Pretty self explanatory...

Does it stand the test of time?

Is it Laugh out loud funny?

Are there memorable episodes?

etc, etc...

Thoughts? Opinions?

http://hotdogsandmarmalade.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/laverne-and-shirley.jpg?w=251&h=201

To me, it's just a former hit sitcom. But then again, I was never crazy about this show. The best part about it was Lenny & Squiggy.

I don't think the show holds up, personally. I find L&S loud and annoying.

Classic hit. The physical comedy alone was enough to make it a classic. For instance...

"Betty, pick up your hashblacks"
"We got no walls!"

Come on, you're smiling already.

The Milwaukee episodes were classic. The California episodes were something less than that.

For me it's just another hit sitcom that I watch if it's on. I completely forgot about the show until I watched it on The Hub yesterday. It's a good show but I wouldn't go as far as referring to it as a classic.

Classic hit. The physical comedy alone was enough to make it a classic. For instance...

"Betty, pick up your hashblacks"
"We got no walls!"

Come on, you're smiling already.
Yes, deffinitely a classic hit. I loved Shirley Feeney and her Boo Boo Kitty. Shirley was my favorite.

A HIT for the times but not a classic. I will never understand how this show beat Three's Company in the ratings

A HIT for the times but not a classic. I will never understand how this show beat Three's Company in the ratings

That's interesting, considering that L&S was the lead in for 3's Company. I wonder why people turned off their TVs?

That's interesting, considering that L&S was the lead in for 3's Company. I wonder why people turned off their TVs?


I think it had something to do with Three's Company having a short season that year because of the Ropers spinoff. Three's Company had a lot of repeats from March to May that season which probably explains why L&S beat the show

The Milwaukee episodes were classic. The California episodes were something less than that.
I agree. The Milwaukee episodes were classics.

A timeless classic!

To me, it's just a former hit sitcom. But then again, I was never crazy about this show. The best part about it was Lenny & Squiggy.

I don't think the show holds up, personally. I find L&S loud and annoying.

My sentiments exactly. It was fun to watch when I was 12, but as an adult, I can only take about 5 minutes. I don't find it funny anymore. It seems like maybe they were trying too hard with the physical bits, overcompensating for a lack of artistry by being loud. I don't really like when they are compared to Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance because what those two did was truly art, full of all the subtleties and nuances. They did their homework. There was nothing subtle about L&S. It was just sort of in your face. I feel pretty much the same way about Happy Days. Both of these shows were more kitschy than artistic, both in terms of the actors' performances and the writing. The 1970s sitcoms that I would consider timeless classics (because they reached that higher level that makes us able to still appreciate them today) are All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and, maybe, Taxi. Three's Company was also mentioned in this thread. I'm not sure if that stands up as a classic, either, though I will say that I still find it a fun show and I watch it when it's on. I think it's much funnier than L&S and actually felt that way back then as well.

My sentiments exactly. It was fun to watch when I was 12, but as an adult, I can only take about 5 minutes. I don't find it funny anymore. It seems like maybe they were trying too hard with the physical bits, overcompensating for a lack of artistry by being loud. I don't really like when they are compared to Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance because what those two did was truly art, full of all the subtleties and nuances. They did their homework. There was nothing subtle about L&S. It was just sort of in your face. I feel pretty much the same way about Happy Days. Both of these shows were more kitschy than artistic, both in terms of the actors' performances and the writing.

I agree completely on L&S, but not as much on Happy Days.

Yes, Happy Days did get loud after they went to a multi-cam/live audience format, but I can still enjoy it. Yes, some of the humor is hackneyed and the overblown audience applause is a bit much, but I felt the characters on HD are still far more likeable than the ones on L&S.

A timeless classic!

I completely agree.

I agree completely on L&S, but not as much on Happy Days.

Yes, Happy Days did get loud after they went to a multi-cam/live audience format, but I can still enjoy it. Yes, some of the humor is hackneyed and the overblown audience applause is a bit much, but I felt the characters on HD are still far more likeable than the ones on L&S.


Shirley Feeney wasn't likable?

I agree completely on L&S, but not as much on Happy Days.

Yes, Happy Days did get loud after they went to a multi-cam/live audience format, but I can still enjoy it. Yes, some of the humor is hackneyed and the overblown audience applause is a bit much, but I felt the characters on HD are still far more likeable than the ones on L&S.

Let me add a caveat about Happy Days. I like the first two seasons before they brought in the live audience and made Fonzie the superhero star of the show. In the beginning, it was a realistic portrayal of life in the 1950s. It as well written and truly took the viewer back to that time. The changes in the third season made it a big hit with kids at the time, but in my opinion, ruined it long term. It was a totally different show. All the qualities that, IMO, made it special early on were taken away. It became a '70s show that pretended to be about the '50s, yet felt completely '70s/'80s. And it was loud. I think the early episodes hold up far better than the ones form the 3rd season on.

For example--Just watch The "Fabian episode" It was laugh out loud funny -classic :lol:

I think it's a classic even though the California eps were not as good, the early shows are still laugh out loud funny better than todays sitcoms.

I think it's a Classic. Maybe not classic like All in The Family, Happy Days, Three's Company, Mary Tyler Moore Show, MA*S*H from the same period but it's a classic in it's own way.

The CA eps. aren't that bad, but I miss seeing the cast in Milwaukee in those later eps. Especially the final season.

Just tossing this out, so we don't lose sight of what we're talking about. This is the definition of the word "classic":

1. of the first or highest quality, class, or rank: a classic piece of work.
2. serving as a standard, model, or guide: the classic method of teaching arithmetic.
3. of or adhering to an established set of artistic or scientific standards or methods: a classic example of mid-Victorian architecture.

So summing it up, something that is considered a classic is the standard bearer. It's the cream of the crop, the very top rank, what everyone else wishes they could be, the very best.

That's interesting, considering that L&S was the lead in for 3's Company. I wonder why people turned off their TVs?

You also have to remember that Three's Company was more of an adult show, especially back in the late 1970s, whilst Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley were family fare.

You also have to remember that Three's Company was more of an adult show, especially back in the late 1970s, whilst Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley were family fare.


I wouldn't put Laverne and Shirley in a family show category but that definitely was the case for Happy days.

I wouldn't put Laverne and Shirley in a family show category but that definitely was the case for Happy days.

What makes you say Laverne & Shirley wasn't a family show? I don't remember anything taboo or adult in any of the episodes (I've seen Seasons 1, 2 + 4), although I can imagine the situation of two women living together would have raised a few eyebrows back in the late 1970s.

While Laverne & Shirley may not have been considered family fare back in the late 1970s, it would most likely fall into that category now.

My thoughts on the original topic of the thread - I wouldn't consider Laverne & Shirley a classic, it's certainly not on the level of All In The Family, I Love Lucy or Cheers.

What makes you say Laverne & Shirley wasn't a family show? I don't remember anything taboo or adult in any of the episodes (I've seen Seasons 1, 2 + 4), although I can imagine the situation of two women living together would have raised a few eyebrows back in the late 1970s.

While Laverne & Shirley may not have been considered family fare back in the late 1970s, it would most likely fall into that category now.

I was wondering the same thing. I've always thought of Laverne & Shirley as family friendly entertainment, both then and now. It was never considered controversial or adult oriented.

Shirley Feeney wasn't likable?

Shirley Feeney was likable, but you had to listen to much Laverne in order to get to her.

And while likable, she had her moments where she could be annoying. Why Carmine waited around for her, I'll never know. After a while, he should have given up and moved on.

I've tried watching it in reruns this past year and don't find it very funny. A few amusing scenes, but not laugh out loud funny.

I've tried watching it in reruns this past year and don't find it very funny. A few amusing scenes, but not laugh out loud funny.


The only episodes I can watch is when Fonzie, and Richie appeared on the show.

Pretty self explanatory...

Does it stand the test of time? Yes, we can still relate to many of of the plots/story-lines.

Is it Laugh out loud funny? Oh Yes!!!

Are there memorable episodes? Yes, The Diner episode, the one where Shirley teaches Laverne to drive, the one where Shirley thinks she's a famous stripper named Roxy, plus so many more.

etc, etc...

Thoughts? Opinions? Not every episode was a gem but the majority of them were hilarious. Laverne & Shirley will always be a classic in my opinion. ;)

http://hotdogsandmarmalade.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/laverne-and-shirley.jpg?w=251&h=201

Shirley Feeney was likable, but you had to listen to much Laverne in order to get to her.



I'm probably in the minority, but I never found Shirley to be all that likeable. I saw her as petty, judgmental, phony, and pretty humorless. I found her attempts at social climbing to be borderline pathological.

She did have her warmer side, her love of animals in particular. I thought the character was at her warmest and most genuine in those moments. The rest of the time, I'm surprised that the gang put up with her as much as they did.

Shirley Feeney was likable, but you had to listen to much Laverne in order to get to her.

And while likable, she had her moments where she could be annoying. Why Carmine waited around for her, I'll never know. After a while, he should have given up and moved on.

Shirley never vodeo-vo- doed. Well, she vodeo-voed, but she never doed. :lol:

No where near a classic, but it was a very good show.

Shirley never vodeo-vo- doed. Well, she vodeo-voed, but she never doed. :lol:

In the pre-L&S episodes of Happy Days, Shirley isn't quite so innocent. In fact, she eyes Richie in a very predatory way on their date and made the first move when they were alone in the Cunninghams' house.

I suspect that maybe they made her more innocent because she was too much like Laverne in regards to being "loose." She was also more combative and would go toe to toe with Laverne.

Two similar characters do not make for a good show, so they tamed the Shirley character over time.

Shirley never vodeo-vo- doed. Well, she vodeo-voed, but she never doed. :lol:

In the pre-L&S episodes of Happy Days, Shirley isn't quite so innocent. In fact, she eyes Richie in a very predatory way on their date and made the first move when they were alone in the Cunninghams' house.

I suspect that maybe they made her more innocent because she was too much like Laverne in regards to being "loose." She was also more combative and would go toe to toe with Laverne.

Two similar characters do not make for a good show, so they tamed the Shirley character over time.

What makes you say Laverne & Shirley wasn't a family show? I don't remember anything taboo or adult in any of the episodes (I've seen Seasons 1, 2 + 4), although I can imagine the situation of two women living together would have raised a few eyebrows back in the late 1970s.

While Laverne & Shirley may not have been considered family fare back in the late 1970s, it would most likely fall into that category now.


The scene where Lenny and Squiggy have two dates over and they tell L&S to keep it down because, I quote, they "would like to settle down to a nice quiet orgy".

Or the episode where Laverne gets drunk at a party and starts having morning sickness and realizes she slept with somebody at the party.

And then there was the episode where L&S and Lenny and Squiggy are being held hostage about to be shot, and Shirley starts crying saying that she doesn't want to die a virgin and suggests they sleep with Lenny and Squiggy.

And who could forget the episode where the girls eat pot brownies and marry two British rockstars? Those are just a few of the many examples, I could go on and on.

If you think they didn't slip any adult themes in there, you clearly haven't seen much of the show.

On the point of it being a classic, I would say definitely yes. It rose the careers of these two previously unknown actresses and was one of the first sitcoms to show working class people just trying to get by. At times it relied heavily on 'slap-stick' humor, but that was fairly common of shows at that era. The point is it still stands well today, the DVD's are selling and there was that show that premiered a little while ago on ABC inspired by L&S. Ask anybody from the 70s who Laverne and Shirley are they could probably tell. Heck, even most people from today's era could! There is a reason 7 out of it's 8 season were in the top 30's of TV ratings

Laverne and Shirley is with out a doubt one of the defining 'classic sitcoms'.

The scene where Lenny and Squiggy have two dates over and they tell L&S to keep it down because, I quote, they "would like to settle down to a nice quiet orgy".

Or the episode where Laverne gets drunk at a party and starts having morning sickness and realizes she slept with somebody at the party.

And then there was the episode where L&S and Lenny and Squiggy are being held hostage about to be shot, and Shirley starts crying saying that she doesn't want to die a virgin and suggests they sleep with Lenny and Squiggy.

And who could forget the episode where the girls eat pot brownies and marry two British rockstars? Those are just a few of the many examples, I could go on and on.

If you think they didn't slip any adult themes in there, you clearly haven't seen much of the show.

On the point of it being a classic, I would say definitely yes. It rose the careers of these two previously unknown actresses and was one of the first sitcoms to show working class people just trying to get by. At times it relied heavily on 'slap-stick' humor, but that was fairly common of shows at that era. The point is it still stands well today, the DVD's are selling and there was that show that premiered a little while ago on ABC inspired by L&S. Ask anybody from the 70s who Laverne and Shirley are they could probably tell. Heck, even most people from today's era could! There is a reason 7 out of it's 8 season were in the top 30's of TV ratings

Laverne and Shirley is with out a doubt one of the defining 'classic sitcoms'.




I guess it's debatable because this is a show that has not done that well in syndication but has seemed to do well in DVD sales. So I guess the question will always be a ongoing debate.

Oddly enough, I've just finished watching Season One on DVD and hadn't seen complete, back-to-back episodes of L&S in ages. I was thoroughly charmed and laughed out loud at many of the shows and it reminded me of how much I loved watching it as a teen in the '70s.

The chemistry between the actors, especially Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, is just wonderful. You really believe they are best friends. I agree with the working class comments earlier and that wasn't something you saw all the time on and (coming from a working class/blue collar upbringing) this was great for me to see on tv as a young person. I lived in a very basic apartment too (more similar to the Evan's family "projects" actually) and the characters wore many of the same clothes over and over too. Where I grew up not everyone had a large house, two parents, multiple siblings, two (or even one) cars etc.

My favourite characters were Laverne (oh, and I liked Shirley too) and Big Rosie Greenbaum (who I wish they had made more of a regular) and I still laugh every time they meet and say "DeFazio!", "Greenbaum!"

Oh, topic? Is this a "classic" sitcom? ::raising a glass of Milk & Pepsi to toast L&S:: You bet your Boo-Boo Kitty it is!

Oddly enough, I've just finished watching Season One on DVD and hadn't seen complete, back-to-back episodes of L&S in ages. I was thoroughly charmed and laughed out loud at many of the shows and it reminded me of how much I loved watching it as a teen in the '70s.

The chemistry between the actors, especially Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, is just wonderful. You really believe they are best friends. I agree with the working class comments earlier and that wasn't something you saw all the time on and (coming from a working class/blue collar upbringing) this was great for me to see on tv as a young person. I lived in a very basic apartment too (more similar to the Evan's family "projects" actually) and the characters wore many of the same clothes over and over too. Where I grew up not everyone had a large house, two parents, multiple siblings, two (or even one) cars etc.

My favourite characters were Laverne (oh, and I liked Shirley too) and Big Rosie Greenbaum (who I wish they had made more of a regular) and I still laugh every time they meet and say "DeFazio!", "Greenbaum!"

Oh, topic? Is this a "classic" sitcom? ::raising a glass of Milk & Pepsi to toast L&S:: You bet your Boo-Boo Kitty it is!


The show doesn't seem to catch on in 2012

The show doesn't seem to catch on in 2012
Yeah, in a couple of weeks, it'll be Penny Marshall's 70th birthday.

I might be biased here, since this is one of my all-time favorite shows, but I'd definitely vote for "classic." I think the show truly stands the test of time, has timeless characters, hilarious episodes, etc.

Now as for consistency - I definitely will agree that this show was far from consistent, and there are MORE than a handful of episodes that are actually painful (actually, entire seasons). But the Milwaukee years are indeed classic, the girls' chemistry is impeccable, and there's just something charming and relateable about the show. Sure, not everyone will enjoy it, and I can totally understand that. I also would agree that Happy Days is way more culturally recognizable, and more of a "classic" in terms of how people regard it. But L&S is still the sentimental favorite in my book.

enjoyable, but it's not really regarded as one of THE great sitcoms of all time. Something like Three's Company isn't, either, but that has enjoyed more enduring popularity.

I think the show is a classic and I laugh at the episodes today as I did when they were first aired.

It's a memorable sitcom in TV history but far from a classic

I believe "Laverne & Shirley" could have been a much bigger hit than it was, but the behind-the-scenes feuding eventually impacted negatively on the chemistry and the writing. The first few seasons of the show were brilliant. It was very reminiscent of Lucy & Ethel (or Lucy and Viv from "The Lucy Show"). The show continued to have good episodes all the way up to 1979-1980, but the move to California just destroyed the show.

I've watched reruns of L&S recently on a cable network called HUB. They have been broadcasting some of the California episodes that aired in 1981 and 1982 and I have to say, I never realized a sitcom could be so dull. The addition of Rhonda and Sonny was completely unnecessary. They added nothing to the chemistry and actually their characters seemed to destroy much of the dynamic. Surprisingly, it actually was showing signs of improvement in the final season, 1982-83, sans Shirley actually. I remember thinking "OH maybe Shirley will come back" or maybe it will just be "The Penny Marshall Show". But as I recall, it ended unceremoniously in 1983.

I believe L&S could have been much more, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

I believe "Laverne & Shirley" could have been a much bigger hit than it was, but the behind-the-scenes feuding eventually impacted negatively on the chemistry and the writing. The first few seasons of the show were brilliant. It was very reminiscent of Lucy & Ethel (or Lucy and Viv from "The Lucy Show"). The show continued to have good episodes all the way up to 1979-1980, but the move to California just destroyed the show.

I've watched reruns of L&S recently on a cable network called HUB. They have been broadcasting some of the California episodes that aired in 1981 and 1982 and I have to say, I never realized a sitcom could be so dull. The addition of Rhonda and Sonny was completely unnecessary. They added nothing to the chemistry and actually their characters seemed to destroy much of the dynamic. Surprisingly, it actually was showing signs of improvement in the final season, 1982-83, sans Shirley actually. I remember thinking "OH maybe Shirley will come back" or maybe it will just be "The Penny Marshall Show". But as I recall, it ended unceremoniously in 1983.

I believe L&S could have been much more, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.


Yeah it was a hit for the time period it aired on network tv but it's nowhere near a classic

Yeah it was a hit for the time period it aired on network tv but it's nowhere near a classic
TVFactFan, I honestly don't mean this disrespectfully but, it seems almost any time someone comes on this thread to post how much they've loved/liked L&S over the years (including now) you seem to feel the need to post again about how in no way you consider it a classic--a point you've posted over and over again. You don't think it's a 'classic' but some people (including myself) think it is. It's not that you are right and I'm wrong (or vice versa) it's just a difference of opinion. Why not jut let people post what they want without continually posting back that they're 'wrong'(which is how it is starting to come across) to think it's a classic sitcom.

If it'll help, we can have a glass of milk and Pepsi and sing the "High Hopes" song :)

TVFactFan, I honestly don't mean this disrespectfully but, it seems almost any time someone comes on this thread to post how much they've loved/liked L&S over the years (including now) you seem to feel the need to post again about how in no way you consider it a classic--a point you've posted over and over again. You don't think it's a 'classic' but some people (including myself) think it is. It's not that you are right and I'm wrong (or vice versa) it's just a difference of opinion. Why not jut let people post what they want without continually posting back that they're 'wrong'(which is how it is starting to come across) to think it's a classic sitcom.

It it'll help, we can have a glass of milk and Pepsi and sing the "High Hopes" song :)


I'm letting you know the TV facts