Night After Night

Welcome to WRITE AFTER WRITE, a mini-series covering the Laverne & Shirley tie-in novels, Lisa is joined by  @paulaschaffner476  of the "Becoming Human" podcast. The ladies take on "Teamwork" - the first of the novels written by "Con Steffanson." Ostensibly about Shirley falling into full starstruckdom over a Martin/Lewis-style comedy and music act, the story ends up taking wild turns with a mob plot, kidnapping, human trafficking (?!), a Squignowski Ex Machina, and way too many side characters and overly written paragraphs.

This is it, folks! The final episode of L&S gets a review! When Frank and Rhonda realize that Carmine has broken up with his girlfriend, turned off his utilities, and quit his job they fear the worst. But Carmine confesses to them that he's decided to leave California for busier pastures; the isle of Manhattan and the chance to be on Broadway. With the support of his friends and all of Laverne's waterbed money, he heads for New York. There, he auditions for a new musical called "Hair" and meets Rick West, a wise, quick-talking, but still struggling and unemployed fellow actor who becomes a fast friend. The two make it to the callbacks, but will they overcome the jitters and get a chance to join the Age of Aquarius?! On pod, we talk the strangely unLaverne & Shirley finale to Laverne & Shirley, the folks behind and in front of the camera, and reflect on the time spent over 3 and a half years reviewing all 178 episodes of the show.

Laverne's pop, Frank DeFazio, gets a visit at his Cowboy Bill's establishment by a local city councilman named Pike. Pike's corrupt tactics and avaricious plans will end up bulldozing the place and kicking him out for the sake of Pike's own gain. It gets Frank's dander up, and he decides to run for election against him. He gets the gang to collaborate on the campaign trail: Rhonda goes door to door, Carmine roots him on from the sidelines, Squiggy strategizes, and Laverne makes the signs (even though she's sick with mono). But will this be enough to take down Pike and his bulldoggish mother, the contractor who has explosive plans for Cowboy Bill's? On pod, we talk the back-and-forth logic for Frank for season 8, the way in which this could have (but didn't) change the series' direction, and the surprising jokes they got away with.

When Squiggy's sister (Squendolyn, also played by David Lander) comes to visit her brother after a messy divorce, she takes a real shine to Carmine. Seeing a chance to keep her out of his hair, Squig offers to pay a frustrated Carmine a couple hundred bucks to show the sister a good time... even though Carmine doesn't like Squendolyn and thinks quite lowly of her based on her appearance. But when it all comes to a head at a Hollywood party full of other crappy folks, what will Carmine learn from having broken poor Squendolyn's heart? On pod, we discuss the writer of the episode, whose work goes as far back as season 2, and the various modeling/soap stars that show up in the Hollywood party scene. Plus, our disappointments with S8. Again.

** SOME EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING ** (just a bit) The boys think they've discovered a treasure map when they find some junk at a swap meet, sending Lenny and Squiggy on a quest to find it somewhere out in the Mojave Desert. Stopping off at Cowboy Bills on the way, they accidentally blurt their plans out to Frank and Carmine, causing the two to argue that if Pop's going to give supplies at a discount and Carmine gave them the money to go to the swap meet, that they should be in on the take. So all four "manly men" head out into the sand and heat, getting lost and running out of supplies in quick fashion. Hallucinating, bonding, and finding a bottle of booze (along with a cactus boner), will they survive?! On pod, we talk the return to form with David and Michael's antics in the episode, how the storyline (and writer of the episode) feel more akin to Season 6/Season 7 material, and whether this one is the best of the season. Gasp!

**EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING** Ghost episodes of sitcoms should be funny and weird, right? When Laverne leaves for a ski trip for singles, she has Carmine watch the place, but tells him that there's something weird with the lights and sink. Turns out her apartment is haunted by the ghost of an athlete who's upset at the outcome of the Summer Olympics. When Rhonda puts together a séance to quell the angry spirit, it causes him to possess Laverne's body instead. He asks that they reenact the track and field event he lost so he can win this time. Hijinks... ensue? Also, Squiggy is a creep and Pop gets a spooky new employee. Seriously, we make this sound like it's better than it actually is. On pod, we talk through the synopsis in search of a joke that lands, wonder how the hell this happened, and make references to Ghost Story (1980).

**EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING** Time for Chris to lose his mind again! In the episode reviewed, Laverne is busy as heck. She's so busy, she ends up dealing with a schedule logjam when her promise to babysit Chuck's young chimpanzee, Chucky Jr., overlaps with her plans to perform with The Spinners in concert. When she calls on her grumpy Pop, she brushes off his exceptional anger at women in general, even as he nails closed the ladies' room door at Cowboy Bills. A desperate Laverne dumps Chuck Jr. on Pop and goes to the Spinners' show. She finds herself onstage performing with the band, but what ought to be a triumph leads her to rat-a-tat her way to a realization: she left her loving papa behind and needs to find out what's wrong with him. What has got Frank DeFazio so upset? And will sudden Trekker Chuck live long and prosper? On pod, Lisa cackles "I warned you!" while Chris goes absolutely bananas about this out-of-character way of writing Edna out of the show, the Chimp humor, and copes with Season 8 being its most Season 8-ist.

It's time for the last Mike Bailey episode to get reviewed! For once, Laverne's latest relationship is going well. Her beau, Mike Bailey (Larry Breeding), is a fashion photographer who likes her and connects with her. The two of them share their romance in a comfortable, healthy, mature way. But, there's one problem - Laverne's jealousy flares up as she sees how close Mike is to the models he photographs. She decides to go to a big internationally- themed fashion show Mike has been commissioned to put on for an airline company, and causes one of the lead models to quit on the spot. Laverne, realizing her mistake, bails her Bailey out by walking the runway herself. But will her presentation of some Gondola-based headwear save the event? Or shall the master of ceremonies' drunken shenanigans and the narcissism of one of the other models sabotage this event, AND this relationship?

Laverne's nursing an ulcer with an awful diet and doctor's orders to rest. At work, her colleague Chuck (Charles Fleischer) tries to cheer her up with playing his harmonica and introducing her to his own love of music. Realizing he's actually pretty good, Laverne encourages him, bringing up how much Bob Dylan makes. But, Chuck dreams big, getting his science buddies together to form a band, quit their jobs, and become a success. But Laverne and Carmine realize immediately that these nerds do not know the ins & outs of rock & roll. Can they make a performance that will knock the kids' socks off? On pod, we talk the anachronistic use of Jack Mack & The Heart Attack as the band in the episode, Lisa reflects on her mother's rock n roll fandom history, and Chris figures out that guy managing the stage in the third act is *not* Tom Trbovich.

Laverne is surprised to find out that Alvinia Plout (Vicki Lawrence), her former Sergeant in the Women's Army Corps, is back in town with two big surprises. Those surprises: she's been married and divorced since Laverne last saw her, and now has a baby on the way. Hesitant to send Alvinia on her way, Laverne lets her former superior stay with her. She helps Alvinia get a job at Cowboy Bills and supports her efforts to win a Mother To Be contest for a lifetime supply of baby food. But when Frank's gentlemen's lodge has an important member pass away suddenly, he has to put together the funeral quickly - even requiring extra mourners for the event. When Laverne and Alvinia get wrangled into attending, a weird twist of fate occurs, and Plout goes into labor right there in the funeral parlor. Ultimately, she's forced to give birth atop a casket! Will this be the end of Plout? Will Laverne be a Mother To Be? Will Frank take up a side-gig as a hat rack?! On pod, we talk the spirited script by Judy Pioli (nee Askins) who returned for season 8's writer's room, the variety of guest actors on display, and the way in which the arc of Sgt. Plout concludes.

When a pair of Russian ballet dancers with plans to defect to the American side and use the bathroom at Cowboy Bills as a weigh station toward freedom, hijinks ensue. While Boris Squiggmanoff succeeds in getting away, his KGB handlers capture his wife, and then mistake Squiggy for the defecting dancer. Mr. Squiggman finds himself living in captivity, forced to fulfill Boris' ballet commitment on pain of death. Soon figuring out that this Squig-shaped guy in the apartment isn't the real deal, Laverne and a rookie federal agent team up with the displaced Ruskie to help save the day, save the wife, and dance really well - kinda-sorta. On pod, we cover the 60s'ness of it all and talk the guest actors, along with covering one of the few episodes of Season 8 that we kind of enjoyed!

*** EXPLICIT LANGUAGE & WARNING *** This podcast video includes discussions of topics such as rape, religious guilt, victim-blaming, and alcohol-induced blackouts. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Laverne wakes up from a black-out drunk evening on top of an aircraft carrier with her clothing torn and disheveled. On her way off the boat, she gets saluted by the sailors on board for reasons she cannot recall. By the time they "toot the big horn" at her, she suspects the worst. Running to the nearest church for confession, she asks if she can still make it into heaven in light of her "bad deeds." The priest recommends a sabbatical at a nunnery as an act of contrition. But unlike stuffy old monasteries, the silent nuns who worship here break up the monotony with pottery, football, roller skating, and pickle smuggling. Laverne causes chaos at every turn, until she causes one of the nuns (Louise Lasser) to break her vow of silence. Through her connection to this struggling nun, Laverne gets one last try at being a good girl -- if she can contritely ask for forgiveness from the Big Man Upstairs. Look, we're not going to lie - we rip this episode a new one. On pod, it gets rough, until Chris goes off on a Dark Souls tangent (and revenge movie recommendation list), Lisa tries not to get flashbacks to Catholic school, and ultimately we give Monastery Story a once-over with a sledgehammer.

The one where we talk about Adam West! When Rhonda shows up with a spare date for Laverne, it turns out to be Edgar Garibaldi, a once great gymnast. Immediately smitten with her, Edgar takes Laverne out, but he keeps calling her by the name Louise. Laverne sticks with the relationship nevertheless and he eventually invites Laverne to his manor abode for a lovely weekend getaway. While there, Laverne learns Eddie's got a history with this Louise gal: his prior partner. Several more clues and the fact that Rhonda he had previously stated he wanted to "strangle her" send Laverne into a self-protective panic. Is he a lunatic that will kill Laverne in place of Louise?! Or just a sad, lonely rich guy with a trapeze in his mansion? On pod, we disagree heavily about the episode, but are able to find some common ground in the solid acting work from West and the gothic overtones.

Laverne's new fella "Weezer" takes her on a double date with Carmine and his new gal Suzy to a French restaurant, only for a couple of hoods to try and hit on the girls. After Carmine and Laverne take the tough guys outside and give them a thrashing, Weezer feels incompetent about his masculinity and ability to protect Laverne. The two argue, he has a wild dance-number laden dream about it, and eventually Laverne gets her pop to set up a "bully" for Weezer to win against. But will he see through her ruse? On pod, we talk the chemistry dynamics of Belushi and Marshall, the necessary rewrites to make this episode possible, background on the various bad guy actors featured, and wonder whether this growth for Laverne will stick around.

**EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING** The doldrums of Season 8 of Laverne and Shirley continue with this filler-esque episode. Laverne disregards a chain letter she gets in the mail and immediately a string of bad luck seems to follow her. She steps on Rhonda's dress and rips it before a big performance for a talent agent, she sprains Carmine's wrist while helping him off the floor, and while playing fetch with Chuck's dog she ends up tossing the ball over the balcony of the apartment building, leading the dog to break all his legs from the fall. Is she jinxed? Well, that's when a mystic is called in to use her astral powers to investigate, for the price of ten bucks. On pod, we are... at a loss for words. Mostly because of the episode doesn't have a lot for us to latch onto.

*** EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING *** We cover one of the most infamous episodes of Laverne & Shirley this week. Laverne tries to scam a free set out of her local bank by creating a fresh account. But during her latest attempt at chicanery, with an equally-disguised Rhonda at her side, she's spotted by a couple of revolutionaries casing the joint for a heist. The revolutionaries, led by Aaron (Ben Powers) and Sheba (Laraine Newman) worm their way into Laverne's life by using a mix of moral guilt and handsome lackey power. When it comes time to get into fatigues and hold up the bank, they keep Laverne in the dark even as she carries dynamite in a backpack to blow the vault. The heist turns into a hostage situation in no time flat, with the cops, tellers and bank manager all lead to believe that Laverne's in on the gig. Then, it gets weird. Laverne is arrested even though she helped thwart RALPH. At the police station, she and Sheba use aliases during the booking process. The names they pick match those of two convicted but escaped murderesses on their way to death row with a very imminent execution date. Presumed to be the twosome, Laverne and Sheba find themselves staring down their immanent deaths. The only hope comes in the form of Lenny and Squiggy, and the audience's only form of entertainment stems from two out-of-left-field gospel number. Will Laverne make it to the front gates or the pearly gates? On pod, we go absolutely ballistic on the two-parter's wild tone shifts, our frustrations over the show's characterization of nearly everyone, the bizarre plot, and even the jaw-dropping parts of the script that *didn't* make it to the small screen. Be warned, this is our first breaking point for season eight.

It's time to add a little T&A to your L&S! Laverne does a quick favor for a very busy Rhonda and runs down to the soon-to-be-opened local Playboy™ Club to pick up an application. Rhonda hopes to become a bunny tail wearing hostess, but a still money-hungry Laverne finds herself signing up for a try-out. Laverne soon starts training along with her new pal/possible co-worker Cathy (the effulgent Carrie Fisher). After they both pass the "Squiggy" test where they have to tolerate their "forward" customer during a staged encounter, the girls are put up to the final test. Can they serve and please the one and only Hef? And what will Cathy and Laverne do if there's only one slot open for the both of them? Meanwhile, Rhonda's scored a role in an experimental Romeo & Juliet meets Lil' Abner mash-up, and Frank bemoans his lost groove in the kitchen now that he's making fast food junk. On pod, we talk the episode's strangely mixed messages, the unexpected source of the teleplay, the wonders of Space Mama, and of course... Laverne's legs.

Laverne finally lands a new job thanks to her Pop calling in a favor with a war buddy. Mr. Ajax turns out to be a big wheel with a place in a future-facing industry, with his company making aeronautics supplies for NASA. There, her stern boss, G. Bullets Klein, puts her to the boring task of testing various products which are slated to go up into space on the latest shuttle, then boxing them up. Her new co-worker, Chuck (Charles Fleischer), asks Laverne for help clandestinely testing a new anti-gravity space suit. But after a successful run, she can't get herself out of said suit. With quitting time at hand and the looming fact that no employees are allowed on the premises after hours, the two rush off back to Laverne's place. There, Laverne's friends and family are simultaneously planning a surprise birthday party for her (weeks in advance) while being grilled by Bullets Klein as part of Laverne's background check. Will she be able to dodge a Bullets or will she be lost in the space suit forever? On pod, Lisa talks about the infamous behind-the-scenes stunt mishap from this episode, while Chris has actor notes and nerdy trivia to go with his developing Season 8 opinions. THE BLOOPER FOOTAGE - [Timestamped] https://youtu.be/WZnZWfT2krQ?si=KEiuvVpBBd0IsU_G&t=1505

When Laverne and Carmine return to the apartment after attending the Burbank Business Association's Dancing Contest, they find that all of Shirley's things are gone ... along with the lady herself. All that's left is a single note waiting for Laverne -- a goodbye letter from Shirl that seems to brush off the many years of friendship and sisterhood. Seeing Laverne devastated by the news, Pop and Carmine and all the others try their best to lift Laverne's spirits, from helping her search for a new roommate, to getting the whole gang of their friends together to keep Laverne company when she goes to bed. But will Laverne find there's more to this single page note? How will she move on? Is this truly the end of Laverne & Shirley?! On pod, we continue to discuss the major shifts in production on the eighth season, and its emotional ramifications on the show's tone. Plus, we geek out on the guest star appearances.

**EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING** Laverne and Shirley get a big opportunity at their department store job, only it's the kind where they have to live in an "apartment of the future" for a week. Realizing she's come down with a case of claustrophobia, Laverne isn't sure she can pull it off. With some coaxing and encouragement from their neighbor Rhonda, they seek the help of a hypnotist... but when a mistake during the session leads the girls to acting like chickens (and not knowing it afterward), hijinks ensue as they become chickens of tomorrow! Will they maintain their jobs? Will Laverne get a proper smooch with that handsome guy outside the window? And who died?! On pod, we talk the wardrobe, the old-fashioned style and tone, and make a handful of inappropriate jokes. Chris also chimes in about the guest actors.

**EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING** The beginning of the end! With another time-jump, Shirley reveals that the guy she's been dating, Walter Meeney, has proposed! Laverne is ecstatic for her best friend. But as the two begin putting the wedding together, the timeline for it speeds up, as Walter, an Army medic, gets his orders to ship out soon. So Laverne and Shirley go into overdrive for the Feeney/Meeney wedding, only to be once more be thwarted - Walter's got a full body rash! In the end, they have the wedding at the VA Hospital... but, will Shirley Feeney marry a doctor prop? On pod, Lisa goes down the rabbit hole of Season 8's rise and fall, while Chris attempts to survive his first encounter with the enemy. REFERENCES SOURCES [among others noted]: Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall interviews [The Television Academy Foundation] - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJP_M59vk2Fox9WxjiVzpmFbuW7LbWH2Z https://youtu.be/RoCsorfgp4M Garry Marshall on Cindy's departure [The Television Academy Foundation] - https://youtu.be/NuokWhpheSk A&E Biography Retrospective (2005) - https://www.youtube.com/watch Penny Marshall Interview Snippet [The Television Academy Foundation] - https://youtu.be/tK8hYSz2GLE Cindy Discussing Her Departure [Larry King Live interview clip] - https://youtu.be/OK0ROd77nis Cindy Williams Obituary from TODAY - with interview clips - https://youtu.be/IeBM_K5ZPHk?si=D3hf1gOJwtB21xOh

CUE THE ORGAN MUSIC! It's time for a soap opera parody in which Shirley's guilt over borrowing Laverne's purse without permission -- and then losing it -- fuels her dreams while she falls asleep watching TV. The Baublenik family is a dynasty built on flapjack restaurants, but Shirley's dream keeps taking sinister, raunchy turns. Will "Charlene Baublenik" be poisoned to death? CAN you find a good chauffeur these days? And what is the next leading brand of Dose-a-coma?! On pod, we are joined by special guest Tracy Ramone, the head of Sloppy Dice Dungeons & Dragons which Chris regularly participates in. Tracy's history with Laverne and Shirley is formative and lively, along with her affection for silly TV and soap operas, making her a welcome addition to discussing this one! Prepare for tangents, derails, overlapping conversations, and enthusiastic raving about costumes.

The girls suspect they're being robbed (repeatedly!) after Shirley loses her (labeled!) keys at Disneyland. Food and a record player go missing from the apartment, causing them to call the police. Then the girls head off for a vacation to Palm Springs, leaving Frank and Carmine to figure out who's robbing the place. After some some snooping, trap-setting, and stories about Anzio, they capture first Squiggy and then Rhonda in the process of breaking into the apartment. But are either of them the robbers? Or a simple misunderstanding?? Then somehow a gun gets pulled out and it turns into a weapons safety PSA. What the hell even is this episode?! On pod, we talk the inane script, how this episode sets the tone for season 8 episodes to come, and do our best to make the most of it.

When Carmine is struck by lightning and, while still addled, thwarts a robbery at Cowboy Bills, a nearby news reporter takes it upon himself to dub him "Lightning Man." Carmine discovers that the public thinks he's a superher and Squiggy seizes this opportunity and signs Lightning Man to a brand new Squignowski Talent Agency contract. Within days, Squiggy starts booking deals for Carmine and scheduling him for personal motivation sessions with troubled kids. But Squiggy's next big gig for him involves walking a tightrope over Sunset Boulevard. It's a stunt that might just get him killed. Will Frank be able to talk Carmine down from the ledge? Meanwhile, Rhonda likens herself to ferns and the girls banter a bit before disappearing from the episode. On pod, we talk David Lander's dynamic acting style, the cartoonish slapstick that is to come, and the variety of guest actors present in the episode!

Get your tap shoes on, we've reached the anthology episode! After Carmine performs a Tom Jones song for Frank, the two get into a debate about music and entertainment through the years. They fight over what's better - the rock 'n' roll stylings of the 1960s or the classics of yesteryear. As they banter, the audience is treated to renditions of Blue Moon, Call the Police, an old-fashioned vaudevillian comedy sketch, a tap dance duet, and a full-on original operetta. Each number features the Laverne & Shirley cast playing different parts. As they traverse from the girls' apartment to Cowboy Bills, will the twosome find something they can agree on? On pod, we talk the history of director Gary Menteer, Lenny Squignowski-based stage thrusting, and more!

***EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING*** Time for some Lenny & Squiggy feelings! When Squiggy's deadbeat, absentee dad Helmut shows up in Burbank, Andrew jumps at the chance to bond with his pop. Though everyone around him responds to Helmet's return to his life with concern and skepticism, Squiggy shows his pop how much he's grown up in twenty years. But, it doesn't take long for Helmut to show off some bum-like tendencies. While Lenny determinedly sits this one out, declaring himself a 'silent partner' in the situation just like Helmut wants him to be, Squiggy has to cope with the result of his father's nonstop conning. Will Squiggy get up the gumption to confront his father, even if it means rejecting him has a parental figure? Meanwhile, Laverne scandalizes Shirley with her choice of attire for a co-worker's retirement party, Rhonda does some charity work, and Frank talks about his ongoing conflict with Helmut. On pod, we talk the multitude of nuances in the episode's performances, the creative backgrounds of the guest actors, and discuss the character growth of Len & Squig once more.

Time to hit the slopes, kids! In another episode where Laverne and Shirley comb the west in pursuit of dateable bachelors, they head to the snowy slopes of Northern California after receiving a hot tip from their neighbor Rhonda. But instead of romance, the twosome find a fight. After arguing over whether they should be hanging out in the lodge or shushing down the slopes, they find themselves stranded in mid-air when a ski lift breaks down. Physical comedy ensues! On pod, we do our best to cover an episode that features a simple premise, cute outfits, and a bit of character flanderization but not much narrative meat.

***EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING*** As foreshadowed back in the second episode of the season, it's high school reunion time. The girls and Carmine head back to Milwaukee sans Lenny and Squiggy to attend their tenth, resulting in a cavalcade of familiar faces. Yay, there's Terri Buttafouco! There's Rosie Greenbaum! There's... Eraserhead! They're all suddenly acting like the girls are the best thing since sliced bread -- even Big Rosie! -- and everyone wants to make out with Carmine. Why? It turns out that the boys have been writing letters filled with lies back home, talking about the social and career "successes" they've all had in Hollywood - and in Carmine's case, Las Vegas. Will they maintain these falsehoods now that their high school chums suddenly adore them? On pod, we talk the discontinuity issues of the episode, the returning guest stars, and the tone of the writing!

It's time for another episode where Laverne dates a married man. Sigh. While Shirley's away for a few days, Laverne has a chance encounter with a fella named Hank. In spite of some very red flags, she goes out on a date with him to a seafood restaurant. But a miscommunication with his so-called answering service leads to the revelation that Hank's married - and to his wife showing up at the same restaurant thinking he has asked *her* out for the night. Panicking, the philandering jerk tosses Laverne into Captain Kidd's Galley, a gigantic fish tank, and she gets some lipstick-based revenge. Afterward, she confides in Carmine about her lifelong relationship problems. Will she figure out what's wrong with her? Meanwhile, Lyle from Teenage Lust returns as a gropey assaulter and Frank takes Carmine and Rhonda to a ballgame. On pod, we talk the characterization flaws in the episode, the strange mix of guest characters, and try to deliberate whether this already overdone plot format works here.

** EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING ** We cover the episode where Laverne and Shirley fight back against the tabloids. When the girls have a bad experience with crooner Johnny Velvet, they hatch a plot to get payback. After pouring over some gossip rags, they decide to smear his name in The Peeper, helmed by the oily anything-for-a-sale head editor Tidmore. The two successfully get into Johnny Velvet's green room, score some decent dirt on him (including catching him physically abusing his assistant!), and head back to The Peeper's office. But Tidmore tells them he intends to make the story they've gotten him even worse. As a matter of fact, he plans on doctoring the photos they've snapped to make it look like Velvet's beating his own son. Will the girls make the right moral choice? On pod, we talk about the scrutiny Penny & Cindy faced from outlets like The National Enquirer and the amazing guest stars on display in the episode.

Put'em up, Ragu! It's time to cover the episode where Carmine tries out for the lead role in the Rocky Manicotti story, a low budget boxing flick. With the support of Rhonda, Shirley, and the Squignowski Talent Agency of Burbank (STAB), he makes it through the first round of cuts. But during the second call-back an interloper arrives. The two men find themselves roped into a sparring match, with the winner taking the part. Will Carmine finally get his chance in the spotlight? Meanwhile, Lenny and Squiggy's antics cause chaos at the production office, Rhonda finds herself playing the leading lady, and Laverne misinterprets Rhonda's rehearsals with Carmine for his cheating on Shirl. On pod, we talk the joyous comedic chops, the lovely and lively guest stars (including Lisa going all-out talking about Julie Brown!), and a little bit of moviemaking shop-talk.

This week, Laverne's relationship with handsome language interpreter Jeffrey (Jeff Goldblum in an early role) is going well...partly because Laverne has stretched the truth about how many languages she knows. Shirley decries her roommate's lie, but when she's set up with one of Jeffrey's friends, the man turns out to be a furrier. In spite of her love of animals -- and the lecture she gave Rhonda for accepting a fur coat from a handsome gentleman of her own -- Shirley instantly puts aside her own values for the sake of charming the fella. The two join their dates at an internationally-themed party, with Laverne covered in language notes like she was studying for a high school test and Shirley stiffening her upper lip even as she's given furs aplenty. Will the two fess up to their lies? On pod, we talk the message of the episode, the lively careers of the guest stars, and whether pretzel'ing is gluten free or not.

It's another boys-related episode! When Lenny and Squiggy head for the La Brea Tar Pits, Lenny ends up meeting a girl named Karen Caldwell. She's a college student studying paleontology and Lenny is instantly smitten with her - and to his shock she returns his feelings. A few weeks later, the two of them have become a cute and happy couple, to the surprise of Laverne, Shirley, and Carmine - and the chagrin of Squiggy, who worries that Karen is trying to steal Lenny away from him. But when Karen is accepted to Columbia University in New York City, she explains to Lenny that she has to leave him to follow her doctorate, promising to write. How will he take it? Has his relationship with Squig been changed forever? On pod, we talk up the massive amounts of terrific acting on display, give kudos to Maggie Roswell, and have some major feelings about the development of Lenny and Squiggy!

When Laverne and Shirley attend an event for would-be brides to sample the works of wedding coordinators, they find out that a couple's planned and paid-for wedding has been called off, leaving the guests and arrangements in place. Seizing the moment and snagging opportunity, Shirley knows who her groom should be: Carmine. Now all she has to do is talk him into marrying her, in spite of the fact that he hasn't proposed. Will Shirley be able to talk Carmine into chopping off a slab of wedded bliss? Or are the two of them done for good? Elsewhere, boys fight over who should be Carmine's best man, Rhonda brings a handsome one-night stand to the wedding, Frank desperately dodges the wedding planner's flirtation, and Laverne finds herself taking on a whole lot of duties as maid of honor. On pod, we talk Carmine's characterization, the lively guest characters, and the show's apprehension over marrying off either of its two leads.

*** EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING *** It's a very Charles Grodin episode to cover on the podcast! When Grodin visits Bardwells, Laverne and Shirley get very different messages from their encounter with the actor. Laverne thinks he's into her and invites him to come over for a date. Shirley, on the other hand, thinks he's going to try to steal their jobs. When Mr. Grodin arrives, he finds everyone at Laurel Vista in a bad mood and in the middle of a terrible series of fights. Shirley and Carmine are arguing over Carmine's cheapness and whether or not Rhonda's trying to come on to the Big Ragoo, the boys are mad because the hot water's run out in the middle of Squiggy's shower, and Rhonda...is dressed like a geisha for an acting gig. The friendly chaos leads Grodin to try and solve the conflict with self-help platitudes. But is that enough to get everyone to chill the heck out?! And will Laverne's heart be broken when she realizes he doesn't have romantic designs on her? On pod, we talk the bizarre characterizations, whether Grodin is period accurate in the episode, and get a little saucy!

Laverne jolts Shirley awake with the news that her nebbish boyfriend David (Paul Sands) has proposed... that she move in with him! While Shirley's horrified by Laverne's choice to share furniture with David before marriage, she supports her best friend's decision and promises to run interference for a little while. Laverne and David proceed to settle in at David's place. Together, they find out there's a pretty big difference that could change their relationship forever. Once Laverne's reminded how important marriage is to her, can she convince David to join in her dream? Or will she lean on her adjuster nature and settle? And will Shirley be able to keep Frank from figuring out his daughter's moved? On pod, we talk extensively about the performances going on, the number of layers the characters have developed, and that teensy tiny bit of Lavenny you knew was coming if you've seen this episode!

Frank pops into Laverne & Shirley's apartment with a pair of earrings that once belonged to Josephine, Laverne's mother. Claiming he wants to give them to Edna, he asks Laverne to hold onto them and take them to a jewelers to get them polished up. Frank tells Laverne to "pick something you like." Shirley recommends Laverne wear the earrings on an upcoming date with Willie Marsh, "Hollywood producer." But the date turns out to be an absolute dud. In a scuffle with Mr. Dick Swamp, she drops one of the earrings. Realizing this, she and Shirley team up to go back to the Hollywood Hills, where Willie's car is parked, and retrieve the earring. Can they get them back without Willie noticing Laverne's return? Will Frank reveal the truth about who the earrings are for?! On pod, we talk Hollywood Producers archetypes, the dichotomy between the episode's duel plot elements of emotional father/daughter bonding and skeezy dates with creeps, and how the "bimbofication" of Laverne is going so far in season 7.

In the episode covered: After the boys puts the finishing touches on their latest movie script, Blood Orgy of the Amazons: A Different Kind of Love Story, Lenny and Squiggy try to figure out how to get it seen by big-shot actors. Their epiphany: if they get themselves onstage at The Golden Circle Awards, perhaps one Joey Heatherton, presenting for the evening, might take an interest. However, the boys are strapped for cash, necessary to get them tickets for the ceremony, save for the sock money Lenny's mother told him to keep stashed away. Squiggy uses a quick distraction to steal the dough and buy tickets for them anyway. He even lies to Lenny about it! Will their friendship survive this brush with show business-based selfishness? Meanwhile, Rhonda tries to get in on the picture, the boys harass/audition an actress for their movie, and Laverne & Shirley watch the awards from the comfort of their home. On pod, we talk the myriad of details in the boys' performances, the evolution of Lenny & Squiggy in the California years, the movie business from the grindhouse/drive-in side of things, and more!

Shirley, trying to dodge a bum who keeps bugging her during her lunch break at Bardwell's, notices a man nearby reading Black Beauty. She can't help but strike up conversation with the tall, dark, and handsome lug; unfortunately, she doesn't realize he's part of a gang robbing the bank next door. When the cops catch the crooks, Shirley is accused of being their accomplice and handcuffed to "Louis Armstrong" (no relation). The hoodlum makes a break for it and escapes - with Shirley still attached to him! Will she defy the odds?! Meanwhile, Laverne has a lively snooze on a park bench and Frank attempts to intervene in the crisis. On pod, we briskly talk about the physical comedy, Richard Moll's guest appearance, and the toughness of Shirley Feeney.

Things get awkward for Shirley when she realizes Mike, the peppy and handsome guy she's been seeing, is seven years younger than her. The girls joke around about the difference between their nearly-thirty selves and Mike, who's not even twenty-one yet. When Mike calls up, asking to take the girls to his frat's big mixer, the giddy gals agree to go. Laverne even offers to head out on a blind date with Mike's awkward but gentlemanly friend Lyle. Laverne and Shirley quickly learn that Mike and Lyle aren't full members of the frat yet - just pledges. Ergo, the girls are forced to dance with all 30 brothers in the hope of fulfilling their duty as pledgees and making them brothers. Can Laverne & Shirley survive the ensuing dance-a-thon? On pod, Chris grumbles about directing again and Lisa talks the dance sequence's various references!

Laverne gets a surprise visit from her former fiancé Sal Malina, a sailor she nearly married in Milwaukee back in 1957 before realizing he didn't thrill her enough to give her goosebumps. Ten years later Sal's successful, rich, still handsome, and just as crazy about Laverne as he used to be. With Shirley's encouragement, Laverne re-starts their romance to see if she can make it work this time now that they're ten years smarter. Is he finally able to give her goosebumps? On pod, we talk the performance of returning guest actor Paul Sylvan in the episode, as well as the way it tries to hit some deeper character notes.

Laverne, Carmine and Shirley get invitations to their 10 year high school reunion back in Milwaukee in the mail. They brings up a flood of nostalgia, but also to leads to the girls bickering. Name calling and and fisticuffs ensue. When Laverne dares Shirley to take a swing at her, Shirley knocks her best friend out and accidentally breaks her jaw. Laverne's left with a mouth that's been wired shut and Shirley's left with a mountain of guilt. Will the girls be able to talk through their issues and notice what progress they *have* gained? On pod, we talk about how this serves as a return to episodes about the girls' friendship and how the use of continuity and callback references adds an extra layer to this episode!

Season 7 begins! The Squignowski Talent Agency of Burbank (STAB) books a group of acrobats from Latvia for a rather important gig, but need Laverne and Shirley to host their clients in their apartment. Not knowing what's up, Laverne plies her feminine wiles and ends up smooching a married man and angering his wife, an important linchpin of the acrobats' act. Without a pair of "Ta-Da!" Girls, Laverne and Shirley are enlisted to help. Will their big television debut work out or will it all go sideways and/or diagonal? On pod, Chris can't get over or understand why he has issues with this episode, while Lisa delights in the camaraderie in the group dynamics on display.

We made it to the end of the first year in California! In this Season 6 book ender, Shirley's creativity takes new shape as she writes and directs a stage play, "Murder in Mother Goose Land." It results in Shirley enlisting Laverne and the entire gang as actors in the production. Shirley's hoping to present the play before big time theatre producer, but when the performance is moved up, the group scrambles to get ready. Shirley asks Squiggy to organize their cast at Cowboy Bill's before heading over to the theater, but this information is lost in translation, and Squiggy thinks Shirley wants them all to put the play on at the restaurant. While their friends and family put on the show for a customer they mistake for Merrit, Laverne and Shirley are stuck performing the play all by themselves. That means playing every role and changing into every costume with a full audience waiting and watching. Will this be the moment their dreams come true? On pod, we talk the episode's theatrics and our general feelings toward Season 6, as well as the alternate version of this episode's conclusion that could have made the series go in a very different direction! LINK TO BETTY GARRETT INTERVIEW: https://youtu.be/23EXP28YhEs

**EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING** It's time to put on a big show! Cowboy Bills is having a regular hoot night and the whole gang wants to get in on the act. Carmine and Shirley perform a touching duet, Rhonda and Edna plot a trumpet-laden rocker, but Laverne...well, her plans to become a balladeer go by the wayside after she clears out the place with her less-than-lovely voice. Determined anyway, Laverne turns to Lenny and Carmine for help, but her caterwauling doesn't improve. Will she become a balladeer? Or will Squiggy manage to talk some sense into her and get her to embrace her made-for-novelty-tunes voice? Elsewhere, Lenny tries to charm a comely waitress named Sabrina Bouche, whom we will never see again after this episode. On pod, we go whole-hog into Lavenny shipping, the musical talents of the cast, and the magic provided by Cindy Williams' one and only directorial outing.

***EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING*** It's not a wonderful life for Laverne when she slips on some lard at Cowboy Bills and breaks her leg. But when Rhonda throws one of her infamous parties next door on the very same day, she insists everyone attend without her, leaving Laverne home alone in a cast. After everyone pops back in to rub all the fun they're having in her face, Laverne wishes she had never been born and falls asleep while watching It's a Wonderful Life. All at once, she's confronted by Bernard C. "Bernie" Whitlock, her guardian angel. Bernie shows Laverne how miserable, lonely, perverted and criminally inclined her friends and family would be had she never been born. Will Laverne retract her wish and be grateful for her loved ones? On pod... we try to find the diamond in the rough.

Sgt. Alvinia T. Plout's (Vicki Lawrence) back! She's hiding out in Los Angeles, having run away from the Army after a love affair with a handsome fellow soldier went sour. She's hoping to cage romantic advice from Laverne & Shirley, and to use their new apartment as a hiding place while she works her grief out by moonlighting as a singer in a local club. The girls are already terrified of her, but when they find out Sgt. Plout is actually AWOL, they find themselves terrified FOR her. They track Alvinia down at her new job to warn her the fuzz is looking for her. But helping out their former superior officer forces them to join her act. Will they be able to help Alvinia get back to the army or will she get caught by the MPs first?! Meanwhile, Lenny and Squiggy give Squiggy a makeover to create a new Squig for the active lifestyle! On pod, we can't stop loving Plout, talk about the audio engineering for the music numbers, and cover the expansion of a guest character!

Laverne and Shirley are in the middle of breakfast when Edna interrupts them. She's worried Frank has forgotten that their fifth wedding anniversary is approaching, putting the girls smack dab in the middle of a brewing parental conflict. Hoping to ease the tension and prod Frank into remembering, Laverne and Shirley decide to get the gang together to throw a big anniversary party at Edna and Frank's very tilty trailer, where the axel's broken and the house is rocking. Pratfalls, ruined cakes and dangerous games ensue. But did Frank really forget the big day? On pod, we talk about the use of continuity in the show and dig in on some neat trivia regarding one of the extras in the final scene! Winifred Hervey Television Academy Interview: https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/winifred-hervey

When Rhonda sets up Laverne & Shirley with a couple of high rollers, she notes that the men may expect "something" off the girls for treating them to a pricy dinner. While the date goes well, the girls start to worry that they 'have' to go further with their new fellas than they feel comfortable to. So they go to Laverne's stepmom Edna for some sage advice. What will they decide? Are the guys secretly Star Trek nerds?! On pod, we talk the way the show's trying to evolve past its old habits, while also touching on the greatness of Betty Garrett.

When Laverne and Shirley assume they've been passed over for a customary raise, Laverne writes and sends a strongly worded letter to their boss, Mr. Hildebrand, against Shirley's frantic advice. Soon after, the girls learn that they haven't been passed over for the raise at all; they've actually given a *larger* raise than is customary. They also learn that Hildebrand hasn't read the letter. To save their raises and their jobs, the girls decide it's time to pull an over-night heist, breaking into the Mr. Hildebrand's office after hours to retrieve it. They fashion an elaborate plan with the help of the boys (dressed up in incredible tree costumes), Carmine, Frank and Edna. Will they succeed? Or will they find themselves on the unemployment line? On pod, we take the tangential approach, talk about the physical stunts on display, and discuss how this 2-parter fits into the greater genre of capers in movie history.

**EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING** The girls throw a party to show off some of their most recent photos. During the gathering, Carmine makes the gang laugh with some funny hi-jinks and they encourage him to take an open mic gig at a new comedy club. But when the big night arrives, Carmine turns to brutal insult humor to get a chuckle out of the crowd. It works - at the expense of all his supportive friends, including the girls, Lenny, Squiggy, Edna, and Frank. On pod, Chris gets *very very* angry and Lisa does her best to look on the bright side of this final directing outing for the show by Penny Marshall.