great Tiffany, she easily managed to show Bets how much doing things in Irma’s face is more a matter of pride and could also ruin her relationship with Gunther. Bets is a very intelligent girl, but she gets carried away by passions and the horrible way Al and Irma treat her has turned the situation into a challenge. Tiffany understands that Bets doing that is not okay, but will she be able to see the same thing if she starts hanging with Kip behind Sref’s back? Whatever solution Tiffany finds for her friends, I think it will end up being useful for her too.

Why do I get the impression that Tiff was always Karen’s favorite character, and why do I find myself not disagreeing with her character development?

You mean Gunth’s mom can’t tell YOU what to do, don’t ‘cha Bets?

SIGH.

I have a dream.

That one day Gunther will actually meet that Voluptuous Drop Dead Gorgeous Female Engineering student and that she isn’t pushy, domineering and Crazy.

Because if there’s ANYBODY that needs to get dumped in this Strip right now, it’s Bets. :-(

Gee Betts, what’s another word for …. “control”?? How about “Manipulation” as in … ma·nip·u·la·tion: “[məˌnipyəˈlāSHən] the action of manipulating someone in a clever or unscrupulous way.” Sounds a bit like control, doesn’t it? Clever; unscrupulous … that whole dictionary definition has Betts face drawn all over it.

It’s about the sex.

Our Dearest Ann❤️Eiffel could, indeed, tell hawt Bet what it’s all about. According to Ann❤️Eiffel, it is all about control. Esp of his bank account. Being a disciple of Ann❤️Eiffel, Tiff absolutely knows it. So does Stef. Bets is catching on. And Toni should be catching a clue real soon, too. Can’t wait! No wonder we all ❤️ Ann❤️Eiffel.

When did Tiffany become the smartest character in this comic strip?

Boy, suddenly Tiffany is wise! Getting Bets to listen to herself, after skillfully getting the passionate and stubborn Bets to listen to herself. Will this lead to a showdown, a surrender, or what will Gunther do? Twists and turns.

The truth comes out. Bets doesn’t care about Gunther, her only concern in life is “winning” (as she defines it).

Maybe there is hope for her to change her toxic ways.

Nicely done, Tiffany.

So… Gunther remains dorky yet, esp where relating to a love life is concerned; he’s never going to have the Brad-Toni-emulated experience he was sort of promised by the script (years back from when Brad, that remote-controlled firetruck and Toni visited their school and Gunth spoke up how he would be resembling Brad in time and getting the girl!), is he?

You gotta be cruel to be kind, Bets. Time to tell Gunth to either tell his mom or it’s back to the dorm.

I think it is about control.

Tiff and Bets have come a long way since their first meeting (and sizing each other up): https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2019/06/17https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2019/06/18

Back in Jan. 2028 Bets’ projected as “aggressive, dominant, and controlling” per Bernice. Apparently GnK still see her as being that. Perhaps this will be an encounter that will start a change in Bets?

Actually, the whole ‘sneaking in Betts’ started when Les called Gunther a mama’s boy, for not defending his girlfriend from Al and Irma’s poor treatment. Which Gunther then proves him right, by taking Betts into the bedroom (and promptly hid behind blackout curtains).

Gunther will always be a mama’s boy. Bets, or whomever, will always take second place to Irma. You won’t win this battle, Betts.

Born counselor !

Good artwork! Expressions well conveyed!

Bet’s needs to invite Irma to ladies night out to win her over.

Oh snap, critical hit by Tiffany! Is Bets finally going to start respecting Gunther’s opinions? (Probably not, it’s already Friday lol)

Just kinda thinking here, but … maybe Bets ought to go the full PC route and get a notebook or binder of some kind, write down answers to questions she’ll be facing that day, then obviously page through it to find the answer to any (ahemm) spontaneous unrehearsed question and …. No, never mind. Too true to life. Oh well, it was just a thought.

When did Tiffany get wise?

From what I can see, Irma & Al own the house where Gunther & Les reside. Further, Gunther & Les do not appear to pay rent (feel free to link me to a strip where they mention needing rent money). So, Irma & Al establish the rules.

Tiffany and Bets get great story lines (even Bernice). Luann gets to sit at home on the sofa with her dad and pull tissues out of a tissue box. Oh and pass notes between a boy and a girl at school. I want something exciting for Luann!

See, Tiff is making some progress here.

Tiff went from self centered snob to perceptive wise woman

Tiffany has hit the nail on the head.

Tiffany dispensing relationship advice. Who knew?

The problem with this particular story is that we do not know why Irma and Al do not like Bets. That beat of the story is been entire skipped over. And quite frankly, it seemed like Al was the one with the problem and Irma was kind of just going along. Out of the blue we discover this problem, but they didn’t lay any ground work for why the problem even exists.

Tiff is getting wise!

To me this shows how “Gun” picked a girlfriend who is just like his Mom…. in a modern rendering. Bets really cannot deny that their “playing house” together secretly is nothing more than a power play by Bets (and “Gun” willingly goes along because he is used to being controlled).

Bets REALLY does not like being confronted with that realization that she is in many ways SIMILAR to Irma, because she dislikes Irma.

Perhaps…. just perhaps…. in a Freudian way…. this highlights Bets own inner struggle with dislike of self? I doubt this will be further explored, but I find it interesting to think about.

The reality is that “Gun” and Bets SHOULD simply tell Irma and Al that they wish/plan to live together and deal with the consequences:

1. Al & Irma might be “hunkey-dorey” with the notion of their paying for them to “play house” (doubtful).

2. Al & Irma may disapprove, and either a) “Gun” abides by their wishes and stays in the Gulag, or b) “Gun” and Bets figure out a plan to financially be able to have their own apartment together.

The other interesting dynamic with the current “playing house” scenario….. Bets has a room (shared) in the dorm. She is already paying a pretty penny for that space which she is scantly using if at all.

It is about listening.

Whoa! I didn’t see THAT one coming! Way to go TIFF! Is Bets doing this because it’s getting great reviews on her vlog/TicTok or Tweeker account?

WOW! Tiff has really matured over the years. She actually sees other points of view, that are not all about her. Go Tiff.

Tiff has grown up.

I am wondering about the relationship between mothers and sons. Sons are raised to distance themselves from their mothers and are teased if they admit they love their mom. Any man who admits affection and loyalty to his mom is considered a mama’s boy ie, a weakling, a baby. So as adults, we have men who are expected to ignore their mothers, yet they revere, maintain relationships and participate in activities with their fathers. Is it because of the culture they are raised in? Or is it because moms don’t usually do the types of things that would promote regular activitiies with their sons?

This situation doesn’t appear to have anything at all to do with Gunther and everything to do with the war between Bets and Irma/Al that began when they started treating her like somebody’s bag of sh*t that got left on the front porch. Bets wants revenge – pure and simple. The big question is, can she admit it?

I was sympathetic to Bets yesterday cause the sneaking around seemed like it was because Gunther was treating her like a dirty secret, but here she sounds like an immature brat! Her statements sound like, “I can’t let HER win!” “I won’t be told what to do and where to do it, not by HER!” “I want to make Gunther side with ME, not HER!” So, we see that Bets is doing this specifically to spite Irma, someone who WILL be a part of her life if she stays with Gunther (which sounds like a worse idea with every strip, given their flawed problem-solving issues).

Irma’s not going to stop being Gunther’s mom and Gunther isn’t going to cut her out of his life. Trying to get Gunther to see her as a bad mom… while Gunther is living rent free in her property and Bets is deliberately breaking the rules… I dunno, it makes Irma seem like her feelings about Bets are justified (or maybe they’re a self-fulfilled prophecy if Irma’s bad feeling caused Bets to embody her worst impression of Bets). It’s not like “not under my roof” is unheard of for most parents, and it’s usually emblematic of “Adulthood entails independence, once you’re in your place you can do what you want.”

Hmmm, and end to the Bets and Gunther show?? Or will Bets escalate and call an audible and confront momma herself?

Hmm, from her first response it seems she’s more interested in getting one over on Mamma Irma, than wanting to be with the man she loves. And perhaps she’s frustrated that he won’t stand up to his mother for her, making her think he doesn’t care for her enough? Tiff seems to be their private counselor; shades of the Pagoda of Peace. 8-o

I seem to remember the old tried and true “You live under my roof, you live under my rules.”

Neither Gunther or Bets are paying for their free lodging, you’d think they’d be more mindful of this.

That, and Gunther really needs to grow a pair.

What I love about LuAnn is the fact that your friends often see things more clearly then you do. Bless all friends.

Again, time for Bets to move on outta the strip.

Tiffany has her flaws, but she can deliver the hard truths when needed.

Helpless her out Tiff tell Gunner to get a set of oranges

Wow! Well done Tiffany! Applause, applause ! I loved it!

Wow Tiff. screw business get into psych.

I want Betts to be happy.

Gunther is not inviting Bets to stay over all the time. Bets is inviting herself over and Gunther won’t stand up to either woman in his life.

Tiffany used to be the “air head” but lately she is the smart one. Reminds me of the bad pro wrestler turned good.

And when, exactly, did our little Tiffany become a wise-woman? She nailed this one, spot on!!!

I used to not like the Tiffany character at all, but I’m getting to like her more as she “grows”!

Bets is about to have an ep-tiff-any!

YES, YES, MY BELOVED TIFFANY, YES.

YOU GO GURL!!

(not that I don’t like t’other but YES)

Control. As in it’s our (Al & Irma’s) place (guest house) that you (Gunther & Les) live in for free. Our place our rules. One of which is no pre-marrital cohabitation. When will these kids actually respect and acknowledge that ?

My beloved Tiffany is coming to the realization that she, herself, cares about and for Gunther.

When did Tiff become the adult in the room.

Looks like Bets has some self examination to do. And if she’s smart she may finally realize that, although Gunther professes to love her, she will ALWAYS come second to his mother and that his mother may never ever accept her. I think she needs to move on.

It’s about control.

Bets – found a nice guy who sews for her, goes along with most anything even if he does not like it, and supports her pretty much unconditionally. Where will she find that again?

Good for Bets. Baaad for Gunther. Bets is exploiting Gunther. This is sad to see even in a comic strip. Irma knows what Bets is about. It is surprising that Irma restrains herself as much as she does. All that Bets went through just to “show” Irma – should show everyone just what kind of a dirty, low, below board, control and get even freak kind of gal Bets really is. Most of all I hope Gunther sees it. Soon too – because it makes me feel bad when I read the strip.

Gunther needs to step up, Betts.

I hope that this doesn’t lead to Gunther and Bets breaking up. Gunther needs to stand up to his mother.

Liking Stef more and more. .. and Bets less and less. Why doesn’t she see the forest for the trees?

We can’t just have Luann characters communicating normally with one another!

I’m reminded of Uncle Al’s comment. He built the gulag so Gunther and Les could learn to get along with each other – one step toward growing up. Al said something to the effect that Gunther and Les aren’t mature enough yet to get involved with women. So now, Bets has Gunther because he was easy pickins’? Well we don’t know where all this is going. Stay tuned.

Tiffany seems to be the only one of the group that appears to be growing up. Bern is a self centered pain in the butt and Luann needs to mature past middle school.

I see many comments above harshing on Bernice, so let’s do a bit of counseling for ourselves. Look where Bernice came from: A dysfunctional family who claimed they did not have room for her. Bernice has control issues because she had no control over her younger life and felt powerless. And people who feel they need to “fix” other broken people do tend to gravitate towards counseling-type careers, because they want to help others, so they don’t suffer, too. Yes, physician heal thyself and all that. Bernice is a good person; she’s always there for Luann and her other friends, even though her family wasn’t there for her.

Tiffany has evolved and I knew she had it in her, but I still wish the artists would stop making her look like a 40-year-old housewife from the 1980’s. So what if she gained some weight; most women do as they age (thank you, hormones.) A few pounds doesn’t mean we can’t have fashionable clothes and up-to-date hairstyles.

“Shacking up” involves something a lot more intimate than just sharing living space, and knowing Gunny-pie as we do, it’s doubtful that that “something” is going on. Nobody in G.‘s life has yet given him The Talk, I’m betting. Birds ‘n’ bees, dontcha know. . .

Tiff is good at this. She’s keeping it short, sweet and to the point without any confusing psychobabble.

Tiffany doesn’t know how to listen, but I think Bets is fixing to teach her.

Bets is dealing with all this relationship stuff and she hasn’t shared any of it with her “followers?” No wonder she’s cranky. Withdrawal is rough.

DON’T EVER BE WILLING TO BE SOMEONE’S DIRTY SECRET! If they won’t (or can’t) stand proudly beside you, then you’re wasting each other’s time. Cut your losses and move on.

It’s about a three letter word!

Amazing revelation

Gunther has a phobia or an anxiety disorder?

Accept Gunther’s marriage proposal?

Bets is missing a crucial point.. Gunther, and Les are living in a house owned by The Grays… unless the boys are paying rent, then, Gunther’s mother CAN tell him what to do. Even if they are paying rent, however, there could be a clause forbidding overnight guests. But, that’s overthinking it, and I need to stop, because I smell smoke.

Sometimes our feuds make zero sense when we take the time to think about it.

Wow! Once supremely airheaded Tiffany has bested Bets in this impromptu debate?! I’m impressed!

I had already mentioned that Bernice only wanted to control Gunther, I like that Tifanny is also understanding it!

Is it because Gunther’s such a red-hot lover?

I HEARD that snicker….