First item of business: If you read the last article, I apologize for “To Be Continued”-ing you. I just had a lot of miscellaneous stuff to cover and I realized it was a post all by itself. Second item of business: Today’s installment of “Happy Days Epics” is dedicated to the memory of the recently … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: “Home Movies” (For Real)
Originally Aired October 6, 1981 on ABC (60-Minute Episode) Before we get into the season-opening summer soap opera “Home Movies”, some housekeeping regarding season 7 of “Happy Days”. As you know if you’ve been following along, I am doing recaps of every multi-part or double-length episode of the series. Season 7 has two instances of … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: “Home Movies”
Part 1 Originally Aired February 20, 1979 on ABCPart 2 Originally Aired February 27, 1979 on ABC In my very first “Happy Days Epics” I said that “Happy Days” is one of my favorite sitcoms in spite of the fact that it is one of the most tonally uneven series of its kind. For example: … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: “Fonzie’s Funeral” Parts 1 & 2
Part 1 Originally Aired September 12, 1978 on ABC (60-minute episode)Part 2 Originally Aired September 19, 1978 on ABC Before we go west with the Cunninghams… what do Sherwood Schwartz and Garry Marshall have in common? Well, they both gained experience writing for comedy legends; Schwartz for Red Skelton and Bob Hope, and Marshall for … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: Westward Ho Parts 1 & 2
Part 1 Originally Aired November 8, 1977 on ABCPart 2 Originally Aired November 15, 1977 on ABC “Remember Pinky Tuscadero?” Joanie asks the guys at Arnold’s. Richie, Potsie and Ralph remember Pinky with great fondness. The actors and crew of “Happy Days” remember Roz Kelly, who played Pinky, quite differently. It is rumored that her … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: “Fonzie The Rock Entrepreneur” Parts 1 & 2
“Hey Wenty!” you ask. “Why have all of your blog posts lately been recaps of Happy Days cliffhanger episodes?” Because, dear loyal blog reader, there’s been some stress and worry in my feeble mind about things over which I have no control. And “Happy Days” makes me happy. Watching it, writing about it…it’s like a … Continue reading FORGOTTEN ICONS OF BROADCASTING: Dick Tufeld
Part 1 Originally Aired September 13, 1977 on ABC (60-minute episode)Part 2 Originally Aired September 20, 1977 on ABC “I have cooked veggies for a Hollywood star!” That’s Mrs. C’s reaction when Chachi tells everyone that The Fonz was discovered at Arnold’s by a Hollywood talent scout. Before long Potsie and Ralph Malph are planning … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: “Hollywood” Parts 1 & 2
“The Graduation Part One” original air date February 8, 1977 “God doesn’t want me to go to the prom!” bemoans Ralph Malph. Poor Ralphie has left his vehicle in Fonzie’s locked garage, and inside the glove box is the address to the location of the bar mitzvah at which the boys’ band is performing. No … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: “The Graduation” Parts 1 & 2
To start its 4th season–the 2nd season as a (usually) multicamera sitcom– “Happy Days” presented an epic 2-part saga involving a possibly long-term romantic interest for The Fonz, almost certain promotion to Grand Poobah of the Leopard Lodge for Mr. C, and that great American tradition: The demolition derby. (Rerun watchers would consider “Fonzie Loves … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: “Fonzie Loves Pinky” Parts 1 & 2
I love “Happy Days.” It is an incredibly uneven sitcom that I enjoy because of, and in spite of, the wildly varying tone from episode to episode. The foundation of the series was the Cunningham family–occasionally frisky parents Howard and Marion, son RIchie, daughter Joanie and sometimes-son Chuck. Richie’s friend Potsie was there from the … Continue reading Happy Days Epics: “Fearless Fonzarelli” Parts 1 & 2
