Official Count:
Leroy - 43
Loretta - 53
Push - 25
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
April 29, 2012: Sunday Showdown!
(Click to Enlarge)
Clockwise from the bottom left:
- If I had to guess how Pullman the marriage counselor would response to Leroy's complaint, I think he would probably tell Loretta that she really isn't "talking things over" since she is the one doing all the talking. He might inform Loretta that real communication involves both listening and talking between individuals. Of course since there are the Lockhorns we're talking about, whatever counseling he does will in the end will prove to be totally worthless. Though since he recently came to realization that the Lockhorns are just a never ending stream of income for him rather than an actual couple in need, he shouldn't feel too disappointed. Leroy gets the point.
- While I'm no expert in style and fashion I am going to have to disagree with Loretta's harsh put down of Leroy's outfit. Usually I am completely on board with Loretta when she calls out Leroy's buffoonish wardrobe choices. However, I have to admit that Leroy is looking pretty sharp at this party. Sure, the suit it a bit bold, but I think he pulls it off. It is certainly nowhere near some of his most egregious fashion atrocities. Loretta should be more concerned with her friend, who appears to be hovering above the ground without feet. I may disagree with the validity of Loretta's insult, however it is still an insult in the end. Loretta earns a point and ties things up 1-1.
- The obvious answer to Loretta's question would be "both"; a perpetually simmering, all encompassing anger is a key character trait of both Lockhorns. I do find the lack of context for Leroy's anger to be sort of unsettling. Usually we at least get to see the source of Leroy's displeasure; just sitting alone in one's living room, starring at the wall, seemingly paralyzed with rage comes off as a bit insane even for Leroy. I'm going to assume that he had just been arguing with Loretta, or maybe there's something disagreeable on TV just off screen. Regardless, Loretta's commitment to obnoxiously continue rattling the cage scores her another point. Loretta leads 2-1.
- Given what he know about Loretta's powerfully awful singing voice, it is a testament to the talents of the Lockhorns' local church choir that they are able to drown out her potent wailing. We only see five other members in the panel but that's not nearly enough to drown out Loretta. I'm assuming there are at least a dozen more singers off panel. Their church must be pretty desperate for choir volunteers if they are allowing Loretta to participate. Or maybe it's just Christian charity. Leroy wins the point, it's all tied up 2-2.
- Leroy's actions might not be as stupid as they initially appear to be. I suspect that he was fully aware of the possibility of the tree falling towards his house when he started cutting it. He might have figured that even if the tree were to fall on his house, his homeowner's insurance would have covered its removal and the additional repairs to the house, thus (in the short term) still saving him $350. Another potential benefit of his plan that he must have considered would have been the chance that Loretta would be "accidentally" killed by the falling tree. This is all speculation of course, but the pieces do seem to fit. Alas, it is Loretta who gets the last insult and takes the day, 3-2.
Official Count:
Leroy - 43
Loretta - 53
Push - 24
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
April 25, 2012
Author's Note: Is she actually admonishing Leroy for an extravagant purchase? Hypocrisy, thy name is Loretta.
Official Count:
Leroy - 41
Loretta - 51
Push - 24
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
April 22, 2012: Sunday Showdown!
(Click to Enlarge)
Clockwise from the bottom left:
- It may look like a mediocre effort leading to a lazy point for Leroy, but there is more to appreciate about this panel below the surface. Leroy has actually managed a deft, last second reversal of fortune by getting his Photoshop line out early while Loretta was preoccupied with putting on lipstick. Had he been a few moments off, Loretta would have caught sight of Leroy in the mirror and most assuredly have mocked Leroy about his ridiculous, yellow, zigzag striped, blazer. This scene really goes to demonstrate just how thin the line is between mocking and being mocked in the world of "The Lockhorns".
- I'm not sure what statement Loretta is trying to make with her observational comment. Is she criticizing overly broad journalism? The often specious validity of statistics? The loss of individual identity in modern life? Whatever it is, it is certainly making Leroy look extra disappointed. The one thing I'm sure of here is that both her and Leroy are squandering a great opportunity to lay into each other with a good zinger. It's a push, Leroy still leads 1-0.
- Arguably? Are you serious, Pullman? After decades of fruitless marriage counseling sessions, you're finally making the bold conclusion that the Lockhorns are "arguably" your best customers? Are you now going follow up this great piece of insight by concluding that fire is possibly hot and water is most likely wet? While the Lockhorns' marriage is an irreparable wreak, the counselor isn't doing the couple any additional favors if this is the sort of deep analysis he brings to his sessions. Push. Leroy continues to stay ahead 1-0.
- Poor Leroy can't even enjoy borderline PG-13 rated Sunday afternoon television without Loretta's stern chastising. Why is he even bothering with pausing and ogling such mildly arousing television programming anyway? It has been long established that Leroy has a computer and is familiar with the workings of the internet. Perhaps Loretta has succeeded so thoroughly in censoring all potentially prurient content from the house that this is Leroy's best in house ogling option. Given the state of affairs at the homestead, it's no wonder he becomes a full on gawking machine in the freedom of the outdoors. Loretta gets the point and ties things up 1-1.
- The Lockhorns find themselves in the rare position as drunken cocktail party hosts this time. Amazingly Leroy is either so drunk or so dimwitted (or a potent combination of both) that he doesn't even realize he is at him own house. I wonder if he's going to start burning bridges with the host by getting into a heated argument with himself. I do have to admit that the current room the Lockhorns are in doesn't resemble any part of the Lockhorn house that I recall, so maybe Leroy's confusion is slightly understood. Loretta earns another point and manages to put together a clutch two panel run at the end to pull out a sneaky Sunday Showdown victory, 2-1.
Official Count:
Leroy - 40
Loretta - 50
Push - 23
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
April 15, 2012: Sunday Showdown!
(Click to Enlarge)
Clockwise from the bottom left:
- I find Leroy's love of "rock" (as the comically generic poster emphatically states) to be somewhat incongruous with his dated persona. He seems more like a Perry Como fan to me. Even if he was into rock music, I would assume it would be along the lines of early classic 50s rock like Bill Haley or Buddy Holly rather than, what looks to be according to the poster, 80s arena rock (the rocker on the poster sort of looks like a slightly harder edged Steve Perry). Fortunately Loretta won't have any of this character inconsistency. She pulls the plug on Leroy's rock poster ambitions and earns herself a point.
- It would appear that "The Lockhorns" are running one continuous series among the multiple Sunday Showdown panels today. This is the first time I've ever seen this happen and I am sort of excited for this novel experiment. As for the panel itself, Leroy manages to pull out a quick point as they enter a silent auction room. Loretta will most likely end up further plunging the household into debt with a reckless display of bidding, but Leroy can take some solace in securing himself a point beforehand. The day is tied 1-1.
- The Lockhorns end up switching roles from the first panel, with Leroy this time vetoing an auction item Loretta has her heart set on. While Leroy was a big fan of large posters of rock n roll artists featuring generic slogans, Loretta appears to have a fondness for kitschy, tabled sized classic sculptures. I suppose Loretta's item is relatively more tasteful than Leroy's but that really isn't saying much. In theory, this entire showdown could just be alternating scenes of the Lockhorns disapproving of one another's desired auction items. It wouldn't be the most creative of directions but I'd still probably enjoy it. Leroy scores a point and goes up 2-1.
- Instead of switching back to Loretta ridiculing Leroy for an item he fancies, Leroy manages to get in an unexpected second consecutive panel where he objects to a selection by Loretta. With that, Leroy actually clinches a rare Sunday Showdown victory. Loretta really should have known better than to open herself up to Leroy's criticisms by constantly pointing out items she wanted. I guess the allure of a large public auction was too much for a degenerate shopping addict like her to refuse. The "later model" joke is pretty lame, but in the end it's still worth a point. Leroy leads 3-1.
- "The Lockhorns" close out this surprisingly unique Sunday Showdown with a surprisingly unique final panel. In the four years or so I've covered "The Lockhorns", I cannot recall another panel that did not feature either Lockhorn. As unusual a sight it was, I actually liked novel way the scene was set up. Even though both Lockhorns are just off screen, based on the smiling auctioneer's humorous description of the auction winning couple, I am going to give Loretta her well deserved point for making Leroy cry. However, while Loretta gets the unorthodox point, Leroy still takes the day 3-2.
Official Count:
Leroy - 36
Loretta - 47
Push - 23
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
April 8, 2012: Sunday Showdown!
(Click to Enlarge)
Clockwise from the bottom left:
- One would think that people would stop inviting the Lockhorns to their weddings given Leroy's hostile attitude towards the institution of marriage. Also, who are all these young couples that the Lockhorns are so incongruously friends with? Perhaps they are the children of their older friends? I assume Leroy has already done his best to warn the groom about the dangerous financial risks of marrying a woman with an out of control spending habit prior to the wedding and all he can do now is pity the poor guy as he walks down the aisle and irritate Loretta with his comments. Leroy gets the point.
- I think Loretta pulled her punches a bit in this panel. Given how excessively pathetic Leroy looked on the couch, disheveled, and sadly watching TV, there were so many ways that Loretta could have mocked him. Of course there is something to be said about being business like and just getting the necessary points rather than overextending yourself by showboating. Loretta didn't become the multiple time champion that she is today by hot dogging and taking open opportunities for granted. Loretta locks down the point and the game is tied at 1-1.
- This panel finds Leroy in an even more humiliating situation than usual, as he manages to embarrass himself in front of an entire room full of seminar attendees by coming with a question that is actually too stupid to be asked. It really must have been laughably idiotic judging by the wildly amused looks on the other people's faces. For Loretta, it's another easy open net for her to score on. Loretta nets the point, goes up 2-1.
- Leroy commendably demonstrates that Loretta doesn't need to actually get into a car accident for him to ridicule her poor driving abilities. If he wants continued success over the long run, he should really strive towards improvising and incorporating elements of the setting like he did here with the bumper cars. Loretta can only cook so many ruined dinners and smash into so many other motorists. Leroy needs to start working on these higher concept insults. Leroy ties things up at 2-2 going into the final panel.
- It's always a disappointment when a deciding fifth panel turns out to be a push and thus renders the entire day a push. After all that hard work and exciting back and forth battling, having it all end undecided leaves a bad taste in your mouth (perhaps not as bad as Loretta's cooking, but quite unpleasant nevertheless). If only Loretta had said the line about Leroy's lack of plumbing skills instead of the unusually insulting insurance salesman. Oh well, you can't win them all. The day ends in a 2-2 push.
Official Count:
Leroy - 35
Loretta - 46
Push - 18
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
April 1, 2012: Sunday Showdown!
(Click to Enlarge)
Clockwise from the bottom left:
- I'm beginning to suspect that Leroy actually has undiagnosed colorblindness. Why he doesn't just stick to the conservative black suits he usually wears to functions instead of opening himself up to countless liabilities with his fashion experiments I will never know. How could he have possibly put on that technicolor dream suit with a straight face? How could he have not expected Loretta to just go to town on him? A bit of fact checking on Loretta's insult; there is no indication that Ronald McDonald was ever retired as a corporate mascot. I still enjoyed the put down though, it had the added sting of implying that Leroy can't even afford his humiliatingly clownish wardrobe. Loretta gets the point, goes up 1-0.
- Leroy should really start focusing on these end of the day, bedroom situations; Loretta has usually let her guard down for the night and more of often then not she'll be done up in some ridiculous fashion like his panel. Loretta's continuing futile, vanity driven, efforts to make herself look better are a potential gold mine for Leroy. I do wonder if there are women out there that still put on curlers and garish cream facial masks; it just seems so 1960's sitcomy (which is obviously perfect for "The Lockhorns"). A point for Leroy ties the day up at 1-1.
- Whoa, a Lincoln assassination joke. Too soon? Was the prominent shot of the playhouse marquee really so important that it necessitated the use of a speech box? Although it's usually only Leroy, being the total philistine that he is, who is unhappy with a theater performance; judging by the unhappy looks on the faces of the two other theatergoers, it seems that his criticism was justified. That one lady looks like she's about the collapse on the street for some reason. Leroy earns the point and takes a 2-1 lead.
- It's looks like another extended stay at the hospital for Leroy, at least Loretta will be constantly by his side through it all, mocking him. For all the complaints Leroy has about his health insurance, it's pretty amazing that an insurer would actually cover him given his long history of frequent, devastating, personal accidents that land him in full traction at the hospital. His premiums must be through the roof. I'm not even going to consider what sort of reckless institution is giving them auto insurance. Loretta scores the point, it's 2-2.
- A crucial fifth panel with the whole showdown on the line? 99 out of 100 times, Loretta is winning this situation. However, it won't be today. Leroy pulls off a shocker by hitting Loretta with a classic insult to her mother. And the most amazing thing about this victory? He didn't even say a single word. It was all attitude and body language; forcing Loretta to acknowledge that her mother was a old bag. Savor the flavor, Leroy, wins like this don't come up too often. Leroy gets the point and wins the day 3-2.
Official Count:
Leroy - 33
Loretta - 43
Push - 16
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