Are they lower middle class or the working class? Just curious to know...that's all.

Well at first Fonz came off as being kind of a hood, but I'd say they're more of the working class.

I'd say working class but then by the end of the show he was more lower middle class. He was a teacher and co-owned a business.

So, in other words, both the Fonz and the Arcolas were during pretty okay at the end of the series run.

So, in other words, both the Fonz and the Arcolas were during pretty okay at the end of the series run.

Very true. Fonzie not only was part-owner of Arnold's Diner and a teacher, he continued to work as an automotive mechanic in the auto repair shop he also owned. From his days as a local hood, Fonzie eventually evolved into becoming a member of Milwaukee's Chamber of Commerce. Chachi continues to work as Fonzie's assistant at his auto repair shop and as a busboy at Arnold's Diner. It's no crime to be proactive.

But if you look at the comfortable setting of the Cunninghams, it looks rather pleasant and nice looking, but when the audience first see's Chachi's family in a couple of episode(two episodes), it gives a sense of hardship and almost looks like there was no paint done at all. It also has the feeling of enclosure and striving to make a living....it is rather drabby looking. It is interesting as to how a set could match the characters' personality so well...The Cunninghams: pleasant, comfortable, and warm. The apartment setting of the Arcolas: rough looking, not comfortable, and determined.

But if you look at the comfortable setting of the Cunninghams, it looks rather pleasant and nice looking, but when the audience first see's Chachi's family in a couple of episode(two episodes), it gives a sense of hardship and almost looks like there was no paint done at all. It also has the feeling of enclosure and striving to make a living....it is rather drabby looking. It is interesting as to how a set could match the characters' personality so well...The Cunninghams: pleasant, comfortable, and warm. The apartment setting of the Arcolas: rough looking, not comfortable, and determined.

Keep in mind, however, that Chachi was raised by a single mom. I don't know what Mrs. Arcola did for a living, but it couldn't have been easy raising Chacho on her own.

And I'm sure the Cunninghams didn't start out comfortable. Howard had owned his own business for many years by the time Richie and Joanie were in their teens. I'm sure they struggled in the beginning.

It sure look like a nice set to live in, the Cunningham household. But I guess you are right on another point......the Cunninghams probably had to do a few sacrifices in their lifetime.

It sure look like a nice set to live in, the Cunningham household. But I guess you are right on another point......the Cunninghams probably had to do a few sacrifices in their lifetime.

Then again, there are other shows that don't realistically represent their characters' homes. Some people work at average jobs, yet have amazingly oversized apartments that most people would struggle to afford.

Keep in mind by the time the Cunninghams were on TV, Howard and Marion were in their forties and had worked hard to build their family and house. I would say the Cunninghams were upper middle class. They weren't rich, but they weren't poor, either. Howard was a member of the leopard lodge and active in the community.

I know they are not realistic portrayals of both classes, but it is kind of fun as to how the similar clothing they wore matches their characteristics at home or at they job locale. The clothing on the Cunninghams seem brighter and cheerful...something that puts a smile on your faces. While both the Fronz and some of Chachi's clothing were more rugged looking, more tough, yet with a kinder side....

I don't know what Mrs. Arcola did for a living, but it couldn't have been easy raising Chacho on her own.
She was the landlady of their apartment building (where Potsie and Ralph lived, as well).

Thanks...

I took it that Fonzie and Chachi were supposed to be based on producer Garry Marshall's young life. I take it that he was really poor and wanted to show two characters who were a startling contrast to the wholesome Cunninghams. I think Fonzie and Chachi were very poor.

I took it that Fonzie and Chachi were supposed to be based on producer Garry Marshall's young life. I take it that he was really poor and wanted to show two characters who were a startling contrast to the wholesome Cunninghams. I think Fonzie and Chachi were very poor.

I'm not sure if that was really the case, but as far as Fonzie and Chachi are concerned, it was pretty unlikely they were ever poor. Remember, Fonzie worked at an auto repair garage before he eventually became the shop's owner, beginning what would evolve into his Chamber of Commerce membership in Milwaukee. Chachi started off working as his cousin's assistant in his garage before he became busboy at Arnold's Diner. They started off slowly, then progressed, so I doubt they were ever really poor if they were working and making a living.

I'm not sure if that was really the case, but as far as Fonzie and Chachi are concerned, it was pretty unlikely they were ever poor. Remember, Fonzie worked at an auto repair garage before he eventually became the shop's owner, beginning what would evolve into his Chamber of Commerce membership in Milwaukee. Chachi started off working as his cousin's assistant in his garage before he became busboy at Arnold's Diner. They started off slowly, then progressed, so I doubt they were ever really poor if they were working and making a living.


I was thinking of the producer Aaron Spelling, anyway. I think he was poor growing up and that's what made Spelling such a success story.

I think Chachi was supposed to be poor. Didn't he try to hide his poverty from Joanie?

Chachi was trying to hide his family from the Cunninghams since the Arcolas were not considered like a normal family and didn't have like the nice home that the Cunninghams had.