Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for December 23, 2019

jig’s up

Several people called this day before yesterday. Good catch!

They cannot fool that kid. But, maybe it is time for Shannon to learn the truth?

Where did Santa’s throne go?

Get Shannon out of there before she ruins it for all the littler kids.

It is easy to tell that is Brad – just look at the nose. The nose is white in the first panel, and changes to normal in the second panel.

.

♪ Bradley, the white – nosed Santa… ♫

New and improved elves.

I approve.

Toni could say, “Yeah, kid – there isn’t any Santa Claus.”

Shannon isn’t too sure that it’s Brad. I wonder how they’re going to explain this.

I knew this would happen (see Saturday comments) … but on the plus side, apparently Shannon has outgrown calling him “Bwad”.

Okay, this is Shannon’s defining moment. Will she throw a tantrum and blow Brad’s cover? Or, will we see a minor Christmas miracle and witness Shannon get the spirit of the season and not upset the other little kids?

Good move Luann.

Shannon is sharpe.

This is going to lead into Shannon spoiling all the other kids’ Christmases by exposing Brad, isn’t it?

In the last frame, Shannon isn’t 100 percent sure that the Santa is Brad. So maybe there’s a change to convince her otherwise…

Santa Claus’ Helper- Brad DeGroot? Really? Not a trick?Is that a fearful look I see in the 2nd Panel?

No offense toni, but you shouldn’t have said “santa asked firefighters to be his helpers.” That was a dead giveaway as shannon knows brad is a firefighter.

Time for the big reveal. I have a feeling that Jack will somehow come to the rescue in time for Christmas.

What if there were a fire? Serious emergency! No time to change clothes! Santa seen driving a fire truck!

You know what? This all started because Luann wanted to give Shannon something to do other than throw a temper tantrum at home. So Jack provided an easy “Out.” Luann went with Jack to the Mall to offer Shannon a “distraction.” This is on a par WITH, and is as BAD an idea AS, that time Gunther took Tiffany with to dinner with him to “distract” Les.

Two things are becoming Quite clear here:

1) Luann seems to have lost control of Shannon.

2) It looks like Jack’s niece is NOT going to get that gift, as EVERYBODY has focused on the “Shannon problem.”

So if things go badly WRONG, and Shannon loudly BLABS to the other kids “That’s NOT the Real Santa!!!” Who’s to blame here if Shannon RUINS Christmas for the other little kiddies? Luann for weakening, or Jack for not buying his niece a gift card in the first place?

Hey. I got an idea. Little rugrats like Shannon, like to be in “charge.” So Luann, pull Shannon aside and tell her she’s a big girl now. And she doesn’t want to RUIN things for these little kids. Play along and pretend that Brad is really Santa. They’ll never know the difference! And it’ll be our little SECRET! Okay? Oh, and if you do this, Uncle David Huie Green is going to buy you a PlayStation 4 complete with 25 game titles! Deal?

Oh Waiter? COFFEE, please!

Starbucks Christmas blend! ;)

I actually prefer “Ain’t I” to “Aren’t I”! (You might say “I ain’t,” but you’d never say “I aren’t.”)

On Saturday Luann would surely recognize Toni from behind and remember that she and Brad are working at the mall. Luann could have redirected Shannon before she knew it was Toni.

I hope “The Brat” doesn’t spoil the fun for the other children.

Quick, Brad, lie to Shannon so she’ll actually believe you’re Santa. If you want to be a good daddy figure, it’s imperative to lie to this little girl. All parents lie to their children about Santa. Why not take it to the next level? XD

Greg did a great job of drawing surprised Luann in the first panel.

…and yet one more belief in Santa bites the dust…

Bwad

A lie a parent does not have to use. Santa is not real. Telling your kids he is can do harm to trust.

Poop gonna hit the fan now.

Uh-oh… Shannon’s about to get a revelation a few years too early!

How old is Shannon? Why is it considered such a tragedy if she finds out that Brad is playing Santa? She already knows that it isn’t the real Santa, and I’m surprised that she still believes in Santa Claus at all, smart and cynical as she is.

Shannon should be proud to have relatives who work with Santa. And she probably is.

The words “isn’t it” is smaller than the other words so she is not sure if it is.

Shannon finally said “Brad” instead of “Bwad.” It’s a Christmas Miracle!

The second panel is priceless.

I foresee a Christmas Miracle of unexpected behavior coming.

I love Luann’s look of horror in the first panel, as she realizes just how badly she has screwed up. And it’s nice to see that Toni thinks fast on her feet.

My hubby and I took a sweet 98 year old lady to supper and a movie Saturday night. We saw “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947). She told us she still believes in Santa Claus!

Shannon is too old and too bright to be still falling for this.

And on another topic, there were posters a few days ago who were sure that the main point of this arc was that Jack was gonna hit on Toni, and Luann would have to deal with her jealousy of Jack’s interest in other women. I’m glad to see that this is not the main point of this arc…

Shannon is too smart for her own good.

You had ONE JOB, Luanne…

At some point, every child makes the inevitable discovery and BOOM, the parents are never again trusted in the same way again.Wouldn’t it just be easier to STOP LYING TO OUR KIDS in the first place.

Oh boy, another week with bratty Shannon.

Very cute. Love it….

At least Shannon can now pronounce her "r"s; no more "Bwad"s

Tell her the truth and say “now that you know… no Christmas for you.”

Let’s see, Luann is brat-sitting for Toni and Brad so they can work at the mall as Santa and helper elf. But Luann can’t remember why she has Shannon and takes her to the mall. Not the brightest bulb in the pack.

Luann’s and Toni’s gestures are well done.

on the plus side she didn’t say ‘bwad’

fubar!

I notice she can pronounce “Brad” now…

And Shannon destroys the Santa visit for the other kids in the store in 5…4…3…2..

Busted! When we got a visit from Santa, it took me a few years to figure out he was Uncle Scott. When I figured it out, I had enough developed brain cells to keep mum about it, to not spoil it for my younger cousins. Had I said anything, either my mother or Aunt Wealthy would have given me a firm talking to and a possible thumping.

Hmmm, was wondering if Jack’s not here because he’s buying to little Christmas presents; one for his neice, the other for Luann….

Yes Shannon – even Santa needs help every once in a while. Now be a good little twit, er, I mean dear and don’t spoil it for the other kids.

Busted!

I don’t understand what the big deal is. Shannon knew it was a “fake santa” anyway.

You put on the suit, you are Santa Claus.

hey kid!!! just be glad youre at the mall!!

Yes, and he’s already been Peed on 12 times in the last hour, so be kind.

If Brad can pull this off, he’ll qualify for an Academy Award.

Can’t hide that.

Shannon is growing up. She didn’t say Bwad!

While she is probably right, snotty little Shannon, the World’s Most Unruly Six-year-Old, should have the courtesy to shut up about who Santa might be, or should be taught some manners….

https://youtu.be/Nbc1Fs3Om-0

Welcome back Shannon. You little brat

Toni looks lovely in that elf costume.

Or i can see Shannon asking santa for a lil brother or sister. Then brad giving toni a really goofy grin. just a thought.

I know it doesn’t do anything for the storyline, but don’t most malls have that guy that pretty much grooms himself to be Santa all year round so they don’t have to worry about fake beards and white hair spray?