Happy Days went from classic show (better than any 'Seinfeld' or MASH' etc seasons) to just 'very good' show when they stopped using the 'Rock Around the Clock' theme song. It then went from 'very good' to 'above-average' around the time that Chachi hopped on board (whether it was actually Scott Baio himself who was or wasn't at fault for this). What then put HD into a sudden, super-rapid downward spiral to becoming arguably the worst TV show ever, was when Ron Howard and Donny Most left after the '79/'80 season. From there, it is extremely safe to say that Happy Days was WORSE than, say, 'Charles in Charge'.

What COULD have easily prevented this - breathed new life into the show - was if the producers would have utilized Robert Pierce as 'Bingo' to replace Ralph Malph as the show's comic reliever instead of wasting him on the spinoff, 'Joannie Loves Chachi'. Yes, I know it's often times better to replace an important character with one who is totally different (ex. Kirsty Ally replacing Shelly Long in 'Cheers') but sometimes there are exceptions, and this certainly would have been one of them. Being cut from the same comedic cloth as Donny Most, Robert Pierce would have definitely not only kept the show afloat through '83/'84 with sheer comedy, but I feel that HD's ratings would have been so good because of this that the show may have still been around in the late'80s or even early'90s! Robert Pierce is an extremely funny man! Yes, very much so in the vein of DM but with his VERY OWN STYLE as well which would have DEFINITELY made the difference! Actually, Joannie Loves Chachi probably should not have even been a show to begin with. Simply have the HDs '82/'83 season shift back and forth from Milwaukee to Chicago. I am a true believer in this. If you want to see for yourself just how funny a man Robert 'Bingo' Pierce is, go check these out......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=664m4MDYsWc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIjRom1oQUE

Yes, he DEFINITELY should have been on more than just one measily HD ep. He could have and should have came on as a regular after 'Ralph' left.

While we are on the topic of different twists and turns that this show took over the years, let us talk about another development that took place towards the end. The premise that I am thinking of is the addition of the Fonz's steady girlfriend Ashly. If I spelled her name wrong I am sorry! What do people think of his character going out of the dating circulation and becoming like a father figure to Heather?

the A-Team is what killed Happy Days, ABC tried making all sorts of goofy changes but I don't anything could've saved them once that show became such a hit.

I really disliked the Bingo character.

I think that if the writing had been better in, say, seasons 7-10, the show could have lasted beyond an eleventh season. The writing was great in that last season, but, by then, it was too late as the viewers had already given up.

I really disliked the Bingo character.

What you do mean, angel?? Bingo was so darn hilarious! Them youtubes are only the tip of the iceberg. Robert Pierce to me is the funniest comedian there ever was. He just unfortunately never got on the right stage to shine upon. For him to have been on 'Happy Days', and for him to have been the reason why the show revived in popularity, would have CERTAINLY opened plenty of doors for him once the show did finally cancel. As very Malphesque that Bingo was, there was also plenty of Spicolli in him as well. This very 'hippy' element in his character would have been the perfect way to bring the show into the LATE1960s (Vietnam, Woodstock, etc). Just like Richie took a backseat to the Fonz, the Fonz in settling down could have taken a backseat as well and pretty much let Bingo take over as the man. Maybe I was a little out of hand when I said the show could have lasted into the early'90s (yes, a little farfetched) but how about saying that it would have lasted, say, through the '87/'88 season, just in time to conveniently pass the nostalgia-torch to....The Wonder Years.

That sound fair?

I didn't look at the clips, but I've seen every episode of Joanie Loves Chachi and the episode of Happy Days he was in, and I just find the Bingo character really annoying. The stupidity and spaced-out stuff just doesn't work for me. I agree that Happy Days could have lasted longer than it did, but it wouldn't have been because of the Bingo character had he been added as a regular. To me, he was nothing like Ralph Malph.

Bingo was no Ralph Malph, if anything he reminded me of the cook on Three's A Crowd (the Three's Company continuation series) - E.Z. the burned-out surfer dude.

I have seen all the HD and JLC episodes, the Bingo character was a one-trick pony and certainly couldn't have saved Happy Days OR made the Fonz character take a back seat in any way.

I have to gracefully disagree. I think Happy Days was well out of steam by the time it ceased production in 1984. It was never the same after Ron Howard and Don Most left, plus magically transforming the decade from the 50s/60s to the 70s/80s didn't help, either. Would it have killed them to keep the period flavor?? :confused: ohno:

After 1984??? That would have meant we would have seen

Chachi and Joanie have a BABY
Fonzie as a Family Man
Potsie with a Wife and Kids

I THINK NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-LOL

After 1984??? That would have meant we would have seen

Chachi and Joanie have a BABY
Fonzie as a Family Man
Potsie with a Wife and Kids

I THINK NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-LOL
None of that necessarily would have happened. The writers may not have decided to marry Joanie and Chachi. They were broken up for the entire season until the finale. Same deal with Fonzie: the idea of him adopting a kid didn't come along until the finale. As for Potsie having a wife and kids, it's possible but certainly not definite.

I guess we'll never know!! :lol:

One thing that I would still like feedback on is peoples' ideas about the addition of the Fonz's steady girlfriend in the second to last season. What do people think of him becoming like a father figure to her daughter? Do any of you have any ideas as to why the termenated her character for the last season?

certainly couldn't have saved Happy Days OR made the Fonz character take a back seat in any way.

I should have put it a different way, Rob, more like Bingo behind the wheel while the Fonz would be in the front seat at all times - often times telling Bingo how to drive and Bingo always listening. Guess the best analogy would be the Lakers when Magic arrived. Kareem was still the leader, the one to be respected the most, but it was Magic breathing new life in the franchise, giving the Lakers that well needed shot-in-the-arm and also being the main reason why they would win 5 titles in the '80s. Same here with Bingo if HD would have utilized him the way I think they should have. The Fonz, while now being a family guy, settling down and all, would still be the one giving advice to the other characters, Bingo included. There probably would have been times when the Fonz would have to wave his finger at Bingo and put him in his place, but it would be Bingo with his unique blend of Malph/Spicolli humor that would have made him the one blazing the trail to better ratings - catapulting the show into the late'80s. He would have simply tore up audiences nation-wide. If given that chance to be a full-time character on the show, Robert Pierce would have certainly shown that he wasn't just a.....'one-trick-pony' (I respectfully but whole-heartedly disagree with that assertion). Yes, he wasn't Ralph Malph, he was better. What I still haven't said yet was that RP was more than just a comedian, could do serious acting as well (ex - Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, etc), which would have made his Bingo character something real special to end the series with.

What makes this Lakers analogy all the more ironic is that Magic came onboard the '79/'80 season (goodbye Richie & Ralph) and my projected end of Bingo-included HD is the '87/'88 season - the last year 'Showtime' won the title. Pretty funny.

I watched Happy Days after the 1980 season plenty of times and don't know who the hell BINGO Is-lol

Can some post a pic?

Are you at all familiar with the spin-off sereis known as "Joanie Loves Chachi"? In this sereis Bingo was the drummer in the band in which Chachi was the lead singer. I am not sure, but I think that I remember the episode of "Happy Days" that he appeared in that the other posters are writing about. There was one episode in which the Fonz pulled some strings to get the band an audition with a very reputable record company. The whole band appeared in this episode including the character of Bingo.

Are you at all familiar with the spin-off sereis known as "Joanie Loves Chachi"? In this sereis Bingo was the drummer in the band in which Chachi was the lead singer. I am not sure, but I think that I remember the episode of "Happy Days" that he appeared in that the other posters are writing about. There was one episode in which the Fonz pulled some strings to get the band an audition with a very reputable record company. The whole band appeared in this episode including the character of Bingo.


I think I remember seeing him on JLC but not HD

I watched Happy Days after the 1980 season plenty of times and don't know who the hell BINGO Is-lol

Can some post a pic?
do you remember the EZ character from Three's A Crowd? - EXACT same character; stereotypical brain-dead surfer dude.

In addition to it being the same type of character wasn't it also the same actor who played the part?

I have to gracefully disagree. I think Happy Days was well out of steam by the time it ceased production in 1984. It was never the same after Ron Howard and Don Most left, plus magically transforming the decade from the 50s/60s to the 70s/80s didn't help, either. Would it have killed them to keep the period flavor?? :confused: ohno:

I've said it a zillion times before, and I'll say it a zillion more times: Happy Days should have ended a few years earlier. When Ron Howard decided to leave, they should've ended it there and then.

The final episode could have been Richie's, Ralph's and Potsie's college graduation and it would have been a great ending.

Besides, they'd already started taking liberties with the hairstyles and by the end of it, 1960's Joanie was sporting a 1980's perm. Chachi was wearing a jeans jacket and leg bandanna. If you dressed like that in the sixties, they would've branded you a hippie.

I know I'm in the minority (and frankly, I really don't care), but I found the post Richie/Ralph episodes quite enjoyable. Adding Jenny Piccalo was a big plus, her and Joanie were quite a team together. I think Happy Days ended at the right time, the cast was ready to move on to other things.

I know I'm in the minority (and frankly, I really don't care), but I found the post Richie/Ralph episodes quite enjoyable. Adding Jenny Piccalo was a big plus, her and Joanie were quite a team together. I think Happy Days ended at the right time, the cast was ready to move on to other things.

You have the right to your opinion. Don't worry about being in the majority or the minority. Conformity is overrated.

I know I'm in the minority (and frankly, I really don't care), but I found the post Richie/Ralph episodes quite enjoyable. Adding Jenny Piccalo was a big plus, her and Joanie were quite a team together. I think Happy Days ended at the right time, the cast was ready to move on to other things.
Nothing wrong with feeling that way. To each his/her own!! :D

In addition to it being the same type of character wasn't it also the same actor who played the part?
nope, Alan Campbell played E.Z. Taylor, Jack's "surfer dude" assistant chef at the bistro, Robert Pierce was Bingo, the "surfer dude" drummer in Joanie and Chachi's band.

nope, Alan Campbell played E.Z. Taylor, Jack's "surfer dude" assistant chef at the bistro, Robert Pierce was Bingo, the "surfer dude" drummer in Joanie and Chachi's band.
Bingo:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/671/3robertpierceauto.jpg

E.Z. :

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/695/80alancampbell.jpg

Bingo:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/671/3robertpierceauto.jpg

E.Z. :

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/695/80alancampbell.jpg



Somewhat of a similarity

I don't know about beyond 84 but Ralph and Potsie should have been in passages. It wasn't right not seeing either of them.

I don't know about beyond 84 but Ralph and Potsie should have been in passages. It wasn't right not seeing either of them.
Ditto. They should've been at Joanie and Chachi's wedding - period. Why they weren't is anyone's guess. :confused: :mad:

I don't know about beyond 84 but Ralph and Potsie should have been in passages. It wasn't right not seeing either of them.


There was no need for Ralph and Potsie to be at Joanie's Wedding because they were not close to her. They were never rally around her just the friends of her older brother. It made sense to me that they wasn't there. It made more sense for Fonzie and Richie to be there

more examples, folks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlVz65zG2v8&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJpqSKfZ888&feature=channel



Man, is he funny or is he funny? You make the pick. You know what? Just check out all the videos posted by 'finney44'. Also in the mix are examples of him being more than just a comedian.

Happy Days would have DEFINITELY went on a few more seasons if he have been let on as a regular. No fake.

do you remember the EZ character from Three's A Crowd? - EXACT same character; stereotypical brain-dead surfer dude.


I actually thought they were the same actor...

both so forgetable and unfunny...

not even the status that they were so bad they were funny.

they both sucked..

and were ripoffs of the Spiccolli character from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

Sean Penn played it great...everyone else after that was a weak ripoff.

I actually thought they were the same actor...

both so forgetable and unfunny...

not even the status that they were so bad they were funny.

they both sucked..

and were ripoffs of the Spiccolli character from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

Sean Penn played it great...everyone else after that was a weak ripoff.

Certainly not downplaying the talents of both Donny Most and Sean Penn (sacrilge to do such a thing), but I truly think if you take the 'Ralph Malph' character and further improve it (give it steroids) and combine it with an also-improved 'Spicolli' (on steroids as well), you got yourself...............BINGO! Plain and simple. To place Bingo in the same boat with that 'EZ' dude from Three's Company is a total travesty. 'Joannie Loves Chaci' was hardly the stage for such a hidden comedic jewel to fully launch off of to become, perhaps, a household comedy name. This is why it should have been HAPPY DAYS as the show where Bingo would be a regular character instead.

ANOTHER thing......being that JLC and Fast Times came out the very same YEAR (1982) coudn't a which-came-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg debate be made between these very characters in which Robert Pierce and Sean Penn played respectively?? Maybe, just maybe, Sean Penn himself was inispired by Robert Pierce to make 'Spicolli' what he was in the first place. I certainly could be off, but just a thought. A perfect excuse for an interesting debate (maybe this should be a different thread altogether).

So what do you all think?

Certainly not downplaying the talents of both Donny Most and Sean Penn (sacrilge to do such a thing), but I truly think if you take the 'Ralph Malph' character and further improve it (give it steroids) and combine it with an also-improved 'Spicolli' (on steroids as well), you got yourself...............BINGO! Plain and simple. To place Bingo in the same boat with that 'EZ' dude from Three's Company is a total travesty. 'Joannie Loves Chaci' was hardly the stage for such a hidden comedic jewel to fully launch off of to become, perhaps, a household comedy name. This is why it should have been HAPPY DAYS as the show where Bingo would be a regular character instead.

ANOTHER thing......being that JLC and Fast Times came out the very same YEAR (1982) coudn't a which-came-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg debate be made between these very characters in which Robert Pierce and Sean Penn played respectively?? Maybe, just maybe, Sean Penn himself was inispired by Robert Pierce to make 'Spicolli' what he was in the first place. I certainly could be off, but just a thought. A perfect excuse for an interesting debate (maybe this should be a different thread altogether).

So what do you all think?
i think you are way off - the production times for a movie (long) and weekly show (short) are way different and there were other stereotypical surfer dude characters before either of them so Robert Pierce's character was definately a ripoff of something else.

as far as Robert Pierce's talents go, he was okay - certainly nowhere near as effective comedically as Don Most or others mentioned. As far as the other stuff, it just didn't do it for me.