Happy Days
By R. Heflin
“Happy Days”, was a series of teenage life in America during the 1950’s, and the creation of Gary Marshall, who had written for the Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucile Ball Show. The origin of the series was a skit that aired on the adult series “'>Love American Style
in the 8:00 to 8:30 time slot.
“Happy Days,” is the story of the Cunningham family living in 1950’s Milwaukee. The father Howard , Played by Tom Bosley, owned a local hardware store, while his wife Marion, played by Marion Ross, ran the house. The Cunninghams had three children Richie, played by Ron Howard, Joanie, played by Erin Morin, and Chuck. Chuck was the Cumminghams eldest son, portrayed by two actors Gavin O'Herlihy and Randolph Roberts, however Chuck was written off the show by sending him off to college after the second season. Chuck was never mentioned again.
Richie was the main character, and at first most all the story lines followed him and his two friends Ralph Malph, played by donny most, and Warren “Potsy “ Weber, played by Anson Williams; as they suffered through problems encountered by teenage boys such as, trouble with parents, trouble with girls, trouble with rude behavior, troubles due to lack of money, and other assorted problems. There was also a rough biker character named Arthur “the Fonz” Fonzarelli, played by Henry Winkler.
In the first couple seasons The Fonz was a secondary character, he even had a couple of close encounters with Richie. However around the third season Garry Marshall saw the magic in The Fonz and made him a main character. That is when the series started to take off. America became Fonzie crazy, and made Henry Winker a television star. Consequently, after Fonzie became popular it was necessary to develop more story lines around him, so the writers moved him into the Cunninghams garage apartment, almost making Fonzie part of the family. Fonzi had a trade mark “aaayyh “and thumbs up motion; he also carried a comb but never had to use it, for his hair was always perfect. Fonzie always wore a white t shirt and black leather jacket. The Fonzie character became so popular that Henry Winkler, who enjoyed fifth billing, moved to third billing, then second behind Ron Howard then first in 1980 when Ron Howard left the show.
There were other characters as well. Arnold, also known as Matsuo Takahashi, played by Pat Morita, from 1975-1976 owned Arnolds the local hamburger joint and hang out. Fonzie even used the men’s room for his office. Al Delvecchio, played by Al Molinaro, took over Arnolds from 1976 – 1982, during the 1982 – 1983 seasons Pat Morita came back after Al Molinaro departed. Charles “Chachi” Arcola, Fonzie’s cousin from New York came to the cast in 1977 and stayed to the end in 1984 even falling in love with, and marring Joanie. Joanie even had a friend called Jenny Piccalo; Although Joanie talked about Jenny Piccalo often, mostly how she did crazy and daring things. It was only in 1980 until 1983 that Cathy Silvers, the real life daughter of comedian Phil Silvers, put a face to the character. Pinky Tucadero, a female Fonzie, Played by Roz Kelly would make an appearance once in a while; she was Fonzie’s old girl friend. Lori Beth, played by Lynda Goodfriend, joined the cast in 1977 and was Richie’s girlfriend. The basic cast stayed the same from 1976 until 1980.
In 1980 Ron Howard and Donny Most left the cast. Richie married Lori Beth and both him and Ralph joined the army and were stationed in Greenland, after that Richie only corresponded with letters. The cast went through changes with the addition of Ted McKinley, who played Roger Phillips Marion’s nephew and high school teacher. Fonzie also went through a metamorphous, going from biker to business owner to eventuly Dean of boys at Jefferson High School. Another brief new cast Member was Ashley Pfister, played by Linda Pearl, who was fonzie’s new love interest. The show had its final telecast in September 1984 with the episode of Jonie and Chachi’s wedding, Richie was on the last episode.
Happy Days was a highly rated show, season one (1974) and season two (1974-1975) the show was not in the top 30. However 1975-1976 season three rolled around, a Chuck free happy days, was number 11 with a 23.9 rating. Than when Fonzie mania griped America season four 1976-1977 happy days was number 1 with a 31.5 rating. Season five and six, 1977-1979 saw a slip to number two, 31.4 rating and number three 28.6 rating . Seasons seven, eight, nine, and ten, the ratings were reportable, but not in the top ten. They were, however in the top 30, with the best being number fifteen at a 21.7 rating and the worst being number twenty-eight at 17.4. Season eleven 1983-1984 the show was not in the top 30. One of the reasons for the slip in ratings was competition from the shows spin-offs. The most popular being Laverne and Shirley, also Mork and Mindy, another spin off was the not so successful. Joanie Loves Chachi.
Happy Days and it’s cast were nominated for ten awards but only won a few . Henry Winkler won a Golden Globe for best TV actor in 1977 and again in 1978. They were nominated for several Emmy awards but only won one for outstanding editing.
Although the show aired in the 1970’s and 1980’s the show was set in the mid 1950’s. This concept was not new for Hollywood. During the 1950’s and 1960’s westerns were very popular on television. Setting the show in the 1950” was no accident. The shows creator Garry Marshall felt that America needed to feel a little nostalgic. America had just lost the Vietnam War, and was stinging from the political scandal water Gate, and thier were shows pushing the envelope on political issues, such as All in The Family and Mash. Moreover, Americans did not know it at the time inflation gas embargo and a hostage crisis was about to face them. Also there was an audience for it; with the baby boom after World War Two parents wanted there children to see how it was when they grew up. However, it was not Happy Days for all Americans in the 1950’s; it was no mistake the show took place in Milwaukee Wisconsin a northern city. During the entire run of Happy Days they avoided the Civil Rights movement, showing a token black person once in a while. In conclusion Happy Days was beloved by Americans; because Americans loved the 1950’s and wanted to forget the turmoil that was the 1970’s. It makes one wonder, would Happy Days be a hit today. Happy Days did not have half naked women or wise ass children. Also missing from Happy Days was the bumbling father. Accordingly sitcoms today reflect the 1950’s in a bizarre twist, today it is mother knows best
By R. Heflin
“Happy Days”, was a series of teenage life in America during the 1950’s, and the creation of Gary Marshall, who had written for the Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucile Ball Show. The origin of the series was a skit that aired on the adult series “
in the 8:00 to 8:30 time slot.
“Happy Days,” is the story of the Cunningham family living in 1950’s Milwaukee. The father Howard , Played by Tom Bosley, owned a local hardware store, while his wife Marion, played by Marion Ross, ran the house. The Cunninghams had three children Richie, played by Ron Howard, Joanie, played by Erin Morin, and Chuck. Chuck was the Cumminghams eldest son, portrayed by two actors Gavin O'Herlihy and Randolph Roberts, however Chuck was written off the show by sending him off to college after the second season. Chuck was never mentioned again.
Richie was the main character, and at first most all the story lines followed him and his two friends Ralph Malph, played by donny most, and Warren “Potsy “ Weber, played by Anson Williams; as they suffered through problems encountered by teenage boys such as, trouble with parents, trouble with girls, trouble with rude behavior, troubles due to lack of money, and other assorted problems. There was also a rough biker character named Arthur “the Fonz” Fonzarelli, played by Henry Winkler.
In the first couple seasons The Fonz was a secondary character, he even had a couple of close encounters with Richie. However around the third season Garry Marshall saw the magic in The Fonz and made him a main character. That is when the series started to take off. America became Fonzie crazy, and made Henry Winker a television star. Consequently, after Fonzie became popular it was necessary to develop more story lines around him, so the writers moved him into the Cunninghams garage apartment, almost making Fonzie part of the family. Fonzi had a trade mark “aaayyh “and thumbs up motion; he also carried a comb but never had to use it, for his hair was always perfect. Fonzie always wore a white t shirt and black leather jacket. The Fonzie character became so popular that Henry Winkler, who enjoyed fifth billing, moved to third billing, then second behind Ron Howard then first in 1980 when Ron Howard left the show.
There were other characters as well. Arnold, also known as Matsuo Takahashi, played by Pat Morita, from 1975-1976 owned Arnolds the local hamburger joint and hang out. Fonzie even used the men’s room for his office. Al Delvecchio, played by Al Molinaro, took over Arnolds from 1976 – 1982, during the 1982 – 1983 seasons Pat Morita came back after Al Molinaro departed. Charles “Chachi” Arcola, Fonzie’s cousin from New York came to the cast in 1977 and stayed to the end in 1984 even falling in love with, and marring Joanie. Joanie even had a friend called Jenny Piccalo; Although Joanie talked about Jenny Piccalo often, mostly how she did crazy and daring things. It was only in 1980 until 1983 that Cathy Silvers, the real life daughter of comedian Phil Silvers, put a face to the character. Pinky Tucadero, a female Fonzie, Played by Roz Kelly would make an appearance once in a while; she was Fonzie’s old girl friend. Lori Beth, played by Lynda Goodfriend, joined the cast in 1977 and was Richie’s girlfriend. The basic cast stayed the same from 1976 until 1980.
In 1980 Ron Howard and Donny Most left the cast. Richie married Lori Beth and both him and Ralph joined the army and were stationed in Greenland, after that Richie only corresponded with letters. The cast went through changes with the addition of Ted McKinley, who played Roger Phillips Marion’s nephew and high school teacher. Fonzie also went through a metamorphous, going from biker to business owner to eventuly Dean of boys at Jefferson High School. Another brief new cast Member was Ashley Pfister, played by Linda Pearl, who was fonzie’s new love interest. The show had its final telecast in September 1984 with the episode of Jonie and Chachi’s wedding, Richie was on the last episode.
Happy Days was a highly rated show, season one (1974) and season two (1974-1975) the show was not in the top 30. However 1975-1976 season three rolled around, a Chuck free happy days, was number 11 with a 23.9 rating. Than when Fonzie mania griped America season four 1976-1977 happy days was number 1 with a 31.5 rating. Season five and six, 1977-1979 saw a slip to number two, 31.4 rating and number three 28.6 rating . Seasons seven, eight, nine, and ten, the ratings were reportable, but not in the top ten. They were, however in the top 30, with the best being number fifteen at a 21.7 rating and the worst being number twenty-eight at 17.4. Season eleven 1983-1984 the show was not in the top 30. One of the reasons for the slip in ratings was competition from the shows spin-offs. The most popular being Laverne and Shirley, also Mork and Mindy, another spin off was the not so successful. Joanie Loves Chachi.
Happy Days and it’s cast were nominated for ten awards but only won a few . Henry Winkler won a Golden Globe for best TV actor in 1977 and again in 1978. They were nominated for several Emmy awards but only won one for outstanding editing.
Although the show aired in the 1970’s and 1980’s the show was set in the mid 1950’s. This concept was not new for Hollywood. During the 1950’s and 1960’s westerns were very popular on television. Setting the show in the 1950” was no accident. The shows creator Garry Marshall felt that America needed to feel a little nostalgic. America had just lost the Vietnam War, and was stinging from the political scandal water Gate, and thier were shows pushing the envelope on political issues, such as All in The Family and Mash. Moreover, Americans did not know it at the time inflation gas embargo and a hostage crisis was about to face them. Also there was an audience for it; with the baby boom after World War Two parents wanted there children to see how it was when they grew up. However, it was not Happy Days for all Americans in the 1950’s; it was no mistake the show took place in Milwaukee Wisconsin a northern city. During the entire run of Happy Days they avoided the Civil Rights movement, showing a token black person once in a while. In conclusion Happy Days was beloved by Americans; because Americans loved the 1950’s and wanted to forget the turmoil that was the 1970’s. It makes one wonder, would Happy Days be a hit today. Happy Days did not have half naked women or wise ass children. Also missing from Happy Days was the bumbling father. Accordingly sitcoms today reflect the 1950’s in a bizarre twist, today it is mother knows best
The Great Sitcom book by Rick zmitz ISBN 0399900713
Enclyopeida of American TV by Ron Lidman ISBN 081604552
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