Need to settle a bet about when Joanie and Chachi started dating. I am saying they started when Richie was still on the show and the original Arnold's (pre-fire) was still around. My friend says they became an item after Richie left and with the later Arnolds configuration. Which is correct?

check this thread for confirmation, http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=135834 but #163- Fools Rush In (2/26/80) was the first episode where they actually started to date

however in #159- Hot Stuff (1/22/80) -the episode where Arnold's burnt down, Joanie said maybe - and I think Chachi threw the apron on the grill because he was excited about his date with Joanie

I think it is MORE confusing because the episodes weren't aired in the same order that they were produced...

so to answer your question, yes Richie was still around, but it started at about the same time as Arnold's burnt down.

the writers and producers knew ron howard and don most planned to leave
so they were already starting the jonnie and chachi stuff.in HOT STUFF she says maybe when he asks her out.

I'm definitely going to vote for "Hot Stuff" as the first indication. Then of course you had a few more episodes before the season ended wherein Joanie and Chachi are seen very scarecely, and season 8 starts with "No Tell Motel" and it's obvious within the first seconds of the episode that Joanie and Chachi are together. ;)

-=XDrama=-