I could have sworn somebody asked in a previous post why Laura was called Laurie or something like that but I can't find it. Anyway, I was reading the episode guide on the Official DVDS site and it said that Laura's name was supposed to be Laurie but it was later changed to Laura. I just thought I'd tell you that http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif

They must have changed it before they started the show because although they do call her Laurie in the begining, she is introduced as Laura, so it seems that Laurie was used more as a nickname. BTW I'm glad that they stopped calling her Laurie. I think Laura fits her much better.