With the amazing reach of our online edition of The Times at nwi.com, it's not unusual for me to get reader emails and feedback from locations like Canada and Ireland to China and England.
Last week, I received an emailed question from Susan Young of Sydney, Australia referencing a column I wrote in April 2007, which she stumbled across via the Web.
'Hi Phil, I got your email address from nwi.com after reading a column you wrote about a new spin on the TV show 'Laverne & Shirley.' Did this reality series called 'Penny and Cindy' ever get off the ground? I can't find any reviews of it and I thought you'd know. I live in Australia and can't find any trace of it going ahead.
Thanks. Kind regards. Susan Young, Sydney, Australia'
Thank you for your email Susan. Before I share the answer you're looking for, first, I'll bring readers up-to-date on the 2007 column you're referring to by republishing a portion of it:
Gonna do it ...
As bizarre as this concept for a TV reality series sounds, I have to admit I'm intrigued and I'll definitely have to watch this one.
"Penny and Cindy," a new show being pitched by cable's TV Land, will officially mark the cable network's venture into original reality TV programming.
The basic concept is simple, as described by TV Land President Larry Jones.
This show will portray the adventures of a real-life "Laverne & Shirley," or at least chronicle what it would be like if the actresses who played those roles were made to live together.
Twenty-five years after the ABC show left the airwaves, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams have agreed to do the series and a pilot episode featuring Williams living with Marshall in her L.A. mansion.
It was 30 years ago in 1976 when this spin-off from "Happy Days" first aired. The two title character actresses last reunited for a TV reunion movie in May 2002 that picked up where the show finale left off.
What I'm most curious about with this series is how the producers are going to angle the "conflict" for the show's premise. It's no longer an industry secret that the bulk of the entertainment that comes from any reality show is the editing of the footage and interaction of the characters to create a story-line that displays some type of "drama" and "crisis."
Of course, in real-life, it was "drama" and "crisis" that caused the original sitcom to end after eight seasons.
In what has become popular TV legend, Marshall and Williams became competitive on the show's set, causing many a headache for Marshall's brother Garry Marshall, who was the show's producer. Some of the most famous disputes were over some of the most minor details, like whose dressing room had the largest square footage and which of the actresses was given more lines to say per episode, once they were given each week's script.
By 1982, Williams, who also was expecting at the time, left the show, which limped along for just one more year with Marshall flying solo.
As for when this reality series will air, depending on the shooting schedule and episode demand, look for it as a late summer debut series or as an addition to the fall 2007 line-up."
As for the answer to Susan's question, I contacted TV Land's New York publicist Mitchell Squires, who responded with: "Hey Philip. Spoke with our 'originals' group. The answer is, pretty much, we just never picked up the pilot. It really didn't even make it to the pilot, as nothing was shot. Don't know if that will satisfy your readers. Thanks Mitchell."
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.
Today's Celebrity Birthdays
Actress Sheila MacRae is 85. Singer Sonny Turner of The Platters is 70. Singer Barbara Allbut of The Angels is 69. Singers Phylis "Jiggs" Allbut of The Angels and singer Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers are 68. Actor Gordon Clapp ("NYPD Blue") is 61. Rep. Joseph Patrick Kennedy is 57. Actor Kevin Sorbo ("Hercules: Legendary Journeys") is 51. Singer Cedric Dent of Take 6 and actress-writer Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") are 47. Drummer Marty Mitchell (Ricochet) is 40. Singer-guitarist Marty Cintron of No Mercy is 38. Guitarist Juan DeVevo of Casting Crowns is 34. Actor Kyle Sullivan ("Malcolm in the Middle") is 21.
