While at the brewery, Laverne witnesses a possible corporate spy! But when he disappears dramatically, no one believes her. Not even Shirley. Her friends and family think she's nuts, but Laverne starts seeing this German spy all over. Will she find the proof? Will there be booze? What about the boys and their fruit case?! On pod, Chris and Lisa talk the handling of fantastical elements, stunts, and character goofiness.
With an array of problems in their apartment, Laverne and Shirley try to figure out a solution, but when a community meeting of the building's tenants turns sour after the "psychic" upstairs convinces the group to get an inspector, it pushes Edna the landlady into a corner she'd rather run from. Will they be able to fix the building and keep Edna around?! On pod, we talk writer shop about the disparate plot threads and geek out as usual.
A wild Jay Leno appears! Laverne starts crushing on a coach of the Shotz Brewery Baseball team that doesn't take her seriously as a lady. So Shirley is asked for assistance, with her and Edna trying to help Laverne figure out how to be more... frou-frou. On pod, Lisa talks up the one-liner witticisms of the episode while Chris wonders whether this lesson-based episode ignores established ones of the past.
At last, we cover the first episode directed by Penny Marshall! In it, Squiggy blackmails Shirley into getting him a date with the new receptionist at Shotz Brewery, which ends up leading to the gal Vivian taking him for a sucker and mooching money and labor off him. Will Laverne, Shirley, and Lenny be able to help Squig get free of this negative relationship? On pod, Lisa talks the personality traits of Squiggy while Chris remarks on Penny's directing (and surprisingly doesn't mind Carmine)....
At last we finally had an opportunity to discuss the career and talents of Eddie Mekka (aka Carmine Ragusa), who sadly passed away in November of 2021. We have that discussion before jumping into another rambunctious episode. In "The Fire Show," the girls start a fire in the apartment leading to the handsome Ted Nelson, fireman, appearing to save the day. Laverne & Shirley immediately fight over who gets to try and date the guy, with Laverne seemingly getting the date. But when he's 3 hours ...
When Lenny gets kicked out of the apartment for a night so that Squiggy can get lucky, Laverne has him stay over in the girls' place so he's not out in the gutter. The two get to talking about girls and finding "the right one for you," Lenny goes into full on love mode for Laverne after finding out how much in common they have. Emotions fly and get messy quickly. Will Laverne be able to nip this in the bud? On pod, Lisa and Chris have their first Siskel & Ebert situation over an episode, try...
When a normal supermarket trip leads to Laverne becoming the store's 1 millionth customer, the gals win a shopping spree. But as their greed and the greed of their friends & family bears down, will they be able to overcome the strain and make it big? On pod, we discuss the episode's writer (Ron Leavitt!) and fan theories!
It's that time of year again as the Shotz Brewery throws another talent show! But, when Lenny & Squiggy blackmail the big boss to get in charge of the production, chaos abounds. Laverne & Shirley are then asked to help put things back together. There's puppetry, banter, ukelele, and plenty of gin! On pod, we talk the details of the boys/girls dynamic and the wonders of the performers in the show.
Shirley Feeney's sailor brother Bobby comes to visit, but the realization that Shirley looks nothing like her siblings puts the thought in her mind that... maybe she's adopted?! Thus, Laverne and Shirley go to the hospital Shirl was born, leading to hijinks and a heartfelt message. Also, Squiggy loses his mind at the possibility he may be related to Shirl. On pod, Lisa talks the handling of the adoption theme and Chris talks about the guest actors!
X-Mas Time! The holidays are in full swing, with Laverne & Shirley decorating a tree with family heirlooms, then risking life and limb for the deals in department stores. When they find out that Frank, Laverne's pop, is having difficulty putting on a charity dinner for the less fortunate, they (along with Carmine and the boys) spring into action to try and raise money. Can the girls save X-mas?! On pod, we talk the vignette style of the episode and given we recorded this in October 2020, mak...
Voted on by our Twitter Followers, we tackle another movie that's got some Laverne & Shirley alums in it. The Zemeckis/Gale movie USED CARS is an R-rated early-80s dark comedy of its era. What do we silly millenials think of it? Take a listen and find out, as we get super film geeky, talk trivia, love on Toby the dog, and wonder why Gerrit Graham didn't have a bigger career.
Another special episode, this time reviewing the 1978 TV movie "More Than Friends" co-written and starring Rob Reiner, along with then-wife Penny "Laverne DeFazio" Marshall! The film is about Alan and Mattie, a couple that've known each other for years and despite fiery tempers and insecurities, they keep coming back together. But can writer Alan get his head out of his butt? Can Mattie the actor find herself settling down away from Hollywood? On pod, we discuss the characterizations, Lisa wonde...
After finding out about what happens to unclaimed animals at the local kennel, Shirley stages a sit-in protest, with Laverne joining in. Can they keep Fritzi and Meatball from getting put down?! Meanwhile, Frank gets an award and Carmine's elected to something-something. On pod, Lisa adores the animal activism and Chris delights in the boys' antics.
The girls mistake an offer to come have dinner at the apartment of a couple of Veternarians as an actual date, leading to slobs vs. snobs shenanigans, broken hearted Lenny & Squiggy, and the ultimate iconic scene of Laverne & Shirley vs. The Murphy Bed! On pod, Chris and Lisa discuss the return to the classism themes and the surprisingly spicy dialogue in this episode.
It's flashback episode time as we cover the one where Laverne & Shirley talk about the story of how they moved in together just out of high school. Emotions are had, physical comedy ensues, and Lenny & Squiggy are still dorky. Charming delights! On pod, Lisa talks about the various quotable lines, how the character continuity's actually present, and Chris once more dunks on Carmine.
On pod, we're joined by a fellow Toni Basil fan Allison Pregler, overwhelming them with information about the show and talking the zaniness and quality dancing to be had! In the episode we discuss: While Shirley's out of town, Laverne decides to take a shot at an audition for a production of West Side Story. Her pop Frank may not be supportive, but Carmine and the boys go with her to help her try to make her dreams come true. Will she break a leg?! Referenced clip of breakdancing Penny Marshall:...
It's the birthday of Laverne's mother and she refuses to visit her grave at the cemetery. Emotional turmoil ensues, as she argues with her father Frank, Shirley tries to figure out how to reconcile their rage, and it turns out Lenny may have the words Laverne needs to hear most. On pod, we get emotional and talk about the handling of the drama, the balance of comedy, and the use of characters in the series.
CONTENT WARNING - this episode discusses heavy issues of sexual assault and violence, plus has NSFW language. Listener discretion advised! One of the worst plots in Laverne & Shirley's history gets covered, involving the boys setting up a "date" for Laverne with their scummy, bully of a foreman. The guy, Biff, intends to get a piece of Laverne whether she says yes or no. It's horrible. We hate it. On pod, Lisa and Chris groan, bemoan rape culture, try to find something positive in the episod...
NSFW LANGUAGE - both foul language and angry opinions. When it looks like Carmine's cheating on Shirley, Laverne ends up discovering from them both about an "understanding" and open relationship. It backfires quickly and the couple breaks up, then tries to make one another jealous. Meanwhile, Lenny incurs bicycling injuries and Squiggy gets amorous. Today on pod, Chris finally loses his mind. Lisa laughs manaically about it, but does her best to defend the episode. Kind of.
Shirley signs her and Laverne up for Night School classes to be medical assistants. But when it turns out that Laverne's smarts may lie elsewhere, shame is to be had and skeletons are mismanaged. Will Shirley be able to figure out where Laverne lands? Will Laverne conquer her sense of being a dummy?! On pod, we get SUPER FREAKING META, talking the girls' psychology, their worldview, and the time in which the show was set. NOTE: This episode was recorded before done our Blansky's Beauties episode...
When the gang goes to a taping of Be Silly For Dollars together, Laverne & Shirley (as well as Lenny and Squiggy) are picked to be contestants. It leads to a cavalcade of silliness with cake tossing, clothing, and somehow salami sandwiches. Will they win the big prize and get the oven they dearly need?! On pod, Chris and Lisa both wax nostalgic about game shows and the authenticity of the episode, as well as the physical comedy present in the shenanigans.
This week, Laverne's new boyfriend Jake is leading her down a seedy path of smut and danger, while Shirley tut-tuts and gets accused of being a pure-Shirl no-funsies gal. But when Jake gets Laverne caught up in a market robbery and assault, the girls have to act fast. Can they stop this Purple Fiend before it's too late?! On pod, Lisa and Chris talk a ton about Carmine and Shirley's relationship and about the physical comedy of the episode.
What happens when Shirley conks her head falling down the stairs and thinks she's a fantasy stripper/dancer from the smut she's read? Well, people take advantage of her and try to get her naked or into bed, of course. Can Laverne rescue her best friend in time?! On pod, Chris and Lisa bemoan, at length, the sexism and mixed moral messages of the episode, while positing other possibilities of what could have been done.
Season 4 begins! A big two-parter means a double-stuff episode! When the whole gang (sans Carmine) goes to New York to visit Laverne's grandma for a festival in late summer, mad shenanigans happen. From Laverne and Frank trying to win Mama DeFazio's love, to Lenny and Squiggy being hired to follow Shirley. It's an emotional rollercoaster! On pod, Chris and Lisa talk at length about the scope of the episode, the on-lot photography, Carmine's behavior, and the emotional resonance.
As a treat for hitting 100 Followers on Twitter, we've done up a special episode! Covering the Laverne & Shirley crossover of BLANSKY'S BEAUTIES! Another Happy Days spinoff, this sitcom saw Nancy Walker as the manager and matriarch of a troupe of showgirls in Vegas, but only lasted a single season? Wonder why? Well. We watched the episode where Laverne DeFazio and Frank DeFazio show up. And we tell you all about it.
Season 3 Finale! When Edna's handsome ex-husband pops by, Frank's jealousy leads to a spat that may turn the blossoming relationship into a fiasco. Laverne and Shirley immediately jump in to try and get them to work out their troubles. Can their efforts of a candlelit dinner and a romantic song get the fires of love kindled once more?! On pod, both Chris and Lisa reflect on the depths of the details in the episode, as well as Phil Foster's talents.
Laverne and Shirley find out Carmine's plans to buy the Dance Studio he works at, but when the traditional bank loan plan falls through, Carmine turns to a loan shark for the money. Realizing they need to help him out of the situation, Laverne and Shirley cook up a plan to make the crook not interested in paying for the place. Will Carmine forgive them? Will he somehow get a Fred & Edna Ex Machina?! On pod, Lisa talks the talents of Eddie Mekka and Chris geeks out about cinematic craft again...
After overhearing her father Frank complain that Laverne is going to grow old and never get married, she has a fitful dream about her and Shirley being 80 years old, still virgins, and every eligible bachelor in their age group is croaking. That is, until Lenny and Squiggy return to their lives. Will this dream become a nightmare of broken hips and fat suits and hair worms?! On pod, Chris bemoans fat jokes and Lisa ships Lavenny like crazy.
Make sure to check out our NEW CHANNEL ART BY Navtastic!!! https://twitter.com/navtasticart Today's episode synopsis! The girls are at home eating dinner when they get what seems to be a joke letter about Lenny being a Polish Count. It turns out to be true and Lenny asks Laverne to be his lady at the Debutante's Ball. But when she accepts and they arrive, Lenny and Laverne are accused of being fakes. Can Shirley, Squiggy, and Frank retrieve the proof of Lenny's birthright before they're booted o...
Laverne's sorta-boyfriend Officer Norman Hughes sets up a program for women to join the Ladies Auxiliary Milwaukee Police Force (LAMPS). When Shirley hears about it, she enthusiastically wants to join, despite people thinking she's too girly-girl. Feeling the need to prove to Norman's stuffy crusty Chief that women CAN do the job of an officer, Laverne helps Shirley train for the obstacle course. Can they montage their way to success?! On pod, Chris geeks the heck out about cinema craft and Lisa...
