That really, really bugs me that they somehow couldn't figure out a way to fit those two in. Anson Williams stuck with the show long after Postie had any relevance left (i.e. after Richie and Ralph joined the army), so it's incredibly ironic and sad that Postie isn't at Joanie and Chachi's wedding. I also would've liked to find out what Ralph was going to do with his life (other than heading off to Madison, WI) after the series was over. Richie didn't have a big part in the last episode, but of course, you can't do a last episode of Happy Days without him (and they already provided closure to his arc with him going to Hollywood to become a writer).

The only thing I can think of is that perhaps Joanie isn't very close to Ralph and Potsie.

Notice, Mother Kelp who we saw in the episode earlier didn't show up. Hehe.. she must hate Howard that much or maybe J/C didn't invite her.

Ralph and Potsie should have been at the wedding. It's strange that they weren't. Jenny and Al (as Father Delvecchio) were there, so why not???

First off..Anson did not sing Memories. Elvis Presley did the original and they played his version on the final episode.

Second...I agree that Ralph, Potsie and others should have been there. In fact, honestly even though Ron Howard had his bookend episode earlier in the season that gave us some closure on Richie it would have been nice to see the original star of Happy Days (Ron Howard as Richie) have more impact on the final episode then crashing through the beginning of the wedding and having only 1 line or two.

Also here's trivia for you. The very first line Richie spoke on Happy Days (episode 1) was "Hi Fonz" and the very last line Richie spoke on Happy Days(final episode) was "Hi Fonz" (after he interrupts the wedding)..that's what he wraps up with. Interesting fact at least to me.

Ralph and Potsie should have been at the wedding. It's strange that they weren't. Jenny and Al (as Father Delvecchio) were there, so why not???Jenny was Joanie's best friend and maid of honor, Al was Chachi's stepfather, and Father Anthony Delvecchio officiated the wedding. Of course they would be there. Ralph and Potsie were Richie's best friends, not Joanie's or Chachi's. It would have been nice if they were there, but it makes sense that they weren't given the rather small guest list.

First off..Anson did not sing Memories. Elvis Presley did the original and they played his version on the final episode.


Also here's trivia for you. The very first line Richie spoke on Happy Days (episode 1) was "Hi Fonz" and the very last line Richie spoke on Happy Days(final episode) was "Hi Fonz" (after he interrupts the wedding)..that's what he wraps up with. Interesting fact at least to me.


cool trivia....I never realized that!

also, can u imagine how they will ruin this scene if it ever makes it to DVD....u know they won't use Elvis' "Memories," and to me that's as an important part to the finale as the characters!

but im guessing that the ideas were to tie up the pending story lines the chachi
and joannie thing.the fonz finding happiness.and lets face it potsie by this point had become somewhat of a background character.ralph on the other hand closed his character in welcome home but it would have been nice for everyone to be there.

I don't think Elvis sang Memories on that episode. It could have been Potsie or some unknown singer. I imagine Ralph and Potsie could have shown up after the toast and said they went to the wrong house.

I don't think Elvis sang Memories on that episode. It could have been Potsie or some unknown singer.Yeah, it wasn't Elvis Presley. I have the Presley version, and they're not the same. Happy Days used sound-a-like artists for a lot of different songs, including "Memories." It wasn't Anson Williams, either.

I think they should have asked Anson and Don to come back for a cameo in the last episode. I could have been as big as Richie's which wasn't much, but they should have been there.

They had Chachi and Fonzie's grandmother, Grandma Nussbaum there.

I am glad I have the episode saved from when I taped it when it originally aired. There were so many nice little moments in the finale that get chopped out in syndication.

There's a real nice scene with Chachi and Lousia the day of the wedding that always gets cut. In syndication we lose that one last " Ooooh What a Face"

There's a Jenny and Joanie scene in her room getting ready for the wedding that always gets cut as well.

One thing I always wonder about the finale is that In Richie Comes Home, Lori Beth is pregnant, in the finale she isn't.

So how come we never found out Lori Beth had the baby, if it was a boy or girl and what it's name is?

One thing I always wonder about the finale is that In Richie Comes Home, Lori Beth is pregnant, in the finale she isn't.

So how come we never found out Lori Beth had the baby, if it was a boy or girl and what it's name is?

Chuck kidnapped it.

I think they should have asked Anson and Don to come back for a cameo in the last episode. I could have been as big as Richie's which wasn't much, but they should have been there.

They had Chachi and Fonzie's grandmother, Grandma Nussbaum there.

I am glad I have the episode saved from when I taped it when it originally aired. There were so many nice little moments in the finale that get chopped out in syndication.

There's a real nice scene with Chachi and Lousia the day of the wedding that always gets cut. In syndication we lose that one last " Ooooh What a Face"

There's a Jenny and Joanie scene in her room getting ready for the wedding that always gets cut as well.

One thing I always wonder about the finale is that In Richie Comes Home, Lori Beth is pregnant, in the finale she isn't.

So how come we never found out Lori Beth had the baby, if it was a boy or girl and what it's name is?

I wonder if Lynda Goodfriend was simply pregnant in real life?

I wonder if Lynda Goodfriend was simply pregnant in real life?


I've wondered that too because they don't even really address the issue.

The only thing they really say about a new baby coming is talking about how expensive the hospital bill will be.

I wonder if Lynda Goodfriend was simply pregnant in real life?

Lynda Goodfriend never had children in real-life. Looks more like a mistake from the writers (I just assumed that Lori-Beth lost the baby by a stillborn).

Lynda Goodfriend never had children in real-life. Looks more like a mistake from the writers (I just assumed that Lori-Beth lost the baby by a stillborn).

Or the baby could have been with a babysitter. Most people don't bring infants to weddings.

Or the baby could have been with a babysitter. Most people don't bring infants to weddings.

I forgot about little Richie not being at the wedding either, you could be right on this.

That really, really bugs me that they somehow couldn't figure out a way to fit those two in. Anson Williams stuck with the show long after Postie had any relevance left (i.e. after Richie and Ralph joined the army), so it's incredibly ironic and sad that Postie isn't at Joanie and Chachi's wedding. I also would've liked to find out what Ralph was going to do with his life (other than heading off to Madison, WI) after the series was over. Richie didn't have a big part in the last episode, but of course, you can't do a last episode of Happy Days without him (and they already provided closure to his arc with him going to Hollywood to become a writer).
If you watch all the shows from first season to last, you will note that while Potsie and Ralph were Richie's best friends, they were like Joanie's other brothers - often even helping her through issues - as well as good friends to Chachi. They were definitely as family, very close to each member in their own exceptional ways. There is absolutely no excuse for them not being at Joanie's & Chachi's wedding aside from producer/writer idiocy.

Jenny was Joanie's best friend and maid of honor, Al was Chachi's stepfather, and Father Anthony Delvecchio officiated the wedding. Of course they would be there. Ralph and Potsie were Richie's best friends, not Joanie's or Chachi's. It would have been nice if they were there, but it makes sense that they weren't given the rather small guest list.
If you watch all the shows from first season to last, you will note that while Potsie and Ralph were Richie's best friends, they were like Joanie's other brothers - often even helping her through issues - as well as good friends to Chachi. They were definitely as family, very close to each member in their own exceptional ways. There is absolutely no excuse for them not being at Joanie's & Chachi's wedding aside from producer/writer idiocy.

If you watch all the shows from first season to last, you will note that while Potsie and Ralph were Richie's best friends, they were like Joanie's other brothers - often even helping her through issues - as well as good friends to Chachi. They were definitely as family, very close to each member in their own exceptional ways. There is absolutely no excuse for them not being at Joanie's & Chachi's wedding aside from producer/writer idiocy.

Potsie and Ralph should have been in the finale. They were a big part of the show and should be recognized for it.

If you watch all the shows from first season to last, you will note that while Potsie and Ralph were Richie's best friends, they were like Joanie's other brothers - often even helping her through issues - as well as good friends to Chachi. They were definitely as family, very close to each member in their own exceptional ways. There is absolutely no excuse for them not being at Joanie's & Chachi's wedding aside from producer/writer idiocy.

The finale was on MeTV last week and another annoying thing was that Ron Howard as Richie didn't even show up until the episode was nearly over. And he wasn't wearing a tie.

He just shows up at the last minute and sits down, as the wedding ceremony had already begun. Even Fonzie seemed annoyed, making him sit down and shut up.

I think Richie should have at least been there for the second half. He should have had some pre-wedding scenes with Joanie where they talked about the big step she was making.

potsie and ralph could tried take chachi to a bachler party or something and up getting lost something funny they would do

Potsie and Ralph should have been in the finale. They were a big part of the show and should be recognized for it.

I totally agree with you there, mets82. I'm also glad Flip and KC didn't show up

I'm also glad Flip and KC didn't show up
As the anti-matter universe replacements for Joanie and Chachi, I agree it was good that KC and Flip weren't there; otherwise, everything would have blown up! (Though I never mind seeing Billy Warlock, regardless of how annoying his character was.:) )

Anyway, I agree that it would have been great to see Ralph and Potsie at the wedding.

Since he was no longer a regular, Don Most may have had other things to do, and In-universe, if Ralph was living somewhere else, I could buy him not making it to a rather impromptu wedding.

But Postsie? My opinion, the writers and producers were punishing Anson for sticking with the show. Potsie became less and less seen and more and more idiotic (if that's possible) after Richie and Ralph left. Does anyone know the story behind this? Did Anson sign a multi-season contract before Ron and Don left? It just seems the producers and writers didn't want him around.

As the anti-matter universe replacements for Joanie and Chachi, I agree it was good that KC and Flip weren't there; otherwise, everything would have blown up! (Though I never mind seeing Billy Warlock, regardless of how annoying his character was.:) )

Anyway, I agree that it would have been great to see Ralph and Potsie at the wedding.

Since he was no longer a regular, Don Most may have had other things to do, and In-universe, if Ralph was living somewhere else, I could buy him not making it to a rather impromptu wedding.

But Postsie? My opinion, the writers and producers were punishing Anson for sticking with the show. Potsie became less and less seen and more and more idiotic (if that's possible) after Richie and Ralph left. Does anyone know the story behind this? Did Anson sign a multi-season contract before Ron and Don left? It just seems the producers and writers didn't want him around.

Alex makes a lot of sense. I agree, Anson must have been locked into a contract and they just didn't know what to do with Potsie anymore. His character just did not develop, and I often wondered why he wasn't at the wedding either. It's Not Like Potsie didn't know Joanie? When Joanie was younger they even had that episode when she dreamed of marrying him.

Not only that, but Potsie was included in the opening credits of that season. How is he not at the wedding?

Didn't Anson Williams say in an interview from a few years ago that he had secretly quit Happy Days not long before it ended? I wish I could find a link.

But Postsie? My opinion, the writers and producers were punishing Anson for sticking with the show. Potsie became less and less seen and more and more idiotic (if that's possible) after Richie and Ralph left. Does anyone know the story behind this? Did Anson sign a multi-season contract before Ron and Don left? It just seems the producers and writers didn't want him around.

Anson's absence from later season episodes was deliberate. He felt they didn't know what to do with his character anymore (which was painfully obvious) and that he wanted to look into other opportunities like directing, which he eventually pursued. He was only contracted to appear in a limited number of episodes. It was his choice, not the producers.

Ironically, because the episodes were aired out of sequence, the last episode aired featured Anson in it prominently.

Anson's absence from later season episodes was deliberate. He felt they didn't know what to do with his character anymore (which was painfully obvious) and that he wanted to look into other opportunities like directing, which he eventually pursued. He was only contracted to appear in a limited number of episodes. It was his choice, not the producers.

Ironically, because the episodes were aired out of sequence, the last episode aired featured Anson in it prominently.

Thank you; that explains a lot! Still, too bad one of those episodes wasn't the finale. I know other episodes aired after that (in fact, that's how they showed them on MeTV), but the wedding was the obvious ending. It's a shame Anson wasn't there, but at least it wasn't some deliberate conspiracy.

Thank you; that explains a lot! Still, too bad one of those episodes wasn't the finale. I know other episodes aired after that (in fact, that's how they showed them on MeTV), but the wedding was the obvious ending. It's a shame Anson wasn't there, but at least it wasn't some deliberate conspiracy.

You're welcome.

My guess is that Anson had fulfilled his requirement and wasn't asked back. Or he was asked back and had other commitments.

I wonder if budget reasons were why only Ron Howard appeared in the finale?

It's also worth noting that when the finale was filmed (in November, 1983), Happy Days had not been cancelled yet. Even when the finale aired in May 1984, TV Guide wrote in an article that it was likely HD would not renewed for an 12th season.

With the declining ratings, Garry Marshall must've seen the writing on the wall and decided to film the season 11 finale as the final episode. The previous season, Archie Bunker's Place was cancelled after the season ended, thus depriving Carroll O' Connor a chance to film a proper farewell and say goodbye to the audience of over 12 years.

You definitely want to write your own exit rather than the network deciding it for you.

You're welcome.

My guess is that Anson had fulfilled his requirement and wasn't asked back. Or he was asked back and had other commitments.

I wonder if budget reasons were why only Ron Howard appeared in the finale?

It's also worth noting that when the finale was filmed (in November, 1983), Happy Days had not been cancelled yet. Even when the finale aired in May 1984, TV Guide wrote in an article that it was likely HD would not renewed for an 11th season.

With the declining ratings, Garry Marshall must've seen the writing on the wall and decided to film the season 10 finale as the final episode. The previous season, Archie Bunker's Place was cancelled after the season ended, thus depriving Carroll O' Connor a chance to film a proper farewell and say goodbye to the audience of over 12 years.

You definitely want to write your own exit rather than the network deciding it for you.

Wow, I may be dense, but I did not know that. So the finale was actually filmed as the season 10 ending?

As the anti-matter universe replacements for Joanie and Chachi, I agree it was good that KC and Flip weren't there; otherwise, everything would have blown up! (Though I never mind seeing Billy Warlock, regardless of how annoying his character was.:) )

Anyway, I agree that it would have been great to see Ralph and Potsie at the wedding.

Since he was no longer a regular, Don Most may have had other things to do, and In-universe, if Ralph was living somewhere else, I could buy him not making it to a rather impromptu wedding.

But Postsie? My opinion, the writers and producers were punishing Anson for sticking with the show. Potsie became less and less seen and more and more idiotic (if that's possible) after Richie and Ralph left. Does anyone know the story behind this? Did Anson sign a multi-season contract before Ron and Don left? It just seems the producers and writers didn't want him around.

Good point but Don Most was doing voice work on Dungeons and Dragons at the time and I don't know what Anson Williams was doing at the time

Wow, I may be dense, but I did not know that. So the finale was actually filmed as the season 10 ending?

Another typo (I really have to read these things before I post!)

I meant the season 11 finale was filmed as the final episode, because they didn't know it would be renewed for a 12th season.

Whoops!