Happy Days are here again
Posted on January 30th, 2008 – 4:11 PMBy Neal Justin
This Sunday’s column is all about “Happy Days” - and the fact that a whole new generation know very little about Arnold’s Diner and the pain of being told to “sit on it.”
More about that in the column. For those of us who grew up with Richie & the gang, we have our favorite moments for the series that will stay with us all our lives. Here are five episodes that I consider the most memorable. Feel free to share your own memories:
1) “Fonzie Moves In” (Feb. 26, 1974): Fonz was a satelitte character that first season, but his popularity grew rapidly, so much so that ABC considered renaming the series, “Fonzie’s Happy Days.” (star Ron Howard balked at the idea and it was dropped). I think the turning point for Winkler and the show was this early episode in which the Fonz returns to school and considers cheating. The episode included the Fonz’s first meal with the Cunninghams and, if I’m not mistaken, it includes a scene where he’s yelling at some girl outside to show some respect while they’re eating (someone correct me if I’m wrong). Not sure of the episode, but that moment may be the show’s funniest in it’s 10-year run.
2) “They Shoot Fonzies, Don’t They?” (Nov. 16, 1976): The first season made tons of references to the 50s, a trademark the show made less and less as it went on, but in this episode, there’s a tip of the hat to dance marathons, a big deal in that decade, with Fonzie teaming up with Joanie to try to upend a rival cheerleader (played by Charlene Tilton). Fonzie, exhausted from pushing his bike 12 miles, rises to the occasion in a dance-off featuring something called “The Kasatsky.” The coolest.
3) “Richie Fights Back” (Oct. 14, 1975): Jeff Conaway, who would later rise to fame in “Taxi” and then drop to pathetic in “Celebrity Rehab,” plays a bully who forces Richie into a corner. He tries to learn martial arts, but when that fails he stages an intimidation scene with a jacket that rivals the physical comedy of Buster Keaton.
4) “The Last of the Big Time Malphs” (March 22, 1977): Donny Most was supposed to get the role of Potsie, but at the last minute, producers went to Anson Williams. The second-place prize was Ralph Malph, always the stooge who got the least attention. Too bad. He could be great as a sort of teenage version of Eddie Haskell. This is his best performance as he gets in over his head in a gambling scene and fears big-time retaliation. The final scene with his father, played by Jack Dodson, is touching and hilarious.
5) “A Shot in the Dark”: Fathers and sons are key to this episode as well, especially the ending. Richie unexpectantly becomes a school star after sinking the winning basket in a big basketball game. He flubs a chance to be the hero the following week and is consoled by his father (the wonderful Tom Bosley) who offers him a Life Saver. Great moment, great relationship.Â



