Each week, we will be taking an in depth look at some of the best sitcoms and comedy shows from both the UK and the USA.

Today we will be looking at a comedy that ran for a decade between the dates of 1974-1984 : Happy Days

Opening Sequence / Theme Tune

About the Show

Summary of Plot

The Cunningham family live through the 1950s with help and guidance from the lovable and almost superhuman greaser, Fonzie. – IMDB

Number of Seasons / Episodes

11 seasons

Characters:

Henry Winkler – Fonzie

Marion Ross – Marion Cunningham

Tom Bosely – Howard Cunningham

Erin Moran – Joanie Cunningham

Anson Williams – Potsie Weber

Ron Howard – Richie Cunningham

Trivia

• After the show became successful, Garry Marshall was approached and asked if the show could do anything that would help convince kids to read. In one episode, the Fonz realized that he would go to the library and check out a book, despite his reputation. (Said the Fonz, “Everybody is allowed to read.”) That week, registration for library cards went up 500 percent.
• In the final episode, Tom Bosley stepped out of character and turned to the camera thanking the viewers for being part of the Cunningham family for the many years the show had been on.
• Many fans agree that the show’s quality deteriorated after the three-part season 5 opener, “Hollywood”, where Fonzie jumps a shark while water-skiing. Today, when a show takes a sharp drop in quality, has strayed from its original premise beyond the point of no return, or has writers insert desperate attempts for ratings, it’s said to have “jumped the shark”.
• Although Fonzie loved motorcycles, Henry Winkler was terrified of them. Most of the scenes of Fonzie riding the motorcycle were shot with the bike attached to a platform, and being pulled by a truck.
• Richie and Joanie originally had an older brother, Chuck, who vanished without explanation. Now when a character is dropped from a series with no explanation given, it is known as “Chuck Cunningham Syndrome.”
• A bronze statue of the Fonz was unveiled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008. The statue is located along the Milwaukee River riverwalk, at the south end of the Rock Bottom Brewery’s outdoor seating area. Actors Henry Winkler, Marion Ross, Tom Bosley, Erin Moran, Don Most, Anson Williams, Penny Marshall, and Cindy Williamsattended, as did director/producer Garry Marshall and producer Robert L. Boyett. The event included an autograph signing with proceeds to benefit the Boys & Girls Club Literacy Program, a performance by Joey Sorge, the Fonz in the “Happy Days” stage musical, a parade of stars down Wisconsin Avenue, and a ceremony at the Brewers Miller Park in which the cast threw out the first pitch and Anson Williams sang the national anthem.
• Happy Days (1974) was so popular that “Rock Around the Clock” went back on the pop charts 19 years after its original release. The song, by Bill Haley and the Comets was #1 in 1955, and reached #39 in 1974.

Classic Clips

Best of Fonzie

Fonzie Jumps a shark

Teeny Weeny Glasses of Beer