Ok.What years did Happy Days take place? I know it was the 50's but when in the 50's? I assume by the Third season that Happy Days was already in the 60's because in the the 3rd season episode where Fonzie sings,Marion,Howard,and Shortcake was on there way to the movies to see Psycho and Psycho came out in 1960. And I do believe there was a latter episode where Howard was watching Gilligans Island and of course Gilligans Island is a 60's show.

Well, generally the show began in the 50's and the show ended while in the 60's, however there were many times when things were shown or mentioned that were out of place. I have a thread abt this where I mentioned items such as the pinball machine that are shown that didn't come out until the 60's, but here they were being shown in a show set in the 50's. So, as for what years the show was set in, you just have to say generally it started out the 50's and closed out set in the 60's. You are correct when it came to goofs like the one you mentioned above, the characters mentioned or stated things that were errors.

I also notise in the episode when Fonzie sings that one of the girls at Arnolds appears to be wearing 70 clothes? It looks like shes wearing Bell Buttoms? I dont think Bell Buttoms was around yet in the 50's and early 60's? Yeah I just watched the episode on DVD.It's a pretty good episode.

I also notise in the episode when Fonzie sings that one of the girls at Arnolds appears to be wearing 70 clothes? It looks like shes wearing Bell Buttoms? I dont think Bell Buttoms was around yet in the 50's and early 60's? Yeah I just watched the episode on DVD.It's a pretty good episode.
Yeah, that is what made me start to get irritated with HD, the lack of staying with the time period. The Chachi character wore jeans that were not available from that era and the style in which he wore them were not that era either.

You will see many references to the 70's via hair, clothes, shoes, etc. simply because it was the 70's when HD's was filmed.

Yeah, that is what made me start to get irritated with HD, the lack of staying with the time period. The Chachi character wore jeans that were not available from that era and the style in which he wore them were not that era either.

You will see many references to the 70's via hair, clothes, shoes, etc. simply because it was the 70's when HD's was filmed.

Yeah by the last season the show totaly lost the 50's and 60's feel. The last season was more 80's then oldies. I always thought the best years of Happy Days was when Ron Howard was there.After Ron left the show was no where near as good. The magic was gone. There was a few good episodes but not many.There was alot of dumb ones from that period.

Although there are some dates that are contradictory, I've determined that it was 1955 when the series began and 1965 when the series ended. The main date I base this on is shown in the "Home Movies" episodes where Joanie holds up a sign that says "Summer 1962."

Yeah, there were little Goofs here and there.

But talking from the Episodes:
> At the End of "Christmas Time" (S6) you'll see the Note *1960*
> "King Richard's Big Night" (S7) has a *1961* Sign
> And in "Ralph's Family Problem" (S7) they look for the Girl of *1961*

Also time on the show was like a year for every two seasons, because in the penultimate episode, Howard and Marion clearly state that they have known Fonzie for SIX years (and the show ran for ELEVEN seasons).

Yeah, that is what made me start to get irritated with HD, the lack of staying with the time period. The Chachi character wore jeans that were not available from that era and the style in which he wore them were not that era either.

You will see many references to the 70's via hair, clothes, shoes, etc. simply because it was the 70's when HD's was filmed.
I remember, my sister and I used to get irrated over all that, too.

Ok.What years did Happy Days take place? I know it was the 50's but when in the 50's? I assume by the Third season that Happy Days was already in the 60's because in the the 3rd season episode where Fonzie sings,Marion,Howard,and Shortcake was on there way to the movies to see Psycho and Psycho came out in 1960. And I do believe there was a latter episode where Howard was watching Gilligans Island and of course Gilligans Island is a 60's show.well; I remember in 79 or 80; they had an episode where Arnolds burned down, and I remember reading somewhere at the time that they did that so they could replace it with "a typical fast food joint from the early 60s".
And I remember that same season, or maybe the season after that, there was a Christmas episode and someone took a picture of the Cunninghams at the very end. Then they showed a pair of hands putting it in a photo album, and under it was writen CHRISTMAS 1961.
Also, I remember seeing a later episode once, where Fonzie mentioned that John F. Kennedy was the president.

I remember watching a rerun of the final episode of Happy Days with a couple of my friends once.And one of my friends commented how easy it was for Fonzie to addopt a child.Because we knew someone in real life that wanted to addopt a child and he had problems doing so due to the fact his wife had health problems.They tryed so hard but they kept getting rufused.So they then ended up giving up.
Well anyways I always believed the Happy Days years was from 1954-1964.But there was so many comments threw out the shows run that would say other wise.Like The family going to see Psycho. And yes of course the clothes that some people wore on the show.It was like people just walked on the set of Arnolds wearing there street clothes and was told to stay,and dont worry about changing you're clothes as I dont think people would notise,but they did.

One of the early episodes - it was either the first or second season - Richie participates in Adlai Stevenson's presidential campaign, which I believe was in 1956.

So let's say for the sake of argument, the show begins around 1955-56.

In the seventh season, right before Arnold's burns down, Potsie suggests having President Kennedy come down and dance with the girls to save Al's sagging business. So by then, it had to be late 1961 at the very least.

Of course, we all know that Happy Days began in 1956 and ended in...1984.:D You don't believe me?? Check out the period detail in the first season and the complete lack of it in season eleven. They stopped caring by then...and so did I.

One of the early episodes - it was either the first or second season - Richie participates in Adlai Stevenson's presidential campaign, which I believe was in 1956.

So let's say for the sake of argument, the show begins around 1955-56.

In the seventh season, right before Arnold's burns down, Potsie suggests having President Kennedy come down and dance with the girls to save Al's sagging business. So by then, it had to be late 1961 at the very least.

Of course, we all know that Happy Days began in 1956 and ended in...1984.:D You don't believe me?? Check out the period detail in the first season and the complete lack of it in season eleven. They stopped caring by then...and so did I.

I stopped caring when Richie and Ralph left.

I stopped caring when Richie and Ralph left.

As did many, myself included. I think many here would agree with you.

As did many, myself included. I think many here would agree with you.

My favorite 2 episodes from Happy Days later years was when Richie and Ralph came home from the army.I loved that scene when there all singing Blueberry Hill around the piano.It was a great moment and with Richie and Ralph back it was like the show I loved again.But then Ralph left for Eye Doctor school and Richie packed his bags and took off for Hollywood.I tuned out after that and did not watch again untill the final episode.
I also did not like how Richie and Lori Beth got married over a telephone-Who ever heard of getting married over a telephone? I think what they should of done was when Ron and Donny said they where both leaving they should of ended the show with Richie and Lori Beth getting married.

the opening scene at arnolds both joannie,her date tony,and chachi and his date judy, have shirts on that say the kinks tour 1966.you really can't make sence of the years because even when fonzie(in the same episode)is telling mr and mrs.c about adopting danny he says for the last 6 years he'd been watching the king of dads.. if you do the math fonzie moved in the 3rd season this was the eleventh season so in actuality it would have been the last eight years.

My favorite 2 episodes from Happy Days later years was when Richie and Ralph came home from the army.I loved that scene when there all singing Blueberry Hill around the piano.It was a great moment and with Richie and Ralph back it was like the show I loved again.But then Ralph left for Eye Doctor school and Richie packed his bags and took off for Hollywood.I tuned out after that and did not watch again untill the final episode.
I also did not like how Richie and Lori Beth got married over a telephone-Who ever heard of getting married over a telephone? I think what they should of done was when Ron and Donny said they where both leaving they should of ended the show with Richie and Lori Beth getting married.

And a real wedding too, unlike the stupid wedding they had on the show. I had a feeling that Fonzie filled in for Richie in other post-nuptual things, if ya know what I mean.;) It was stupid -they had to have the wedding with Fonzie as a proxy, but then, she could go off to Greenland while he got leave to do the honeymoon?? Why not just get married on the base in Greenland?? It was Greenland where he went, right??

BTW, there was no draft around the time Richie and Ralph were "drafted.":crazy:

Yeah, those episodes you mentioned are the only ones worth watching from the later years. And mainly, because the old firm is back together (Fonzie, Richie, Potsie, Ralph) for one last time.

Why not just get married on the base in Greenland??
Only wives were allowed to visit the base in Greenland. Lori Beth couldn't visit the base until she and Richie were married.

BTW, there was no draft around the time Richie and Ralph were "drafted.":crazy:
I don't believe it was ever clearly stated how they ended up in the army. They probably enlisted.

Only wives were allowed to visit the base in Greenland. Lori Beth couldn't visit the base until she and Richie were married.


I don't believe it was ever clearly stated how they ended up in the army. They probably enlisted.

As I recall, there was a reference to both being drafted in the season premiere. At any rate, like I said, if you go back to that time period, there was no draft as we weren't at war. There was the "cold war," but no draft.

There was DEFINITELY a draft in the early 60s. Famously even Elvis Presley was drafted into the Army!

Interestingly in the 10th season episode "I'm Not at Liberty" Fonzie mistakenly is summons to duty as member of the Army Reserves. THe Fonz reveals that he tried to enlisted following the Cuban Missile Crisis. (Which happened in 1962) But he was rejected because of his bad knee. Which of course he injured way back in "Fearless Fonzerelli".

Remember that Richie, Potise and Ralph were all in ROTC. Plus all 3 and Fonzie had to take Army Physicals in the 4th season episode called ..... "The Physical". So they were all registered with the Draft. Richie and Ralph must of joined when they graduated from College. While as "I'm Not at Liberty" revealed Potsie was in the Army Reserves. Probably because he was studying Psychology. Which takes more years of study. By being in the Reserves he only had to report for occasional weekend duty but for a longer commitment of time.

Crazy idea...I planning on creating a time line of the show. There are inconsistencies but the dates holdup better than most realize.

The dates were most inconsistent in the very early seasons. When they had not decided how old the characters yet. The period details, clothing, music, are the worst in the middle years of the show. Mostly when Richie was in College. They stopped making references to the time period. Because they did not seem sure of what to do about the early 60s.

But by the last few seasons they seemed to be more aware of making 60s references again. Just a few examples - In the 10th season episode "Babysitting" Fonzie watches the first heavyweight championship fight between Clay Cassius and Sonny Liston on television. This boxing match occurred on February 25, 1964. In the first part of the series finale "Passages" Joanie and Chachi are wearing t-shirts that say "The Kinks - Summer 1965 Tour".

Also Joanie and Chachi appear on Hootenanny during the 10th season. This was a real show that featured Folk musicians. I was surprised. THis show was on exactly when Happy Days said it was, when Folk Music was first coming popular, in 1963-1964.

At some point later in the series the writers seem to have started using the second season episode "The Not Making of the President", which revolves around the 1956 presidential election, as to when the show took place.

I think a timeline would be a great thing to do. If I had the time and patience, I'd go through every episode and make note of every period and date reference. Unfortunately, I have neither.

I don't believe there was a draft in the late '50s / early '60s. We were no longer at war - although the "cold war" was ongoing - and there was no need for one.

I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure there was no draft during that time period. It was just a convenient contrivance to explain the absence of Richie and Ralph after Ron Howard and Donny Most left the show.

Happy Days took liberties with the time period, the most egregious example being the clothing and hair that the characters had during the later seasons. Chachi wore a jeans jacket and feathered shag haircut, while Joanie had a frizzy '80s perm.

I think a timeline would be a great thing to do. If I had the time and patience, I'd go through every episode and make note of every period and date reference. Unfortunately, I have neither.

I think if you did so, you'd come up with numerous discrepancies and things that contradicted each other. Shows that are "period pieces" tend to have them as writers move on and newer writers are unaware of what happened before they came on board.

M*A*S*H is a prime example of this: There are all sorts of goofs regarding time periods and various happenings.

Bottom line, they're just shows. Enjoy them and don't analyze them too much.;)

I think that the majority, if not all, of the time and date references on the show have been mentioned on the boards here; you could probably put together a pretty reasonable timeline from that and fill in the blanks as you go.

the main problem (ignoring any goofs or period errors) is that there always seemed to be an elasticity to the passage of time on the show; the first three or four seasons seem to have spanned only a year or two, whereas other seasons could possibly cover a couple of years.

I think you could put together a basic time outline, but as they never intended the show to follow a strict time schedule there will always be some parts that don't fit or make sense.

I agree with everybody here. You can't be perfect imitating an era, and HD did pretty well, especially compared to the likes of That '70s Show, trying to mimick the '70s, as compared to HD trying to mimick the '50s-late '50s to '60s. I think while some of the jeans were worn, when they didn't even come out until the '70s, the poodle skirts were a correct mimicking of '50s attire, along with the shoes and shirts.

I think if you did so, you'd come up with numerous discrepancies and things that contradicted each other.
Oh, I know I would. That would be part of the fun, though - to sort through all of that.

Oh, I know I would. That would be part of the fun, though - to sort through all of that.

Exactly! Its all for fun. The mistakes would be referenced too. My local channel METV ( out of MILWAUKEE!!!) is airing the show numerous times a day from different seasons. I have been digitally recording the shows and watching them every day. I have been on a big Happy Days kick since I met the cast at the Fonz statue unveiling. Some of the episodes I have not seen in manyyears, some I have never seen at all. I think the later seasons are better than most people give credit.

I have been taking mental notes of the date references which I could add to those online. When I get a chance I will do a rough outline. That way people could add new info when they know it.

Not to get into a fight. BUT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY A DRAFT IN THE EARLY 50s AND LATE 60s!!!! Do some research. :p ;)

Oh, I know I would. That would be part of the fun, though - to sort through all of that.

Number one on the hit parade would be how Howard makes references to his "two" children in the final episode.

I still say it would have been great to have Chuck interrupt the toast and freeze frame on the shocked expressions of everyone as they realize he's back. And then, "The End."

I surprised they did not simply say retroactively change Chuck's relation to the others. That Chuck Cunningham was Howard's nephew. Maybe something happened to his parents. So Howard and Marion decided to raise hi,. But it when it happened he was too old to really see them as his parents. So When he graduated from college he lost touch with the rest of the family. So Richie and Joanie are their only biological children.

Chuck's character was attacked in the dark by his own shadow, and was never seen again. Surprisingly, he was last seen with a basketball & a family portrait in his hand.

I'd go with Wreckless' explanation best.

Trying to say that Chuck was a nephew is kind of silly. I'd almost rather they just don't acknowledge him at all rather than make something like that up