Happy Days Appreciation Thread

[The Toyroom]

Also, seems like most if not all of Garry Marshall's shows are always very whitebread --

Not sure if I'd call Marshall's shows "whitebread"....just standard for the time. In fact Norman Lear seemed to be the only producer at the time that was pushing African-American and Hispanic culture and ethnicity in his various shows.

Eventually you'd have the multi-racial casts of characters on "Barney Miller" and "Welcome Back, Kotter" and so on.... (although those were sorta stereo-types...)

[The Toyroom]

You need to go on Cash Cab .

My kids tell me that all the time...Jeopardy too...but I digress....

Why do you even know this ?.

Because I was watching an episode and I saw Lynda playing "Kim"...clearly knowing that she was "Lori Beth" when Richie was in college I had to investigate.

Gary Marshall also used her in his Happy Days' spin-off "Blansky's Beauties", along with Scott Baio. When "Blanksy's" bombed, Gary brought them in to Happy Days as regular characters (I've known that for years BTW, BK, having watched "Blanksy's" when it originally aired. Caren Kaye was HOT! )

[Earth 2 Chris]

This thread, and the HUB reruns had me looking for Happy Days info on the web. I looked over the episode guide today. Lots of interesting tidbits. Such as: Pinky was listed as a cast regular during the summer leading up to her first appearance in the premiere. Maybe her attitude cost her more than just a few random return engagements?

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/happydays.html

Chris

[BlackKnight]

Never realized it until the other night but Lynda Goodfriend played Richie's high school girlfriend "Kim" in 2 episodes BEFORE she was cast as his college girlfriend (and future wife) "Lori Beth"...

You need to go on Cash Cab . Why do you even know this ?.

[david_b]

Well, yes and no.. 'MASH' was fairly light in it's first couple of years and had an on-going black actor for most of the 1st Year...:

"Timothy Brown appeared as Spearchucker Jones in early episodes as a captain who lived with Pierce, Burns, and Mcintyre in the "Swamp". His character was removed when it was brought to the producer's attention that there were no African American ranking surgeons who served during the Korean war. (Wikipedia..)"

The writers on MASH didn't focus on wartime prejudices as storylines with that character; perhaps 'Happy Days' would have also had that choice.

david_b

[ctc]

>they didn't stay true to themselves and stay in the 50's

I remember reading somewhere that it was intentional though; by season 8 (I think) they had purposefully moved into the 60's.

>As long as Hollywood doesn't try for a movie remake

Wasn't that "American Graffiti?" Or "Happy Days" was a tv remake... or.... er.... it's kinda complicated:

Happy Days - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Don C.

[Mikey]

The addition of Sticks to the original cast would have significantly changed the premise of the show -- if it was done in true life style.

Because it's the 50's the race issue would most definitely have to be dwelled upon almost every time he's in the scene -- and if it wasn't it would have made the show totally unbelievable and unrealistic.

It could be possible to add Sticks and keep the show light but it would be a tough job for the writers.

Also, seems like most if not all of Garry Marshall's shows are always very whitebread -- so now that I think about it the sticks episode was probably not a backdoor pilot.

But, he would be an interesting addition to Happy Days if they did it right.

[david_b]

Sticks would have been a GREAT addition to the cast..

THAT was the time I liked the show the best, just when the 3rd season started, while Spike was still on.

Once Chachi stepped on the stage, along with Pinky, Mork and Suzi Quatro.., the show was becoming more a launchpad for other up-and-coming stars.

david_b

[Mikey]

Back in the day I thought they were going to make Sticks a regular.

Was kind of surprised they didn't - and a little let down.

Wonder if that was a backdoor pilot that never sold ?

Kind of had that feel

[Earth 2 Chris]

Maybe it was just me, but in the later years, characters seemed to come in and go on Happy Days without much fanfare either way. They'd show up, be on for a while, and then leave without any explanation. I guess it was the Chuck Cunningham precedent.

Ted McGinley was the only add-on who stuck on through the end I think.

Chris

[HardyGirl]

He was at Wondercon in 2009 but I think he was there on Friday, so I didn't get to see him.

[Mikey]

Cool picture

I didn't know Henry Winkler does signings

[Jason73]

Man I love Happy Days. It is my favorite show of all time.

Every Christmas Eve I watch the Season 2 Christmas episode where Fonzie had not place to go for Christmas. It makes me tear up a little every time.

[saildog]

We can't have a Happy Days thread without including Buddy Holly (Weezer)

FF to 40 seconds in and enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFzg8IWcpR0

m

We didn't, but it's worth pointing it out twice.

[The Toyroom]

Never realized it until the other night but Lynda Goodfriend played Richie's high school girlfriend "Kim" in 2 episodes BEFORE she was cast as his college girlfriend (and future wife) "Lori Beth"...