Laverne & Shirley - Why Did the Fireman? pt. 2/2

[AlbieGray]

Well played all across the board. Penny Marshall, David L. Lander, Michael McKean, Cindy Williams and Phil Foster did a FANTASTIC job in this episode. It showed the depth. And when Shirley called her by her pet name, Vernie, that was so sweet.

[jax1961]

This was such a shock when I saw it years ago. It shows these girls can play serious as well as comedy.Penny Marshall was just wonderful as were Lenny and Squiggy.I dont think I saw them ever play a scene that was not slapstick other than this one.

[DorisDayFanatic]

@MegaSchoolRocks Definitely! They could be annoying at times, but really, they were good friends. It's a very sad episode.

[Okonkwo009]

@DorisDayFanatic yeah like that episode from Happy Days wher Richie ALmost Dies

[ACCELARANDO]

OMG THIS HURTS TERRIBLY AND TO THINK IT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN.....

[beautifulmysterie]

This is the saddest episode of Laverne and Shirley! I hate it and love it at the same time, I really liked Randy and Laverne's relationship and I wish he didn't die. This episode always makes me tear up!

[robynsegg]

I was 12 when I saw this in 1980. I didn't think it was possible to go thru something so tragic like this so young. & Then, it happened to me. 15 years later, I met some1 WONDERFUL, who sadly died. The good thing is that about a month b4 it happened, he did propose... twice! &, Each time I said yes. As I walked down the aisle @ his funeral, it was all so very surreal. I couldn't help but think, "I'm a widow b4 I was even a bride." Now, another 15 years has passed & sometimes it still hurts.

[tulllguy]

mean delivery by Squiggy there; good job by McKean though.

[robynsegg]

@tulllguy: No. I liked both. It showed a real depth of character of both of them. It was a passive/aggressive moment. Lenny showed the tears & Squiggy showed the strength. It was their 1 real serious moment. In fact, it was their greatest.

[jonthom11702]

@robynsegg I agree. They tried to soften the blow but at some point they had to say it. Also, I liked the fact that as annoying as they could be sometimes, Shirley just knew they wouldn't make up something like that. A real tear jerker, but very well acted all around.

[SAPPJR]

I would REALLY like to thank you for posting this...again..if there is anything I could send you from L.A., please ask, as gratitude....I would do so

[shmuli9]

I remember this episode. Although now I am quite cynical and would expect a episode like this to end thusly (to invoke tears, and therefore higher ratings, like a Shirley McClaine movie), at the time the death came QUITE out of the blue and it upset me...

[TheSteffen1223]

I would have told her you look lovely instead of tired.

[TheSteffen1223]

I think they should have shown randy's ghost at the end

[NancyHey]

Incredibly sad!

[psu68born]

one of the 5 saddest episodes in tv history 

[DorisDayFanatic]

@psu68born Agreed.

[LoveCindyWilliams]

Why did the Fireman...? aired 4 Feb 1980. It's a great one.

[Smartboy8877]

@LoveCindyWilliams

I agree, this was a great episode!

[GenevieveThornton]

So sad!!! :( I've never seen this episode before. Randy seemed so perfect for Laverne. It's so unusual, all these hilarious episodes then, bam, a tear jerker! The end where Laverne is holding the helmet is sooooo sad! Thx so much for posting this episode!!

[DorisDayFanatic]

@GenevieveThornton It's such a random episode in that sense - it did come out of nowhere. It's so, so, so sad. I feel so bad for Laverne. I do love this episode, though. It's nice to see a more dramatic side of the show.

[DorisDayFanatic]

@JoyJoy82 No problem! I always get teary during this episode too - it's extremely sad. =(

[SAPPJR]

I just totally lost it when frank started reading the paper, and Laverne yells out " No!"

[SAPPJR]

I just lost it.....right after Frank started reading the paper and Laverne yelled out..."NO!". seriously...thank you again for bringing this to share

[DorisDayFanatic]

@SAPPJR I always cry at that part also. So incredibly sad! =(

[SAPPJR]

Thank you from my soul for posting this. been looking for this for over 10yrs! I just turned 40 on the 17th.....THIS is a great birthday present! thank you! thank you! thank you!

[DorisDayFanatic]

@SAPPJR Aww, you are very welcome!!! And happy birthday! =D

[PaulieDi]

What year was this episode aired? Ted Danson is so young there (WOW!) *****

[DorisDayFanatic]

@PaulieDi I'm pretty sure that it aired in 1980. He was young here, wasn't he?! =)

[PaulieDi]

@DorisDayFanatic If this was 1980, then this must have been before he went onto "Cheers". Perhaps his guest appearance on "Laverne & Shirley" was an early role before landing his major role on "Cheers". I can't get over how young he looked there (like 5 years younger before playing Sam Malone). This was a classic episode and thanks so much for bringing Ted in. *****

[DorisDayFanatic]

@PaulieDi It was! I think Cheers started in 1982...didn't it? LOL I'm not sure about that, but this was definitely before he started on Cheers. He does look *so* much younger - it's incredible. And no problem - this is one of my very favorite episodes. =)