Laverne Speaks

By Carolina A. Miranda; Penny Marshall

Almost 30 years ago, Happy Days characters Richie and Fonzie dated brewery babes who later starred in Laverne & Shirley. Viewers can now see the first seasons of both series on DVD. Penny Marshall (Laverne) talked to TIME's Carolina A. Miranda:

How does it feel to be part of American TV lore?

At the time, we were not well received. [Laverne & Shirley] never got an Emmy nomination. But I still get recognized, and I'm, like, 150. Ironically, people told me I would never work in TV with my teeth and my accent.

Both shows were set in Wisconsin. So why did everyone seem to speak in New York accents?

Many of our characters [on Laverne & Shirley] were from Brooklyn. Cindy [Williams, who played Shirley] has a bad New York accent in the first six shows. She thought she had to talk like us.

You're producing the movie Cinderella Man, which Ron Howard is directing. Did you think that you'd still be working with Happy Days alums?

We have a shorthand. I trust Ron implicitly. He directed my daughter [Tracy Reiner] in Apollo 13.

Laverne used to drink milk and Pepsi. I tried it once and it was pretty darn gross. No, it's not! Ever have a Coke float?

It's the same deal. You just gotta put the milk in first so it doesn't coagulate.