What Did Laverne And Shirley Say At The Beginning Of The Show? Unpacking That Iconic Chant

Have you ever found yourself humming a tune from an old TV show, maybe even remembering a few lines, but then that one part just slips your mind? It happens a lot, especially with those classic opening sequences that really stick with you. For fans of the beloved sitcom Laverne & Shirley, there's a very specific moment at the start of each episode that, for many, is just as famous as the theme song itself. It's a short, playful chant, and it truly sets the tone for all the fun that is about to unfold.

This little ditty, as a matter of fact, became a signature part of the show's identity. It was a brief, energetic moment that quickly pulled viewers into the world of Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney. People often recall the main song, "Making Our Dreams Come True," but this earlier bit is something special, too. It’s a moment that, you know, really connected with audiences right away, making them feel like they were part of the gang.

It’s kind of funny, but many folks don't really know the full story behind this silly, little chant. It’s more than just a random collection of words. There’s a bit of history there, and a meaning that adds a nice layer to the characters themselves. So, if you’ve ever wondered, "What did Laverne and Shirley say at the beginning of the show?" you're in for a pretty neat discovery. We're going to explore that iconic opening, the words they spoke, and what those words actually mean.

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Table of Contents

• The Iconic Opening Chant
• What Do "Schlemiel" and "Schlimazel" Mean?
• The Origins of the Chant
• The Stars Who Made It Iconic: Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams
  • Penny Marshall Biography
  • Cindy Williams Biography
• A Cultural Touchstone
• The Lasting Echo of a Simple Chant
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Laverne and Shirley Chant

The Iconic Opening Chant

Right at the very start of each Laverne & Shirley episode, before the theme song really kicks in, you see Laverne and Shirley themselves. They are, you know, hopping along, almost like they're playing a game of hopscotch. This is a very memorable visual. As they move, they recite a chant that has become pretty famous in its own right. It's a quick, rhythmic series of words that everyone who watched the show can probably still hear in their head.

The words they say, very clearly, are: "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, schlemiel, schlimazel, hasenpfeffer incorporated!" It's a mouthful, isn't it? But it rolls off the tongue once you get the hang of it. The text specifically mentions "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 schlemiel!" and that's the core of it, though the full chant is what truly resonated. They’re hopping as they say this, which just adds to the playful, lighthearted feeling of the whole thing. It was, in a way, a little peek into their personalities even before the story started.

This little chant, honestly, was more than just a set of words. It was a tiny performance. Penny Marshall, who played Laverne, and Cindy Williams, who was Shirley, really made it their own. They skipped down a street, usually in Milwaukee, where the show was set. This short, fun-to-recite chant, you know, was a perfect way to introduce the titular duo. It was silly, yes, but it was also incredibly charming and very, very unique for a TV show opening at the time. It almost felt like you were joining them on the playground.

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What Do "Schlemiel" and "Schlimazel" Mean?

Now, about those specific words: "schlemiel" and "schlimazel." These are two Yiddish words, and they are pretty interesting. They are often used together in a classic joke that helps explain their meanings. A "schlemiel" is, typically, a clumsy person. They are the one who spills their soup. Imagine someone who just can't seem to avoid accidents, you know? That's your schlemiel.

Then there's the "schlimazel." This person is, in a way, the unlucky one. They are the person the schlemiel spills the soup on. It's not their fault, but they end up being the victim of someone else's clumsiness. So, one spills, the other gets spilled on. It’s a pretty humorous pairing, and it really highlights a certain kind of everyday misfortune. The show's creators, it seems, found this dynamic quite fitting for their characters.

The third part of the chant, "hasenpfeffer incorporated," is also rooted in Yiddish, or at least a Yiddish-inflected phrase. "Hasenpfeffer" is actually a German rabbit stew, but in the context of the show, it became the name of Laverne and Shirley's fictional bottling company. It's a bit of a playful, nonsensical addition that really rounds out the chant. It connects the chant directly to their aspirations and their working lives, you know, their dreams of making something of themselves. It just adds another layer of charm and personality to the whole thing, making it more than just a simple count.

The Origins of the Chant

So, how did this unique chant come to be the show's opening? It wasn't just pulled out of thin air, you know. The creator of the show, Garry Marshall, had a big part in it. He was, actually, a very creative person with a knack for making things memorable. The chant itself, particularly the "schlemiel, schlimazel" part, was something Garry and his sister, Penny Marshall (who played Laverne), had heard and used in their own childhoods. It was a kind of family inside joke, or a playful saying that stuck with them.

It's pretty cool when you think about it, how something from their personal lives made it into such a famous TV show. Garry Marshall wanted an opening that was a bit different, something that would immediately grab attention and show the spirit of the characters. He also wanted to feature the actors, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, in a lively way. The idea of them skipping and chanting, you know, just fit perfectly with the show's overall vibe, which was all about friendship, fun, and a little bit of mischief.

A lot of effort, actually, went into crafting the entire opening sequence, not just the chant. It was all about making the audience's dreams come true, in a way, by delivering a show that felt genuine and entertaining. The chant, then, became a very important part of that. It was unique, it was catchy, and it perfectly captured the slightly silly and fun nature of Laverne and Shirley themselves. It really helped set the stage for their adventures, and it's something people still talk about today.

The Stars Who Made It Iconic: Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams

The chant wouldn't have become so iconic without the two amazing actresses who brought Laverne and Shirley to life. Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams were, you know, the heart and soul of the show. Their energy, their chemistry, and their genuine friendship really shone through, even in those short opening moments. They made the chant feel authentic and joyful, almost like you were watching two real friends just having a good time.

Penny Marshall, as Laverne, brought a certain brassy charm and a tough-but-lovable quality to her character. Cindy Williams, as Shirley, was the fiercely sweet and often more grounded counterpart. Together, they were a truly fantastic duo. Their performances in the opening credits, skipping down that street and chanting, were a vital part of the show's lasting appeal. It was their personality, really, that made those few seconds so memorable for generations of viewers.

Penny Marshall Biography

Penny Marshall was, basically, a true talent in Hollywood, wearing many hats throughout her career. She was an actress, a director, and a producer. Born in New York City, she came from a very creative family; her brother was Garry Marshall, the show's creator, and her sister was Ronny Hallin, also a producer. Penny first gained fame as Laverne DeFazio on Laverne & Shirley, which was a spin-off from Happy Days. She was, you know, a very natural comedic performer, and she really made Laverne a beloved character.

After her success as an actress, Penny Marshall moved into directing, and she became incredibly successful there, too. She directed many popular films, including Big starring Tom Hanks, which was a huge hit, and A League of Their Own, a very popular movie about women's baseball. She was, in fact, the first woman to direct a film that grossed over $100 million at the box office. She was, quite honestly, a trailblazer for women in Hollywood, and her work left a truly lasting mark.

Penny Marshall: Personal Details and Bio Data

Cindy Williams Biography

Cindy Williams was, truly, another key part of the Laverne & Shirley magic. She brought a wonderful warmth and sincerity to her role as Shirley Feeney. Born in Van Nuys, California, Cindy started her acting career with various roles before landing the part that would make her a household name. She was, basically, the perfect balance to Penny Marshall's Laverne, creating a dynamic that audiences really loved and connected with.

Beyond Laverne & Shirley, Cindy Williams had a long and varied career in television and film. She appeared in movies like George Lucas's American Graffiti and Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation, showing her range as an actress. She continued to work in television and on stage, always bringing her unique charm to her roles. Her contribution to Laverne & Shirley, however, remains one of her most remembered and cherished performances. She was, in some respects, the quiet strength of the duo.

Cindy Williams: Personal Details and Bio Data

A Cultural Touchstone

The chant, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, schlemiel, schlimazel, hasenpfeffer incorporated!", became, you know, more than just a TV show opening. It actually became a bit of a cultural touchstone. Kids would sometimes try to imitate it on playgrounds, and adults would hum it whenever the show came to mind. It’s one of those things that, honestly, just stuck with people for decades. It was unique, and it was catchy, and it truly felt like a piece of shared memory for many.

The fact that it incorporated Yiddish words also made it stand out. It introduced a little bit of cultural flavor into mainstream American television in a very lighthearted way. For those unfamiliar with Yiddish, it was a fun, playful introduction to terms that have a rich history. The chant, in a way, perfectly captured the spirit of the show: two working-class women with big dreams, a sense of humor, and a lot of heart, ready to take on the world their way. They were going to make their dreams come true, their way, and this chant was, like, their personal anthem.

Even today, when people talk about classic TV show openings, the Laverne & Shirley chant often comes up. It’s a testament to how well it was crafted and how effectively it introduced the characters and their world. It was a simple, yet incredibly effective, way to get viewers ready for the laughter and adventures that were about to unfold. It really is a pretty significant part of television history, and it continues to bring a smile to many faces. You can learn more about the show's broader impact on classic television at Britannica's page on Laverne & Shirley.

The Lasting Echo of a Simple Chant

So, what did Laverne and Shirley say at the beginning of the show? It was that unforgettable "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, schlemiel, schlimazel, hasenpfeffer incorporated!" This chant, as a matter of fact, did so much more than just count to eight. It set a playful mood, introduced a bit of Yiddish culture, and really cemented the personalities of the two main characters. It was a perfect fit for a show that was all about friendship, dreams, and navigating life's little mishaps with a smile.

The chant, with its hopping and skipping, was a fun, rather whimsical way to start each episode. It showed Laverne and Shirley as lively, spirited women who were ready for anything, even if that meant spilling soup or being the one soup was spilled on. It truly encapsulated their dynamic and their hopeful, slightly mischievous approach to life. This little ditty, you know, became a very beloved part of television history, and it continues to resonate with fans today, a true echo from the past.

Thinking about this iconic opening really makes you appreciate the small details that make a big difference in entertainment. It's a reminder of how a simple chant can become a lasting symbol of a show and its characters. If you're feeling nostalgic, or just curious about more classic TV moments, why not Learn more about classic sitcoms on our site? Or perhaps, you could even explore other iconic TV show openings to see how they compare. There's a whole world of television history waiting to be rediscovered!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Laverne and Shirley Chant

Q: What is the chant they say at the beginning leading into the theme song?

A: At the very beginning of the show, before the main theme song, Laverne and Shirley would chant, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, schlemiel, schlimazel, hasenpfeffer incorporated!" They would often be hopping or skipping as they said this, which was, you know, a very playful way to start things off.

Q: What does "schlemiel" and "schlimazel" mean?

A: "Schlemiel" and "schlimazel" are Yiddish terms. A "schlemiel" is generally considered a clumsy person, someone who might spill their drink. A "schlimazel" is, in a way, the unlucky person who gets the drink spilled on them. It's a classic comedic pairing that highlights someone who causes a mess and someone who unfortunately receives it, all by accident.

Q: How did that chant come to be the show's opening?

A: The chant, especially the "schlemiel, schlimazel" part, was something that Garry Marshall, the show's creator, and his sister Penny Marshall (who played Laverne) knew from their own childhoods. Garry Marshall wanted a unique and energetic opening that would feature the actresses and reflect the show's lighthearted spirit. It was, in fact, a personal touch that became a very famous part of television history.