What was the Reasoning Behind 'Laverne & Shirley's' Move to California? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-06-2010, 09:39 PM

Why did they move from Milwaukee to Los Angeles? Was there a reason behind the move?

catlover79 · 09-07-2010, 01:18 AM

I don't recall a reason in the storyline, but I think we can all agree that the writers/producers were running out of ideas.

biffbronson · 09-07-2010, 09:00 PM

Frank and Edna moved there a little earlier than everyone else. Although I don't think it's explicitly stated, Frank got with "Cowboy Bill's" as a franchisee (later on they have a "University" for the franchise). I think it's important to note that the Cowboy place is a franchise while the Pizza Bowl very likely was not, and there was growth out west where someone like Frank could make a go of it with little chance of failure. That premise made it seem plausible for Frank to be willing to pull up stakes and move across country.

So in the story, Frank and Edna find CA to their liking, and once L & S become unemployed, they're invited more or less to come out west as well.

In the late '60s and early '70s, a state like CA was really growing -- recently someone mentioned that 2-lane roads seen on TV's Highway Patrol in the '50s grew to multiple lanes at rapid paces. The move mirrored US trends as far as where the most growth was taking place.

treky · 09-10-2010, 12:49 AM

I think I remember reading somewhere at the time that they did it in order to change the setting to the early 60s....same reason on "HAPPY DAYS" they changed Arnolds to a fast-food place.

lucyandethel · 09-10-2010, 08:04 PM

They felt they had ran out of ideas in Milwaukee so they moved to California. They thought it would allow for more funny situations. Unfortunately, they were wrong.

TVFactFan · 09-11-2010, 02:15 PM

Shirley Feemey was more sexy in CA-lol

Dr. Thong · 06-24-2024, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

I think I remember reading somewhere at the time that they did it in order to change the setting to the early 60s....same reason on "HAPPY DAYS" they changed Arnolds to a fast-food place.

Arnold's was already a fast food place, basically.

The new Arnold's looked more like an '80s pub. It looked more sophisticated, at any rate.

Dr. Thong · 06-24-2024, 07:26 PM

I just saw a you tube interview where in passing, Penny Marshall said she felt Laverne & Shirley's move to California was a mistake.

Upon doing further research, it appears that Penny and Cindy Williams both disliked the change. Penny said that if they were going to move, it should have been to New York.

TVFactFan · 06-25-2024, 12:59 AM

The Move to CA didnt increase the ratings it was the other move back to Tuesday nights after HD. It went from below 40 to #20.

Dr. Thong · 06-27-2024, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

The Move to CA didnt increase the ratings it was the other move back to Tuesday nights after HD. It went from below 40 to #20.

In the pre-streaming/pre-DVR era, time slots were crucial. A time slot could sink or swim a show, even an established one like Laverne & Shirley.

Charles Knox · 06-27-2024, 08:05 PM

Always wondering the reason behind the move to LA, but just never took the the time to look into it. I guess the move also made it more believable if they ran into famous middle aged celebs, pretending they were still young teen idols.

TVFactFan · 06-28-2024, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

In the pre-streaming/pre-DVR era, time slots were crucial. A time slot could sink or swim a show, even an established one like Laverne & Shirley.

Dont understand why they didnt switch back to Tuesday during the season when the ratings was falling and falling. ABC just left it in the Thursday Night slot

Dr. Thong · 07-01-2024, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Dont understand why they didnt switch back to Tuesday during the season when the ratings was falling and falling. ABC just left it in the Thursday Night slot

Believe it or not, this was referenced in a third season episode of Mork And Mindy, when Mork, after hitting his head against a wall, comes out with "Yeah, let's put Laverne & Shirley on Thursday night!"

TVFactFan · 07-01-2024, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Believe it or not, this was referenced in a third season episode of Mork And Mindy, when Mork, after hitting his head against a wall, comes out with "Yeah, let's put Laverne & Shirley on Thursday night!"

U remember the episode? lol

Dr. Thong · 07-02-2024, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

U remember the episode? lol

Nope, I saw it the other night.

09-06-2010, 09:39 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	What was the Reasoning Behind 'Laverne & Shirley's' Move to California? Why did they move from Milwaukee to Los Angeles? Was there a reason behind the move?
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09-07-2010, 09:00 PM	#3
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,266	Frank and Edna moved there a little earlier than everyone else. Although I don't think it's explicitly stated, Frank got with "Cowboy Bill's" as a franchisee (later on they have a "University" for the franchise). I think it's important to note that the Cowboy place is a franchise while the Pizza Bowl very likely was not, and there was growth out west where someone like Frank could make a go of it with little chance of failure. That premise made it seem plausible for Frank to be willing to pull up stakes and move across country. So in the story, Frank and Edna find CA to their liking, and once L & S become unemployed, they're invited more or less to come out west as well. In the late '60s and early '70s, a state like CA was really growing -- recently someone mentioned that 2-lane roads seen on TV's Highway Patrol in the '50s grew to multiple lanes at rapid paces. The move mirrored US trends as far as where the most growth was taking place.
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09-10-2010, 12:49 AM	#4
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I think I remember reading somewhere at the time that they did it in order to change the setting to the early 60s....same reason on "HAPPY DAYS" they changed Arnolds to a fast-food place.
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09-07-2010, 01:18 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I don't recall a reason in the storyline, but I think we can all agree that the writers/producers were running out of ideas.
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09-10-2010, 08:04 PM	#5
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	They felt they had ran out of ideas in Milwaukee so they moved to California. They thought it would allow for more funny situations. Unfortunately, they were wrong.

09-11-2010, 02:15 PM	#6
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Shirley Feemey was more sexy in CA-lol

06-24-2024, 07:26 PM	#8
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	I just saw a you tube interview where in passing, Penny Marshall said she felt Laverne & Shirley's move to California was a mistake. Upon doing further research, it appears that Penny and Cindy Williams both disliked the change. Penny said that if they were going to move, it should have been to New York.

06-25-2024, 12:59 AM	#9
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	The Move to CA didnt increase the ratings it was the other move back to Tuesday nights after HD. It went from below 40 to #20.

06-27-2024, 08:05 PM	#11
Charles Knox Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2009 Posts: 1,225	Always wondering the reason behind the move to LA, but just never took the the time to look into it. I guess the move also made it more believable if they ran into famous middle aged celebs, pretending they were still young teen idols.