the ​LAVERNE & SHIRLEY place
a tribute to milwaukee's best bottlecappers
SNL Skit: Rabun to Shuri
​
In the 2000 season of SNL, Maya Rudolph and Kate Hudson took on the roles of "Rabun" and "Shuri," in a skit about what Laverne & Shirley would look like as a Japanese show. Lenny & Squiggy (played by Jimmy Fallon and Chris Kattan) entering to "Kon-nichiwa!" is priceless. You can find a transcript of the skit here, and Netflix Instant subsribers can watch this episode online (season 26, episode 2).​
Wayne's World
​
One of the most well-known Laverne & Shirley parodies was when Wayne & Garth took on the opening theme song, mimicking it scene-by-scene. Check out the Videos section of this website for a clip of the routine!
Family Guy
​
Okay, so what show hasn't Family Guy parodied? As part of a sitcom opening montage for "My Black Son" in the episode "Road to Rupert," multiple Laverne & Shirley sequences were referenced - the double-door opening, Frank & Edna's pizza kiss, and the brewery-glove hijinks.
It has been over 35 years since Laverne & Shirley aired its first episode, and yet the show's impact still lives on. Milk & Pepsi, Scooter Pies, Boo Boo Kitty, Squiggy's Hellos, The Big Ragoo, Laverne's L's, and a killer theme song - the list goes on and on. Thanks to reruns and DVDs, the show continues to grow its fan base and introduce new generations to its feel-good brand of comedy.

Below, I've chronicled some of the references to Laverne & Shirley that have made their way into TV & film. If you've seen any fun references to the show that you'd like me to add to this collection, feel free to shoot me over an email at santaburger57@gmail.com!
Laverne & Shirley in Pop Culture
Other references...
Charlie's Angels - Angels in Chains (1976): Kelly refers to the female guards as Laverne and Shirley
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976): Sheik: "I, who have single-handedly attacked Laverne and Shirley."
Blansky's Beauties - Nancy Remembers Laverne (1977): Crossover episode featuring Laverne.
Starsky and Hutch - Hutchinson for Murder One (1978): Starsky refers to Simonetti and Dryden as Laverne and Shirley.
Mork & Mindy - Pilot (1978): Laverne DeFazio is featured in Mork's flashback to a previous visit to Earth when Fonzie tries to set Mork up with her.
Mork & Mindy - The Mork Syndrome (1979): Mindy sings the theme song for the show.
Mork & Mindy - Little Orphan Morkie (1980): Mork mentions the show.
Remington Steele - Breath of Steele (1984): Terri and Toni mention that they believe they can be the next Laverne and Shirley.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Untamed Youth (1990): Crow: "Hey, it's Lenny and Squiggy's school."
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Catalina Caper (1990): Servo: "There's Carmine Ragusa again."
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Godzilla vs. Megalon (1991): "Laverne and Shelly"
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Pod People (1991): Servo: "Laverne?" Joel and Crow: (as Lenny and Squiggy) "Hello!"
The Ben Stiller Show - Pilot (1992): Eddie Munster recites lyrics from the "Laverne & Shirley" theme song.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Attack of the the Eye Creatures (1992): Crow: "Lenny and Squiggy join the navy."
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - The Girl in Lovers' Lane (1993): Crow: "Hey, there's Squiggy!"
The Critic - Eyes on the Prize (1994): Jay mentions "Laverne" (Penny Marshall) as a current director
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Code Name: Diamond Head (1994): Tom: "Kind of looks like Squiggy now"
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - The Amazing Transparent Man (1995): "He watched George and Lenny." Tom: "and Squiggy"
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - The Thing That Couldn't Die (1997): "Looks like Carmine"
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - The Undead (1997): Mike: "The Medieval Squiggy."
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1997): Mike: "Lenny and Squiggy: nuts"
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies (1997): Crow: "There's something Laverne and Shirley-esque about all this."
Beavis and Butt-Head - Drinking Butt-ies (1997): They attempt to sing the theme song, though Beavis gets the lyrics confused with those of "Patience" by Guns N' Roses.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - The Horror of Party Beach (1997): "They're going to the Laverne DeFazio convention!"
MADtv - Episode #3.14 (1998): The Vancome lady calls two football players "Lenny and Squiggy"
Sister, Sister - The Laws (1998): Nominal reference
Caroline in the City - Caroline and the Little White Lies (1998): Angie: "We're like Laverne and Shirley."
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Hamlet (1999): Mike: "Now which one of you is Squiggy?"
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Horrors of Spider Island (1999): Mike: "He's kind of an early Carmine Ragusa."
Just Shoot Me - Jack Gets Tough (1999): Robert Conrad: "I'll take big mouth, you take Laverne and Shirley."
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001): Will Ferrell's character mention the show
The West Wing - Privateers (2003): Donna mentions the show during a conversation with Josh.
That '70s Show - I'm Free (2003): The gang watch an episode of the series in Eric's basement at the beginning of the episode; Kelso is convinced the girls are lesbians.
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004): At one point, Lily calls Mia's maids "Lenny" and "Squiggy"
Scrubs - My Life in Four Cameras (2005): In J.D.'s quiz, Kylie names "Laverne and Shirley" as a "Happy Days" spin-off.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005): While in the thrift store, Tibby mentions that an outfit looks like something "Laverne DeFazio" would wear
South Park - Cartoon Wars: Part 1 (2006): Cartman tells Kyle how they cancelled one episode of "Laverne and Shirley" and succeeded in getting it pulled off the air
South Park - Cartoon Wars: Part 2 (2006): Cartman says "It's exactly what happened to Laverne & Shirley"
Entourage - Crash and Burn (2006): Ari references "Laverne & Shirley" when talking to Penny Marshall in the parking lot
Gilmore Girls - Go, Bulldogs! (2006): Lorelai wants her and Chris's name tags to read "Laverne" and "Shirley."
My Name Is Earl - Guess Who's Coming Out of Joy (2007): Earl's gerbils are called Lenny and Squiggy.
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007): Chuck calls the maid "The Big Ragoo"
Parks and Recreation - Park Safety (2010): Ron explains the meaning of schlemiel and shlimazel.
The Big Bang Theory - The Spaghetti Catalyst (2010): The characters of Lenny & Squiggy are mentioned in the end credits "Chuck Lorre Productions, #285" card.
The Hard Times of RJ Berger - Lily Pad (2010): Coach Sinclair calls RJ and Miles "Laverne and Shirley."
30 Rock -100: Part 1 (2011): Kenneth says to Liz, "Let's walk together like Laverne and Shirley"
iCarly - iParty with Victorious (2011): Rex and Sam use the title as nicknames for each other
Nurse Jackie - One-Armed Jacks (2012): Mentioned by Zoey
NCIS - Gone (2012): Tony sings the L&S theme song to Ziva

Friends
​
In episode 1.16 (The One With Two Parts, Part I), the gang watches the Laverne & Shirley intro in Spanish, because their TV language is stuck this way. The show is also referenced in the show's Pilot episode (1.1), when Monica notes, "Oh good, Lenny & Squiggy are here..." in reference to neighbors Chandler and Joey entering their apartment. Finally, in episode 2.21 (The One With the Bullies), Monica considers a job at a 50's theme diner, commenting that one of the menu items she'd have to serve would be "Laverne & Curly-Fries."
Donny and Marie
​
Episode 3.9 (airdate: 12/2/77) features a spoof of Laverne & Shirley, with Charo and Milton Burle guest-starring. Donny takes on the role of Squiggy, Marie is Shirley, Charo is Laverne, and Milton Burle is Lenny.
Scary Movie
​
The principal in this movie is known as Squiggy/Mr. Squiggman, and the role is reprised by Squiggy himself, Mr. David L. Lander. The character's voice/mannerisms are very Squiggy-esque, and a Shotz brewery sign hangs in the background of his office. Some could argue that this is a shoutout/reference to the fact that the principal in Scream is played by Henry Winkler, aka Fonzie.
The Nanny
​
In episode 3.5 (Val's Apartment), Fran & Val move into their own basement apartment (which looks eerily like L&S's actually...), and do the schlemiel, schlimazel dance upon moving in. Furthermore, David L. Lander enters with a perfectly-timed "Hello!," playing the building's co-landlord... he shares the landlording responsibilities with his partner of 17 years.... Leonard.
Scooby Doo
​
In the 1979 TV movie 'Scooby Doo Goes to Hollywood,' a number of famous TV shows and movies are parodied, including Laverne & Shirley... or, as it is referred to in the film - Lavonne & Scooby. Lavonne and Scooby go roller skating together, but it turns out to be a clumsy disaster.
The Simpsons
​
In episode 14.5 (Helter Shelter), Squiggy appears on a reality show with the Simpsons as a stunt to boost ratings ("Who is the biggest 1970's television star whose phone hasn't been disconnected?"). David L. Lander plays the voice of Squiggy. The episodes Homer's Phobia (8.15) and The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase (8.24) also feature references to the show - on a TV guide cover and museum poster, respectively.
