Laverne & Shirley, an American sitcom, aired on ABC from January 27, 1976, to May 10, 1983, spanning eight seasons. A spin-off of Happy Days, it starred Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams as Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney, friends and roommates working at Shotz Brewery in 1950s Milwaukee, Wisconsin, later relocating to mid-1960s Burbank, California
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Michael McKean and David Lander played their friends Lenny Kosnowski and “Squiggy,” alongside Eddie Mekka, Phil Foster, and Betty Garrett. Known for its physical comedy, the show became the most-watched American TV program by its third season, earning six Golden Globe and one Emmy nomination
Laverne & Shirley: About the Show
The series, a Happy Days spin-off, features two lead characters introduced as acquaintances of Fonzie (Henry Winkler). Initially conceptualized as ‘two girls who date the fleet,’ the characters were modified for family viewing, adding depth to the show.
Set in the late 1950s to 1967, it was created by Garry Marshall, Lowell Ganz, and Mark Rothman, produced by Garry Marshall, Edward K. Milkis, and Thomas L. Miller from Miller-Boyett Productions, and produced by Paramount Television.
Cindy Williams initially declined the role, leading to a screen test with Liberty Williams. However, Cindy Williams later accepted the role, re-shooting scenes with Penny Marshall.
To ensure Cindy Williams’ version was chosen, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner hid the first reel, claiming it was lost during the screening, resulting in the selection of the Cindy Williams-Penny Marshall performance
Off To A Good Start
For the first five seasons (1976-1980), Laverne & Shirley, set in Milwaukee, follows best friends and Shotz Brewery bottle cappers Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney. Their basement apartment connects with neighbors Lenny and Squiggy through a dumbwaiter.
Other characters include Laverne’s father, Frank DeFazio, and landlady Edna Babish. The show features occasional guest appearances from Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley characters.
Michael McKean and David Lander created Lenny and Squiggy while at Carnegie Mellon University, later joining the cast. In the fifth season, the girls enter the Army Reserve, facing tough drill sergeant Alvinia T.
“The Frog” Plout (Vicki Lawrence). This Army stint inspired an animated series with Sgt. Squealy, a commanding pig voiced by Ron Palillo, and Sgt. Turnbuckle, voiced by Kenneth Mars
Laverne & Shirley in The 80s
In the sixth season of 1980, Laverne & Shirley relocated from Milwaukee to Burbank, California. They took jobs at Bardwell’s department store, while other characters pursued new endeavors.
The series transitioned to the mid-1960s, progressing through the years with each season. In California, two new characters were introduced: Sonny St. Jacques, a stuntman and love interest for Laverne, and Rhonda Lee, an aspiring actress.
In March 1982, Cindy Williams became pregnant and left the show during the eighth season, filing a $20 million lawsuit against Paramount. The lawsuit was settled, and Williams was released from her contract.
The final season featured two episodes with Williams as Shirley before continuing with Penny Marshall as Laverne, now working for an aerospace company. Ratings dipped, and despite consideration for a ninth season, ABC decided not to renew the series, removing it from the schedule in May 1983
Schlemiel Schlimazel?
“Laverne & Shirley” used the phrase “Schlemiel! Schlimazel!” in their opening theme song. The words are Yiddish terms, and in the context of the show, they were meant to convey a sense of camaraderie and friendship between the characters. The specific meaning of the terms is as follows:
- Schlemiel: A clumsy, awkward, or bumbling person who is often prone to making mistakes.
- Schlimazel: A person with constant bad luck, often the one who ends up being the victim of the Schlemiel’s mishaps.
In the theme song, Laverne and Shirley sing, “Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!” The last part, “Hasenpfeffer Incorporated,” is a nonsensical phrase added for rhyme and rhythm.
The overall use of these Yiddish terms in the show’s opening was a playful way to express the close and enduring friendship between the characters, as well as their shared adventures and misadventures.
The Cast
The main cast of “Laverne & Shirley” included:
- Penny Marshall as Laverne DeFazio
- Cindy Williams as Shirley Feeney
- Michael McKean as Leonard “Lenny” Kosnowski
- David Lander as Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman
- Eddie Mekka as Carmine Ragusa
- Phil Foster as Frank DeFazio (Laverne’s father)
- Betty Garrett as Edna Babish (landlady)
- Leslie Easterbrook as Rhonda Lee (added in later seasons)
Happy Days TV Show – Behind The Scenes
The Show If you were a product of the late 1970s or early 1980s, the lyrics “Sunday, Monday, Happy Days. Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days…” probably still play on a loop in your head. That legendary theme song introduced us to a television family we’d never forget, anchoring our weeks with Richie, Joanie, Potsie, Ralph, the…
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