Might be just me but it always seems like girls are eager to set up/push another girl into a relationship with someone while they themselves are unable to develop a relationship of their own. Those that can’t do, teach. Oh, that’s right, that’s why Bernice wants to be a counselor so she can tell everyone else what’s wrong with them instead of looking in the mirror.
My, Bernice has it bad. She kept diverting Nil to Jack, hoping it was JACK who asked for a date. Deep inside, she knows Nil asked Jack to ask Bernice for him. She just wants it to be Jack. Hey, Bernice, remember the fun you two had snarking back at the bowling alley? He is intelligent. Ok, he seems odd on the outside but inside, he is cool. Give him a chance.
Monstro has worked up an appetite from almost dying, so that’s good. I’m betting Bernice finds herself strangely drawn to Nil, in the end. Although it’s weird how Jack pushed her into this. Unfortunately, Nil won’t have a flat Frankenstein’s monster head under his hat, so wherever will Bernice put her coffee?
Yep, he’s her date. Doesn’t even sound like a group date, as is popular now – just one person going out with another person, to an event that both of them may find interesting. (Even if person B thinks she has no interest in person N, it’s a date. It may well not go anywhere.)
“Well whatever, right? Anyway, thanks for taking Jack’s place, and going on that not-date with Nil. Jack and I will be going to a monster truck show that day, followed by dinner at Tiffany’s table for two! Tee-Hee! Won’t she be green with envy when she sees me with Jack? (Giggle) Have FUN!” – Luann
So some folks here are assuming that Luann and Jack were in on this scheme together. I beg to differ. I suspect that Jack had that conversation with Luann as he was leaving the house (perhaps Luann showed him out). I don’t think Jack meant to trick Bernice into going to the art show with Nil—Bernice’s over-the-top desperation made her jump to conclusions before hearing him out. Bernice has a habit of jumping to conclusions…and Jack isn’t a mean guy. Perhaps he’s been keeping Bernice at arm’s length because he knows that Nil digs her and he doesn’t want to hurt his friend.
I side with Bernice here. Jack did not frame going to the art show with Nil as a date. I don’t know why Lu thinks this is a good date for Bern. Of course G & K surprise us sometimes. Maybe In order to date Bern – Nil cut his hair and quit acting like a total stoner.
Nil isn’t very outgoing, so Jack was acting as sort of a matchmaker. Predicting that once Nil & Bern get to the art show, Nil will express his knowledge of the craft and Bernice will be surprised and impressed.
Some need to go back and read the Friday and Monday strips. Jack has been a straight shooter so far and probably not aware of Bernice’s feelings toward him. Friday, he said “Before I forget”, now if he was asking for himself, why would he start the sentence with those words, and he started to say “wanna go to an art show with” when Bernice shouts “YES!” and finishes “with my friend Nil”. Now if she had let Jack finish before interrupting, she might have said “No”.
On Monday’s continuation, he told Bernice he was going to go with Nil, but couldn’t make it and (Jack) thought she might like to fill in. No indication that Nil asked Jack to ask Bernice to go. In today’s strip, Luann claims “Jack said you’re going on a date with Nil!” Did Jack actually say that or was Luann yanking Bernice’s chain? Since we don’t know what Jack actually said to Luann and we know the two girls get quite snarky with each other, especially Bernice, my money is Luann is yanking Bernice’s chain. But the next panel, Luann claim’s that Nil asked Jack to ask Bernice if she would go with him (Nil). Is Luann still yanking Bernice’s chain, since Jack said it was his idea (Jack’s). He had no reason to lie about it. If Jack couldn’t make it, and Nil said suggested that Jack ask Bernice, to fill in, Jack would mostly like have said “Since I can’t make it, Nil thought maybe you would like to go with him.” or words to that effect. So if Jack was honest (as how he has be portrayed so far), then either Luann has totally misconstrued things or is jerking Bernice around, as indicated in the last panel when she continues with “Nil! Your date!”, knowing full well Bernice had said “It’s not a date. It’s a favor for Jack.”.
Of course, the crux of today’s strip may be just to get the old “Who’s on First” joke into the strip for “hilarity”.
Bernice absolutely doesn’t like where this is going. She has zero interest in Nil and is angry that Jack did this to her. It’s good that she and Luann talk about it. I just hope Bernice can be able to keep her cool and have this discussion without run away angry or telling Luann to leave her alone.
Gotta admit, I was as confused as Bee. Up until today’s conversation, I thought she was going with Jack as Nils replacement. We hear what we expect to hear.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen “Nil”. For all we know the writers & artists may have decided to re-invent him. You know, draw the guy like he’s been in a gym, write that he’s taken science or business classes, and G&K could show that Bernice is impressed.
Remember, on Big Bang Theory, Penny initially didn’t much like Leonard.
If I was Bern i would just text Jack (right away) and say “look, I agreed as a favor to you, not because I actually want this date. Please tell Nil that i won’t be attending”. It’s a lot easier to say it in a message than face-to-face where she’s under Jack’s ‘spell’. Her emotions were taken advantage of. To the ‘in person’ Jack she would have said yes to anything.
These young women are supposed to be twenty somethings and have known each other all their lives, but they still don’t know how to communicate? And Luann wants to teach while Bernice wants a career in counseling? Time to reconsider one choice, maybe both!
Everybody is so eager for tricking and snarking. Try this scenario (before everybody Bernices it):
Nil has tickets to an art exhibit. Doesn’t want to go by himself, so asks Jack if he will go with him. Jack has other plans, and politely declines. Jack gets text from LuAnn, asking to come over to check on Monstro, Bernice’s fish. Nil, hearing that Jack is going over to Luann’s, asks Jack to ask Bernice if she would like to go to an art exhibit. Which she jumps the gun in accepting, thinking Jack is asking on his own behalf.As Jack is leaving, he mentions to LuAnn about Nil asking him to ask Bernice about the art exhibit.
See? Perfectly reasonable case of circumstances. (Which is why the readership will probably never accept it.)
What I’d like to see? Nil showing up with a haircut, looking spruced up, and treating Bernice as a gentleman. But with the way Bernice has been behaving, she’ll spend the whole time wishing Jack were there instead.
Everybody is so eager to charge snark, or trickery. Try this scenario;
Nil has tickets to an art exhibit. Doesn’t want to go alone, so asks his buddy Jack to join him. But Jack has other plans. Jack receives text from Luann, asking him to come check on Monstro, Bernice’s fish. Nil, hearing Jack is going to Luann’s, asks him to ask Bernice if she would like to go to an art exhibit. Bernice, thinking Jack is asking on his own behalf, jumps the gun in accepting. As Jack is leaving, he mentions in passing about Nil asking to ask Bernice about the art exhibit.
See? Perfectly reasonable set of circumstances. (Which is why the readership will never accept it.)
What I’d like to see? Nil showing up with a haircut, dressed nicely, and behaving like a gentleman. It wouldn’t necessarily start anything. But it might cure Bernice of her judgementalism. Although, with the way Bernice has been behaving, she’ll still treat Nil like dirt, wishing she was with Jack.
If Luann knew this was going to happen in advance, then this is one of the most cruel things I’ve ever seen from her! She KNOWS Berniece has a huge crush on Jack and yet she allows her to get blindsided like this. Even if she didn’t know she still behaving badly here—-like a cat with a trapped mouse. Some friend!
Bernice has an unpleasant tendency to bite peoples’ heads off doesn’t she? Or maybe it’s just Luann she does it to. And still trying to make this date “set up” into a favor for Jack, which would mean (in her mind) they have a relationship…of sorts. Maybe if she goes on the date Nil will show up looking good and surprise her.
I think more guys would be interested in Bernice if she took off all her clothes, laid on her back, spread her legs and yelled “Come and get some”. Or should that be “Get some and come.”?
I realize now why Bernice is always biting Luann’s’ head off. It’s because Luann is CLUELESS. Why is she acting excited about Jack blowing Bernice off and setting her up with Nil?? She knows Bernice likes Jack, likes him a lot. A true friend would realize this is not a happy outcome and be sympathetic instead of acting thrilled.
Something is fishy here (no pun). Either Jack told Luann something other than he told Bernice or Luann heard what he said through a different filter.
What Jack said was, “I was gonna go to the art show with Nil, but I can’t. Thought you’d like to fill in.”
So unless Jack considered his meet-up with Nil a date, then Bernice is right and Luann is pursuing an agenda.
Today, Luann says in panel 4 that Jack said or implied that Nil is “Interested.” In Bernice? As in “dating” Bernice? Where did that come from?
There is a great deal of game playing going on here by Jack or Luann or both. Or maybe by GnK themselves! In any case, Bernice seems to be the butt of some nasty scheme. Something that, with her personality, could backfire big time!
This is middle-school relationship drama. The authors never should have aged the characters up if they were just going to continue to write for them as if they were children.
This reminds me of when I was teaching Middle School and the kids would pass notes saying, “ask him if he likes me” or “check yes or no, do you like me” :):)
1. The unfortunate effects of the overuse of pronouns!
The humorous confusions that arise between Luann and Bernice are all a result of the overuse of pronouns. As I repeatedly explain to my students, we live in a society that uses too many pronouns in both speaking and writing. However, the overuse in writing is the more problematic of the two communication styles. In speaking, inflection and tone can often (not always, like we see today) provide the necessary cues so the intended use of the pronoun can still be discerned. But, in writing, the excessive use of pronouns can often destroy the intended meanings of statements.
2. Bernice’s very strong mindset.
With the pronoun usage today, we get to see how very badly Bernice wants those pronouns to be reflecting Jack…. not Nil. Even as Luann attempts to clarify, Bernice’s “go-to” thought is all about Jack. This feels very sad to me, for Bernice. While I suspect and hope she will find her time with Nil enjoyable, it is painful to see how disappointed Bernice actually is. In many ways, Bernice’s response is reflective of the mindset many/most of us have in regards to something we really want….. but are not (at least currently) getting.
3. Luann’s genuine happiness for Bernice.
While various commenters are berating Luann about “prior knowledge” of this or that aspect of Jack and/or Nil…. and other commenters are berating Bernice about damn near everything…. what I see here today is Luann being genuinely happy for Bernice about having a new dating opportunity. Luann, I believe…. recognizes that Bernice has a crush on Jack…. and that is fine and good but is apparently not going to be realized at this time…. but Luann also sees that Nil is a good guy too… and that he could also be a good potential romantic interest for Bernice.
While i do not fault Jack in any way; he served as the fish paramedic (responding to 911). he did his job splendidly; he made Monstro healthy again. That said, i think it was probably clear to him that Bern was accepting his offer to “fill in” at the art show reluctantly, hence, the “I gotta run” remark. He did not want to stick around to unpack it any further to Bern who might change her mind. But he wasn’t in such a hurry that he couldn’t stop and tell Luann all about it. And i believe Jack may have related the situation a little differently to Luann, or Luann interpreted what he told her differently.
I dated a girl who was already mad at me when she agreed. (I didn’t know she was mad at me when I asked. She must have liked giving surprises.) Don’t know why she agreed. Do know why I never asked again.
Confrontational? Bern was setup, by Jack, to go on a date with Nil. She was setup, conned, scammed, tricked, hoodwinked, played, manipulated and humiliated. Maybe Luann is secretly the mastermind of this whole underhanded and humiliating incident?
Mistake #1: When Nil asked you to ask Bernice out for him, you should’ve said, “No. Be an adult and ask her yourself.”
Mistake #2: Because you agreed to the task, you should have been upfront with Bernice, not made it sound like she was just doing you a favor and taking your place because you couldn’t go.
Mistake #3: Having concocted this bizarre story, you should have stuck with it and not turned right around and told Luann the truth. Of course it was going to get right back to Bernice.
This whole situation is ridiculous. Also, the level of anger for both girls in the third panel – especially Bernice – is awfully over-the-top. I’m with those who question how these two are even supposed to be considered friends anymore.
Why is it that every time something is said to Bernice, she becomes so blasted defensive? Just come out and tell Jack that you like him already and get over yourself. Geez!
10 to 1 we meet a new and improved Nil, maybe he’s been working out with Jack and had a makeover from Tiff and will leave Bernie speechless for once in her life?
Point one: Jack told Bernice that she would “fill in” for him and go to the art show with Nil. True, Bernice did say “yes” to it, but he told her about the “favor” after the fact. In no way did he tell her that this was really a date.
Point two: He may have told Luann what the real deal was, that Bernice was going on a date with Nil and not that she was doing Jack a “favor.” As some of you have already pointed out, we have no way of knowing whether Luann was misinterpreting what Jack might have said to her.
Point three: If Jack framed this date as a “favor” to Bernice but told Luann the real truth, then he wasn’t being completely honest with Bernice.
Point four: Bernice is being angry and negative—and she is completely within her rights to feel that way. Why? Because she’s been set up with someone she isn’t interested in. Furthermore, and most importantly, she may have been lied to by a guy she has so far had a crush on. No one likes not being listened or lied to.
I know that it’s only Tuesday right now, but if the fight between Luann and Bernice continues on into the week, I will be on Bernice’s side and here’s why: when it comes to who to date or whether to date at all, that person should have the final say. That person should never be manipulated into dating against their will or be ignored when it comes to what they really want for themselves.
You can’t force a date. You can’t force attraction. And, you can’t force someone to like somebody else.
It was poorly phrased. The lines of communication are crossed. Nothing more. There is nothing sinister going on. Jack is aware that Nil is interested in Bern, and was passing along an invitation. Bern interrupted before Jack could explain the situation. That is on Bern. Once it was explained to her, Bern could have politely declined. Instead, she is calling this a favor for Jack, implying that for Bern at least, they share a relationship where exchanging favors is no big deal. Luann is falsely calling it a date. Give Nil a chance; it’s an art show, not an engagement.
I don’t think of Bernice as confrontational. But she is easily triggered when Luann starts being ditzy and confusing the conversation. Luann is more interested in teasing Bernice about a “date” than she is in communicating that she understands Bernice and Nil will be going to the art show. Finding out that Jack told Luann but not her further upsets Bernice, and rightly so. When I was in high school, a guy I knew had a crush on me asked a mutual female friend to ask me if I would go to the movies with him for the after-prom get-together. She admitted that he was afraid to ask me to the actual prom because I might say “no”. (Which was odd, because I would have gone with him). But even though the situation was a little odd, I didn’t hold that against him, because he and the friend were truthful. But I’ll add that we were all 17 years old at the time, and I’m kind of surprised that the Luann folks, though a little older, came up with this idea.
As for Nil, he wouldn’t be my first choice for anybody’s “date.” When he stated on their first date that he “hoped that they would have more in common”, when Bern said she didn’t like Tim Burton movies or “leeching”, I didn’t care for that. But everyone deserves a second chance. (That comment is in the strip of May 17, 2017)
Sorry, but the more I think about this situation, the less sense it makes.
Jack makes a spur-of-the-moment trip to Bern, but has time to get a date set up between Bern and Nil. With a cockamamie story about going to an art show with Nil.
Luann says that Jack told her – Bern’s BFF – about the subterfuge.
Either Jack is being a lot more devious than he’s always been portrayed to be, or …
I used to wonder why people came to this site if they disliked the Luann character so much. I realize now that it has nothing to do with the Luann character. A lot of people come here just to push the buttons of those who do like the Luann character; that is the only reason they are here, and that’s how they get their enjoyment. A very strange use of time, which, after all, is actually a limited thing…
Templo S.U.D. almost 3 years ago
What? (Second base!)
Rhetorical_Question almost 3 years ago
Bad news- Deception is the word
DaJellyBelly almost 3 years ago
I dislike Bernice because she is too confrontational!
GirlGeek Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Nil likes Bernice but Bernice likes Jack and Jack definitely likes Luann. That’s what I got from all this.
Rhetorical_Question almost 3 years ago
Jack and Luann are not dating. Luann was pushing Jack on Bernice.
BJShipley1 almost 3 years ago
Well, looks like Jack is gone and so I win my bet!
Rhetorical_Question almost 3 years ago
Bring back Crystal and Knute.
beb01 almost 3 years ago
This explains why Greg likes ti write about Tiffany and Bets. They’re much more interesting.
Cheapskate0 almost 3 years ago
Definite effort by G&K to make both Bernice and Luann as unlikable as possible.
Luann because, now it appears she knew that Jack was going to set Bernice up with Nil – and she already knew that Bernice and Nil were going nowhere.
Bernice because, well, Bernice.
anna almost 3 years ago
What did Jack do to help the fish?
hersheyjgm almost 3 years ago
Might be just me but it always seems like girls are eager to set up/push another girl into a relationship with someone while they themselves are unable to develop a relationship of their own. Those that can’t do, teach. Oh, that’s right, that’s why Bernice wants to be a counselor so she can tell everyone else what’s wrong with them instead of looking in the mirror.
capricorn9th almost 3 years ago
My, Bernice has it bad. She kept diverting Nil to Jack, hoping it was JACK who asked for a date. Deep inside, she knows Nil asked Jack to ask Bernice for him. She just wants it to be Jack. Hey, Bernice, remember the fun you two had snarking back at the bowling alley? He is intelligent. Ok, he seems odd on the outside but inside, he is cool. Give him a chance.
linus82 almost 3 years ago
Esto parece un diálogo de Luis en la película de Antman. Al menos Monstro ya se ve animado.
lvlax almost 3 years ago
Bernice is destined to end up becoming Miss Phelps.
Caldonia almost 3 years ago
Monstro has worked up an appetite from almost dying, so that’s good. I’m betting Bernice finds herself strangely drawn to Nil, in the end. Although it’s weird how Jack pushed her into this. Unfortunately, Nil won’t have a flat Frankenstein’s monster head under his hat, so wherever will Bernice put her coffee?
Joe1962 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Bernice why are you making this so hard.
ronaldspence almost 3 years ago
Once again, verbal mish-mash and hilarity ensues…
outonalimb almost 3 years ago
Not your date, Bernice? I suppose next you’ll be telling us that you aren’t Nil’s sweet babboo.
wantcomicsnow almost 3 years ago
Yeah, Bernice, Nil IS your date.
Major Matt Mason Premium Member almost 3 years ago
THIRD BASE!
Need coffee almost 3 years ago
Yep, he’s her date. Doesn’t even sound like a group date, as is popular now – just one person going out with another person, to an event that both of them may find interesting. (Even if person B thinks she has no interest in person N, it’s a date. It may well not go anywhere.)
Mordock999 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
“Well whatever, right? Anyway, thanks for taking Jack’s place, and going on that not-date with Nil. Jack and I will be going to a monster truck show that day, followed by dinner at Tiffany’s table for two! Tee-Hee! Won’t she be green with envy when she sees me with Jack? (Giggle) Have FUN!” – Luann
Parto_the_P almost 3 years ago
So the new troll talking point is that Jack “tricked” Bernice into going to the art show with Nil? Got it. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
SJhapamama almost 3 years ago
So some folks here are assuming that Luann and Jack were in on this scheme together. I beg to differ. I suspect that Jack had that conversation with Luann as he was leaving the house (perhaps Luann showed him out). I don’t think Jack meant to trick Bernice into going to the art show with Nil—Bernice’s over-the-top desperation made her jump to conclusions before hearing him out. Bernice has a habit of jumping to conclusions…and Jack isn’t a mean guy. Perhaps he’s been keeping Bernice at arm’s length because he knows that Nil digs her and he doesn’t want to hurt his friend.
ImDaRealAni almost 3 years ago
Man, love life is complicated…
RSH almost 3 years ago
Somehow this reminds me of other times when Luann was passing along sensitive information in ways that were not originally meant.
Brdshtt Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Jack and Nil went up the hill,
To set Bernie up for the art show,
Nil turned around,
Bumped a stone head on the ground,
And it hit and broke Bernie’s right big toe.
amethyst52 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Who the hell is Nil?
kenhense almost 3 years ago
I side with Bernice here. Jack did not frame going to the art show with Nil as a date. I don’t know why Lu thinks this is a good date for Bern. Of course G & K surprise us sometimes. Maybe In order to date Bern – Nil cut his hair and quit acting like a total stoner.
luann1212 almost 3 years ago
Ah, so it was Nil all along. Jack is redeemed, Bernice is confused, although she knows the “not date” is with Nils.
Sanspareil almost 3 years ago
It seems to to be so Nil, Null and Void!
OneTime59 almost 3 years ago
Nil isn’t very outgoing, so Jack was acting as sort of a matchmaker. Predicting that once Nil & Bern get to the art show, Nil will express his knowledge of the craft and Bernice will be surprised and impressed.
chidecki Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Abbott and Costello look a lot better these days
RabbitHole almost 3 years ago
Some need to go back and read the Friday and Monday strips. Jack has been a straight shooter so far and probably not aware of Bernice’s feelings toward him. Friday, he said “Before I forget”, now if he was asking for himself, why would he start the sentence with those words, and he started to say “wanna go to an art show with” when Bernice shouts “YES!” and finishes “with my friend Nil”. Now if she had let Jack finish before interrupting, she might have said “No”.
On Monday’s continuation, he told Bernice he was going to go with Nil, but couldn’t make it and (Jack) thought she might like to fill in. No indication that Nil asked Jack to ask Bernice to go. In today’s strip, Luann claims “Jack said you’re going on a date with Nil!” Did Jack actually say that or was Luann yanking Bernice’s chain? Since we don’t know what Jack actually said to Luann and we know the two girls get quite snarky with each other, especially Bernice, my money is Luann is yanking Bernice’s chain. But the next panel, Luann claim’s that Nil asked Jack to ask Bernice if she would go with him (Nil). Is Luann still yanking Bernice’s chain, since Jack said it was his idea (Jack’s). He had no reason to lie about it. If Jack couldn’t make it, and Nil said suggested that Jack ask Bernice, to fill in, Jack would mostly like have said “Since I can’t make it, Nil thought maybe you would like to go with him.” or words to that effect. So if Jack was honest (as how he has be portrayed so far), then either Luann has totally misconstrued things or is jerking Bernice around, as indicated in the last panel when she continues with “Nil! Your date!”, knowing full well Bernice had said “It’s not a date. It’s a favor for Jack.”.
Of course, the crux of today’s strip may be just to get the old “Who’s on First” joke into the strip for “hilarity”.
Aladar30 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Bernice absolutely doesn’t like where this is going. She has zero interest in Nil and is angry that Jack did this to her. It’s good that she and Luann talk about it. I just hope Bernice can be able to keep her cool and have this discussion without run away angry or telling Luann to leave her alone.
D.E.N. almost 3 years ago
It’s taking quite a long time for this arc to go absolutely nowhere!
ACTIVIST1234 almost 3 years ago
Gotta admit, I was as confused as Bee. Up until today’s conversation, I thought she was going with Jack as Nils replacement. We hear what we expect to hear.
FredWaiss almost 3 years ago
Who’s on first?
Thantilize almost 3 years ago
Bernice: If you cannot listen AND understand simple English, you’ll never make a living at something that requires it. Take a hint!
jrankin1959 almost 3 years ago
I Don’t Know over at third base is feeling a little left out…
Johnnyrico almost 3 years ago
Welcome back to middle school..
CreativeChef almost 3 years ago
As the hormones get in the way, These two young ladies are all screwed up. I really hope that by Saturday this gets sorted out.
Jaymi Cee Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Oh, Bernice. Called it…too focused on her fantasy to appreciate the flattery of a guy too nervous to ask you out directly. And Nil seems a good egg.
imbas5511 almost 3 years ago
thick as a brick…
LionsAndTigersNoBears almost 3 years ago
Who’s on first?
Rocknaww almost 3 years ago
ekw555 almost 3 years ago
Jack & Nil went up the hill . . .
willkepley almost 3 years ago
3rd Base!
StoicLion1973 almost 3 years ago
This is what being indirect and fearful of rejection gets you, ladies. Now Bernice has to spend time with a guy she isn’t interested in.
EasyEight almost 3 years ago
It’s been a while since we’ve seen “Nil”. For all we know the writers & artists may have decided to re-invent him. You know, draw the guy like he’s been in a gym, write that he’s taken science or business classes, and G&K could show that Bernice is impressed.
Remember, on Big Bang Theory, Penny initially didn’t much like Leonard.
Decepticomic almost 3 years ago
It’s simple. He said he wanted to ask him to ask you to go with him to the place, and he told her to tell you what she heard him say. Got it?
RSH almost 3 years ago
If I was Bern i would just text Jack (right away) and say “look, I agreed as a favor to you, not because I actually want this date. Please tell Nil that i won’t be attending”. It’s a lot easier to say it in a message than face-to-face where she’s under Jack’s ‘spell’. Her emotions were taken advantage of. To the ‘in person’ Jack she would have said yes to anything.
Wubbie almost 3 years ago
These young women are supposed to be twenty somethings and have known each other all their lives, but they still don’t know how to communicate? And Luann wants to teach while Bernice wants a career in counseling? Time to reconsider one choice, maybe both!
ericbrower almost 3 years ago
Everybody is so eager for tricking and snarking. Try this scenario (before everybody Bernices it):
Nil has tickets to an art exhibit. Doesn’t want to go by himself, so asks Jack if he will go with him. Jack has other plans, and politely declines. Jack gets text from LuAnn, asking to come over to check on Monstro, Bernice’s fish. Nil, hearing that Jack is going over to Luann’s, asks Jack to ask Bernice if she would like to go to an art exhibit. Which she jumps the gun in accepting, thinking Jack is asking on his own behalf.As Jack is leaving, he mentions to LuAnn about Nil asking him to ask Bernice about the art exhibit.
See? Perfectly reasonable case of circumstances. (Which is why the readership will probably never accept it.)
What I’d like to see? Nil showing up with a haircut, looking spruced up, and treating Bernice as a gentleman. But with the way Bernice has been behaving, she’ll spend the whole time wishing Jack were there instead.
Serial Pedant almost 3 years ago
Nil’s on first…maybe
Takagi-san almost 3 years ago
Hmm. “Pronoun trouble.”
IBGumby almost 3 years ago
Costello: I said I don’t give a darn!Abbott: Oh, that’s our shortstop.
elliel203 almost 3 years ago
Is Greg deliberately trying to make Bernice extremely unlikable? If so, mission: accomplished
ericbrower almost 3 years ago
Everybody is so eager to charge snark, or trickery. Try this scenario;
Nil has tickets to an art exhibit. Doesn’t want to go alone, so asks his buddy Jack to join him. But Jack has other plans. Jack receives text from Luann, asking him to come check on Monstro, Bernice’s fish. Nil, hearing Jack is going to Luann’s, asks him to ask Bernice if she would like to go to an art exhibit. Bernice, thinking Jack is asking on his own behalf, jumps the gun in accepting. As Jack is leaving, he mentions in passing about Nil asking to ask Bernice about the art exhibit.
See? Perfectly reasonable set of circumstances. (Which is why the readership will never accept it.)
What I’d like to see? Nil showing up with a haircut, dressed nicely, and behaving like a gentleman. It wouldn’t necessarily start anything. But it might cure Bernice of her judgementalism. Although, with the way Bernice has been behaving, she’ll still treat Nil like dirt, wishing she was with Jack.
Ellis97 almost 3 years ago
Give it up, Bernice. He doesn’t want to be with you.
eladee AKA Wally almost 3 years ago
If Luann knew this was going to happen in advance, then this is one of the most cruel things I’ve ever seen from her! She KNOWS Berniece has a huge crush on Jack and yet she allows her to get blindsided like this. Even if she didn’t know she still behaving badly here—-like a cat with a trapped mouse. Some friend!
gigagrouch almost 3 years ago
Just. Stop. Talking!
gocomixrocks/the magic beaver cleaver almost 3 years ago
I’m kinda new to the comic strip I don’t even know who nil is.
comic reader 22 almost 3 years ago
Bernice has an unpleasant tendency to bite peoples’ heads off doesn’t she? Or maybe it’s just Luann she does it to. And still trying to make this date “set up” into a favor for Jack, which would mean (in her mind) they have a relationship…of sorts. Maybe if she goes on the date Nil will show up looking good and surprise her.
KEA almost 3 years ago
geez… and I already had a headache before reading the comics
StackableContainers almost 3 years ago
If real life people became like the characters in this strip, no one would ever reproduce and the human race would die out in a couple generations.
rpmurray almost 3 years ago
I think more guys would be interested in Bernice if she took off all her clothes, laid on her back, spread her legs and yelled “Come and get some”. Or should that be “Get some and come.”?
comic reader 22 almost 3 years ago
I realize now why Bernice is always biting Luann’s’ head off. It’s because Luann is CLUELESS. Why is she acting excited about Jack blowing Bernice off and setting her up with Nil?? She knows Bernice likes Jack, likes him a lot. A true friend would realize this is not a happy outcome and be sympathetic instead of acting thrilled.
ctolson almost 3 years ago
Sounds like a case of “Who’s on First”.
rionmorrison69 almost 3 years ago
“Who’s on First!”
blessosu Premium Member almost 3 years ago
“A large nose is the mark of a witty, courteous, affable, generous and liberal man.”
Or in this case — “A stocking cap is the mark of a witty, courteous, affable, generous and liberal man.” LOL
Cyrano de Nil
Schrodinger's Dog almost 3 years ago
Whose on first?
Tyge Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Something is fishy here (no pun). Either Jack told Luann something other than he told Bernice or Luann heard what he said through a different filter.
What Jack said was, “I was gonna go to the art show with Nil, but I can’t. Thought you’d like to fill in.”
So unless Jack considered his meet-up with Nil a date, then Bernice is right and Luann is pursuing an agenda.
Today, Luann says in panel 4 that Jack said or implied that Nil is “Interested.” In Bernice? As in “dating” Bernice? Where did that come from?
There is a great deal of game playing going on here by Jack or Luann or both. Or maybe by GnK themselves! In any case, Bernice seems to be the butt of some nasty scheme. Something that, with her personality, could backfire big time!
Schrodinger's Dog almost 3 years ago
and all the Whos in Whoville wondered which of them was on first!
Jogger2 almost 3 years ago
Pronouns with ambiguous antecedents.
MuddyUSA Premium Member almost 3 years ago
In regard to the conversation between Luann and Bern…..holy crap!
Mayor Snorkum almost 3 years ago
Why would Jack recruit anyone to take his place with his classmate Nil at the art museum? This whole thing makes absolutely no sense.
raybarb44 almost 3 years ago
Who’s on first…..
Tom_Tildrum almost 3 years ago
This is middle-school relationship drama. The authors never should have aged the characters up if they were just going to continue to write for them as if they were children.
YorkGirl Premium Member almost 3 years ago
They seem to communicate alright on Sundays, but not during the week.We’ll see if this non-date ever happens. Or if it’s Nil and void! ;-)
Loki McMuffin almost 3 years ago
Okay, ever since the defeat of Ann Eiffel this strip has been sputtering in neutral. It is well past time to have someone…anyone…move forward.
Have Tiff start working with the CEO of Soufflé lingerie and start on her way to conquering the business world.
Have Brad and Toni become Shannon’s guardians. Heck, I would accept Brad, In the unlikeliest of scenarios, getting pregnant at this point.
Finally light that spark between Gunther and Luann and have Bets barge in on them and announce her love for “Gun” during his and Luann’s first kiss.
Have Bernice spontaneously combust and bring Delta back to replace her.
ANYTHING!!
Tyge Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Review the two week double date sequence.
https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2017/05/08 through the 17th.
While Nil expresses an interest in Bernice at the onset, they both realize they have little in common at the end.
comic reader 22 almost 3 years ago
I figured it out – Luann suffers from short term memory loss.
Joe1962 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Jack ask Bernice would you like to date with Nil. She said yes then Jack said sure i tell him.
Tyge Premium Member almost 3 years ago
No matter how you cut it, Jack doesn’t present himself in the best light recently. Either he’s a muscle head or a bone head!
He does better with animals than humans.
Cavenee Lonnie Premium Member almost 3 years ago
You could do worse Bern. Well not much worse.
Moon57Shine almost 3 years ago
Bernice needs to lighten up (Though I doubt that will ever happen.).
Troglodyte almost 3 years ago
Borenice has Nil chance of making it with Jack.
Tyge Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Luann said Jack said in Panel 1:
Luann said Jack said in Panel 2:
All hearsay – aka rumor.
AUNTBEEEV almost 3 years ago
This reminds me of when I was teaching Middle School and the kids would pass notes saying, “ask him if he likes me” or “check yes or no, do you like me” :):)
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member almost 3 years ago
6
Today’s panels reveal several key things for me:
1. The unfortunate effects of the overuse of pronouns!
The humorous confusions that arise between Luann and Bernice are all a result of the overuse of pronouns. As I repeatedly explain to my students, we live in a society that uses too many pronouns in both speaking and writing. However, the overuse in writing is the more problematic of the two communication styles. In speaking, inflection and tone can often (not always, like we see today) provide the necessary cues so the intended use of the pronoun can still be discerned. But, in writing, the excessive use of pronouns can often destroy the intended meanings of statements.
2. Bernice’s very strong mindset.
With the pronoun usage today, we get to see how very badly Bernice wants those pronouns to be reflecting Jack…. not Nil. Even as Luann attempts to clarify, Bernice’s “go-to” thought is all about Jack. This feels very sad to me, for Bernice. While I suspect and hope she will find her time with Nil enjoyable, it is painful to see how disappointed Bernice actually is. In many ways, Bernice’s response is reflective of the mindset many/most of us have in regards to something we really want….. but are not (at least currently) getting.
3. Luann’s genuine happiness for Bernice.
While various commenters are berating Luann about “prior knowledge” of this or that aspect of Jack and/or Nil…. and other commenters are berating Bernice about damn near everything…. what I see here today is Luann being genuinely happy for Bernice about having a new dating opportunity. Luann, I believe…. recognizes that Bernice has a crush on Jack…. and that is fine and good but is apparently not going to be realized at this time…. but Luann also sees that Nil is a good guy too… and that he could also be a good potential romantic interest for Bernice.
ironbrigade1861 almost 3 years ago
How does one get a straight answer from someone with squirrels running around inside her skull?
RSH almost 3 years ago
While i do not fault Jack in any way; he served as the fish paramedic (responding to 911). he did his job splendidly; he made Monstro healthy again. That said, i think it was probably clear to him that Bern was accepting his offer to “fill in” at the art show reluctantly, hence, the “I gotta run” remark. He did not want to stick around to unpack it any further to Bern who might change her mind. But he wasn’t in such a hurry that he couldn’t stop and tell Luann all about it. And i believe Jack may have related the situation a little differently to Luann, or Luann interpreted what he told her differently.
LAClippers [A.S.A] almost 3 years ago
I got such a headache while reading this.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault almost 3 years ago
I dated a girl who was already mad at me when she agreed. (I didn’t know she was mad at me when I asked. She must have liked giving surprises.) Don’t know why she agreed. Do know why I never asked again.
liberalnlovinit almost 3 years ago
It will all end in recriminations and throwing dishes…
jandaloft almost 3 years ago
Who’s on first?
kenhense almost 3 years ago
All this going on while Tara is still sleeping on Luann’s sofa? (If not – where IS Tara sleeping?)
txmystic almost 3 years ago
ratioed. again.
Willow Mt Lyon almost 3 years ago
Bernice is so passive.
Willow Mt Lyon almost 3 years ago
Does anyone know why the Sacramento Bee dropped Luann?
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Confrontational? Bern was setup, by Jack, to go on a date with Nil. She was setup, conned, scammed, tricked, hoodwinked, played, manipulated and humiliated. Maybe Luann is secretly the mastermind of this whole underhanded and humiliating incident?
asrialfeeple almost 3 years ago
Called it.
jenniferjfarrell almost 3 years ago
Ugh, Jack.
Mistake #1: When Nil asked you to ask Bernice out for him, you should’ve said, “No. Be an adult and ask her yourself.”
Mistake #2: Because you agreed to the task, you should have been upfront with Bernice, not made it sound like she was just doing you a favor and taking your place because you couldn’t go.
Mistake #3: Having concocted this bizarre story, you should have stuck with it and not turned right around and told Luann the truth. Of course it was going to get right back to Bernice.
This whole situation is ridiculous. Also, the level of anger for both girls in the third panel – especially Bernice – is awfully over-the-top. I’m with those who question how these two are even supposed to be considered friends anymore.
cmxx almost 3 years ago
Mistake #pre-1: Lousy pronoun usage. Leading to lousy communication, leading to misunderstandings, leading to anger.
PhoenixHocking almost 3 years ago
I think I’m past the point where I care. I’m almost ready for a Shannon arc.
Natarose almost 3 years ago
Why is it that every time something is said to Bernice, she becomes so blasted defensive? Just come out and tell Jack that you like him already and get over yourself. Geez!
samsoltan_48323 almost 3 years ago
Who’s on first.
ChrisTrey almost 3 years ago
10 to 1 we meet a new and improved Nil, maybe he’s been working out with Jack and had a makeover from Tiff and will leave Bernie speechless for once in her life?
live2read almost 3 years ago
Here’s my answer to all this for today:
Point one: Jack told Bernice that she would “fill in” for him and go to the art show with Nil. True, Bernice did say “yes” to it, but he told her about the “favor” after the fact. In no way did he tell her that this was really a date.
Point two: He may have told Luann what the real deal was, that Bernice was going on a date with Nil and not that she was doing Jack a “favor.” As some of you have already pointed out, we have no way of knowing whether Luann was misinterpreting what Jack might have said to her.
Point three: If Jack framed this date as a “favor” to Bernice but told Luann the real truth, then he wasn’t being completely honest with Bernice.
Point four: Bernice is being angry and negative—and she is completely within her rights to feel that way. Why? Because she’s been set up with someone she isn’t interested in. Furthermore, and most importantly, she may have been lied to by a guy she has so far had a crush on. No one likes not being listened or lied to.
I know that it’s only Tuesday right now, but if the fight between Luann and Bernice continues on into the week, I will be on Bernice’s side and here’s why: when it comes to who to date or whether to date at all, that person should have the final say. That person should never be manipulated into dating against their will or be ignored when it comes to what they really want for themselves.
You can’t force a date. You can’t force attraction. And, you can’t force someone to like somebody else.
kittysquared Premium Member almost 3 years ago
It was poorly phrased. The lines of communication are crossed. Nothing more. There is nothing sinister going on. Jack is aware that Nil is interested in Bern, and was passing along an invitation. Bern interrupted before Jack could explain the situation. That is on Bern. Once it was explained to her, Bern could have politely declined. Instead, she is calling this a favor for Jack, implying that for Bern at least, they share a relationship where exchanging favors is no big deal. Luann is falsely calling it a date. Give Nil a chance; it’s an art show, not an engagement.
luann1212 almost 3 years ago
Hate on Bernice day. Sigh.
finnygirl Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I don’t think of Bernice as confrontational. But she is easily triggered when Luann starts being ditzy and confusing the conversation. Luann is more interested in teasing Bernice about a “date” than she is in communicating that she understands Bernice and Nil will be going to the art show. Finding out that Jack told Luann but not her further upsets Bernice, and rightly so. When I was in high school, a guy I knew had a crush on me asked a mutual female friend to ask me if I would go to the movies with him for the after-prom get-together. She admitted that he was afraid to ask me to the actual prom because I might say “no”. (Which was odd, because I would have gone with him). But even though the situation was a little odd, I didn’t hold that against him, because he and the friend were truthful. But I’ll add that we were all 17 years old at the time, and I’m kind of surprised that the Luann folks, though a little older, came up with this idea.
As for Nil, he wouldn’t be my first choice for anybody’s “date.” When he stated on their first date that he “hoped that they would have more in common”, when Bern said she didn’t like Tim Burton movies or “leeching”, I didn’t care for that. But everyone deserves a second chance. (That comment is in the strip of May 17, 2017)
Sisyphos almost 3 years ago
Nil is your date, Bernie. Consider yourself lucky! —And maybe you will actually enjoy yourself!
Roy G Biv almost 3 years ago
Sorry, but the more I think about this situation, the less sense it makes.
Jack makes a spur-of-the-moment trip to Bern, but has time to get a date set up between Bern and Nil. With a cockamamie story about going to an art show with Nil.
Luann says that Jack told her – Bern’s BFF – about the subterfuge.
Either Jack is being a lot more devious than he’s always been portrayed to be, or …
Luann is lying to stir up trouble.
Argythree almost 3 years ago
I used to wonder why people came to this site if they disliked the Luann character so much. I realize now that it has nothing to do with the Luann character. A lot of people come here just to push the buttons of those who do like the Luann character; that is the only reason they are here, and that’s how they get their enjoyment. A very strange use of time, which, after all, is actually a limited thing…