Who Knew? Mike McKean & David Lander Wrote Themselves Into 'Laverne & Shirley' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-15-2011, 09:49 PM

Mike McKean-David Lander team was hired as writer-consultants. They wrote themselves into the premiere as Lenny and Squiggy (Ant'ny was renamed Squiggmann to add a Teutonic touch to the otherwise disproportionately Italian cast). "The show looked like a disaster at that time," McKean marvels now. "I had never been involved in a network show before and didn't know something that seemed to be a mess could end up an enormous hit."

http://www.people.com/people/archive...070090,00.html

AB · 05-16-2011, 06:00 PM

That's pretty cool. It makes you wonder how successful the show would have been if they hadn't written themselves in to it.

Guy Incognito · 05-16-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Mike McKean-David Lander team was hired as writer-consultants. They wrote themselves into the premiere as Lenny and Squiggy (Ant'ny was renamed Squiggmann to add a Teutonic touch to the otherwise disproportionately Italian cast). "The show looked like a disaster at that time," McKean marvels now. "I had never been involved in a network show before and didn't know something that seemed to be a mess could end up an enormous hit."

http://www.people.com/people/archive...070090,00.html

Yeah, Lenny and Squiggy were based on two "greaser" characters they used to play in college (and by all accounts, the act was pretty raunchy). The irony is that the original characters were intended to be a parody of that particular image, and now Lenny and Squiggy (and Fonzie) live on as three of the ultimate representatives of the same to several entire generations.

treky · 05-19-2011, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Incognito

Yeah, Lenny and Squiggy were based on two "greaser" characters they used to play in college (and by all accounts, the act was pretty raunchy). The irony is that the original characters were intended to be a parody of that particular image, and now Lenny and Squiggy (and Fonzie) live on as three of the ultimate representatives of the same to several entire generations.

yea, I remember reading that somewhere back when the show premiered.

Chocolate Moose · 05-19-2011, 03:29 PM

I loved the actors and those characters. I think they are tremendouly talented !

tiff7 · 09-15-2011, 03:49 PM

yeah i knew they created lenny & squiggy

Marvo301 · 09-15-2011, 05:05 PM

The Lenny and Squiggy characters really helped make this show work. they made Laverne and Shirley look good by comparison. I don't think the show would have worked without those two characters.

comedyfreak · 09-16-2011, 03:53 AM

That I never knew before, well it worked.

05-15-2011, 09:49 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	Who Knew? Mike McKean & David Lander Wrote Themselves Into 'Laverne & Shirley' Mike McKean-David Lander team was hired as writer-consultants. They wrote themselves into the premiere as Lenny and Squiggy (Ant'ny was renamed Squiggmann to add a Teutonic touch to the otherwise disproportionately Italian cast). "The show looked like a disaster at that time," McKean marvels now. "I had never been involved in a network show before and didn't know something that seemed to be a mess could end up an enormous hit." http://www.people.com/people/archive...070090,00.html
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-19-2011, 03:29 PM	#5
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,899	I loved the actors and those characters. I think they are tremendouly talented !
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

09-15-2011, 03:49 PM	#6
tiff7 wdwdisneylandnut4life Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2001 Location: Erie, IL Posts: 2,012	yeah i knew they created lenny & squiggy
	__________________ Meet me @ Sweet Valley High http://www.myspace.com/wdwdancetwirlnut http://www.twitter.com/wdwdisneyland7 Tiff Prendergast on Facebook http://www.youtube.com/svhwdwnut

09-15-2011, 05:05 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	The Lenny and Squiggy characters really helped make this show work. they made Laverne and Shirley look good by comparison. I don't think the show would have worked without those two characters.
	__________________ 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

09-16-2011, 03:53 AM	#8
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	That I never knew before, well it worked.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

05-16-2011, 06:00 PM	#2
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	That's pretty cool. It makes you wonder how successful the show would have been if they hadn't written themselves in to it.