"Guinea Pigs"

"Guinea Pigs"
January 18, 1977
C+

It's weird that I recall from the time details about this Jack-Winter-written story, like Shirley's version of Grace that makes "food" rhyme with "good," because it's not that funny an episode.  The only time I laughed was when Shirley did the Bunny Hop with a sleepy Laverne on her back.  The girls become the title subjects when they want to earn fast money to attend a cocktail party that requires $20 admission.  (One episode this season suggested they make less than $60/week.)

Note that Mrs. Babish has a date, which is why she gives Shirley her party invitation.  The episode does have some S & S and L & L shipping, although some of it is admittedly odd, like the boys spying on the girls as they change into cocktail dresses in the back of the delivery truck.  Lenny helps Laverne carry in her laundry, and he seems a lot more responsive to her flirtation (to find out about where the guys go secretly to make extra cash) than Squiggy is to Shirley's, but then Shirley is just resting her head on Squiggy's shoulder (her signature move, as in the girls' first HD guest shot), while Laverne is nuzzling and possibly kissing Lenny's neck.

Volunteer Leoda Richards would have two other roles on the show, but not until the '80s.  Jack Lukes, who's Guy #1, would play three other characters.  Kenneth Gilman is Dr. Sandor here but would return as Chickie Gale.  And this time Harry Shearer doesn't just do a voiceover but appears onscreen, in a skullcap bald wig, as the Danzaly named Harold.