Instead of going back to Penny, Berman goes into more detail on Cindy's film roles. There's something a bit poignant in her getting such cinematic acclaim but hoping that her fears about being typecast as a wholesome '50s girl would not come true, only to have people offended by her role in (not named in this chapter) The First Nudie Musical, described as "a bawdy musical spoof parodying both the old Busby-Berkeley musicals and the modern movies of the seventies." Indeed, it would be harder for Cindy get good film roles after Laverne & Shirley, but no one knew that in '77.
The discussion of American Graffiti of course leads to the greenlighting of Happy Days, and a brief mention of when she went out with Henry Winkler, which I think comes up again later in the book. I also have to note that Cindy says, "There's a real feeling of spontaneity. We'll just do anything they'll tell us to do. Last week, for instance, Penny and I stood on our heads and sang 'I Believe.' " That dates that interview at least to the filming of "From Suds to Stardom," which aired on May 11, 1976 and presumably was filmed in April at the latest. So Berman must've started working on this book in Season One, when the show was only starting to be a hit.
Wow, that must've been insta-greelit.
ReplyDeleteCindy's story is sometimes really sad to me, in that she had all of this early critical acclaim and experienced megastardom but the backstage drama and the eventual lawsuit got her branded as difficult and her career never took shape after that. Look at Jennifer Anniston's transition from being Rachel Green to mainstream movie acclaim and critically applauded indie projects. She could've had that life.
I still haven't seen FNM, but I still find its existence hilarious.
This book insta-greenlit? Yeah, definitely. LAS is called "TV's most popular series" on the front cover, but that couldn't have been true yet when Berman was assigned to the project.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think Cindy was also an unintended victim of Suzanne Somers's contract renegotiations a couple years earlier. (Besides ABC's sexism about its female stars.) She had a lot of potential and it's ironic that Penny, who had much less self-confidence, became a bigger success post-series, albeit in directing rather than acting.
I had FNM on VHS but I don't think I do anymore. (Still got the "In Love with Laverne" clip I taped off cable about thirty years ago. It's funny what survives multiple moves.) Anyway, the movie was cute, a bit naughty but not shocking.
Yep!
DeleteWell, that and suing Garry at her ex-husband's apparent behest couldn't have helped her case either.
It's fascinating that that's how it happened for Michael and David, too. I wonder what life would've been like had David's illness not intervened.
Aww! I still have all of my taped-off-of-TV-Land copies of LAS. I ought to compare the edits.
Ironically, Suzanne Somers's husband egged her on, but they're still together.
DeleteAnd, yeah, David faced different prejudice in his career.
I wish I'd taped more sitcoms off TV in the late '80s and into the '90s. I did get different edits of Bosom Buddies than on DVD, a combination of music rights and line-drops due to commercial-cramming. (I might review the Penny appearance on BB when I run out of material for this blog, or on its 40th anniversary in 2022, whichever comes first.)
And she didn't get a second chance at a sitcom until 1987, mind you! Michael guest-starred on it, too. OOP. Will, BH is very...BH judging from what GH/CR/His Kids/Penny/GM have said about him.
Delete!!!! YES that's so good! that and her Taxi appearance! You should do More than Friends, maybe? My kingdom for Michael's ep of Good Time Girls TBH.
I remember a bit about Normal Life from 1990, with Max Gail. Yeah, Bill Hudson was not a keeper. (Not unlike Walter Meeney, ha!)
DeleteIt's actually one of my least favorite Buddies episodes, although that's not Penny's fault. It'd be interesting to revisit, however. I wasn't particularly drawn in by More Than Friends beyond the two-minute fling with the Frog.
Yep, her first after L&S was a two-seasoner about a daycare center she did with Telma Hopkins.
DeleteHAH! Oof, at least her marriage lasted longer than Shirley's.
HAH! The cutest frog anyone had ever seen.
Poor Telma Hopkins had a lot of failed series.
DeleteWe assume that the Meeneys' marriage didn't last long. I can't remember, is Shirley widowed in the reunion sketch?
He so is.
She really did! Half and Half lasted a long time for her though.
DeleteIt lasted long enough to produce three kids and nope, she's divorced via the sketch.
DEFINITELY the movie's highlight.
And Telma was on Bosom Buddies for a couple years of course.
DeleteAh, OK, I remembered Laverne being a multiple divorcee.
And, yeah, I suppose I could review the two minutes or whatever it is, but no hurry.
Oh yeah, and I think 227!
DeleteYep! Mrs. Hyphen-hyphen. Four divorces, five kids, two of whom she doesn't speak to anymore.
TRUE. We're probably gonna pod about it.
As bonus material? Cool!
Delete