ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT PRESENTS: LAVERNE & SHIRLEY: TOGETHER AGAIN (TV)

Summary

A special celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the comedy series about two young working women, following their humorous adventures from the 1950s through the 1960s, “Laverne and Shirley.” The program begins with Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams re-enacting the iconic opening montage which accompanied the show’s theme song. They sit down on a Paramount Studios set which recreates the girls’ Milwaukee apartment, which include props from the show such as “Boo-Boo Kitty.” Williams and Marshall then take questions from the audience.

The queries – which are interspersed with clips from the show -- include: the origin for why Laverne mixed milk with Pepsi; if Williams and Marshall remain friends; if “Laverne and Shirley” ever won an Emmy; each star’s favorite episode; and a discussion of mistakes and goofs on the show, and if the actors made each other laugh on set. The women are then joined by David L. Landers and Michael McKean, followed by a series of clips focusing on Lenny and Squiggy. The quartet discusses how Landers and Williams dated while working together and what Lenny and Squiggy might be doing in the year 2002. Following a selection of bloopers, the women discuss working with animals on the set, with clips showing the actresses dealing with a German shepherd, bear, skunk, horse, and chimp. Next, the women discuss how Marshall was a trained dancer, and Williams had to learn to keep up with her. Next, Eddie Mekka and Betty Garrett join in to discuss their roles as Carmine and Edna, followed by the two performing a soft-shoe routine. A question about on-set accidents leads to stories and clips focused on serious and not-so-serious stunts that went wrong. Clips which featured actors who went on to become “a big name,” such as Jay Leno and Ted Danson, are also showcased.

Next, Williams, Marshall, Landers, and McKean recreate their characters in an elongated skit about Laverne and Shirley going on an “Island of Doom” reality show audition in 2002. Now divorced, Laverne and Shirley discuss their ex-husbands, children, and current jobs. On the “Island of Doom” set, Laverne and Shirley take part in three physical challenges, one of which involves a squirm-inducing interaction with Lenny and Squiggy. After losing the last challenge, Laverne and Shirley console each other, per their long-held tradition. A montage of appearances on the show featuring Marshall and Williams’s relatives follows, including clips of Marjorie Marshall, Penny’s mother; Tony Marshall, Penny’s father; Frances Williams, Cindy’s mother; Ronny Marshall Hallin, Penny’s sister; Tracy Reiner, Penny’s daughter; and Garry K. Marshall, Penny’s brother and the show’s executive producer and creator. Garry is introduced from the audience. An ode to the late Phil Foster, who played Laverne’s father Frank, is followed by clips featuring Foster.

Closing comments from the actors are followed by bloopers from the evening’s Laverne and Shirley skit. Includes commercials. This program is closed-captioned.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: May 7, 2002 8:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:59:59
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:71429
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 2002
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - "Oliver & Company" home video
  • TV - Commercials - "Snow Dogs" home video
  • TV - Commercials - "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" motion picture
  • TV - Commercials - "The Many Adventures of Wiinnie the Pooh" home video
  • TV - Commercials - Best Foods mayonnaise
  • TV - Commercials - Bounce fabric softener
  • TV - Commercials - Chili's restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Clarinex allergy relief
  • TV - Commercials - Estee Lauder perfume
  • TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Honda automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! butter substitute
  • TV - Commercials - KFC restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Kia automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Kodak film
  • TV - Commercials - Lamisil AT athlete's foot care
  • TV - Commercials - Macy's stores
  • TV - Commercials - Midas car care
  • TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Payless shoe stores
  • TV - Commercials - Pepsi soft drinks
  • TV - Commercials - ReMax real estate listings
  • TV - Commercials - Reese's FastBreak candy bars
  • TV - Commercials - Sears stores
  • TV - Commercials - Subway restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Vioxx arthritis medicine
  • TV - Commercials - Wendy's restaurants
  • TV - Promos - "20/20: Surviving the Glare"
  • TV - Promos - "According to Jim"
  • TV - Promos - "Alias"
  • TV - Promos - "Dinotopia"
  • TV - Promos - "Eyewitness News This Morning"
  • TV - Promos - "Favorite Stars: Then & Now"
  • TV - Promos - "My Wife and Kids"
  • TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
  • TV - Promos - "TV Guide: 50 Best Shows of All Time"
  • TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
  • TV - Promos - "The Practice"

CREDITS

• Linda Blue Bell … Executive Producer
• Ronny Marshall Hallin … Supervising Producer
• Chris Thompson … Supervising Producer
• Janet Annino … Producer
• Elise Backus … Producer
• Lu Murray … Producer
• Mike O'Gara … Producer
• Steve Tseckares … Producer
• Miguel Enciso … Director
• Chris Thompson … Director
• Judy Pioli Askins … Writer
• Charles Fox … Theme Music by
• Norman Gimbel … Theme Music by
• Penny Marshall … Host, Performer
• Cindy Williams … Host, Performer
• David L. Lander … Guest, Performer
• Michael McKean … Guest, Performer
• Eddie Mekka … Guest
• Betty Garrett … Guest
• David Joliffe … Cast
• Lynne Stewart … Cast
• Ted Danson
• Phil Foster
• Jay Leno
• Garry K. Marshall
• Marjorie Marshall
• Tony Marshall
• Tracy Reiner
• Frances Williams