by Michael Lyons
"I always wanted to be known as the Norman Rockwell of television, and Happy Days represented the part of me that wanted to make mainstream America laugh." - Garry Marshall
Garry Marshall most definitely accomplished this. His sitcom Happy Days, centering on the Cunningham family, living in Milwaukee in the 1950s, was one of the biggest hits of the 1970s, bringing us a character called Fonzie, who would secure himself as an icon of everything from television to lunchboxes to action figures and part of our pop culture.
And Happy Days made us laugh, becoming one of TV's most comforting and beloved shows.
It's hard to believe that Happy Days turns fifty this month. A show that was about nostalgia has now become nostalgia.
To celebrate this "cool-a-mundo" milestone, here is a rose-colored look back at just some of Happy Days most memorable episodes:
"All the Way," January 15, 1974.
This was the first pilot episode of Happy Days, where Richie (Ron Howard) is invited to babysit with a pretty girl from school, Mary Lou (Kathy O' Dare), who has a reputation, which isn't what it seems, and Rich learns about judging others.
The episode focuses on the setting, with plenty of 50s pop culture references sprinkled throughout. There's also a lot that changed later on in the series, such as Richie's older brother, Chuck (Gavan O'Herlihy), who later disappeared from the show: no live audience, a laugh track, the fact that Fonzie barely speaks and wears a grey windbreaker (the network was worried about a leather jacket being connected to gangs).
"Guess Who's Coming to Christmas," December 17, 1974
In the show's first of many Christmas episodes, Richie finds out that Fonzie (Henry Winkler) has no place to go for the holiday and, through a series of events, invites him to spend Christmas with the Cunninghams.
This episode laid the groundwork for the character of the Fonz and his long-lasting relationship with the Cunningham family.
"Fonzie Moves In," September 9, 1975
New sets and a live audience were introduced here, which would become the standard for the series going forward, as Fonzie moves in above the Cunningham's garage, creating a new dynamic for the series, where it became very Fonz-focused.
"Fearless Fonzarelli" Parts 1 and 2, September 23 and September 30, 1975
In a "To be continued..." two-part episode that had everyone waiting anxiously for one whole week, the Fonz looks to set a record by jumping over 14 garbage cans in the parking lot of Arnold's restaurant. And, with that jump, a pop-culture icon was born with Fonzie, Happy Days became a blockbuster show, and Henry Winkler was on his way to becoming a star.
"A Date with Fonzie," November 11, 1975
The Fonz sets him and Richie up on a double date with Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) in a funny episode that resulted in an equally popular spin-off for the two guest stars.
"Fonzie Loves Pinky," Parts 1 through 3, September 21 & September 28, 1976
Fonzie's old flame, Pinky Tuscadaro (Roz Kelly), returns so that they can face off in a demolition derby against the villainous Malachi Brothers. The Fonz was ingrained in our pop culture zeitgeist at this point, and this was a three-part event that was "must-see" TV for fans everywhere.
"Hollywood," Part 3, September 20, 1977
Richie and the whole gang visit Hollywood when he gets a shot at a movie contract, and while they are visiting, Fonzie accepts a dare and water skis over a shark. The term "Jump the Shark," now part of our lexicon for shows that have outstayed their welcome, was born from this episode. Ironically, many feel this is when Happy Days "jumped" their "shark," but the show would be on for another seven years.
"My Favorite Orkan," February 28, 1978
In a dream sequence, an alien from another world named Mork (Robin Williams) visits Rich and faces off against The Fonz. The episode unleashed Williams' genius, gave him his spin-off, and made him a comedic legend.
"Ralph's Family Problem," May 6, 1980
The episode centered on Ralph (Donny Most) as he discovers his parents are getting divorced. It was also Most's last episode and the last episode of Howard, who was about to embark on an Oscar-winning career as a movie director.
"A Little Case of Revenge," November 9, 1982
Fonzie is challenged to a fight by a former grammar school classmate, who has held a grudge since the third grade. And who played that former classmate? An up-and-coming actor named Tom Hanks.
"Welcome Home," Parts 1 and 2, October 25 and Nov 1, 1983
Ron Howard and Donny Most return in their roles of Rich and Ralph, and Rich and Fonzie get into a fight...where Richie belts the Fonz! It was a turning point, for sure, for fans.
"Passages," May 8, 1984
Joanie and Chachi (Erin Moran and Scott Baio) get married in the series finale. In a very touching last line of the show and the series, Mr. C (Tom Bosley) raises a glass, looks at the camera and says, "Thank you all for being part of our family...to happy days."
And they were Happy Days indeed. Eleven seasons and ten years, from a time before home video, cable, and streaming, when a TV show was "appointment viewing," lasting long enough to be seen by multiple generations, who would gather in the schoolyard and the workplace the next day to talk about the episode from the night before.
Well done, Happy Days. Thumbs up to fifty years!
Looking for more of my articles, podcasts and information about my book, Drawn to Greatness: Disney's Animation Renaissance? Head over to my website: Words From Lyons !
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