Laverne and Shirley head to a fancy department store to get ideas for an outfit for Laverne's trip to the policeman's ball. A brawl with the manager results in Laverne being accused of stealing a scarf and being imprisoned. Shirley does any and everything she can think of to free her BFF before she goes on trial. On-Pod, Lisa and Chris enjoy this caper of an episode and show their love once more for Norman Hughes.
The first X-Mas episode of Laverne & Shirley! At Carmine's behest the group goes to a mental hospital to perform a Christmas-themed show for the holidays. Hijinks ensue, dance numbers are had, and maybe Shirley will learn that people are people? On pod, Chris and Lisa talk the talents on display, grumble about syndication edits, and talk the boys' very very dark X-Mas song.
As a special Halloween 2020 treat, we put this episode out ahead of its placement in the season! With Laverne and Shirley unable to fix their broken down couch and needing a cheap replacement, they enlist the help of the boys (and their truck) to visit the estate sale at Ramsdale Manor, an infamous source of spooky rumors in the city. Suddenly trapped and their companions disappearing one by one, will Laverne and Shirley be the victims of a ghost story?! On pod, Chris can't shut up about how muc...
Laverne and Shirley realize that Lenny and Squiggy, have runned away. They've been in trouble for weeks and escape from their problems by "joining" the circus. The girls do their best to track the boys down and bring them back. On pod, Lisa and Chris give much love to the character development and tonal balance.
CW: Discussions of sexual assault/rape humor/sexism When an old high school lech named Hector feels betrayed by the girls' rebuff of asking them out, he instigates mayhem by writing their phone number on the men's room wall of a dive bar. The girls must go undercover dressed in Lenny & Squiggy's clothing to get rid of the number and a lesson must be taught to the audience and to Hector. On the pod, both hosts again bemoan the sexualized violence used comedically, but absolutely adore the dia...
After realizing they could be making more money being pretty than capping bottles, Shirley and Laverne attempt using an at-home "do you want to be a model?" test. It results in scuba gear sweatsuits, hair samples, and a sober splash of that which we call Reality when the girls try out for an agency. On pod, Lisa talks of the show's handling of body image issues, while Chris digs on it being another gals episode.
A month after attending a wild party at the brewery, Laverne starts experience morning nausea, causing her to worry that she's become pregnant via a (hopefully) imagined one-vat stand with a party crasher. While Edna offers her support and help, Laverne is anxious about telling Frank, and Lenny shows off a surprisingly mature side for the first time when he offers to marry Laverne and give her baby a last name. But is Laverne pregnant? On-pod, Chris marvels at the quality of the writing and Lisa...
The girls attend the bridal shower of the final member of their high school group the Angora Debs to get married before they do. Also at the event is Rosie Greenbaum, Laverne's nemesis. Shirley does her best to stop a fight from breaking out, but between a drowned fox and an unforgivable insult, is war inevitable?! Meanwhile, the boys try to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by combining marshmallows with Lenny's mouth On pod, Chris and Missy discuss how amazing Carole Ita White is....
Another Happy Days crossover episode! One evening, Laverne and Shirley's television set finally dies a fiery death! When they find out that the Jefferson High School Victory Dance's first place winners get his-and-hers TVs, Laverne and Shirley concoct a plan to use Potsie Weber and Richie Cunningham to win the big prize. Cuteness ensues. On the pod, Lisa and Chris talk actor chemistry and the way the girls' personality has changed despite their first Happy Days appearance still being sort of can...
THE FONZ RETURNS! The girls take care of Fonzie's godson, which gets in the way of their plans for a date. Through hijinks ensuing, Shirley ends up having to rush out to help Laverne, leaving the baby in the "capable" care of Lenny & Squiggy. Will this end in tearful loss or will we just get to enjoy some Heckle and Jeckle?! On the pod, Lisa and Chris discuss the girls' dating dynamics here, as well as whether the boys would actually be responsible in this scenario!
CW: Discussions of sexual assault, rape culture When the guy Laverne's sweet on needs to go in for a minor surgery, she joins Shirley in becoming a Candy Striper Nurse. Hijinks ensue, but will Laverne's efforts to get a date with the guy? Also, the boys make questionable choices and really need their laundry done. On pod, Lisa takes the show to task again for its use of burlesque-style rape humor despite its progressive, feminist points. Chris marvels at the physical comedy.
SEASON 2 BEGINS! After Shirley convinces Laverne to go halfsies on buying a car, they realize they have to teach Laverne to overcome her fear of driving. Hijinks ensue. On pod, Lisa gives a pulse-check on where the show was in mid-1976 and Chris gives his first impressions to how series is evolving! LAVERNE & SHIRLEY SING DEEP-DIVE THREAD BY LISA: https://twitter.com/NightAftNightPC/status/1256348032616091649...
Season 1 wraps up! Shirley's mother comes for a visit and all her insecurities arrive with her. While Laverne, Frank, and the boys mostly get along with Lily (aka Barb), Shirl is overwhelmed by the sense that her mother is constantly disappointed in her. Will she be able to talk to her mother and clear the air? Meanwhile, Frank ends up taking the boys to My Fair Lady. On the pod, Chris talks the episode's juxtaposition of tones and Lisa talks about the show's inability to give satisfying close-e...
It's talent show time at the Shotz Brewery! Laverne and Shirley work on their act with Carmine's help, but are thwarted by the spiteful Gloria Lubitz. Yet when they're given a second chance, is it one of redemption or humiliation? Also, the first performance of Lenny & The Squigtones! On pod, Lisa and Chris talk the production technique and talent behind the scenes.
A day of chaos ensues when a delivery man passes out in Laverne and Shirley's living room; a sad tale of an immigrant swindled, Squiggy taken away to a mental institution, and the girls trying to decide whether it's charity or opportunity that's the best first impression of America. On the pod, Lisa speaks to the behind the scenes tumult and Chris goes "oo shiny!" at every little facet of this over-the-top mess.
After Lenny and Squiggy get their own place in the same building as the girls, they have their first fight. Squiggy crashes on the girls' couch and starts being a total pest. While Shirl tries to get Squig to help around the apartment, Laverne works to convince "Lone Wolf" Lenny to take his only friend back. On the pod, Lisa talks ships and character development, while Chris goes on about how jam-packed the episode is with detail!
The girls have been robbed! Oh no! With the Milwaukee Masher on the loose, Laverne offers to help catch the crook and Shirley goes to make sure she doesn't get hurt! Will Laverne get a date with the cute copper? Will Shirley's balloon ever land? And will the Milwaukee Masher be caught?! On the pod, Chris admires the continuity and consistency as the show's now starting to find its identity. Lisa comments on her increasing dislike of Carmine and increasing love of Lenny.
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of rape. Laverne and Shirley both take a shot at a promotion at the brewery as a Beer Taster. When Shirley gets the job, it turns out her boss hired her only for predatory ulterior motives. Can Laverne, Squiggy, Lenny, and Carmine save the day?! On the pod, Lisa covers the show's unfortunate tendency towards burlesque-style rape jokes. Chris, meanwhile, waxes nostalgic about working with drunk actors.
After Carmine dumps Shirley, she descends into depression. With her life spiraling out of control, Laverne tries to get them both out of the house on dates. On the pod, Chris accuses Eddie Mekka of not having a Bruce Campbell-worthy chin and Lisa analyzes the dichotomy of Laverne and Shirley's attitudes when dating guys.
When Shirley comes home with a canary, tensions rise between the girls. The bird gets loose, causing Shirley to wait by a window in the middle of a snowstorm believing he'll come back to her. On pod, Chris talks about collaborating with family on film productions and Lisa goes over the Carmine/Shirley relationship.
A spicy rumor about Shirley spreads fast, putting Squiggy in the spotlight and Laverne on the case to find out what happened. Will the truth come out?! On the pod, Lisa and Chris bemoan the aspects of rape culture while discussing the character details. Extensive discussion also ensues regarding Lenny in the Army Reserve and the possible Lenny & Squiggy spinoff that would have occurred. INCLUDES SOME EXPLICIT LANGUAGE ALSO CONTAINS SOME BODY HORROR FILM DISCUSSION?...
Chris and Lisa can't stop talking about how much they enjoy this comedy-centric episode, from the well-acted timing to the energetic character stuff. This is a bit of a love fest and we hope you'll join us in it! In the show, things turn explosive when Laverne convinces Shirley to join her on a double-date with Laverne's suave new guy and his oddball cowboy friend, not realizing the two are actually bank robbers that want to use the Pizza Bowl's men's room as a way of breaking into the vault. A ...
Spontaneous Laverne accepts a proposal from her current beau, putting her on a collision course with marriage in a hurry. But Shirley has a feeling something's wrong. After realizing that this handsome sailor doesn't give Laverne goosebumps, a decision must be made. Lisa and Chris cover the sincerity of the episode's core discussion of cynic vs. dreamer, the supporting characters being allowed to react to the story, and get dangerously close to dunking on Carmine.
Episode 4: When Laverne and Shirley hear that their beloved classmate Ann Marie is attending the latest High School reunion, they're at first ecstatic and reminiscing, then shocked to find that their favorite hellion has become... a nun?! In the podcast, Lisa goes in on the way this one guest was able to broaden the characters, showcasing different facets of them that would be carried into the series. Chris makes a Ken Russell reference.
Episode 3: Laverne's rivalry with a rude co-worker reaches a fever pitch as a bowling tournament for the Shotz Brewery teams nears, and she isn't about to let hell, high water, or coming down with a bad cold stop her. Hijinks, possibly blown razzberries, and a cute doctor encounter ensue! In the podcast, Chris and Lisa talk about the show's leaning into physical comedy and the sitcom cliches that the episode sometimes subverts, while discussing what's considered one of the series' more criticall...
Episode 2: When Laverne is put in charge of the Pizza Bowl while her father is away, she takes an offer to help The Fonz host a bachelor party for a friend of his. After begging for Shirley's help, the two girls host the rowdy shindig and get dragged into wacky hijinks. Chris and Lisa discuss the way the series has begun to cement its mixture of sitcom silliness, soft burlesque humor, and emotional depth. As well, they delve into how it establishes characters in one way that will change as the s...
Hosts Chris and Lisa kick off their "Night After Night" podcast by reviewing the pilot episode of "Laverne & Shirley," "The Society Party." They delve into the show's creation by Gary Marshall, the casting process including Michael Eisner's surprising role, and the development of beloved characters like Lenny and Squiggy. The discussion highlights the pilot's strengths in establishing character dynamics and the "found family" theme, alongside quirky observations about early accents and recurring gags, ultimately setting the stage for their eight-season deep dive.
