January 30, 2011: Sunday Showdown!

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Clockwise from the bottom left:

• It is more than a little surprising to see Leroy playing chess, although I can't think of a specific example offhand, I'm fairly sure Loretta made jokes in the past about Leroy not having the intellectual acumen to even play it let alone be engaged in marathon strategic duels with Kasparov-esque looking gentlemen in tan colored voids. Undeterred by Leroy's sudden, uncharacteristic, display of culture and intelligence, Loretta still manages to trash his skills. Loretta goes up 1-0.
• On the surface Loretta is obviously joking that Leroy is so lazy about his daily "To Do" list obligations that they might as well take the rest of his lift to accomplish. On another level, I just think she wants Leroy to be terminally ill. In defense of Leroy, it's hard to knock off items on a "To Do" list when they are written in invisible ink. Loretta still manages to get her zinger in within earshot of Leroy and takes a controlling 2-0 lead.
• I sort of feel like I've walked into bizarro world version of the Lockhorns. Leroy has masterfully managed to switch roles with Loretta and is gabbing about and insulting Loretta over the phone with his BFF, Herb. On top of getting a solid burn on Loretta, it seems that she has totally obliged Leroy's birthday request for "peace and quiet" by storming out of the house. What a happy birthday indeed. Leroy stays alive with the point, it's still 2-1 Loretta.
• Nearly a full month into the new year and we finally get our first cameo by Loretta's Victorian era mother; always a treat. I do particularly love it when Leroy essentially calls Loretta's living fossil of a mother a bitch, especially right in front of her. While this brazen act all but assures Leroy the worst car ride of all time, it was more than worth it for the insult and the points. Leroy climbs back up to even things at 2.
• Once again, Leroy puts together a mad comeback effort that ultimately falls short in the final panel. This time, Loretta makes her last stand at the old marriage counselor's office. Calling Leroy childish and immature is not the most devastating of disses but it certainly gets the job done. She even opted for the classic backhanded compliment; basically her version of the "Skyhook". Loretta takes another close Sunday Showdown, 3-2.

Official Count:

Leroy - 10
Loretta - 12
Push - 8