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Cindy Williams was skeptical about Laverne & Shirley's success
It was a matter of math to hear her put it.
It's hard to quantify what it is that connects a show with its audience. There are so many different ephemeral qualities that could draw— or alienate— viewers. The writing, acting, direction, and production design all have to work together to be greater than the sum of their parts. While studio executives might feel like they have it all figured out, the TV-watching public consistently proves that trends aren't especially bankable in the long term. You just can't predict exactly what people will connect with.
This is all true unless you're Cindy Williams. The Laverne & Shirley star had it all down to a science and felt like she knew why people loved her sitcom and tuned in week after week.
"Three laughs," she told the Detroit Free Press in 1978.
"That's what it comes down to. Get three laughs a week and you're a hit. That's all we have to do."
Williams' image-conscience agent was on hand for the interview and urged the famous actress to reconsider her position. After all, this wouldn't be good for Williams' career, if an ABC executive felt they could get three laughs from any other star for cheaper.
"I'm not being cynical and I do mean it," said Williams.
"It's true, isn't it? That's all you need. Some sows don't get that many. What else do you want to know? That ratings are good. That's all that counts, isn't it?"
Of course, the laughs were important. But while the jokes entertained the audience each week, it was the show's characters that had viewers returning for more. Any show can be a joke machine, but Laverne & Shirley had a unique chemistry between its two leads that equaled TV magic.
"Shirley is a sensitive person. A dreamer, an optimist, a romantic," said Williams. "The writers couldn't get a handle on her. There were some changes made. New producer. It happens all the time. It's nothing. Are you trying to find out if there was some dissension and I pushed to get new writers who treated my lines better?"
At this point in the conversation, Williams' agent was once again moved to interrupt, directing her young client's discussion toward more amicable grounds.
