March 23, 1976
C
This Warren & Bickley episode, with its Cuckoo's Nest title, is the weakest so far, although not without interest. It was the middle of the Season One episodes to air, although it's clear that it was made before the previous episode, since Lenny was already in the Army Reserves there, while here he's joining up. It's also the first time we actually see him and Squiggy with dates, and in fact, Squiggy's hello-entrance is with his tall date, Dolores (Doris Hess, who would return twice each in two different roles, in '79 and '82). Note that Laverne asks Lenny about his "little date," not in a jealous way but certainly with more curiosity than she shows over who Squiggy is dating.
And there's definitely some Shirmine shipping, as he's protective and concerned about her when her pet bird flies away and she literally waits by the window, while it's snowing, for the bird to fly home. I felt like too much of the episode was about Shirley's near-obsession with the bird, which while it may reflect Williams's love of animals, just isn't that entertaining to watch. And if she has to sing "Sixteen Tons" to lull the canary to sleep, couldn't she do that in the living room rather than disturb poor Laverne? Still, this episode's "friendship" moment is when Laverne buys a new bird for Shirley, who then realizes she's gone overboard.
Oh, and I think this is the first episode that uses the window of the basement apartment for comedic effect. As I recall, this set became a character in itself as the show went on. (Until the move to California of course.)
Michael Kidd has only one other directing credit, from '58.
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