View Full Version : More about Chuck Cunningham


Dynomite
07-19-2007, 09:01 AM
Think about this-what would Happy Days have been like if Chuck had stayed on the show? We already know about this tale of him accepting a scholarship from "Outer Mongolia", but for real, what would've things been like if he graduated from College and stayed in Milwaukee? My best guess is he would've helped his father, Howard, run the family-owned hardware store and possibly buy a house, preferably across the street from the Cunningham house. If that were to happen, Fonzie still would move into his apartment above the Cunningham's garage. Richie and Lori Beth still would get married, prior to completing his duties with the U.S. Army and move out to California to direct films. Joanie and Chachi, well, you know about them, so no need to go into detail. K.C. would remain at the Cunningham house(occupying her cousin Richie's old room), graduate from Jefferson High, then enroll at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. She would occasionally help her uncle, Howard and her cousin, Chuck, run the family's hardware store. Marion would never be bored, as he would also run Cunningham Hardware when Howard gets called away on business, give piano lessons to some of the kids in the city and take care of the house. Now, what are your thoughts about what things would've been like if Chuck stayed? Start chiming.

Mikado
07-19-2007, 01:51 PM
Well, likely theyd have never needed to bring in Ted McGinley as Roger, so, it probably would have improved the show greatly! ;)

Dr. Thong
07-19-2007, 03:41 PM
Well, likely theyd have never needed to bring in Ted McGinley as Roger, so, it probably would have improved the show greatly! ;)

I was about to say that if he had come back, Chuck would have been another character they'd have to shoehorn into the mix. An unnecessary addition.

But after what you wrote, I wish they had brought him back!;)

Mikado
07-19-2007, 03:50 PM
Seriously, they bring back Chuck, give him all of Richies lines, and the show could have gone on without any need to revamp/bring in the new characters (And the World would have been spared of Ted McGinley, the "Jump the Shark" King )

robyrob
07-19-2007, 04:01 PM
so what actor would you bring in for the new Chuck?

Mikado
07-19-2007, 04:10 PM
so what actor would you bring in for the new Chuck?
Anyone but Ted McG ;)


Hey Rob :wave: say hi to Robin for me :)

catlover79
07-19-2007, 04:19 PM
Chuck could write about about life in the dark hole he's shared with Judy Winslow, Carl Dixon and other characters who were written off and forgotten (at least by the other characters on their shows)! It would be very surreal, btw. :lol:

robyrob
07-19-2007, 09:07 PM
Anyone but Ted McG ;)


Hey Rob :wave: say hi to Robin for me :)
:wave: Robin says hi

i always thought that Chuck would've been a better addition than Roger, don't know who they could've had to play him - just someone tall and dopey.

Mikado
07-19-2007, 09:17 PM
:wave: Robin says hi

i always thought that Chuck would've been a better addition than Roger, don't know who they could've had to play him - just someone tall and dopey.
agreed, although, i think theyd have had to make him a little brighter....at LEAST smarter than Potsie ( although thats not saying much ;) )

anglemark10
07-20-2007, 01:08 AM
I always liked Ted McGinley and the Roger character. I never cared for Chuck, though.

Mikado
07-20-2007, 01:16 AM
I always liked Ted McGinley and the Roger character. I never cared for Chuck, though.
Well, the thing is, they had to graft the Roger character onto the show, whereas Chuck was already historically a part of the show , and more importantly, the Cunningham family. Of course, theyd have had to expand his character some ( He was only in 2 eps ), but, i still think that would have worked out better than adding a totally new character and trying to make him fit in.

Dr. Thong
07-21-2007, 11:03 AM
Well, the thing is, they had to graft the Roger character onto the show, whereas Chuck was already historically a part of the show , and more importantly, the Cunningham family. Of course, theyd have had to expand his character some ( He was only in 2 eps ), but, i still think that would have worked out better than adding a totally new character and trying to make him fit in.

I don't think Roger ever really fit in. He was a poor substitute for Richie. IMO, the post-season seven characters are add-ons. They were there to fill the void created by the departures of Richie and Ralph, but all they ended up doing was reminding me how much better the previous seasons were.

Again, that's just what I think.

Mr. Television
07-21-2007, 11:38 AM
I liked Roger. :D Chuck had no personality. The only thing he ever did was eat and dribble a basketball.

Mikado
07-21-2007, 02:55 PM
I liked Roger. :D Chuck had no personality. The only thing he ever did was eat and dribble a basketball.
Well, what im saying is , they would have expanded the character, he would have filled the void left by Rich in the show and the Cunningham family without having to be a "cousin" who came out of nowhere...he would no doubt have started hanging with the Fonz and Potsie, the only diff is Fonzie wouldnt likely have had to fight his fights for him as Chuck could probably fight his own battles, top athlete and all that. Ill admit, I tried watching HD after Ron Howard left, but, Roger and Jenny Picollo just didnt do it for me.

Dr. Thong
07-24-2007, 06:32 PM
Truthfully, I can take or leave Chuck. I don't think the writers ever had any intentions of making him a major character, as evidenced by the fact he was simply abandoned with no explanation after season two.

The writers pretty much made Fonzie a surrogate brother for Richie and member of the Cunningham family - ironic, when you consider that Fonzie was originally considered a supporting character.

I think it would have been funny if the last scene in the final episode had Chuck showing up at Joanie and Chachi's wedding. They could have freeze-framed on the shocked expressions of the family and had that as the final shot.

spreckenzeedeu
07-25-2007, 12:32 PM
How can you put Chuck next to Roger? They're soooo different. Well, sometimes I couldn't stand Roger (nerd with too much knowlege) but Chuck? No Way at all!

Dr. Thong
07-25-2007, 05:33 PM
How can you put Chuck next to Roger? They're soooo different. Well, sometimes I couldn't stand Roger (nerd with too much knowlege) but Chuck? No Way at all!

How about we send them both away to The Universe Of Sitcom Exiles? They can hang out with Trapper John from M*A*S*H and April from Too Close For Comfort.

I'd still take Chuck over Roger - yes, he's a blank slate, but he comes from the time when Happy Days was good.

catlover79
07-25-2007, 05:52 PM
How about we send them both away to The Universe Of Sitcom Exiles? They can hang out with Trapper John from M*A*S*H and April from Too Close For Comfort.

I'd still take Chuck over Roger - yes, he's a blank slate, but he comes from the time when Happy Days was good.
We can call that exile the Island of Misfit Sitcom Characters (remember the Rankin/Bass Rudolph special?)! Add to the populace Judy Winslow and Carl Dixon, and you're all set. :rofl: