I was curious what the ratings for L&S when they moved to California. I know the show never reached the top 10 again once they moved to California but i was wondering where did the show fall in the ratings those last three years.

I'm almost positive when they moved to California Laverne & Shirley were at #29.

Originally posted by Classic is Better
I'm almost positive when they moved to California Laverne & Shirley were at #29.

I just don't understand how changing cities made the ratings plunge especially since the cast was the same as it was when it was number one.

Remember that the shows ratings had fallen quite a bit before the move to California. The producers were trying to make it fresh again by switching cities.

Originally posted by Titania
Remember that the shows ratings had fallen quite a bit before the move to California. The producers were trying to make it fresh again by switching cities.

Well what was the ratings during the 79-80 because i believe the california episodes started in the 80-81 season-and wasn't the show in the top5 in the 78-79 season?

The show was in the top 30 every year it aired except during the 1979-1980 series when it was moved to Thursday nights, a move which killed the ratings that year.

Ratings History:

Spring 1976: #03
1976-1977: #02
1977-1978: #01
1978-1979: #01
1979-1980: Not in Top 30
1980-1981: #21
1981-1982: #20
1982-1983: #25

Originally posted by Burke Snow Winters
The show was in the top 30 every year it aired except during the 1979-1980 series when it was moved to Thursday nights, a move which killed the ratings that year.

Ratings History:

Spring 1976: #03
1976-1977: #02
1977-1978: #01
1978-1979: #01
1979-1980: Not in Top 30
1980-1981: #21
1981-1982: #20
1982-1983: #25

Was the show moved back to tuesdays nights after the 79-80 season?

Originally posted by SOLOMON
Was the show moved back to tuesdays nights after the 79-80 season?

In 1980, Laverne and Shirley were moved back to Tuesday Nights at 8:30pm on ABC.

Originally posted by Classic is Better


In 1980, Laverne and Shirley were moved back to Tuesday Nights at 8:30pm on ABC.

It's kind of strange that a show would be moved from a time slot it did so well in-Obviously they should have learned from Happy Days-if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Does anyone know exactly why the series ended.. I know the last season without Cindy isn't really anyone's favorite, but if it still was making the top 25 in the ratings, was it actually canceled or did Penny Marshall just decide to throw in the towel?

To Me, They Should Have Never Moved To California And Shirley Should Have Never Left, AND Tv Land Should Have Never Stoped Showing It!

Originally posted by Restless
Does anyone know exactly why the series ended.. I know the last season without Cindy isn't really anyone's favorite, but if it still was making the top 25 in the ratings, was it actually canceled or did Penny Marshall just decide to throw in the towel?

The cast did not want to do the show anymore. The show was getting tired by that point so they decided to go out on top.

Originally posted by Sean Snow
The cast did not want to do the show anymore. The show was getting tired by that point so they decided to go out on top.


Laverne and Shirley wasn't on top in their last season. You said they decided to go out on top.

While they could... same difference. :)

For a show that was as popular as L&S, it's true #25 might be slightly disappointing, but that's still a fairly safe zone for a show to be in; infact, there have been some shows that were on for many years, and never broke the top 25.. I believe "The Odd Couple" is one of these cases..

Originally posted by Restless
For a show that was as popular as L&S, it's true #25 might be slightly disappointing, but that's still a fairly safe zone for a show to be in; infact, there have been some shows that were on for many years, and never broke the top 25.. I believe "The Odd Couple" is one of these cases..

I'm trying to think what was different about L&Swhen they move to California-i remember seeing those reruns in the late 80's early 90's-But do you know if Carmine went to California? If his character did not go then that can be one of the reasons why the show dropped in the ratings.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I'm trying to think what was different about L&Swhen they move to California-i remember seeing those reruns in the late 80's early 90's-But do you know if Carmine went to California? If his character did not go then that can be one of the reasons why the show dropped in the ratings.

When Laverne and Shirley moved west the plots (naturally!) stopped revolving around the Shotz Brewery and the Pizza Bowl. The girls got jobs at Bardwell's department store in gift wrapping. On at least one occasion they were in a movie project, namely Troy Donahue's movie where they dressed like cavewomen and said "Ugga wugga!". Frank (Laverne's father) operated a restaurant chain called Cowboy Bill's. Lenny and Squiggy became talent agents. We did not, however, see much of Edna Babish DeFazio.

As for Carmine, yes, he went along. He sang, too! Unfortunately he did not marry Shirley. :crying: Shirley, as pretty much all of us remember, left after just two episodes of the final season. Carmine went on to become a Broadway singer in New York, as was shown in the final episode.

Originally posted by James
When Laverne and Shirley moved west the plots (naturally!) stopped revolving around the Shotz Brewery and the Pizza Bowl. The girls got jobs at Bardwell's department store in gift wrapping. On at least one occasion they were in a movie project, namely Troy Donahue's movie where they dressed like cavewomen and said "Ugga wugga!". Frank (Laverne's father) operated a restaurant chain called Cowboy Bill's. Lenny and Squiggy became talent agents. We did not, however, see much of Edna Babish DeFazio.

As for Carmine, yes, he went along. He sang, too! Unfortunately he did not marry Shirley. :crying: Shirley, as pretty much all of us remember, left after just two episodes of the final season. Carmine went on to become a Broadway singer in New York, as was shown in the final episode.


Thanks James

Penny has said in interviews that she stayed on L&S the last couple years because they offered her a HUGE salary,
many perks from sponsors like appliances, stereo equipment etc--
and the chance to direct a couple episodes.

The move to CA was a huge mistake-- the producers panicked
when ratings dropped the year ABC bumped L&S to Thursdays
to give ANGIE the old Tues 8:30pm slot.