March 25, 2012: Sunday Showdown!

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Clockwise from the bottom left:

• I can totally see Leroy being really into "Angry Birds". After all, the motivation for the birds in the game is overwhelming, self-destructive, spite; something Leroy is all too familiar with. Leroy's resourcefulness here is admirable, he managed to turn a negative situation (being dragged to another opera by Loretta) into an opportunity to score a point. As for the opera, I have to admit I have never heard about it until today. When I hear the name "Oberto" the only thing I think of is the beef jerky brand. Leroy leads 1-0.
• A particularly hypocritical move on Loretta's part to criticize Leroy about his lax attitude towards car maintenance (also what is all that white stuff on the car, anyway?). I'm sure Leroy's immediate response to Loretta's complaint would be that he feels no need to wash the car since Loretta will likely destroy it soon anyway while on a random errand. Unfortunately for Leroy, this panel only captures Loretta's initial gripe so it's Loretta that gets the point. The day is tied 1-1.
• I don't think Loretta's dislike of Leroy's current shirt is all that unreasonable. I mean, that could be one of the reasons she brought Leroy out to do some shirt shopping. It doesn't come off as a real "gotcha" moment by Leroy. With regards to the shirts picked out by Loretta, there is absolutely no way any of those shirts are going to fit Leroy. Maybe it's just a trick of perspective but those shirts look like baby clothing. She needs to head on over to the "husky" section. I'm still inclined to give Leroy the point here. Leroy leads 2-1.
• Two caption boxes in a single Sunday Showdown; has it really come to this? We all know Leroy is a drunk, but driving behind a beer truck in the deluded hope that a few cases would randomly drop out displays a disturbing new level of addiction. On a potentially more disturbing note, the Lockhorns may have somehow wandered into the 1984 cult classic "Repo Man" where all consumer food products, like beer, are generically labeled. Loretta earns herself an easy point and ties things up 2-2.
• When Loretta pushed the Showdown into a deciding fifth panel, I knew it was all but over for Leroy. We have seen clutch performances, time and time again. Loretta completely owns these crucial fifth panels. Leroy's best chance was to clinch early on before the pressure got too great for him. I like Loretta's insult de grace, it's a hard burn on Leroy's lack of earning power, and leaves no trace of doubt as to who came out the winner here. Loretta scores the point and takes the day 3-2.

Official Count:

Leroy - 30

Loretta - 40

Push - 15