Ep 18. Please Don't Feed the Buzzards

Laverne & Shirley season 8 episode 18, titled "Please Don't Feed the Buzzards," takes viewers on a hilarious and heartwarming adventure with Milwaukee's favorite friends, Laverne De Fazio and Shirley Feeney. Set in the late 1950s, this classic sitcom follows the misadventures of the two best friends as they navigate through life, love, and their mismatched jobs at the Shotz Brewery.

In this episode, Laverne and Shirley find themselves in a predicament when they accidentally befriend a group of feathered troublemakers—the buzzards. The trouble begins when the girls decide to take a leisurely stroll through the park during their lunch break. Unbeknownst to them, the park is teeming with hungry buzzards who mistake Laverne's sandwich for a tantalizing feast.

As the girls sit contentedly on a park bench, munching away, they slowly become surrounded by a flock of buzzards, drawn in by the tantalizing scent of Laverne's sandwich. Hilarity ensues as Laverne and Shirley try to shoo away the ravenous birds, while attracting the attention and amusement of unsuspecting onlookers.

Their attempts to shoo away the buzzards only seem to make matters worse—each time they swat one bird away, ten more swoop in to take its place. Laverne and Shirley's desperate cries for help from the locals fall on deaf ears, and the situation goes from bad to worse as more and more buzzards gather around.

Meanwhile, upstairs at the Shotz Brewery, Lenny Kosnowski and Squiggy Squiggman notice Laverne and Shirley's prolonged absence. Concerned for their friends, the two bumbling goofballs embark on a comedic journey to locate the missing girls. Their clueless investigation leads them to the park, where they stumble upon the feathered chaos unfolding before their eyes.

Lenny and Squiggy's arrival adds another layer of chaos and amusement to the already bustling scene. With their limited problem-solving skills, the duo tries all sorts of ridiculous tactics to disperse the birds—running around flapping their arms, throwing bread crumbs in the opposite direction, and even attempting to sing them away with a off-key rendition of "My Girl." Unbeknownst to them, their frenzied actions only encourage the buzzards' presence.

Back at the park, Laverne and Shirley frantically try to devise a plan to rid themselves of their unwanted feathered friends. They attempt to bribe the buzzards with other food, but the birds stubbornly cling to their position, disregarding the alternative offerings. Shirley's quick thinking leads her to suggest playing some loud, irritating music on her portable radio, hoping it will scare the birds away. This brilliant idea elicits a few laughs and loud squawks from the buzzards, but ultimately proves unsuccessful in dispersing them.

Just as all hope seems lost and Laverne and Shirley resign themselves to sharing their lunch with the buzzards, a local zookeeper happens upon the peculiar scene. Recognizing the plight of the girls, he quickly retrieves a large, colorful kite from his trunk. With his expertise, he expertly maneuvers the kite through the air, using it to shepherd the buzzards away from Laverne and Shirley.

With the airborne intervention, the buzzards finally take to the skies, leaving Laverne and Shirley in dizzying relief. The crowd that had gathered to watch this bizarre spectacle applauds the quick-thinking duo and their unexpected savior. Lenny and Squiggy, still dazed by the chaos they inadvertently caused, awkwardly join in on the applause, confused but relieved that their friends are finally safe.

In the end, Laverne and Shirley reflect on their unusual experience, sharing a laugh and feeling grateful for each other's friendship and the many quirky adventures they've faced together. This heartwarming episode brings to light the strength of their bond and the unwavering support they have for one another, even in the face of buzzard-induced chaos.

"Please Don't Feed the Buzzards" serves as a delightful reminder of the enduring friendship between Laverne and Shirley, and the comical situations they often find themselves in. With its blend of laughter, mishaps, and heartfelt moments, this episode remains a beloved and memorable installment in the Laverne & Shirley series.