Watch Laverne & Shirley
- TV-G
- 1976
- 8 Seasons
-
7.0 (8,240)
Laverne & Shirley is an American sitcom that premiered on ABC in 1976 and continued until 1983. The show stars Penny Marshall as Laverne DeFazio and Cindy Williams as Shirley Feeney, two best friends and roommates who work together at the Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The show also features a supporting cast of characters including Michael McKean as Lenny Kosnowski, David Lander as Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman, Phil Foster as Frank DeFazio, Eddie Mekka as Carmine Ragusa, and Betty Garrett as Edna Babish. The show follows the daily lives and misadventures of Laverne and Shirley as they navigate the challenges of working in a male-dominated workplace, maintaining their friendship, and pursuing their respective aspirations. Laverne is sassy, streetwise, and tough, while Shirley is bubbly, ambitious, and often idealistic. Despite their differences, the two friends deeply care for each other, and their enduring bond forms the heart and soul of the show. Over the course of its run, Laverne & Shirley became one of the most popular sitcoms on television, consistently ranking in the top ten shows during its early seasons. The show's broad appeal was due in part to its balance of physical comedy, wacky hijinks, and heartfelt moments. And while the show's humor could be broad and silly, it often tackled serious issues such as sexism, classism, and mental health in a sensitive and thoughtful manner. One of the show's most enduring legacies is its catchphrase "Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!" which was sung by Laverne and Shirley during the show's opening credits. The phrase, which roughly translates to "clumsy, unlucky people serving rabbit stew," has become a cultural touchstone for fans of the show. Another key element of Laverne & Shirley is its music, which was a prominent part of the show's identity. The show's theme song, "Making Our Dreams Come True" by Cyndi Grecco, was a chart-topping hit in its own right, and the show frequently featured musical segments and guest appearances by famous musicians such as Ray Charles, The Temptations, and The Four Tops. Despite its popularity, Laverne & Shirley was not without controversy. The show's original creators, Garry Marshall and Lowell Ganz, left after the second season due to creative differences with the show's producers. This led to a shift in tone and focus for the show, which some fans criticized as a departure from the original's charm and wit. Despite this, Laverne & Shirley remains a beloved classic of 70s and 80s television, remembered for its humor, heart, and enduring friendship between two of TV's most iconic characters.
