Did Shirley's departure from Laverne and Shirley influence the show's creative direction?

Yes, Shirley's departure from Laverne and Shirley had a definite influence on the show's creative direction. After Shirley's departure, the focus of the show shifted to Laverne, making her the main character and driving the stories forward. With the addition of new characters such as the egotistical Carmine and the lovable Lenny, the show was able to explore new storylines and create more comedic situations. The change in creative direction allowed the show to take on a life of its own, as it explored different themes and ideas. This shift in focus provided opportunities for the show to look at more adult topics and explore new ideas, as Laverne went from being a sidekick to the star of the show. While the show did not maintain the same level of success as it had with Shirley as a part of the show, it was still able to become a memorable part of television history.