October 30, 2011: Sunday Showdown!

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Clockwise from the bottom left:

• It is a little ambiguous as to what Leroy was referring to as looking new. I really hope he was talking about the suitcases. This exchange better not be about the bed sheets or some sort of (ugh) sexy lingerie or (barf) contraceptives or anything else connected with the Lockhorns' honeymoon which may suggest something dangerously close to intimate relations. Also, what's the deal with all the purple shirts in the closest? It's incongruous with either Lockhorns' usual attire. Loretta gets the point.
• Leroy makes the fatal mistake of walking with Loretta down the street where long time Huntington institution Freedman Jewelers is located (which is apparently 345 New York Ave). He should know by now that bringing Loretta anywhere near a store selling luxury items is a recipe for disaster and ruin. He should actually consider himself lucky that Loretta is merely threatening him to buy her expensive jewelry on her birthday. She could just as easily have manhandled him into the store and emptied his bank account right then and there. Loretta still earns the point however and takes a commanding 2-0 lead.
• So, the Lockhorns' scale is supposed to be connected the the internet or something? I will give them due credit, a complaint about the ubiquity of short adverts on the internet and in movie theaters is actually timely and relevant (ever read the vicious comments on a youtube video with Vevo content? They are not pleased.). It's still sort of a waste to use such a high potential scene to make the complaint though. Anytime you have a Lockhorn on top of a bathroom scale and neither side ends up scoring a point off a fat joke, it's a definite shame. Push, Loretta still leads 2-0.
• This is quite possibly one of the most insane Lockhorn panels I have ever seen. Loretta's recklessness behind the wheel reaches an outrageous new level with her managing to miss the garage entirely and driving directly into the living room. Leroy didn't even have to say anything, the mere sight of a confused looking Loretta, both hands clutching the wheel, vacantly looking out into her living room from her totaled car would have been enough for a point on its own. The ludicrously out of whack perspective between Loretta in the car and Leroy and his friend is just the delicious cherry on top. Leroy cuts the lead down to 2-1.
• A big reason for Loretta's historic success with Sunday showdowns has been her great ability to close out the final panel. Whenever things get close coming down to the last scene, Loretta more often then not will manage to get in that clutch final zinger. She doesn't get too clever or cute or, sometimes, even funny; she just gets the points she needs. Today is a perfect example, with Leroy threatening to salvage a tie, Loretta locks it down with an ancient chestnut of a line about "right" brained people. Call it lame, call it a point. Loretta takes the day 3-1.

Official Count:

Leroy - 101
Loretta - 120

Push - 82