Laverne & Shirley

(Happy Days [1974–84], Laverne and Shirley [1976–83], and Three’s Company [1977–84]) and sexually charged dramatic series (Charlie’s Angels [1976–81], The Love Boat [1977– 86], and Fantasy Island [1978–84]), Silverman rapidly elevated ABC to the coveted number one slot. Perhaps to counteract criticism of its lowbrow entertainment

…The Amazing Spider-Man (both 1979), Laverne & Shirley (1980), and Taxi (1982). His film credits during this period include the crime drama The Onion Field (1979) and the thriller Body Heat (1981).

… (1979), Joanie Loves Chachi (1982–83), Laverne and Shirley (1976–83), and Mork and Mindy (1978–82), the last two of which, like Happy Days, were produced by Gary Marshall, who went on to direct motion pictures such as Pretty Woman (1990). Howard, who had received his start in television on The Andy…

Other nostalgic programming such as Laverne & Shirley (ABC, 1976–83), set in the early 1960s, The Waltons (CBS, 1972–81), the saga of a Depression-era mountain family, and Little House on the Prairie (NBC, 1974–83), set in the late 19th century, also reached large audiences during this period. As its title…

…made several guest appearances on Laverne & Shirley in 1982–83. The producer of the sci-fi comedy The Ice Pirates (1984)—in which Huston played one of the titular buccaneers—gave her a copy of the novel Prizzi’s Honor by Richard Condon in the hopes that she would consider playing manipulative Mafia daughter…

…jobs on sitcoms, such as Laverne & Shirley and Alice. Films in which he appeared included American Hot Wax (1978), Collision Course (1989), and The Flintstones (1994). Leno also provided the voice for characters based on himself in animated TV shows, such as The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy,…

The first, Laverne & Shirley (1976–83), is set in the same time and place, and it centres on two working-class friends; the lead characters were played by Cindy Williams and Marshall’s sister Penny Marshall, who later became a director of popular comedies. In Mork & Mindy (1978–82)…