Cindy Williams, TV's Shirley Feeney, Is Dead at 75

Sad to hear about the sudden death of Cindy Williams. From "American Graffiti" and "The Conversation" to "Laverne & Shirley" and "Strip Mall," Cindy was a joy in every role she took on. As a young gay boy, "Laverne & Shirley" was my absolute favorite show on television. Although I desperately wanted to be a Laverne -- brassy and boy crazy -- I was such a Shirley, right down to my refusal to break the rules and love of cats, stuffed or otherwise. (Cindy was especially great in the episode about her alcoholic brother, played by Ed Begley Jr.)

I hadn't realized Cindy was about five years younger than Penny Marshall, so even though Laverne died in 2018 they both lived to be 75 ... which seems fitting given that at the height of their fame they used to count lines to make sure things were even! 

In a statement, Williams’s children, Emily and Zak Hudson, described their mother as “one of a kind,” noting their mother’s sense of humor and “glittering spirit.” They added, “We have always been, and will remain, SO proud of her.”

💔

RIP, Cindy. And say hi to Laverne, Squiggy, the Big Ragu, Edna, Mr. DeFazio and Boo-Boo Kitty when you get to the big Pizza Bowl in the sky.

Who's behind those Foster Grants? 

Also sad to hear about the recent deaths of Television frontman Tom Verlaine and Lisa Loring (TV's Wednesday Addams). The hits keep coming and sadly always will.

And yes, I'm listening to "Laverne & Shirley Sing" tonight. 💔💔💔

Note: Michael McKean, aka Lenny/"This Is Spinal Tap"/Mr. Green in "Clue," wrote Track 2 ("Five Years On" and backing vocals were performed by Diana Canova (Corinne Tate on "Soap") and Melissa Manchester, among others! 

Song of the Day: 'Da Doo Ron Ron' by Laverne & Shirley

I raced out to buy this 1976 album as a very young boy, rather depressed to realize America's favorite bottle-cappers didn't actually sing "Making Our Dreams Come True." (That was my first Cindy with a "y" -- Cyndi Grecco.) The album also didn’t feature “High Hopes,” but instead was comprised of many popular hits of the show's era and shortly thereafter -- "Chapel of Love," "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "I'm Walkin'." While it wasn't the highest quality production, it was an improvement over their TV group called the Rosebuds, as you can hear by playing these two clips back to back!

TV Land has 13 things you might not know about "Laverne & Shirley," including the story behind the opening hopscotch bit, HERE.

Studio ...

And "live"!

Song of the Day: 'High Hopes' by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams

Penny Marshall's memoir bombed -- its stupid, non-"Laverne & Shirley" title didn't help -- but Cindy Williams doesn't make the same mistake with "Shirley, I Jest!" Can't imagine there's much interest, but I'm dying. ("Strip Mall" reboot, anyone?!) Order HERE.