Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for June 15, 2017

way to let it all out, Tiff… now on to the next step (which is what if I may ask?)

Best wishes to the families and surviving victims in Alexandria and San Francisco.

Sheila Hardie posted an insightful comment to yesterday’s strip toward the end of the day, so it may not have been seen by all: “There’s more to life than boys, Tiff. You be you.”

We can get so obsessed with pairing these characters off that we can’t let them just be single. We have to find poor Tiffany a boyfriend. Gunther’s biggest shortcoming is his inability to connect with a significant other. In my opinionated opinion, the best thing that could happen to Tiff is to realize she’s not required to have a man. If Gunther needs time to sort out his issues without the baggage of a relationship, more power to him.

Uh Oh. CAREFUL There, Tiff.

You are in GRAVE Danger of becoming ‘Angry’ and ‘Sullen.’

And some ‘Folks’ in these here parts don’t like THAT sorta thing.

Just ask Gunther….,

She was so relaxed and comfortable at the family meet-and-greet.

If you were “naturally attractive” Tiff, you wouldn’t need tons of makeup and hair so coated with gel and hairspray it wouldn’t move if a tornado hit.

Seismic-2: Guess I’m in good company! We’ve both been bitten by Schrodinger’s Dog! Now, that’s RUFF!

Seriously, I would like to thank Seismic-2 for his detailed and well-reasoned explanation of why many of you do not care for Gunther – not to mention some of the problems Greg has had moving his characters from high school to college. We may not agree; to me, Gunther is a very sympathetic character, perhaps for the very reasons he exasperates others. Nevertheless, Seismic-2 gave me an abbreviated catch-up on a comic strip I hadn’t visited in years, as well as some of the back stories of the characters today. Again, Thanks!

Tiffany, girl, your beauty is 100% artificial. I dare you go naked (go without make-up for those dirty minds).

Sometimes Tiffany’s rationalizations are as thick as her mascara and as unbendable as her hair.

Schrodinger’s Dog: As I have said to others, there are comics where the comments are more entertaining than the strips – and this is one of them. And, let’s face it; at over 300, almost 400 comments each day, that’s a lot of entertainment!

one flaw Paris(tiffany) has: she’s very “humble” about how she sees herself. that’s why there are no takers, she’s just too perfect. Kinda see why Gunther feels a lil’ bit intimidated.I am a bit deflated by her as well. Only I still don’t want him with Bernice. so guys work your flaws out please! you are a perfect match.

GUnther is never gonna make a move here…

Reality just sunk in – the mascara is running. I’d pay $5 to see Gunther help her be more real. Go on, Gunth, reach over and muss up her hair. Just don’t cut yourself.

Well, there you have it, folks. Lucy is clutching the football, just about to grab it away from Charlie Brown. And he was only a few steps away this time. All that supposed wisdom that Tiff is supposedly hiding, all that budding self-awareness, is sinking back behind her obsession with her looks and her lack of interest in anyone who isn’t flattering her. It doesn’t look like any character development is in the works. Unless the Evanses do something drastic with her (always a theoretical possibility), she’ll continue to strut around with her excessive makeup and helmet hair and “hot” shoes, clueless as to why nobody is asking her about her thoughts and emotions. Except Les, who in his own way is just as needy as Tiff is. If all goes as expected, they’ll actually make the perfect couple, feeding each other’s needs – until Les decides to make his move.

Meanwhile, over on ‘Luann Againn’, a mob of boys riots when the high school guidance councilor sends Tiffany home to change into less revealing swimwear…

Tiffany is not at all petrified that Gunther saw her runny mascara – the vain girl? The girl who must be perfect at all the time around guys….? To me, Gunther is so effeminate that he is more a girlfriend than a male friend. He is a girl in a suit and 5 o’clock shadow face. Tiffany is comfortable around him and has no sexual interest in him. Gunther talks to her pretty much the same way he talks to Luann so I came to the conclusion he is not romantically interested in Tiffany either. She is his female Knute, slightly more intelligent.

A startling thought:

When Tiff was at the party, especially in the presence of Les, but with little attention on Gunther, she was happy! She felt like a woman who was noticed. Even on the way home she lectured Gunther about letting his mother find happiness with Mr. Gray, and acknowledged that the whole experience had made her very happy as well. As long as Tiff had the upper hand in the conversation, Gunther boiled with anger.

But now, after spending more time with Gunther, her mood has sunk into the floor. He ragged hard to her about Les, and likely pulled her somewhat into his mindset. Gunther burst her bubble of happiness! She’s now focused back on her past frustrations in finding a guy, and on Gunther’s suggestion about what she’s doing wrong.

So if Les had such a positive effect on her, apparently with the backup of Ma Berger and Mr. Gray, and yet prolonged exposure to Gunther destroys her mood and brings her to tears… isn’t this saying that Gunther has an extremely negative effect on her psychology? I’ve learned that there are some people with deep pathologies of their own who can easily transfer their negativity to other people.

All this is observably what happened, but some readers here are already mesmerized by Gunther’s negativity, and seeing it as positive.

So this week we have seen both Gunther and Tiffany struggling to break out of their shell. I think at least a little physical intimacy is definitely called for…

Look at that spark in Gunther’s eye. He sees something attractive in Tiffany he hasn’t seen before. She has begun opening up and showing some depth, which is rather appealing and worth a bit of runny mascara. Gunther now sees her personality isn’t made of botox after all.

Maybe you’d have more luck if you stopped treating people like garbage.

I wonder what Greg E’s rendering of Tiff would be au naturel? Eh?

Hey folks. Quit dissing on Tiff. I have a feeling she’s about to bloom. Plus, I will give Gunther a one-up on Les to have Tiff for a bf.

Tiffany has got to stop using those products from the Tammy Faye Baker line of Cosmetics…

“Face Value”

“Appear Pressure”

“I Heard It Through The Gripe Vein” (♬)

“There’s Almost Always A Catch…And Sometimes, A Release”

“Life In The Pent-Up-House Suite”

“A Bare On The Loose”

“The Stress Upon The Wrappings Of A Pretty Package”

“A Flush Wins, Over Apparel Queens”

“Swimming In Skin Deep Waters”

“Depth Perception”

“Cheeks And Balances”

“Rosy Lips And Eyes Of Blue”

“She Wore Blue Velvet…And He Wore Aqua Velva” (♩)

“Glue-on Blue…” (♪)

“A Cover-up Scheme”

“There’s A Kind Of Blush…” (♪)

“Me…And Eye Shadow….” (♪)

“Tiffany Keeps Making Things Up”

“Deep Vain Osmosis”

“Suite Nothings”

“Oh, Maybelline, Why Can’t You Be True?” (♪)

“Oh, Don’t Be So Clothes Minded”

“More Than The Sum Of Their Parts”

“As If There’s Not A Mas-cara In The World”

or

“The Story Of The Misunderstood Eyelash, Who Ran Away From Home…And Had To Run Back To Get Some Mascara…But Forgot To Close The Lid On The Tube…”

It looks like a Tiffany epiphany.

To wiped last night for my usual before bed comment, but I think this panel is a bridge to the conclusion of the arc on Saturday, I think. WIll it be an insight, or even a look at a higher level of relationship, beside friendship. Frankly, I have no issue with it either way. Gunther and Tiffany would have smart, happy, and beautiful kids, in spite of herself (lol).

If Tiff and Gunther were to jump in the sack it might resolve both of their problems. Also start some new ones. ( Probably not in a family strip)

I must agree with Luann1212, this artist does love women………..he has a whole stable full of dominant ladies and weak, dumpy, or sleazy men. And, they are usually attractive ( even Bernice and Luann when they want to be). Crystal is goth, Tiff is glamor, Rosa was hot blooded and quietly sexy. My point being: let Tiff keep the makeup and seductive, designer clothes and stay the beauty queen that we all know and love.

The Evanses are exploring intimacy here, and yes, intimacy can be nonsexual. Laying bare your feelings can be more intense than laying bare your body. If this couple is to become a romantic pair, as some wish, this is their path toward that.

Crystal wears more makeup and looks more unnatural than anyone on this strip, yet I have never seen anyone criticize her looks. In fact, she is praised for her looks. Could someone please help me understand why Tiffany is condemned and called artificial, and Crystal is not?

Tiffany has been seen once without makeup and stiff hair, the strip when she and Gunther came back to her place after a science field trip. She took a shower, came out in a robe, and for once looked very sweet and her age! She and Gunther had the quiet moment of looking at each other, and what happened next was never mentioned. Also, everyone is pushing Tiffany and Gunther to have a romance. This is not necessary, right now they each need an honest friendship more than another romance. Specifically, Tiffany needs an honest friendship. If it changes in the future, fine, but Tiffany especially needs to find out what a real relationship could be like, as in really knowing and liking a person. She’s not there yet, but is at least progressing.

I really think that Gunther and Tiffany should wind up being a couple. Lots of extra story line there!

Les made her feel good about herself, Gunther makes her cry. Not a hard choice who she’d rather spend time with.

I still say, how does everyone “know” Tiff wasn’t wearing makeup when emerged from the bathroom after showering? There are some women who, as far as hair and makeup, must be perfectly turned out at all times. It doesn’t matter what they’re wearing, or even if they’re wearing anything. These women would rather leave off the robe than the makeup. Of course, this being a family strip, that would never happen, but just imagine……..

Tiff comes out, hair wrapped in a towel, fully made up, and nothing else. Gunther sees her, goes into catatonic shock, and doesn’t wake up for 6 or 7 years. When he does wake up, he discovers:

1. His mom has married Mr. Gray, and they split their time between Pitts, LA, New York, and anywhere else Mr. Gray has business dealings.2. Quill has become a fairly successful stage actor in New York, and is now trying to break into the movies with the help of…3. Pru, who has moved to LA and become a successful set designer.4. Luann is the author of many popular children’s books, and spends a lot of time doing book signings and special storytimes in various cities.5. Dez has become a holistic healer, and the person she treats most often is….6. Bernice, who spent years obsessing and analysing why she never felt anything when Piro kissed her. She determined it was because earlier that day she had eaten 3 oatmeal cookies. Bern is a less than successful counselor as most of her counsel consists of telling her clients” Never Eat Oatmeal Cookies.”7. Piro, an operative for some shadowy government agency, and his contact “Dr. Heald” have mysteriously disappeared, only to be hinted at and spoken of in whispers.8. Tiff discovers her true calling as a Trophy Wife and marries a wealthy, older plastic surgeon who promises to keep her Forever Young.

Now to sit back and see how many people start ripping me apart for this farce. :D

4

I do like how we are seeing Tiffany express her inner emotions to an extent. I am hoping that Tiffany is able to grow as a character through this process. I am liking her more and more since she came to college.

At this point, I do not really care if she pursues a romantic interest at this point. In fact, I am now leaning towards hoping she does not…. particularly with “Grumpy Gus” Gunther.

Gunther should ask her to repeat that event where she took a shower while he waited and come out in only a bath robe. No makeup, no hot cloths, no perfume. Then show her how beautiful he thinks she is. But – ah yes – this is Gunther we are talking about.

Tiff’s facade is literally melting away!

I have a strict philosophy that I have stuck to for fifteen years…. “There’s no such thing as natural beauty.”

Steel Magnolias – Truvy Jones

panel 1: Tiffany is defensive, panel 2: no choice but to let it all out. panel 3: Gunther, a man of few words but with a hint of a smile and sense of humor. Hopefully tomorrow Gunther will let Tiffany know that the ‘hot chick’ routine is not necessary and they will end up laughing and being ‘real’ together.

That heart shaped pillow in this week’s scenes is Greg poking at us.

Of course Tiffany has real thoughts and real emotions. They’re just all incredibly superficial. Besides, most college guys would look at her and think, “High maintenance. Stay away!” Not only that, every college has a number of former high school “queens.”

Luann who wear no makeup (when she does she looks ridiculous), long pants and T’s has out-competed Tiffany twice for a guy. 1st was Quill and now Jack. You would think that by now Tiffany should realize that the ‘hot chick’ routine doesn’t work. Guys like their girls ‘au-naturel’. I think Tiffany is afraid to actually get close to a guy. The hot chick façade is meant to attract on the surface but then repel so as to avoid an actual relationship.

Tiffany opens up for no one so much as she does here for Gunther. If Gunther were half as smart as he thinks he is, he’d make every effort to become Tiff’s true friend, not just friendly acquaintance….

The personalities of Tiff and Gunther have been jumping around some during the last couple of years. They are not always as consistent as they one were. .We have seen little personality on the part of Luann recently. One bit, perhaps, was that she has been rather nice toward Jack, even though he’s not her cup of tea.

Tomorrow: Tiffany chips a front tooth, making her appearance even more “real” !

Uh-oh, Tiffany’s gone into Tammy Faye mode!