May 1, 2011: Sunday Showdown!

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Clockwise from the bottom left:

• Surrounded by a whole slew of new recliner options, Leroy looks like a kid in a candy store. With Leroy in such a rare state of joy and happiness, it's up to the ever vigilant Loretta to bring him back down to earth by calling him out as a terminally lazy sloth in front of the uptight-looking salesman. I think the continuously reclining "cheaper version" that Loretta is looking for is called a mattress. Loretta gets the point.
• It has been quite a while since Leroy went to work on Loretta's mother. It's such a classic dysfunctional husband staple that I'm surprised it isn't used by Leroy more often. I think the picture he's referring to is his disturbing wall sized poster of Loretta's mother that he used to model his jack-o-latern a couple of Halloweens ago. My guess is Loretta has already disposed of it. However that still doesn't stop Leroy from tying things up at 1-1.
• A movie reference that's only 5 years old? This is most topical crack by a Lockhorn yet! Pretty soon they'll be dropping lines about the Giants winning the Super Bowl and the third Spiderman movie. Well, Loretta's line about Leroy's weight problems would have worked in 2006 and it still works now (just look at that defeated reaction by Leroy). Also, the Lockhorns must purchase their bathroom scales at specialty store for big footed individuals; you can go surfing with that thing! Loretta goes up 2-1.
• That is some pretty clever wordplay by Leroy. I am always pleasantly surprised when he goes for the more cerebral burn. Given the Lockhorns relationship though, there is always the possibility that he literally is being given a death sentence by Loretta (with her latest meal being the method of execution). That could easily be another panel right there. These things just write themselves! Leroy earns the point, 2-2.
• With everything coming down to a deciding fifth panel, Loretta asserts her reputation for clutchness with a devastating diss on Leroy's reading issues. While it is a positive sight to see Leroy being proactive and taking steps to address his illiteracy problem, it is only a major liability in the cold cruel world of the Lockhorns. Perhaps one day Leroy will overcome his terrible affliction and close up this subject for Loretta to exploit. Loretta takes a thrilling and hard fought Sunday Showdown, 3-2.

Official Count:

Leroy - 45
Loretta - 43

Push - 33