While Irma and Gunther look pretty damn near alike, Al and Les definitely do not look the same, but interestingly Les does not look like Ann either, nor does All look like Ann.
I believe that Al’s “I don’t want them to know yet….” statement was simply a ruse. If he were truly trying to be quiet about it, and Gunther & Les were in the kitchen, he could have been quiet enough to keep them from hearing. So… I believe he wanted to let the "cat"out of the bag so-to-speak.
Various folks have talked quite a bit about how Gunther or how Tiffany need a “makeover” of some sort. Well, I nominate Les to be in that category as well. It would be interesting to see how he could potentially be transformed.
Al looks actually like a nice fellow when he smiles…. but with a sister like Ann, and all of the things that have transpired with Al’s story thus far (being very ambiguous but almost having a “mafia-esque” feel)… I still keep wondering if he is more sneaky and underhanded than currently being shown?
Les seems a little too happy about this turn of events, considering he hates Gunther. Also, shouldn’t Mr. Gray have asked Gunther for permission, seeing as Gunth is a stand-in for Mr. Berger?
We are getting closer to having Aunt Ann at the table. Real potential for good theater at least once. She might tease Gunther mercilessly. Then Gunther might spend most of his time at Tiff’s.
Boy I saw this on Arca Max last night, and was going to comment before I went to bed, but GoComics was really slow to get this comic up so I went to bed first. It allows me to see the variety of initial comments, and they are so reflective of how people who often, or intermittently comment on this page it is such fun. I personally expected it, but did not want to predict it because Greg dammit you defy rational analysis with your misdirections and long, long, drawn out story arcs, but being patient, eventually things happen which can be surmised. So this is best, I know I was right, and it happened before the end of the year. Of course her response we might have to wait until next year to find out. The interplay between Les and Gunther is priceless, and just what I also expected. They are closer together than certainly Gunther ever would have thought, to his shock and dismay, but then in a way they are both damaged souls, Gunther by a smothering mother, and whatever trauma caused that, and Les, by an evil, selfish mother and what trauma caused that—in Ann’s case she MAY be a sociopath, but then in Luannverse the goodness in it eventually transforms everyone; my Exhibit A? TJ. Possibly Les, and of course Dirk. So I am happy for this development, and I hope she says yes, and not run away from love like her son does.
This is an interestingly unromantic proposal. It seems to be more about Gunther’s horrified reaction to the proposal and Leslie’s implication in calling Gunther “cuz”. It means Gunther will never be rid of these two (or at least not for a very long time). This is, of course, Irma accepts and there is no guarantee there. After all, if Toni is any example, the ladies in this strip are slow to accept proposals and prefer to propose themselves.
It wasn’t stated in “the form of a question,” but I’d argue that “I’d like to be your husband” is in fact Mr. Gray’s proposal. Mr. Gray is a take charge kind of guy. When he dashed in to help the DeGroots with The Fuse, he didn’t say “may I help?,” he got on his phone as he said “I’ll make some calls for you.” (10-7-15) I don’t think Mrs. Berger is going to insist that he ask formally, either – and she certainly isn’t going to titter like a schoolgirl and say “But Mr. Gray, you haven’t asked me yet!”
I do not see Greg building the whole structure to support this wedding. Al and Irma exist in a vacuum, with no character development over the years. I also don’t see Greg having Irma refuse, and Al just leaving the strip. More likely a quiet elopement while Gunther freaks out, and he and Tiffany enter therapy together.
Dummmm da Dum Dummmm! And awaaaaaaay we go! I concur with those who think it may drive Gunther and TIff closer, much to the displeasure of Les. We’ll have to see how they resolve that….. As for Al Gray and Ms. B, why shouldn’t they have some companionship in their life? But this will be all about how he others handle it…. or not…. Hmmmm….
BTW, is Quill still living at the Bergers? What happened there?
Les is becoming a nicer and more likeable guy all the time – at least to most of the world. But he sure enjoys cranking Gunther, because he’s such a vulnerable wimp.
Les’s universe is expanding, but Gunther’s is shrinking toward zero.
Al just stole Irma from Gunther. And if Les steals Tiffany, then Gunther will have nothing left.
I would like to see Gunther running over to Tiffany’s – spilling his guts – when suddenly Tiffany gives him a really good kiss. Gunther – flustered and confused – says quietly, “I think…I need you.”
Woo-Hoo! It’s rare and inspiring for a single, conservative, “low-affect” man to take a leap like that, especially one of the heart. I know of a few men who are really lonely, yet are too set in their ways to take a chance & renew the adventure and challenges of a new, intimate relationship. So, Go Mr Gray! And bravo for Les, for (at least this evening) being pretty gracious, in his own in-your-face way. Tally Ho!
Big Al still has friends in Vegas who’ll get him a little wedding chapel, an Elvis impersonator to do the vows, show girls to be witnesses, and one guy in a black suit and sunglasses to be his best man.
I like the way Al phrased his proposal, “I would like to be your husband”, instead of the traditional more possessive “will you be my wife?”. As the motherly type, Irma likes to care for and thus possess others. The eternal bachelor Al (as Les puts it) sees this and wants to submit, like a plane running out of fuel finally getting to land.
An interesting development. I like Mr. Gray’s no-nonsense yet honorable approach to life. If he can be a nurturing father-figure to Les, he can be so for Gunther. Maybe this can be the impetus for more Gunther development and a closer relationship with Tiffani?
Vilyehm about 7 years ago
Well,……
Vilyehm about 7 years ago
OK.
We now know Mr. Grey does not know everything.
Or did he expect Les and Gunther to be able to overhear what he said.
AnyFace about 7 years ago
katzpawz1a about 7 years ago
Well, FINALLY! Let the games begin!
GirlGeek Premium Member about 7 years ago
I’ve been waiting for this for moment for months
Gabryant about 7 years ago
Watta revoltin’ development this is!
seismic-2 Premium Member about 7 years ago
Is this an actual proposal, or is he just saying that he hopes they will get married, eventually?
RonaldMcCalip about 7 years ago
“Ms. Berger… I’ma gonna make-ah you an offer you canna refuse….”
Schrodinger's Dog about 7 years ago
I think this will drive Gunther and Tiffany even closer together!
locake about 7 years ago
That is an odd way to propose marriage. It is all about him and what he wants. I suggest Irma say no unless he can ask HER what she wants.
locake about 7 years ago
Why only 12 comments so far?
Pipe Tobacco about 7 years ago
7
While Irma and Gunther look pretty damn near alike, Al and Les definitely do not look the same, but interestingly Les does not look like Ann either, nor does All look like Ann.
I believe that Al’s “I don’t want them to know yet….” statement was simply a ruse. If he were truly trying to be quiet about it, and Gunther & Les were in the kitchen, he could have been quiet enough to keep them from hearing. So… I believe he wanted to let the "cat"out of the bag so-to-speak.
Various folks have talked quite a bit about how Gunther or how Tiffany need a “makeover” of some sort. Well, I nominate Les to be in that category as well. It would be interesting to see how he could potentially be transformed.
Al looks actually like a nice fellow when he smiles…. but with a sister like Ann, and all of the things that have transpired with Al’s story thus far (being very ambiguous but almost having a “mafia-esque” feel)… I still keep wondering if he is more sneaky and underhanded than currently being shown?
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 7 years ago
The site had not updated most of the comics till some time early this morning.
rabizar about 7 years ago
her middle name must be fur
Mostly Water Premium Member about 7 years ago
If that’s a marriage proposal, it doesn’t get much lamer than that.
CeeJay about 7 years ago
Maybe Gunther can have a life now!
Rosette about 7 years ago
I called it!
Les seems a little too happy about this turn of events, considering he hates Gunther. Also, shouldn’t Mr. Gray have asked Gunther for permission, seeing as Gunth is a stand-in for Mr. Berger?
kenhense about 7 years ago
We are getting closer to having Aunt Ann at the table. Real potential for good theater at least once. She might tease Gunther mercilessly. Then Gunther might spend most of his time at Tiff’s.
luann1212 about 7 years ago
Boy I saw this on Arca Max last night, and was going to comment before I went to bed, but GoComics was really slow to get this comic up so I went to bed first. It allows me to see the variety of initial comments, and they are so reflective of how people who often, or intermittently comment on this page it is such fun. I personally expected it, but did not want to predict it because Greg dammit you defy rational analysis with your misdirections and long, long, drawn out story arcs, but being patient, eventually things happen which can be surmised. So this is best, I know I was right, and it happened before the end of the year. Of course her response we might have to wait until next year to find out. The interplay between Les and Gunther is priceless, and just what I also expected. They are closer together than certainly Gunther ever would have thought, to his shock and dismay, but then in a way they are both damaged souls, Gunther by a smothering mother, and whatever trauma caused that, and Les, by an evil, selfish mother and what trauma caused that—in Ann’s case she MAY be a sociopath, but then in Luannverse the goodness in it eventually transforms everyone; my Exhibit A? TJ. Possibly Les, and of course Dirk. So I am happy for this development, and I hope she says yes, and not run away from love like her son does.
howtheduck about 7 years ago
This is an interestingly unromantic proposal. It seems to be more about Gunther’s horrified reaction to the proposal and Leslie’s implication in calling Gunther “cuz”. It means Gunther will never be rid of these two (or at least not for a very long time). This is, of course, Irma accepts and there is no guarantee there. After all, if Toni is any example, the ladies in this strip are slow to accept proposals and prefer to propose themselves.
seismic-2 Premium Member about 7 years ago
It’s time for Gunther to run far, far away. Maybe Peru.
SactoSylvia about 7 years ago
It wasn’t stated in “the form of a question,” but I’d argue that “I’d like to be your husband” is in fact Mr. Gray’s proposal. Mr. Gray is a take charge kind of guy. When he dashed in to help the DeGroots with The Fuse, he didn’t say “may I help?,” he got on his phone as he said “I’ll make some calls for you.” (10-7-15) I don’t think Mrs. Berger is going to insist that he ask formally, either – and she certainly isn’t going to titter like a schoolgirl and say “But Mr. Gray, you haven’t asked me yet!”
Airman about 7 years ago
I do not see Greg building the whole structure to support this wedding. Al and Irma exist in a vacuum, with no character development over the years. I also don’t see Greg having Irma refuse, and Al just leaving the strip. More likely a quiet elopement while Gunther freaks out, and he and Tiffany enter therapy together.
TORAD_07 about 7 years ago
Dummmm da Dum Dummmm! And awaaaaaaay we go! I concur with those who think it may drive Gunther and TIff closer, much to the displeasure of Les. We’ll have to see how they resolve that….. As for Al Gray and Ms. B, why shouldn’t they have some companionship in their life? But this will be all about how he others handle it…. or not…. Hmmmm….
BTW, is Quill still living at the Bergers? What happened there?
juss223 about 7 years ago
Gunther is going to develop a heart problem at this rate.
Wizardgoat about 7 years ago
Les is becoming a nicer and more likeable guy all the time – at least to most of the world. But he sure enjoys cranking Gunther, because he’s such a vulnerable wimp.
Les’s universe is expanding, but Gunther’s is shrinking toward zero.
Al just stole Irma from Gunther. And if Les steals Tiffany, then Gunther will have nothing left.
Wizardgoat about 7 years ago
Gasp! Les just said “Merry Christmas”!
I’ll bet that’s not the only way in which Les is not PC.
(Well, I’m not very PC either. But I’d still prefer “Happy Holidays”, just cuz I don’t care much for organized religion.)
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace about 7 years ago
And they all lived happily ever after.
Brdshtt Premium Member about 7 years ago
A new day is dawning in Pittsville, and in the shadows, two forces are converging to form a new dynamic duo.
.
Cuz and Scuzz.
Luanaphile about 7 years ago
If Berger is her maiden name, then her first name Irma is the appropriate spelling (German + German). Erma is the Anglicized version. Good job, Greg.
Luanaphile about 7 years ago
Coal in the stockings of those mocking Irma’s appearance or this relationship, which has much more depth than a college hookup.
Luanaphile about 7 years ago
Les shows some growth here.
kenhense about 7 years ago
I would like to see Gunther running over to Tiffany’s – spilling his guts – when suddenly Tiffany gives him a really good kiss. Gunther – flustered and confused – says quietly, “I think…I need you.”
Ignatz Premium Member about 7 years ago
Les is a troll.
Chrystos B Minot Premium Member about 7 years ago
Woo-Hoo! It’s rare and inspiring for a single, conservative, “low-affect” man to take a leap like that, especially one of the heart. I know of a few men who are really lonely, yet are too set in their ways to take a chance & renew the adventure and challenges of a new, intimate relationship. So, Go Mr Gray! And bravo for Les, for (at least this evening) being pretty gracious, in his own in-your-face way. Tally Ho!
Airman about 7 years ago
Big Al still has friends in Vegas who’ll get him a little wedding chapel, an Elvis impersonator to do the vows, show girls to be witnesses, and one guy in a black suit and sunglasses to be his best man.
RSH about 7 years ago
Irma Berger, they (Gunther and Ma) look a little Jewish. Will Al and Irma take their vows under the chuppah? will Al stamp on the broken glass?
RonBerg13 Premium Member about 7 years ago
She has to say yes, you know.
Sisyphos about 7 years ago
Sweet! A holiday proposal from Mr. Al Gray to Mrs. Irma Berger! I guess he, too, is recalling “My Friend, Irma”!
Suck it up, Mama’s Boy, and get used to saying “Daddy”! And (ugh!) “Cousin”!
Dragoncat about 7 years ago
If Gunther is in shock now, wait until he finds out about “Aunty Ann Eiffel”…
jeffiekins about 7 years ago
No-one noticed that I said “Irma” (or Erma) a couple of days ago?
TheBigPickle about 7 years ago
Welcome back to the comic strip called, “Hundreds of peripheral characters who may or may not be associated in some way with Luann DeGroot”…
Schrodinger's Dog about 7 years ago
Sunday: Puddles prepares with Shannon for Christmas Eve.
Airman about 7 years ago
Don’t let Puddles anywhere near Shannon unless he’s had his rabies shot….can’t tell where that kid has been, or who she’s bitten.
RSH about 7 years ago
I like the way Al phrased his proposal, “I would like to be your husband”, instead of the traditional more possessive “will you be my wife?”. As the motherly type, Irma likes to care for and thus possess others. The eternal bachelor Al (as Les puts it) sees this and wants to submit, like a plane running out of fuel finally getting to land.
JPuzzleWhiz about 7 years ago
Hey gang, I thought you all might be interested in this:
https://www.whatisthemeaningofname.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-name-irma-6564/#The_Meaning_Of_The_Name_Irma
JPuzzleWhiz about 7 years ago
Well, JayBluE decided to stay away today, so I’ll step in with these:
“Gray-Berger, Gray-Berger, No Coke — Pepsi!”
“A Worthy Cuz”
“Well, I’ll Be A Gunthie’s Uncle!” (Yes, I know that the proper term is “stepdad”…!)
“Shock It To Me”
“Dear-In-The-Headlights Look”
“Marry Christmas!”
“Uncle Daddy”
“Put Your Hand On My Shoulder” (♪♫)
“Cuz, You Light Up My Life” (♪♫)
.
.
Okay, Dragoncat, which one(s) do you like? O<|];o)
Thantilize about 7 years ago
ODG…. (Yes, I have it ODG…) Tell me it ain’t so.And Les? If Gunther does not object…and his mother says Yes….the term is “BROTHER” not Cousin!
Tyge almost 7 years ago
Irma didn’t even blush. Tiffany now becomes sibling rivalry… delicious.
StoicLion1973 almost 7 years ago
An interesting development. I like Mr. Gray’s no-nonsense yet honorable approach to life. If he can be a nurturing father-figure to Les, he can be so for Gunther. Maybe this can be the impetus for more Gunther development and a closer relationship with Tiffani?