As much as I fascinate genealogy, I can’t even put into words what a “second cousin twice removed” is. I know second cousins are individuals who have a shared set of great-grandparents (the parent or uncle/aunt of A and the parent or uncle/aunt of B are first cousins, the grandparent or granduncle/aunt of A and the parent or granduncle/aunt of B are siblings), but I can’t go on to the “twice removed” part.
Other than infringe on Gunther’s jealously exclusive relationship with his mother, has Mr. Gray actually done anything negative or alienating toward Gunther?
2 really random things here, 1: Gunth’s nose has always bugged me, its such a weird shape, it’s like a fish hook, where did Greg get the inspiration from that. 2: Is Tiff ever going to change her hairstyle, I know it is Tiff’s one physical trait that’s her main undeniable trait, but it’s been the same since the beginning of this comic!
Tiff should ask Gunther to pull over for a minute – to avoid a wreck. Then she should calmly ask Gunther why he is in so much pain over his Mom having a date. If Gunther explodes without answering – Tiff should tell Gunther he’d better sort it out – and in the meantime – take her home.
Tiffany is going to be the key to moving the emotions behind the dinners to a different stage. She is getting a new perspective to apply to the situation. Of course that remains to be seen.
At least Tiff seems comfortable with Gunther, even when he acts childish. But, poor Tiff is headed into The Twilight Zone. I shudder because it reminds me of those old dinners with the in-laws. I’d rather brown bag it in a toxic waste dump. With Les there, Gunther won’t be asking for the salt…….he’ll looking for the pepper spray.
While I enjoy the fact that Tiffany is using a nail file on her knuckles in the first panel, I am more interested in Gunther’s amazing changing car. Since yesterday:
1. A rear view mirror has appeared
2.The rear window went from being circular to more of an oval.
3.The seat belts are no longer attached to the car.
4.Tiffany’s seat has lost its headrest.
5.The side window has lost its gray trim.
It’s easy to figure out the changes symbolically. Yesterday Gunther was thinking about blasting Leslie into space, so the shape of the car was more like space rocket. Today Gunther is thinking about his mother having sex with Mr. Gray. When that happens, you need to be able to see what is coming up behind you, so you aren’t blindsided.
So, what would Les be to Gunther if his mom married Mr. Gray? He’d be the Nephew of his Step-father.I suppose you might call it a Step-cousin, but it’s not really accurate.
“….Speak Now, Or Forever Hold Your Peas And Carrots”
“Would You Please Pass The Jealousy?”
“Pardon Me…But Would You Have Any ‘Gray-Be-Gone’?”
“Have Gunther, Will Travel”
“Fallout, At The ‘Just O.K. Corral Buffet’ "
“Guess Who I Don’t Want Coming To Dinner”
“Squall In The Family”
“The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Mother’s Aunt’s 2nd Cousin, Brother Of My Grand Cousin’s Brother’s Stepfather, Best Friend Of The Family, And Frequent Patron Of This Bar, Removed Once From It….Or Twice, I Think…”
Getting a little tired of Gunther’s extreme selfishness. He needs to grow up and start realizing his mother is a person with a right to feel loved and wanted romantically. She had a life long before he came around. And now he’s a grown man. It’s obvious Mr Gray treats her nicely, so he’s got no beef other than his own whiny, 2 year old “mine mine!” temper tantrum attitude.
First cousins are the children of siblings. Second cousins are the children of first cousins. If Tom and Jerry are second cousins, then Tom’s son Bob is a second cousin once removed to Jerry, and vice-versa. Bob’s son Mike is a second cousin twice removed to Jerry. “Removed” means the two people are different generations.
The person who got closest to today’s strip was sallymargaret when she mentioned how Gunther would be forced to mature if his mom married Al Grey. Ok, she did not do it as a prediction of today’s strip and today’s comic only includes that question posed by Tiffany, but she got close when no one else did, so congratulations to sallymargaret!
I wonder if the rest of this week will be the car ride talk with the dinner next week, or if the car ride talk will maybe lead to them deciding to ditch the dinner as one poster suggested?
Yesterday it really helped me that people included their predictions in comments rather than in replies. With time constraints i may not be able to do this each day, especially with so many posts and predictions, but if people continue to help like that, and it others also congratulate people who guess right in some way as well as correct me when i miss another who should be congratulated then we can all have a bit of extra fun from our Luann prediction game, though the best part of it is the predictions themselves, not the congratulations.
Regarding respecting that Mrs.Berger is romantically interested in Mr. Gray: except we don’t know anything about Mr. Gray except he is highly efficient and apparently has mysterious resources. Having a nephew like Les says something about the family. So, I am reserved about Mrs. Berger’s romantic feelings for Mr. Gray. She’s been a widow for too long and vulnerable. Perhaps Gunther feels the same and protective of his mom – and yes, does not want to share his mom which is immature and understandable as he has had his mom all to himself his whole life. He has never seen her as a person with outside interests. He is struggling with her new identity. He will come to terms with that eventually.
Tiffany shouldn’t have to be subjected to a rag tag dinner like this. She is destined to be the trophy wife of some up and coming politician. She’s got the money and the looks. Who needs brains?
Asking a little favor: as many here know, my eyes are not great. So, we see movies at home, which usually means later than their cinema dates.
A friend of ours is an extra in the recently announced Tom Hanks, the Mummy, film. In movies there is typically so much that is cut, and we are hoping her footage is retained. She was in at least one of the crowd scenes, so if any of you see a 6’8" (yes, tall, which is how her family is) woman in the movie after it opens (I think on the 9th), could you give a holler, please?
4“Fatherly” advice being spoken to the character of Gunther:
“Still being very immature about your ways of expressing your frustration/anger, eh Gunther. Of course, since it is still the same car ride as yesterday, that is expected. But, your character development since you came back from Peru has disappointed me. From my perspective, you have REGRESSED into a mouthy, prepubescent sort of mental state… a mental state that no amount of scruffy-looking peach fuzz will mask or hide.”
* * * *
Gunther behaved more “maturely” as a prepubescent than he does now, I think. Yes, probably his prepubescent behavior was mostly the suppression of responses due to his lack of confidence and fear of being bullied…. but controlling your anger is still a more mature sort of skill than Gunther is exhibiting now.
I hope that Gunther has some sort of realization that he is becoming a less likable character/person, and the realization of this causes him pause. If he only tried to see himself as others are seeing him behave…. I think that Gunther would also dislike what he saw… and being the generally wise and kind kid he has been…. he would work to become a person he would find far more appropriate in behavior.
Predictions:
1. Tiffany, through her continued conversation with Gunther, will be the person responsible for Gunther starting to realize how “j*ck*ss-like” his temper tantrums are.
2. I also predict that this realization will not occur until a major Gunther “blow up” happens at the dinner party.
3. I suspect Gunther may “stomp” and “huff” outside in anger after the blow out, and then he and Tiffany will sit on the porch and she will help him to realize the errs of his ways.
Gunther has a lot of issues that he needs to face but which he represses… like his mom and Mr. Gray and now Les possibly becoming part of his family. Tiffany is forcing him to confront reality. Maybe at dinner she will direct the conversation by asking some probing questions.
Tiffany isn’t performing any stealth therapy on Gunther. This is just typical girl talk, probing into who’s doing what to/with whom. And/or it’s a way for the strip to show how angry Gunther is about the whole thing.
@THANTILIZE: .(1) When have we known Tiffany to seek to lessen tension? .(2) And Gunther is only comfortable with kissing a woman if he initiates the action. Every time Tiffany has gotten close to him, he backed away. He went after Rosa and kissed her in reaction to being bullied by Leslie…
Tiffany!!! Find Knute and Crystal and escape these depressing losers. Las Vegas show girl, Hollywood “B” movie starlet (I did not say porn), model…..use what you’ve got before you lose what you’ve got. Just lose Greg because he’ll take you down like he did to Rosa.
Brdshtt Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Tiff, ya sure know how to tell a guy just what he wants to hear.
AnyFace almost 7 years ago
♫ “Love … American Style …” ♫
Argythree almost 7 years ago
And right about now, Gunther should announce to Tiffany that he’s decided to take her out to a nice restaurant for a dinner without Mr. Gray and Les…
Templo S.U.D. almost 7 years ago
As much as I fascinate genealogy, I can’t even put into words what a “second cousin twice removed” is. I know second cousins are individuals who have a shared set of great-grandparents (the parent or uncle/aunt of A and the parent or uncle/aunt of B are first cousins, the grandparent or granduncle/aunt of A and the parent or granduncle/aunt of B are siblings), but I can’t go on to the “twice removed” part.
drewpamon almost 7 years ago
Dude don’t act super angry in front of your girl, it’s not an attractive quality.
And Your Point Would Be almost 7 years ago
Other than infringe on Gunther’s jealously exclusive relationship with his mother, has Mr. Gray actually done anything negative or alienating toward Gunther?
Carrots almost 7 years ago
2 really random things here, 1: Gunth’s nose has always bugged me, its such a weird shape, it’s like a fish hook, where did Greg get the inspiration from that. 2: Is Tiff ever going to change her hairstyle, I know it is Tiff’s one physical trait that’s her main undeniable trait, but it’s been the same since the beginning of this comic!
kenhense almost 7 years ago
Tiff should ask Gunther to pull over for a minute – to avoid a wreck. Then she should calmly ask Gunther why he is in so much pain over his Mom having a date. If Gunther explodes without answering – Tiff should tell Gunther he’d better sort it out – and in the meantime – take her home.
luann1212 almost 7 years ago
Tiffany is going to be the key to moving the emotions behind the dinners to a different stage. She is getting a new perspective to apply to the situation. Of course that remains to be seen.
Airman almost 7 years ago
At least Tiff seems comfortable with Gunther, even when he acts childish. But, poor Tiff is headed into The Twilight Zone. I shudder because it reminds me of those old dinners with the in-laws. I’d rather brown bag it in a toxic waste dump. With Les there, Gunther won’t be asking for the salt…….he’ll looking for the pepper spray.
howtheduck almost 7 years ago
While I enjoy the fact that Tiffany is using a nail file on her knuckles in the first panel, I am more interested in Gunther’s amazing changing car. Since yesterday:
1. A rear view mirror has appeared
2.The rear window went from being circular to more of an oval.
3.The seat belts are no longer attached to the car.
4.Tiffany’s seat has lost its headrest.
5.The side window has lost its gray trim.
It’s easy to figure out the changes symbolically. Yesterday Gunther was thinking about blasting Leslie into space, so the shape of the car was more like space rocket. Today Gunther is thinking about his mother having sex with Mr. Gray. When that happens, you need to be able to see what is coming up behind you, so you aren’t blindsided.
Thantilize almost 7 years ago
So, what would Les be to Gunther if his mom married Mr. Gray? He’d be the Nephew of his Step-father.I suppose you might call it a Step-cousin, but it’s not really accurate.
Pointspread almost 7 years ago
Gunther is spending a lot of time not thinking about things.
DaJellyBelly almost 7 years ago
Why does the last panel remind me of this old tune??? LOL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeIsxXDyjlc
Annie K. almost 7 years ago
Once removed, they should just stay removed, I always say… ;p
Ruth Brown almost 7 years ago
Good for Tiffany having Gunther face unpleasant things. She is good for him.
Mordock999 Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Well if These two are Lucky, the car suddenly run out of gas or something and They’ll have another “Moment” whilst They’re waiting for AAA…..,
Aqsnt almost 7 years ago
Gee Tiff shoulda saved that last nugget for dessert.
sueb1863 almost 7 years ago
Les would be Gunther’s step-brother. It’s not that complicated.
cubswin2016 almost 7 years ago
Tiffany doesn’t know when to shut up.
JayBluE almost 7 years ago
“Family Fu-tile”
“Survivor: Berger Island”
“Hissin’ Cousins”
“The Bratty Bunch”
“Assault, And A Battery Of Potential Charges”
“….Speak Now, Or Forever Hold Your Peas And Carrots”
“Would You Please Pass The Jealousy?”
“Pardon Me…But Would You Have Any ‘Gray-Be-Gone’?”
“Have Gunther, Will Travel”
“Fallout, At The ‘Just O.K. Corral Buffet’ "
“Guess Who I Don’t Want Coming To Dinner”
“Squall In The Family”
“The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Mother’s Aunt’s 2nd Cousin, Brother Of My Grand Cousin’s Brother’s Stepfather, Best Friend Of The Family, And Frequent Patron Of This Bar, Removed Once From It….Or Twice, I Think…”
Or
“Nuclear Family Meltdown”
oldcomicsfan almost 7 years ago
Getting a little tired of Gunther’s extreme selfishness. He needs to grow up and start realizing his mother is a person with a right to feel loved and wanted romantically. She had a life long before he came around. And now he’s a grown man. It’s obvious Mr Gray treats her nicely, so he’s got no beef other than his own whiny, 2 year old “mine mine!” temper tantrum attitude.
mikerios almost 7 years ago
First cousins are the children of siblings. Second cousins are the children of first cousins. If Tom and Jerry are second cousins, then Tom’s son Bob is a second cousin once removed to Jerry, and vice-versa. Bob’s son Mike is a second cousin twice removed to Jerry. “Removed” means the two people are different generations.
SukieCrandall Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Prediction congratulations:
The person who got closest to today’s strip was sallymargaret when she mentioned how Gunther would be forced to mature if his mom married Al Grey. Ok, she did not do it as a prediction of today’s strip and today’s comic only includes that question posed by Tiffany, but she got close when no one else did, so congratulations to sallymargaret!
I wonder if the rest of this week will be the car ride talk with the dinner next week, or if the car ride talk will maybe lead to them deciding to ditch the dinner as one poster suggested?
Yesterday it really helped me that people included their predictions in comments rather than in replies. With time constraints i may not be able to do this each day, especially with so many posts and predictions, but if people continue to help like that, and it others also congratulate people who guess right in some way as well as correct me when i miss another who should be congratulated then we can all have a bit of extra fun from our Luann prediction game, though the best part of it is the predictions themselves, not the congratulations.
capricorn9th almost 7 years ago
Regarding respecting that Mrs.Berger is romantically interested in Mr. Gray: except we don’t know anything about Mr. Gray except he is highly efficient and apparently has mysterious resources. Having a nephew like Les says something about the family. So, I am reserved about Mrs. Berger’s romantic feelings for Mr. Gray. She’s been a widow for too long and vulnerable. Perhaps Gunther feels the same and protective of his mom – and yes, does not want to share his mom which is immature and understandable as he has had his mom all to himself his whole life. He has never seen her as a person with outside interests. He is struggling with her new identity. He will come to terms with that eventually.
JPuzzleWhiz almost 7 years ago
Today’s strip evokes this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6pB3tOq7lo
chris_weaver almost 7 years ago
Sounds like one big happy family in the making!
Schrodinger's Dog almost 7 years ago
Gunther’s tie knot has changed from a “Four in Hand” to a “Half Windsor” !
joefearsnothing almost 7 years ago
If Olivia Newton John married John Newton then divorced and remarried him,she would be Olivia Newton John Newton John Newton John!….I think(?)
Airman almost 7 years ago
Tiffany shouldn’t have to be subjected to a rag tag dinner like this. She is destined to be the trophy wife of some up and coming politician. She’s got the money and the looks. Who needs brains?
SukieCrandall Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Asking a little favor: as many here know, my eyes are not great. So, we see movies at home, which usually means later than their cinema dates.
A friend of ours is an extra in the recently announced Tom Hanks, the Mummy, film. In movies there is typically so much that is cut, and we are hoping her footage is retained. She was in at least one of the crowd scenes, so if any of you see a 6’8" (yes, tall, which is how her family is) woman in the movie after it opens (I think on the 9th), could you give a holler, please?
booga almost 7 years ago
These Two… PERFECT for each other. Now watch ’em screw it up!
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member almost 7 years ago
4“Fatherly” advice being spoken to the character of Gunther:
“Still being very immature about your ways of expressing your frustration/anger, eh Gunther. Of course, since it is still the same car ride as yesterday, that is expected. But, your character development since you came back from Peru has disappointed me. From my perspective, you have REGRESSED into a mouthy, prepubescent sort of mental state… a mental state that no amount of scruffy-looking peach fuzz will mask or hide.”
* * * *Gunther behaved more “maturely” as a prepubescent than he does now, I think. Yes, probably his prepubescent behavior was mostly the suppression of responses due to his lack of confidence and fear of being bullied…. but controlling your anger is still a more mature sort of skill than Gunther is exhibiting now.
I hope that Gunther has some sort of realization that he is becoming a less likable character/person, and the realization of this causes him pause. If he only tried to see himself as others are seeing him behave…. I think that Gunther would also dislike what he saw… and being the generally wise and kind kid he has been…. he would work to become a person he would find far more appropriate in behavior.
Predictions:
1. Tiffany, through her continued conversation with Gunther, will be the person responsible for Gunther starting to realize how “j*ck*ss-like” his temper tantrums are.
2. I also predict that this realization will not occur until a major Gunther “blow up” happens at the dinner party.
3. I suspect Gunther may “stomp” and “huff” outside in anger after the blow out, and then he and Tiffany will sit on the porch and she will help him to realize the errs of his ways.
Thantilize almost 7 years ago
Tomorrow: Tiff, realizing the tension, seeks to ease it, Kissing Gunther. And thus begins Giffany. :)
Meh~tdology, fka Pepelaputr almost 7 years ago
There’s a really easy solution, Gunther (I’ve taken to pronouncing his name like Ned Beatty pronounced “Luthor” in the first Superman film).
Klark Kent (Stewart Copeland) “Away from Home” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99c8HMxtg-Q
http://www.songlyrics.com/klark-kent/away-from-home-lyrics/
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault almost 7 years ago
Tiffany always finds the best light to put on the subject.
RSH almost 7 years ago
Gunther has a lot of issues that he needs to face but which he represses… like his mom and Mr. Gray and now Les possibly becoming part of his family. Tiffany is forcing him to confront reality. Maybe at dinner she will direct the conversation by asking some probing questions.
RolloTheGrouch almost 7 years ago
Tiffany isn’t performing any stealth therapy on Gunther. This is just typical girl talk, probing into who’s doing what to/with whom. And/or it’s a way for the strip to show how angry Gunther is about the whole thing.
Argy.Bargy2 almost 7 years ago
@THANTILIZE: .(1) When have we known Tiffany to seek to lessen tension? .(2) And Gunther is only comfortable with kissing a woman if he initiates the action. Every time Tiffany has gotten close to him, he backed away. He went after Rosa and kissed her in reaction to being bullied by Leslie…
SukieCrandall Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Prediction tally for today as of 4 p EST
Okay, a few more predictions to add into the mix:
T kisses G: Thant
T teaches G that his tantrums are a problem: Pipe
G has a major blow-up at dinner: Pipe
G stomps away w T following to kindly show him where he errs: Pipe
car problems help G & T communicate: Mordy
T is the key to shifting perceptions at the dinner: Luann1212
T has G pull over and calm down: kenhense
T asks a probing question: RSH
Those are at about 4p EST
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Les needs to be twice removed: removed from Gunther’s life, then from planet Earth.
nathenleeturner almost 7 years ago
I think, think mind you, that she is teasing him to get him to blow off some steam in the car and ease up a little before getting to the dinner.
Schrodinger's Dog almost 7 years ago
So, what should Tiffany’s hairstyle be changed to? A “pixie” cut? Longer tresses without the bangs? Time for her to effect a change !
Airman almost 7 years ago
Tiffany!!! Find Knute and Crystal and escape these depressing losers. Las Vegas show girl, Hollywood “B” movie starlet (I did not say porn), model…..use what you’ve got before you lose what you’ve got. Just lose Greg because he’ll take you down like he did to Rosa.
Dragoncat almost 7 years ago
…and nothing would please Gunther more than to have Les and his uncle removed…
Sisyphos almost 7 years ago
Tiffany: casual to the utmost. Gunther: simmering, trying not to boil over.
Whose goose will be cooked?
Schrodinger's Dog almost 7 years ago
Does Gunther’s car have sensible seat covers?
Argythree almost 7 years ago
SPOILER ALERT:
…..
Tiffphony primps for Less-lee, and smoke emerges from someone’s ears…
ViscountNik almost 7 years ago
I have a second cousin once removed. But he came back.