Today in TV History: 'Laverne & Shirley' Ended A Shell of Its Former Self - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-10-2010, 10:39 PM

May 10th 1983 - The last episode of "Laverne & Shirley" aired on ABC

Here Today, Hair Tomorrow

Laverne & Shirley wraps up its eight-season run with its 178th and final episode, in which Carmine (Eddie Mekka) decides to leave Burbank and seek showbiz fame in New York. With 100 dollars loaned to him by Laverne (Penny Marshall), Carmine arrives in the Big Apple and auditions for the upcoming musical "Hair." Although his prospects for success look bleak, at least our hero finds a new roommate and kindred spirit in the form of a funky African American actor named Rick (Ben Powers).

TV_on_the_Porch · 05-11-2010, 06:20 AM

It finished the season at #25 despite being pitted against A-Team in the second half. The cancellation made moot the season-long question of how they were ultimately going to resolve the issue of the title sans the character of Shirley.

As I recall it was Penny Marshall's insistence that production be moved to New York for the '83-'84 season that sealed the show's doom. But why didn't it get one last summer of reruns? Somebody who did a better job holding onto their TV Guide collection than I can perhaps verify that an issue from late June had a notation under whatever show was running at 8:30 Tuesdays that "Laverne & Shirley returns next week at this time" only to see next week the return of Joanie Loves Chachi.

Dr. Thong · 05-11-2010, 10:35 AM

It wasn't Laverne & Shirley anymore. The show should have been retitled Laverne.

There was rumor going around the last season that the show's title was going to change to Laverne & Friends, but that obviously never happened.

Laverne without Shirley is like the sound of one hand clapping.

catlover79 · 05-11-2010, 01:35 PM

That show started out with a bang and ended with a whimper.

Marvo301 · 05-11-2010, 05:26 PM

They should have ended this show at the end of the Milwaukee seasons. The California seasons should never have happened.

Mr. Television · 05-11-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

They should have ended this show at the end of the Milwaukee seasons. The California seasons should never have happened.

I agree.

catlover79 · 05-11-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

I agree.

So do I.

steevo · 05-11-2010, 08:03 PM

I suppose Carmine going to New York was the closest they were going to come to closure in that last season. Laverne with out Shirley wasn't the same.

catlover79 · 05-11-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steevo

I suppose Carmine going to New York was the closest they were going to come to closure in that last season. Laverne with out Shirley wasn't the same.

Good grief - why didn't they just marry off Shirley and Carmine already and send them out into the sunset?? BIG MISTAKE.

treky · 05-12-2010, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

They should have ended this show at the end of the Milwaukee seasons. The California seasons should never have happened.

I also agree!!

Dr. Thong · 05-12-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

They should have ended this show at the end of the Milwaukee seasons. The California seasons should never have happened.

I also agree.

That year (1980), Happy Days also jumped the shark with the departure of Ron Howard and the introduction of Ted McGinley. Both shows jumped the same season and began a long, downward slide. Though, mercifully, L&S ended a season earlier than HD.

AB · 05-12-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Good grief - why didn't they just marry off Shirley and Carmine already and send them out into the sunset?? BIG MISTAKE.

That would have been a perfect solution.

AB · 05-12-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

They should have ended this show at the end of the Milwaukee seasons. The California seasons should never have happened.

The first season after they moved to California had some some pretty funny episodes but I agree it did go downhill during those California years.

Dr. Thong · 05-12-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Good grief - why didn't they just marry off Shirley and Carmine already and send them out into the sunset?? BIG MISTAKE.

After all those cold showers she made Carmine take, it was the least she could have done.

catlover79 · 05-12-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

After all those cold showers she made Carmine take, it was the least she could have done.

05-10-2010, 10:39 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Today in TV History: 'Laverne & Shirley' Ended A Shell of Its Former Self May 10th 1983 - The last episode of "Laverne & Shirley" aired on ABC Here Today, Hair Tomorrow Laverne & Shirley wraps up its eight-season run with its 178th and final episode, in which Carmine (Eddie Mekka) decides to leave Burbank and seek showbiz fame in New York. With 100 dollars loaned to him by Laverne (Penny Marshall), Carmine arrives in the Big Apple and auditions for the upcoming musical "Hair." Although his prospects for success look bleak, at least our hero finds a new roommate and kindred spirit in the form of a funky African American actor named Rick (Ben Powers).
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05-11-2010, 10:35 AM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	It wasn't Laverne & Shirley anymore. The show should have been retitled Laverne. There was rumor going around the last season that the show's title was going to change to Laverne & Friends, but that obviously never happened. Laverne without Shirley is like the sound of one hand clapping.
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05-11-2010, 01:35 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	That show started out with a bang and ended with a whimper.
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05-11-2010, 05:26 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	They should have ended this show at the end of the Milwaukee seasons. The California seasons should never have happened.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-11-2010, 08:03 PM	#8
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,474	I suppose Carmine going to New York was the closest they were going to come to closure in that last season. Laverne with out Shirley wasn't the same.
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

05-11-2010, 06:20 AM	#2
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	It finished the season at #25 despite being pitted against A-Team in the second half. The cancellation made moot the season-long question of how they were ultimately going to resolve the issue of the title sans the character of Shirley. As I recall it was Penny Marshall's insistence that production be moved to New York for the '83-'84 season that sealed the show's doom. But why didn't it get one last summer of reruns? Somebody who did a better job holding onto their TV Guide collection than I can perhaps verify that an issue from late June had a notation under whatever show was running at 8:30 Tuesdays that "Laverne & Shirley returns next week at this time" only to see next week the return of Joanie Loves Chachi.