The Belles of Bottle Capping - The Legacy of Laverne & Shirley
The Belles of Bottle Capping - The Legacy of Laverne & Shirley
Ashley Phipps
Foreword by Tracy Reiner, Emily Hudson, and Natalie Lander
568 pages
6x9 size
ISBN 9798905350597 paperback
ISBN 9798905350603 hardback
From the moment they appeared on Happy Days, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams stole our hearts as Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney. When Laverne & Shirley premiered on ABC on January 27, 1976, it debuted at number one in the ratings and earned a 49 share—one of the highest-rated debuts in television history.
Though the road behind the scenes was sometimes rocky, the show remained at the top of the charts for four consecutive years. At its heart were Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, two women who—despite what you may have read in the tabloids—were actually friends.
In celebration of the sitcom’s 50th anniversary, the complete history of Laverne & Shirley comes to life in The Belles of Bottle Capping: The Legacy of Laverne & Shirley, the first book solely devoted to the show. Based on personal interviews with creator Lowell Ganz, director Joel Zwick, cast members Michael McKean, Carole Ita White, Ed Marinaro, and others, the book traces the evolution of the series, from Laverne and Shirley’s first appearance on Happy Days through the show’s final season and beyond. It also includes an extensive episode guide with behind-the-scenes stories and little-known facts that will bring a smile to fans of the beloved sitcom.
ASHLEY PHIPPS has been a Laverne & Shirley historian since 1998, when, at twelve years old, she caught the “Circle of Success” marathon on Nick at Nite. She has made it her entire personality ever since. She is the founder of The Ultimate Laverne & Shirley Fan Club and has spent decades celebrating the series, connecting with fellow fans, and preserving its legacy. Her deep affection and gratitude for the show and its place in television history led her to write the first book devoted to its lasting influence. She lives in North Carolina. This is her first book.