By LYNN ELBER By LYNN ELBER ADVERTISING Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams play feuding ex-TV partners on an episode of Nickelodeon’s “Sam & Cat,” but they brush aside any comparison to their past. The former
By LYNN ELBER
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams play feuding ex-TV partners on an episode of Nickelodeon’s “Sam & Cat,” but they brush aside any comparison to their past.
The former “Laverne & Shirley” stars, who back in the day of their 1976-83 sitcom were reported to have crossed swords, said they were never enemies and remain friends despite lingering suggestions to the contrary.
“That was rumors. Any show you work on for eight years, you’re gonna argue at some point,” said Marshall. “Way overblown.”
Williams agreed, but added a bit of detail.
“Yes, it was a bit overblown,” she said. The actress added that she and Marshall have “very different personalities” with contradictory styles of working, which sometimes led to on-set clashes.
That said, Williams regularly visits Marshall’s house to watch and discuss TV. There’s a chill in the air, Williams said, but only because Marshall keeps her thermostat turned down and, to compensate, provides down coats and blankets for guests.
Marshall, whose big-screen directing credits include “A League of Their Own” and “Big,” is busy working on a documentary about provocative ex-NBA player Dennis Rodman. But she and Williams were enticed by “Sam & Cat” creator Dan Schneider to guest star on the comedy airing at 8 p.m. EST on Saturday.
“He loved our show,” Williams said. “He wanted to do a little tribute.
In the episode, Sam (Jennette McCurdy) and Cat (Ariana Grande) face having to rename their baby-sitting business because it’s similar to “Salmon Cat,” a faux 1970s TV show. The young women track down the show’s creators (Marshall and Williams) and try to dissolve their enmity.
In another Nickelodeon reunion, “Happy Days” creator Garry Marshall (brother of Penny Marshall), makes a guest appearance on “See Dad Run” starring Scott Baio, a cast member on the 1974-84 sitcom starring Henry Winkler and Ron Howard.
The “See Dad Run” episode airs 8 p.m. EST on Sunday.
