Laverne & Shirley was often compared to I Love Lucy
A legend like Lucille Ball doesn't come along very often, which is unfortunate. The good news is that Ball served as an inspiration to comedians who came after her, and those actors are guaranteed to give an audience loads of laughs, ensuring that Ball's legacy lives on forever.
According to an article in the Kansas City Times, one show that reminded many viewers of I Love Lucy was the series Laverne & Shirley.
What began as a Happy Days spinoff became a comedy superstar in its own right, with actors Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams entertaining audiences with their oddball physical comedy.
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According to the article, Marshall wasn't at all offended by the comparison. "People see two women falling down and say, 'There's Lucy and Ethel!' That kind of humor," she said. "Hey, they were great. It's a compliment."
One of the show's creators, Garry Marshall, also agreed with the comparison. He argued that it was Penny Marshall's and Cindy Williams' willingness to play that truly made the show great.
"It's hard to find two attractive girls who will let themselves seem unattractive," he said. "It's difficult comedy. We're lucky to have two people who can not only deliver the lines but can swing on ropes and crawl on walls as well."
Cindy Williams seemed to believe that enthusiasm was key in a business like this, as well as a definite lack of fear. "I'm not exactly a graceful person and I don't mind showing it," she said. "I like to expose a part of myself that is very rough."
Many viewers had latched onto Laverne & Shirley because it provided the Lucy-tinged energy that audiences had been sorely deprived of.
"I feel the country misses Lucy very badly," said Marshall during an interview with The Washington Post. Laverne & Shirley, featuring two hilarious women who weren't afraid to fall down and get their hands dirty, gave viewers something to laugh at that reminded them of the old days of comedy.
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