Did anyone else notice this? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

KissMyGrits · 12-07-2006, 11:38 AM

I have been watching Laverne and Shirley on Lifetime's Real Woman network. Well, it seems like in the last few seasons L&S were rarely together on screen for a long time.

Example: In the episode "Sing, sing, sing" Shirley was on screen for a total of maybe 4 or 5 minutes. Then you don't see her again until the end of the show and it is only for a few seconds. It seems weird to me.

During the first 6 seasons they were hardly ever apart. I remember watching it back during the original run and never thought much about this. Now however, I can't help but thinking that something strange was going on. I know that there was something going on with Cindy Williams and the producer, but I just wondered if anyone else noticed this too.....

shotzette · 12-07-2006, 08:22 PM

You're right, Alabama Bound. The girls weren't as in as many eps together from Season 7 on. Neiher one of them wanted to remain with the show after Season 6, but they knew that they and everyone else would make a lot of money if there were enough shows to be sold into syndication. Also, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams weren't getting along with each other very well, and their arguements on the set were legendary. I think that this situation gave TPTB reasons to push the girls into the background a bit, and showcase the minor characters a lot more. Season's 6 and 7 gave us several Lenny & Squiggy-centric shows, while Season 8 gave us a lot of Carmine, Squiggy, Frank, and Rhonda.

I think the main reason that Cindy Williams wasn't in 'SIng, Sing, Sing" very much is that she directed the episode. Penny Marshall's roles in the two episodes that she directed, "Squiggy in Love" and "The Duke of Squiggman" were minimal at best, and Michael McKean didn't appear as Lenny at all in the episode that he directed, "The Playboy Show".

Shotzette

Already Gone · 12-09-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotzette

Also, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams weren't getting along with each other very well, and their arguements on the set were legendary.

I remember reading in Gary Marshall's book how the Happy Days cast would listen to the L&S cast fight. LOL.

12-07-2006, 11:38 AM	#1
KissMyGrits HEGM! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 01, 2004 Location: Las Vegas Baby! Posts: 2,135	Did anyone else notice this? I have been watching Laverne and Shirley on Lifetime's Real Woman network. Well, it seems like in the last few seasons L&S were rarely together on screen for a long time. Example: In the episode "Sing, sing, sing" Shirley was on screen for a total of maybe 4 or 5 minutes. Then you don't see her again until the end of the show and it is only for a few seconds. It seems weird to me. During the first 6 seasons they were hardly ever apart. I remember watching it back during the original run and never thought much about this. Now however, I can't help but thinking that something strange was going on. I know that there was something going on with Cindy Williams and the producer, but I just wondered if anyone else noticed this too.....
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12-07-2006, 08:22 PM	#2
shotzette Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2004 Posts: 1,782	You're right, Alabama Bound. The girls weren't as in as many eps together from Season 7 on. Neiher one of them wanted to remain with the show after Season 6, but they knew that they and everyone else would make a lot of money if there were enough shows to be sold into syndication. Also, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams weren't getting along with each other very well, and their arguements on the set were legendary. I think that this situation gave TPTB reasons to push the girls into the background a bit, and showcase the minor characters a lot more. Season's 6 and 7 gave us several Lenny & Squiggy-centric shows, while Season 8 gave us a lot of Carmine, Squiggy, Frank, and Rhonda. I think the main reason that Cindy Williams wasn't in 'SIng, Sing, Sing" very much is that she directed the episode. Penny Marshall's roles in the two episodes that she directed, "Squiggy in Love" and "The Duke of Squiggman" were minimal at best, and Michael McKean didn't appear as Lenny at all in the episode that he directed, "The Playboy Show". Shotzette