Episode Name/Number:  To Tell the Truth (Episode 6.12)

Original Air Date:  February 17, 1981

Summary:  Rhonda is eager to introduce a new game called "Truth" to the group, but when people end up being a bit TOO honest, some heated exchanges occur between the friends (as well as some puddin’ flinging).

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Guest Stars:  None

Best Quote:  Lenny, showing off his new dictionary knowledge: "Lenny, I’d like to have a few words with you." -Carmine.  "Oh good, I’ve got a few words for you too! 'Aardvark! A large, burrowing nocturnal animal...'" -Lenny

Most Touching Moment/Quote:  Lenny and Shirley talking on the couch; Lenny reassures Shirley that her bossyness actually helps the group out, and Shirley tells Lenny that he is actually a very smart man.

Funniest Moment:  Laverne flinging a spoonful of chocolate pudding right onto Shirley’s face. It’s a simple, but classic,  L&S moment.

Squiggy Hello:  None

Featured Songs:  Laverne doing an old-man-style rendition of "Rags to Riches" and Carmine & Laverne Singing "Climb Every Mountain" together.

Strangest Moment:  Lenny trying to get his brain juices flowing in preparation for Shirley quizzing him from the dictionary.

Best Insult:  "Well, if I’m Miss Perfect, let me tell you what you are. You are crude and rude and loud and loose and lazy and sluppy and gruppy." -Shirley "What are you trying to say, Shirl?" -Laverne  "I think what she’s trying to say is that she’s Snow White and you’re the seven disgusting dwarves." -Squiggy

Saddest Moment:  Carmine saying to himself, "You’re right. I am a failure," after Laverne talks to him about how he needs to start making his own opportunities for himself.

Fun Tidbit:  Shirley only flosses her teeth the day before she goes to the dentist ("Well, Shirl, you’ll never get to flossing heaven!" -Laverne)

Episode in One Ridiculous Picture:

 






















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Star Rating:  5/5
Verdict:  In my opinion, this is hands-down the best California era episode, and one of the all-time bests in terms of overall episodes.. It’s just the core cast, tons of character-driven interactions, and a killer script full of humor, insults, fights, and eventually, making up. Pure fun, plain and simple.