7 Facts About Laverne and Shirley

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Laverne and Shirley, two names that have become synonymous with iconic television duos, captured the hearts of viewers across the globe in the 1970s and 1980s. This beloved sitcom, which aired from 1976 to 1983, centered around the lives of two best friends, Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney, as they navigated their way through life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With their infectious chemistry, quirky personalities, and hilarious antics, Laverne and Shirley quickly became cultural phenomena. In this article, we will delve into seven fascinating facts about this enduring television series and its dynamic duo.

You don’t have to be a shlemiel or a schlimazel to love Laverne & Shirley, the classic sitcom about two working-class BFFs making their dreams come true. The show was so popular in the late ’70s that on any given Tuesday night, almost half of everyone watching TV were tuned in to see what Laverne DeFazio (Penny Marshall) and Shirley Feeney (Cindy Williams) were up to. To remember the show, we grabbed our Boo Boo Kitties and Pepsi Milk and came up with seven interesting facts about its history.

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Laverne and Shirley made their TV debut on an episode of ‘Happy Days’

The episode featured the girls on a double date with The Fonz (Henry Winkler) and Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard). The two were such a big hit that studio execs asked producer Garry Marshall (Penny’s brother) to cook up a show for their very own. Little did they know that the spin-off would quickly become more popular than the original show.

Their catchphrase was inspired by Marshall’s childhood

Ever wonder about the origin of the show’s opening catchphrase “Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated”? In her 2012 memoir, My Mother Was Nuts, Marshall explained that it was a Yiddish song from her childhood that she and her friends would sing on their way to school.

They recorded a ‘Laverne & Shirley’ soundtrack

For a comedy, the show featured a healthy dose of musical numbers, including countless performances at the Pizza Bowl and that zany Christmas episode at a mental hospital. To cash in on the show’s success, Marshall and Williams recorded Laverne & Shirley Sing, a collection of covers of rock and roll hits from the ’50s and ’60s including their rendition of “Da Do Run Run” or “All I Have to Do Is Dream.” The record also had a two-minute track of the pair reading old yearbook entries.

Lenny and Squiggy were bopping around long before the show

Actors Michael McKean and David Lander created the comedy routine while performing together in college. When the two became writers on L&S, they suggested adding the characters to the mix. Studio execs gave them the green light on one condition: The character Anthony Squiggliano had to be renamed Squiggy because execs thought there were too many Italians on the show.

The show struggled during its final two seasons

In the fall of 1980, the studio tried to reboot the show by moving the story from Milwaukee to Burbank, California and fast-forwarded by a couple of years. Laverne and Shirley got employment as gift wrappers at a department store, the Pizza Bowl was replaced with a BBQ Pit and Carmine delivered singing telegrams. Over the last two seasons, a number of characters came and went; Lenny disappeared for the last four episodes. Although the writers tried valiantly to recapture the show’s original magic, the writing was on the wall: The proverbial shark had been jumped.

Williams abruptly left the show due to her pregnancy

Of all the show’s changes, none were felt as deeply as Williams’ departure in season eight. Early in the season, the actor married and became pregnant. She thought she would return to the show with camera shots carefully designed to hide her baby bump, but when the studio wanted Williams to work on her due date, Williams left the show triggering a weird multiverse where it seemed like Shirley never existed. Without Shirley, the show literally and figuratively didn’t live up to its name and its eighth season became its last.

Ariana Grande reunited Marshall and Williams

After Williams left the show, tensions between the two stars remained high for years. According to Marshall: “We were not estranged during the show but then she got married. I was very happy. She was having a baby but Bill (Hudson her then-husband) was a pain in the ass. He wanted to be a producer. So that’s what happened.”

But while life tore them apart, it was Ariana Grande who brought them back together. In 2013, the two appeared on a Nickelodeon show called Sam & Cat, starring Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande. It was the first time in 30 years that Marshall and Williams appeared together in a scripted TV show. Reunited, the two became friends again in real life.

In conclusion, the TV show “Laverne & Shirley” has left a significant impact on popular culture since its debut in the 1970s. Through seven key facts, we have explored the show’s immense success, enduring appeal, and groundbreaking influence. From its iconic theme song to opening doors for female-led sitcoms, “Laverne & Shirley” has cemented itself as a beloved classic. The chemistry between Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, along with the relatability of their characters, Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney, contributed to the show’s longevity and cultural significance. The adoption of Milwaukee as the setting allowed the show to tackle social issues while embracing a sense of nostalgia. With a mix of comedy, camaraderie, and heartfelt moments, “Laverne & Shirley” created a timeless entertainment that continues to resonate with audiences today. Whether it’s the memorable catchphrases, the pioneering female-driven narrative, or the enduring friendship at its core, this TV show will forever be remembered as a groundbreaking force that paved the way for future sitcoms.