Today in TV history: Laverne & Shirley debuts

On Jan. 27, 1976, two young women from Milwaukee hopscotched down the street and into our hearts, chanting about schlemiels and schlimazels.

Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney first appeared on Happy Days on a double date with Richie and the Fonz before being spun off into their own series.

Laverne and Shirley first appear on Happy Days (Nov. 11, 1975)

Both shows were set in Milwaukee in the 1950s to mid 1960s, although Laverne & Shirley moved its whole cast to California in the show’s later, post-shark-jump years. The show ran through May 1983.

Season 1 opening, Laverne & Shirley (1976)

Naturally, the sitcom spawned an animated series, Laverne & Shirley in the Army, in which the two take orders from a talking pig named Sgt. Squealy. I kid you not.

Opening, Laverne & Shirley in the Army animated series (1981)