LAVERNE & SHIRLEY: MOTHER KNOWS WORST {FIRST SEASON FINALE} (TV)

Summary

One in this comedy series about two young working women, following their humorous adventures from the 1950s through the 1960s.

In this episode, Shirley is thrilled by her new five-cent raise, though her good mood is dampened after landlady Mrs. Havenwurst delivers a telegram. The telegram reveals that Shirley’s ever-demanding mother, Lily, is flying in the next day for a visit. Shirley says her mother never stops criticizing. Lily arrives early and Mrs. Havenwurst opens up the girls’ apartment. Lenny and Squiggy soon burst in, recognizing Lily from decades ago and questioning why she moved to California. When Laverne and Shirley get home, Lily greets them warmly, then starts with the nit-picking. Lily asks Shirley to organize a party at which she can meet the gals’ friends.

At that evening’s soiree, Shirley retreats to her bedroom to scream in frustration after witnessing Lily’s actions. Laverne advises Shirley to speak up to her mother. Afterward, Lily says she was disappointed by Shirley’s friends. Laverne listens as Lily analyzes Shirley’s “dreadful decisions” and berates her for living in “bimbo city.” Laverne finally takes Lily to task, after which Shirley agrees with all the sentiments. Left alone, Shirley and Lily admit that they love each other, but don’t like one another. Later, Laverne apologizes for her outburst. Before leaving for the airport, Lily agrees to try harder to be “a chum” to Shirley. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: May 18, 1976 8:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:24:56
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:63679
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1976-1983
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Promos - "ABC After School Special: Dear Lovey Heart: I Am Desperate ..."
  • TV - Promos - "Good Heavens"
  • TV - Promos - "SWAT"
  • TV - Promos - "The Bionic Woman"

CREDITS

• Thomas L. Miller … Executive Producer
• Edward K. Milkis … Executive Producer
• Garry K. Marshall … Executive Producer, Created by
• Lowell Ganz … Producer, Created by
• Mark Rothman … Producer, Created by
• Tony Marshall … Producer
• Nick Abdo … Associate Producer
• Alan Myerson … Director
• Arthur Silver … Writer
• Charles Fox … Music by, Theme Music by
• Norman Gimbel … Theme Music by
• Penny Marshall … Cast, Laverne DeFazio
• Cindy Williams … Cast, Shirley Feeney
• David L. Lander … Cast, Squiggy Squiggman
• Michael McKean … Cast, Lenny Kosnowski
• Phil Foster … Cast, Frank DeFazio
• Eddie Mekka … Cast, Carmine Ragusa
• Helen Page Camp … Cast, Mrs. Havenwurst
• Pat Carroll … Cast, Lily Feeney