"Chorus Line"

"Chorus Line"
November 21, 1978
B-

Marc Sotkin wrote this, another episode where Shirley goes on a trip, this time only showing up in the tag.  It's not like the eighth season, where Cindy W. left the show (more about that later of course), but I don't know what was going on here.  (Contract dispute?  In a play?  Working on More American Graffiti?)  It doesn't impact the plot much, but it does mean that Laverne is relying on her male friends more than usual for the middle of the series.

Laverne wants to go to Chicago to audition for West Side Story.  Her father discourages her and refuses to loan her money.  Lenny & Squiggy agree to be her agents in exchange for a ride to Chicago.  Carmine, who of course has dreams of dancing success, goes as moral support and choreographer, especially after seeing the silly dance she does to the boys' deadpan rendition of "I Feel Pretty."  Laverne fails the audition but her father, who claims to be delivering a pizza in Chicago, cheers her on.

So fine you blow my mind, hey, Mickie!

The shipping notes here are obviously Shirley-less, but we do get some Fredna, with him asking and getting a big kiss.  When Squiggy wants to seal the deal with a kiss, Lenny kisses his forehead!  Earlier, the guys asked who was "handsomer," and the costumer seems to be stacking the deck with a black sleeveless T-shirt that shows off Lenny's arms and chest, not to mention the tight blue jeans!  Laverne diplomatically says both boys are cute.

But, yes, there is some Carmerne.  Not only does he teach her a dance routine, but he holds her hand when they arrive at the theater, and he gives her a shoulder massage when she's nervous.  Don't forget that not that long ago, she was afraid to touch his feet when he had a toe cramp and Shirley was out of town.  I feel like all this "don't touch Carmine" stuff is building sexual tension, but I don't know what the payoff if any will be, especially on an episodic rather than arced series.

The sympathetic experienced dancer who briefly befriends Laverne is played by 35-year-old Toni Basil, who had been dancing professionally almost since the actual 1960, and the character is named, with an irony that did not yet exist in '78, Mickie!