Happy Days

This was one of the greatest shows of the 1970's. Many people think of it as a simple comedy, but in the early years the series tackled some serious issues such as racism and nuclear war. The strength of the show was the friendship between Richie and Fonzie. The chemistry between Ron Howard and Henry Winkler made this show a classic. Unfortunately, after Howard left, they tried to keep the show going by focusing on Joanie and Chachi and that was when the show began to go downhill. However, just ignore the final years of the show and pay attention to the early years.

Cool show, lots of fun, heart warming and really charming and entertaining, and, last but no least, Happy Days got Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarell, the coolest cast in town. Like Mork & Mindy, I Dream of Jeannie or Get Smart and many other shows, this one is still excellent entertainment now flavored with a good shot of nostalgic superpowers. There is just one question left: what happened to the movie business? Neflixed, disneyed and superheroed to death, I guess. At least we got still all those exquisite shows of gone times just waiting for us to visit them again.

Happy Days was a great show when Ritchie, Potsie, and Ralph were still in high school, but when they moved on to college the show just skyrocketed down hill. The relationship of Chiachi and Joannie turned into boy band type pop with them singing almost half the shows, Jenny Piccolo was useless in the show, and Ted McGinley just has the knack somehow for making every show he's in, to destroy a show. I thought one of the funnier characters in the show was Sheriff Kirk, and Arnold in the earlier shows, but Ashley and LoriBeth were so so. I always thought the Fonz was funnier in his gray jacket days, but when he just had powers beyond belief, it detracted from his character to me.

All that aside, the 1st few seasons were 1st rate. I always loved the show, but it lasted way to long to continue. There were a few shows after Ritchie and Ralph left, and some of the Leather Tuscadero episodes that were good, but it just didn't have the nostalgia feel that the 1st seasons had.

It's the 1950's Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The show centers on teenager Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard), his suburban family, his school friends, and local mechanic, the Fonz (Henry Winkler). It does start with a brother Chuck and a grey jacket for Fonzie. The first two seasons are shot single camera style. There is a rougher edge to some serious subject matters. It's not the hardest hitting but the difference with the later years is stark. It's American Graffiti. Heck, it's sometimes close to American Pie. After those initial two, the show becomes the standard for 80's brighter, lighter, family friendly, multi-camera sitcom style done in front of a live studio audience.

Over the years, there are different characters and it becomes a legendary sitcom lasting 11 seasons. Henry Winkler, Marion Ross, and Tom Bosley are the veterans who held up the show all the way to the end. On the other hand, the supposed lead Ron Howard would leave the show after seven seasons. He was never that funny to me and I question his ability as the straight man. He's better as a director anyways. I'm not a fan of Joanie and Chachi who are fighting half of time. I never really liked Chachi and I only tolerated Joanie. I'm not a big fan of Potsie either and I definitely don't like his crooning. At least, Ralph Malph gets a few laughs at his own expense. As for the later additional characters, I like boy-crazy Jenny Piccalo the most. She's a fun character and the definition of the clueless cute single girl. KC is a little bland as a random cousin coming out of nowhere for the 10th season. I like Roger Phillips especially when he's paired up with the Fonz at the school. There is a weird situation with Linda Purl who plays two characters over the years. During the second season, she's Richie's girlfriend Gloria, and during the tenth season, she's Fonzie's girlfriend Ashley Pfister. Think about that. What I forgot is that Ashley's daughter was played by Poltegeist's Heather O'Rourke. Over the years, there are many memorable guest stars. Phil Silvers played Cathy Silvers' father. Robin Williams had a great crazy turn as Mork leading to his own show and becoming a Hollywood legend. There's also Laverne & Shirley who spun off on their own. This show lasted 11 seasons and is one of the legendary network TV shows of all times.

When Happy Days aired, I was in grade school, and like all the kids in my day, I loved "The Fonz" and his "cool" image and what it represented. Of course, ratings are ratings, and the Fonzie became the dominant figure in the show.

Now, as I've watched the reruns on "Nickelodean", I have to admit that the show was of much better quality in its early episodes. It truly was a "family" show with a moral at the end of each episode, without being preachy. It seems that in those early episodes (the first year or year and a half), the show truly did capture the 50's suburban lifestyle.

Once Fonzie became the focus, it does seem now that the show got kind of silly and unbelieveable, and saturated by "Fonzie." Of course, it's not quality of writing that keeps shows alive, unfortunately, and I realize that the show wouldn't have survived as long as it had if it had kept its earlier format. Still, I do greatly enjoy those early episodes when I watch them.