"The Diner"

"The Diner"
May 6, 1980
B-

Robert Perlow's first of three L & S stories has Lenny inheriting the title location from his Uncle Lazlo.  Due to a signed agreement, Squiggy gets half of the inheritance, but the guys don't know anything about running the place, so they agree to hand it over to the girls, who know a little bit more than nothing.  The main thing I remember about this episode from the time is cook Laverne saying, "Betty, please," whenever she has an order for waitress Shirley to pick up.

I'd forgotten about Shirley getting pinched by men several times in a row and then Laverne saying into the microphone, "Please don't harass Betty please."  And I'd forgotten how much Lavenny there is in this episode, although part of that is when Lenny startles Laverne with a kiss, as Squiggy startles Shirley with one, because that's how they plan to greet all their female customers.  Lenny informs us that women are hungrier after sex, as if he'd know.

The Laverne/Lenny starts with Laverne going over and comforting Lenny, who's crying over his dead uncle.  She even puts his head on her chest, although she knows the grease will ruin her bottle-capper's smock.  He asks her to do him a favor and from her reaction, we can tell she expects something sexual, but he says, "Not that," and has her open a telegram.  She, and Shirley, are protective of Lenny when Squiggy claims his share of the diner. 

And then when they go over to the diner, to see what the boys have done to it, besides the "surprise" kisses, we also see the boys holding the girls' hands, including Lenny leading Laverne out by hers so he can hang up the sign.  There's definitely a subtext that Lenny wants to share his sorrow and joy with Laverne, although of course he bails on the diner when he gets the chance.  He may love Laverne, but he's happy for her and Shirley to do all the work.

Oh, and Carmine sings a couple songs, one with the jukebox ("There's No Business Like Show Business," while you'd expect something food-related) and then one with the girls (Shirley's jingle for the diner).

This time, Jack Lukes plays Lou.  Linda McMurray would direct one other episode.

Some Lavenny stills for your viewing pleasure: