Laverne & Shirley find jobs in the gift-wrapping section of Bardwell's, a department store. But on their first day, a hungry Laverne ends up eating a whole box of 100-proof rum-filled chocolates! Now intoxicated, she and a sober Shirley must struggle with the rest of their work day. Meanwhile, the boys plan casting for a movie and Carmine becomes a singing telegram boy. On pod, we talk the dynamics set up in this new job on the show and talk some writing/directing shop!
Jan 13, 2023•47 min•Season 6Ep. 5
The girls struggle to find work, with Shirley taking action while Laverne's homesickness has her procrastinating at every turn. After an argument about money, Laverne takes their stuntman friend Sonny's offer to assist with a knife throwing act at the opening of Cowboy Bill's. But, when Sonny has an accident and breaks his arms, Shirley has to step in as Dead-Eye Feeney. Will she murder Laverne horribly in front of an audience?! Also, Carmine arrives and the boys go with Laverne to Disneyland. O...
Jan 06, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Laverne & Shirley head to a studio tour, hoping to check out Troy Donahue's new cave man movie. They then find themselves offered to be stunt performers for the film, playing damsels in distress and getting knocked around by fake rocks and prop dinoaurs. Will they be able to survive to meet Troy Donahue himself?! On pod, we talk the filmmaking shenanigans, how Wonga is life, and whether the sixth season has found its groove or not.
Dec 30, 2022•45 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Laverne & Shirley reach the Laurel Vista Apartments and get introduced to their new California digs. A swanky apartment with a lovely view, a handsome building manager (and stuntman!) Sonny, and a cunning next door neighbor (and b-movie actress!) Rhonda. It's all a lot to take in. Nice as it sounds, the morning after their arrival an earthquake hits. And they find out Lenny & Squiggy have decided to move in across the hall from them. Will they stay in California? On pod, we talk the thou...
Dec 23, 2022•56 min
The new season has begun and it's time for big changes. Jumping forward a few years, Laverne & Shirley quit instead of being demoted at the brewery. Thinking about their options and after a fantasy about what wonderful dreams could come true, the duo decide to head west for California, with their friends in tow. On pod, we talk the circumstances that led to the locale change, the change up in tone, and whether the poignancy of leaving Milwaukee behind is properly covered.
Dec 16, 2022•54 min•Season 6Ep. 1
We've made it to the end of the Milwaukee seasons! Season 5 wraps up with a story in which Laverne showing signs of "monophobia" and is too uncomfortable (or unwilling) to spend time alone. Shirley intervenes and meddles, pushing her best friend and roommate into going to dinner alone at a hot new Chinese restaurant in town. Madcap zany antics ensue, but will this help Laverne overcome her monophobia or is Shirley getting them both in over their heads? On pod, we talk character consistency, disc...
Oct 14, 2022•43 min•Season 5Ep. 24
When Lenny's Uncle Lazlo passes away, the poor boy inherits a diner. Due to a prior agreement with Squiggy, the two share it in equal measure. Fearing the place will turn into an (even bigger) disaster area and seeing an opportunity for their own independence, Laverne & Shirley convince the boys to let them manage and operate the joint. It quickly turns into a disaster, all right - for the girls, who have to put up with harassment from customers, keep up with complicated orders, and watch as...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 23
Joined by our good pal Chesh from the Book 'em Danno! podcast, we take on the wonder that is The Duke of Squiggman. When the boys are asked to housesit for Laverne & Shirley while they're away, Squiggy's habit of sleepwalking takes a dangerous turn. Dreaming that he's a well-heeled Duke living out wild fantasies fighting Huns, Lenny soon learns that Squiggy's sleepwalking could threaten his life. Even worse, he's driving his best friend (and Carmine. and Frank and Edna) to a near breaking po...
Sep 30, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Laverne's cousin Antonio (Ed Marinaro) arrives in Milwaukee after emigrating from Italy, hoping to make his own (American) dreams come true. He soon makes quite an impression with the whole gang, who have fun teaching him about Wisconsin cultural customs. Unfortunately Antonio's charms don't extend to strangers; he can't find a job in his new country to save his life. When he washes out at both the Pizza Bowl and Meckler's Department Store, all seems lost. But when a friend of Antonio's from the...
Sep 16, 2022•38 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Sgt. Plout's back and taking names. She thrusts the girls into a survival test to show that the Women's Army Corps is just as rugged, tough, and capable as the men's division. Unfortunately when Laverne & Shirley are dropped off in snowy mountains for the maneuver, their supplies are misplaced, leaving them without food while their male counterparts are able to cook up a storm. When one of the sexist jerks causes an avalanche, will the girls come to his rescue or let him stay under the snow?...
Sep 09, 2022•31 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Another big two-parter covered in one podcast! Laverne & Shirley are off on a train ride to Moosejaw, Canada after winning a competition at Shotz Brewery, with the boys (the runners-up) in tow. But what should be a fun trip turns into a mystery as a man falls into their cabin with a knife in his back, a warning about "beware the bald man," and passing them a microfilm before dying. But when they report it to the train staff, the body disappears and the girls find themselves surrounded by bal...
Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 19
EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING When Carmine hits hard times financially he ends up joining forces with a loan shark to become a "collector." Realizing where his sudden flush of cash is coming from, Shirley and Laverne realize they need to intervene and stop him. But can they track down Carmine's latest quarry, a doofy guy named Waldo, in time? Can they convince The Big Ragoo to stop turning people's faces into ragu?! On pod, we talk the goofy tone shifts, the long-awaited dabbling in mafia stereotype...
Aug 26, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Content Warning: The episode we cover includes depictions of severe grief and trauma Laverne's blind date with a fireman, Randy (Ted Danson), goes over like gangbusters. Two months later, he's ready to propose and has won over her whole family and friend group. But when Randy gets called to a fire before he can pop the question, things go tragically wrong. Laverne's future is shattered and she refuses to hear the truth, yelling at anyone who tries to tell it to her. When her father rushes to her...
Aug 12, 2022•58 min•Season 5Ep. 17
After their power goes out during a dance lesson with the boys, Laverne & Shirley head to the power company. The company believe the girls owe them $25 due to the computations of a supercomputer (named Sophia), but the girls dispute this. Shirley's rage at this injustice leads to her and Laverne chaining themselves to Sophia after hours, only to discover another disgruntled customer has left a bomb behind in the office! Will they be able to get the explosive out of the way or get blasted rig...
Aug 05, 2022•45 min•Season 5Ep. 16
At a brand new and very hip beatnik joint, Laverne & Shirley have to perform on stage to pay the cover charge. Shirley lays on a scarf dance, while Laverne accompanies on bongos. The cats dig it, and Shirley becomes enamored of the beatnik scene in a big way, which makes Laverne feel like she's losing her best friend. While she's still deep in her despair over this turn of events, Lenny arrives to give Laverne some sound advice and pep-talking. But even with the inspiration he's given her in...
Jul 29, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 15
EXPLICIT LANGUAGE - Shirley convinces Laverne to go with her to an audition for an army film. After they're quickly cast, they soon figure out that they've been hired to play sex workers in an educational PSA about STDs meant to be shown to the troops. Lenny and Squiggy, cast to play the girls' johns, think this is fine. The girls are left scandalized and embarrassed. Can they survive the humiliation? On pod, we talk the episode's tone issues and whether Lenny's bold.
Jul 22, 2022•50 min•Season 5Ep. 14
When Laverne & Shirley head to "almost Mexico" they end up finding themselves in vacation from hell, with their luggage lost, a cheapskate hotel owner, a troubled roommate, and NO WALL. On pod, we talk the elaborate execution of the episode, the various side characters, and a bunch of guest actor factoids!
Jul 15, 2022•37 min•Season 5Ep. 13
When a psychiatrist is hired to do examinations and visits with the Shotz Brewery employees, it sets off Laverne, Shirley, Lenny, and Squiggy's paranoia about their job security. They approach each interview with the shrink with suspicion, yet find themselves reflecting on their pasts, dreams, behavior, and life perspectives. On pod, we talk the theatrical quality of this bubble episode and the career of teleplay writer Chris Thompson!
Jul 08, 2022•48 min•Season 5Ep. 12
The girls find themselves organizing this year's Shotz Talent Show, but Mr. Shotz hates all the acts the girls have lined up. Only Edna and Carmine's patriotic tap dance is a hit, which inspires the big boss to give the entire show a patrotic theme. The girls - who were hoping to create a rock and roll themed show - are aghast. Can they get their friends into the show and stil give Mr. Shotz what he wants? On pod, we talk the delightful costumes, the cynical edge in the dialogue, Lenny & The...
Jul 01, 2022•44 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Laverne and Shirley have new rivals at the brewery and get some assistance from the boys' new "Dating Computer" service. It turns out, however, that Lenny and Squiggy set them up with a pair of little people, who end up being really fun to hang out with! But when they all go to the roller rink together for a good time, the rivals show up and it's up to the girls to fight for the honor of their dates. On pod, we talk the lack of the girls having a consistent rival and multiple tangents regarding ...
Jun 24, 2022•55 min•Season 5Ep. 10
A two-part episode once again! This time, Laverne and Shirley get passed over for promotion and, feeling helpless, they decide to quit their jobs and join the army. Soon they face the hardships, the hijinks, and the strict eye of Sgt. Alvinia Plout. Will they conquer the Capture the Flag game? Will they be able to use Section 8 to get themselves out of the military?! On pod, Chris is overwhelmed by director senses tingling and Lisa talks about the badass that is Sgt. Plout.
Jun 17, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 9
When Edna's niece Vicki moves to Milwaukie, Laverne & Shirley help her dispel the new girl blues by getting her connected with the Angora Debs, the social club they themselves were a part of. But, times have changed and the Debs has become a girl gang, involved even in theft! Can Laverne & Shirley, along with their old chums, turn back the clock on the club's ways?! On pod, Lisa talks the club and group dynamics while Chris struggles with the after-school special tone.
Jun 10, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Frank proposes to Edna! But, will delays spell ill omens for their bright future? Not if Laverne and Shirley's efforts to find a new venue for the ceremony have anything to say about it! On pod, we talk the fluffiness of the episode, plus weigh in on the sense of community and celebration of love the show presents here.
Jun 03, 2022•56 min•Season 5Ep. 7
The girls are interrupted during exercises by hearing Lenny & Squiggy are having a serious fight upstairs. When the girls try to break up the row, it escalates and Squiggy knocks Lenny out of the window. With a broken leg and furious at Squig's insensitivity, Lenny kicks his old pal to the curb. Can Laverne & Shirley help the boys repair the damaged broship?! On pod, Lisa talks how the character continuity and growth has developed over the 5 seasons, and Chris gives his newbie opinions a...
May 27, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 6
It's time for A Very Special Episode of Laverne & Shirley. When Shirley's brother Bobby visits again, it's discovered he's developed a drinking problem. Laverne and Edna encourage getting him help, while Shirley is torn between rationalizing or confronting her bro. Will Bobby listen? Meanwhile, there are shenanigans. On pod, Chris talks the tonal whiplash and guest actors while Lisa pontificates about the elaborate staging and deep emotional notes they had to hit in a week-long prep/shoot sc...
May 20, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Laverne & Shirley get two surprises in the mail one day - a package of scanty lingerie and a check from the phone company reimbursing them for a transatlantic call. But! It's a call they didn't make and money they thus didn't earn! Going to bed, the girls can't decide what to do - Shirley says return it, Laverne says keep the money. This causes the two of them to have dueling dreams in which they go to Heaven (Shirley) and Hell (Laverne) depending on which choice they support. Will the girls...
May 13, 2022•53 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Jealous of everyone else going on a holiday, Laverne and Shirley decide to head to Pounds of Gold Health Spa and sign up as health instructors. When a wrathful manager catches them sneaking snacks in, they're forced to undergo the same regimen of training and dieting. Can they survive? Will the show shame fat people like TV typically does? On pod, Lisa talks girls' personalities on display in the episode and Chris discusses its guest stars!
May 06, 2022•39 min•Season 5Ep. 3
When a mysterious love note from Carmine (addressed to Laverne?!) is discovered while cleaning their apartment, Shirley finds out about a secret almost-relationship her sort-of boyfriend and best friend had some years prior. Will this tear them apart?! On the pod, Chris and Lisa give a lively discussion on whether the plotline works in this episode given the history of its characters.
Apr 29, 2022•55 min•Season 5Ep. 2
A 2+ hour extravaganza where we're joined by our pals Joe and Peter! They're here to help us understand the Happy Days part of this crossover episode where Richie and Fonzie somehow end up needing to marry the girls to get out of trouble with a redneck farmer whose accent is ridiculous.
Apr 22, 2022•2 hr 30 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Season 4 concludes with a tale of Shirley casually going on mostly-platonic dates with an older, rich gentleman. This irks Carmine into a fierce jealousy, and makes the older man's relatives suspicious of Shirley's intentions. Will they succeed in breaking up Shirl and Monroe's friendship?! On Pod, Chris and Lisa are annoyed by Carmine's nerve and the show's wobbly domestic violence "jokes" but love them some Shirley, Monroe, Edna and Lenny and Squiggy.
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 27
