One of the memories I have about HD going downhill (in my mind) was the episode where Arnold's burned and they rebuilt it as a wood panelled ......roadhouse or something. Nothing EVER looked right on the set after that.
Did anyone else hate the new look?

I didnt like it either. The way you entered Arnolds with those doors reminded me of the old west. And what about those tables and benches? Were you going to a picnic?

I didnt like it either. The way you entered Arnolds with those doors reminded me of the old west. And what about those tables and benches? Were you going to a picnic?

http://t.imgbox.com/acpHXUfN.jpg (http://imgbox.com/acpHXUfN)
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU! What were they thinking using this set? They could have just changed it but not gone Western DUDE style? What's up with the swinging doors too?


I really liked the movie Grease and maybe they should have done some type of diner look or something? It would have been so much better as seen here (See attached.
And yes, we have all heard it before that Henry Winkler was offered the Danny Zuko part but he turned it down because he thought he'd be type cast. (LOL).

I didn't mind it, but I didn't understand the western look either

According to the Internet: Season 7 Episode 156 January 22, 1980 "Hot Stuff" - Chachi burns down Arnolds leaving the stove on and throwing his apron on the grill, causing Arnold's to go up in flames.

This storyline was part of a decision by producers Garry Marshall and Lowell Ganz that the old '50s-style Arnold's was no longer appealing enough to teen audiences; it was burned down so it could be replaced with a more modern 60s-style restaurant set to coincide with the turn of the decade from the 50s to the 60s.

This storyline was part of a decision by producers Garry Marshall and Lowell Ganz that the old '50s-style Arnold's was no longer appealing enough to teen audiences; it was burned down so it could be replaced with a more modern 60s-style restaurant set to coincide with the turn of the decade from the 50s to the 60s.

I can understand them wanting to better represent the 60's, however when they said that a 50's diner wouldn't appeal to teen audiences anymore, were they referring to the TV audience? If so, the show at that time was airing in the 80's, so, I'm not sure what difference it would make to teens of the 80's if the diner was 50's or 60's. LOL! In regard to the new style of Arnold's, I believe that western style was a very common look for restaurants in the 60's.

In regard to the new style of Arnold's, I believe that western style was a very common look for restaurants in the 60's.

I wonder if the same set did double duty as the set for Cowboy Bill's in Laverne & Shirley?

That's a good question shotzette. I don't know -- the configuation seems wrong to be able to accomplish that. Plus, consider all of the signage and stuff in Cowboy Bills. Would they really take the time to re-dress the set over and over with all of that?

Anyway, it's important to remember as a previous poster referenced that HD had become a 60s show. 1950s diners were giving way, at least to some modernization, though I think that a westernish motif was maybe unlikely for Wisconsin!

Even though the changeover to the new Arnold's took place towards the end of the Ron Howard era, I always associate it with the last four seasons (1980-1984).

I didn't hate it, but it was a little too slick looking for me.

Just don't be the guy who ate too much chili while Fonzie was in his "office".

I totally forgot about the second Arnold's!

I hated everything about the later Happy Days seasons, the changes to Arnold's being a big part of it. The producers of the show seemed to realize their mistake when they began grasping at changes in the final season to make things more "real" and less corny, kind of like the earlier seasons. It would have been interesting if they had gone a little longer to see where that would have led them.

Laverne and Shirley had pretty much the same thing happen. They started with Laverne's father operating a pizza shop in an inner city type location. But suddenly one year it changed to fried chicken/southern style restaurant. What they heck were they thinking?

Did you notice Richie and Ralph were only seen in the new Arnold's for only a couple of episodes before they left? I would have liked to see them interact at the New Arnolds a little more.

Btw, they wanted Arnold's to look like the 60s. It looks like the 60s.The 1860s

Did you notice Richie and Ralph were only seen in the new Arnold's for only a couple of episodes before they left? I would have liked to see them interact at the New Arnolds a little more.

Btw, they wanted Arnold's to look like the 60s. It looks like the 60s.The 1860s

I HATED the new Arnold's SO MUCH. Another jump the shark moment. To be fair, they had no Internet to research what 1960's restaurants looked like. Oh but wait! Didn't they have libraries back then? Oh people old enough working on the show who remembered the early 1960s?

"1860s" You got that right. Only thing missing were cowboy hats.
http://t.imgbox.com/actVU6Ec.jpg (http://imgbox.com/actVU6Ec) http://t.imgbox.com/accjOBN9.jpg (http://imgbox.com/accjOBN9) http://t.imgbox.com/adz6k5RQ.jpg (http://imgbox.com/adz6k5RQ) http://t.imgbox.com/acpkjXi8.jpg (http://imgbox.com/acpkjXi8) http://t.imgbox.com/acijdXfX.jpg (http://imgbox.com/acijdXfX) http://t.imgbox.com/adeBYdld.jpg (http://imgbox.com/adeBYdld) http://t.imgbox.com/acjgkaAo.jpg (http://imgbox.com/acjgkaAo) http://t.imgbox.com/adtktT8O.jpg (http://imgbox.com/adtktT8O)
Oh wait, the Lone Ranger did make an appearance!

Did you notice Richie and Ralph were only seen in the new Arnold's for only a couple of episodes before they left? I would have liked to see them interact at the New Arnolds a little more.

Btw, they wanted Arnold's to look like the 60s. It looks like the 60s.The 1860s

Well, throw in the afros, feathered hair, jean jackets and....

We all know that HD stopped paying attention to period detail after the second season. And throw in the weak replacement characters and 1980 is pretty much the beginning of a long, slow decline.

Laverne and Shirley had pretty much the same thing happen. They started with Laverne's father operating a pizza shop in an inner city type location. But suddenly one year it changed to fried chicken/southern style restaurant. What they heck were they thinking?

Frank DeFazio moved out to California and opened Cowboy Bill's -- you must not be familiar with the big move of the series...?

Frank DeFazio moved out to California and opened Cowboy Bill's -- you must not be familiar with the big move of the series...?

I forgot about that too. What is up with the writers? What is up with all the Western bragalia?

Frank DeFazio moved out to California and opened Cowboy Bill's -- you must not be familiar with the big move of the series...?

Yes, I had forgotten about that. But it's basically the same idea with this show and Happy Days. They removed all of the atmosphere of the original shows, changing them from urban-to-suburban. And I think Garry Marshall (Penny's brother) probably had a lot to do with both shows.

And what I thought was kind of a downer was having Edna leave Frank for another man towards the end of the show's run.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

That last season was just one downer after another. Cancelling L&S was a mercy killing by the network, in my opinion.

Even the producers/writers know they screwed up, because ANY Happy Days reunion they had, they did it using the OLD Arnold's stage and appearance NEVER the new one.

I LOVED it when they shot outside in the parking lot. Day or night didn't matter. It was probably expensive to do it, but very authentic looking.

And what I thought was kind of a downer was having Edna leave Frank for another man towards the end of the show's run.

Well, but when the actress wanted to leave the show and her contract was done- the writers have to do something. It was sad though- I'd much rather have seen her just not show up in episodes and not get mentioned- or a storyline could have been written to explain that she had gone back to Wisconsin for a while to take care of her ailing parents or something with Frank staying in California to run the restaurant.
Oh well- nonetheless, I still want to see Seasons 7 and 8 of Laverne & Shirley on DVD.

Well, but when the actress wanted to leave the show and her contract was done- the writers have to do something. It was sad though- I'd much rather have seen her just not show up in episodes and not get mentioned- or a storyline could have been written to explain that she had gone back to Wisconsin for a while to take care of her ailing parents or something with Frank staying in California to run the restaurant.
Oh well- nonetheless, I still want to see Seasons 7 and 8 of Laverne & Shirley on DVD.
i agree - they didn't have to kill her off, or make her out to be someone that would do something so evil to Frank; it just seemed so out of character.

i agree - they didn't have to kill her off, or make her out to be someone that would do something so evil to Frank; it just seemed so out of character.

Agreed. Didn't she run off with another man or something like that?

I agree with MacLeaper that they could have just not mentioned her or said she went to take care of a sick relative.

Oh man I must have stopped watching the show by then. When they moved to LA, I watched a few episodes and I was done.

Yes, I had forgotten about that. But it's basically the same idea with this show and Happy Days. They removed all of the atmosphere of the original shows, changing them from urban-to-suburban. And I think Garry Marshall (Penny's brother) probably had a lot to do with both shows.

Happy Days was always a suburban show. Richie and his friends lived in the middle class suburbs while the Laverne & Shirley group lived in the lower-income urban area. Fonzie made the "other side of the tracks" reference regarding the girls a few times.

And what I thought was kind of a downer was having Edna leave Frank for another man towards the end of the show's run.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

That last season was just one downer after another. Cancelling L&S was a mercy killing by the network, in my opinion.

Truth.

One of my favorite moments from the later years of Happy Days (and there aren't a lot of good ones) is when Arnold (Pat Morita) returns for several episodes during (I think) the next-to-last season. When he first walks in to Arnold's in his 1st show back, he's shocked by what he sees. Fonzie comes out and greets him. Arnold asks what happened to the place. Fonzie replies that they'd had a fire. Arnold's response is "When are you going to clean it up?" Loved that the writers actually let Arnold get a little dig in about the remodel.

Even watching as a kid, I liked the fire episode, but wasn't thrilled with the new look that came afterwards. Plus, when watching later on in reruns, the New Arnold's always meant the Ron Howard era of the show was almost over. Talk about a one-two punch.

It always got the impression that the new look of Arnold's was done to cater more to the college crowd and focus less on the high school trade.

After the show went to taping in front of an audience instead of filming it, it became really hit and miss on the quality. I prefered the pre-live audience seasons. The location shooting gave it a better look and feel.

It always got the impression that the new look of Arnold's was done to cater more to the college crowd and focus less on the high school trade.

After the show went to taping in front of an audience instead of filming it, it became really hit and miss on the quality. I prefered the pre-live audience seasons. The location shooting gave it a better look and feel.

I suppose? Either way, it was AWFUL!

The old Arnold's will be missed.
http://thumbnails109.imagebam.com/30404/b69844304033286.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b69844304033286) http://t.imgbox.com/rHpGYLbv.jpg (http://imgbox.com/rHpGYLbv) http://img280.imagevenue.com/loc160/th_747679431_ARNOLDS_122_160lo.jpg (http://img280.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=747679431_ARNOLDS_122_160lo.jpg)
Funny thing is too, any reunion special they did, where'd they have it?
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/30302/72e855303018709.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/72e855303018709) http://thumbnails110.imagebam.com/30302/58b21c303018713.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/58b21c303018713)
At the OLD Arnold's TOO!
http://thumbnails112.imagebam.com/30405/d184aa304041357.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d184aa304041357)

where did u get the black and white picture it looks so empty inside and out.

I did a Google and found it.
http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/30404/f7c893304036912.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f7c893304036912) http://thumbnails110.imagebam.com/30404/6b0a50304036914.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/6b0a50304036914) http://thumbnails110.imagebam.com/30404/745211304036915.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/745211304036915) http://thumbnails110.imagebam.com/30404/c4f406304036916.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c4f406304036916) http://thumbnails112.imagebam.com/30404/b6f1f0304036917.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b6f1f0304036917) http://thumbnails111.imagebam.com/30404/a64c4a304036922.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a64c4a304036922) http://thumbnails112.imagebam.com/30404/fe5a0e304036925.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/fe5a0e304036925) http://thumbnails112.imagebam.com/30404/56516a304036929.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/56516a304036929) http://thumbnails109.imagebam.com/30404/ab965f304036933.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ab965f304036933) http://thumbnails112.imagebam.com/30404/0432f0304036934.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0432f0304036934) http://thumbnails109.imagebam.com/30404/906e79304036937.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/906e79304036937)
The opening scene of Happy Days, hot rods and a drive up roller skate burger joint that was called Arthurs and Arnolds
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-opening-scene-of-happy-days-hot.html


http://thumbnails109.imagebam.com/30404/0fe020304036753.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0fe020304036753) http://thumbnails110.imagebam.com/30404/527e1e304036755.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/527e1e304036755)
Check out some other shots when it was "Arthur's" from the FIRST episode. In one photo is a far away shot showing more of the place which is kinda cool right?


Arnold's Drive-In
http://thumbnails112.imagebam.com/30404/fe5a0e304035582.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/fe5a0e304035582)
For the Cunningham's and the Fonz, Arnold's was their home away from home. The set was reportedly modeled after The Milky Way Drive-In in Wisconsin, but the diner has since been demolished. The set, like the original inspiration, is also gone. But the memories made at Arnold's live on...
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/happy-days-gallery-1.93737?pmSlide=1.93875

where did the other pictures come from like one looks its closed and others what did the miky way diner look like and so on

While not every episode was bad in later years I generally consider The New Arnold's the the real "Jump The Shark" moment for Happy Days.

While not every episode was bad in later years I generally consider The New Arnold's the the real "Jump The Shark" moment for Happy Days.

I have to agree with you there. It was such a major change along with all the other changes the show was just so different, that A LOT of the magic was just gone. There were pockets of good moments but far and few between.

The funny thing about the change to the new Arnold's was that because the network aired the episodes out of sequence (the order they were filmed in), the final episode of season 7 takes place at the old Arnolds.

The funny thing about the change to the new Arnold's was that because the network aired the episodes out of sequence (the order they were filmed in), the final episode of season 7 takes place at the old Arnolds.
With ALL the mistakes they made, it REALLY makes you wonder who was making and allowing all these bad decisions to happen? Did everyone just not care and phone it all in from home?

With ALL the mistakes they made, it REALLY makes you wonder who was making and allowing all these bad decisions to happen? Did everyone just not care and phone it all in from home?

It also makes me wonder if they'll put these shows in broadcast order or production order if season 7 comes out on DVD someday.

One of my favorite moments from the later years of Happy Days (and there aren't a lot of good ones) is when Arnold (Pat Morita) returns for several episodes during (I think) the next-to-last season. When he first walks in to Arnold's in his 1st show back, he's shocked by what he sees. Fonzie comes out and greets him. Arnold asks what happened to the place. Fonzie replies that they'd had a fire. Arnold's response is "When are you going to clean it up?" Loved that the writers actually let Arnold get a little dig in about the remodel.

Even watching as a kid, I liked the fire episode, but wasn't thrilled with the new look that came afterwards. Plus, when watching later on in reruns, the New Arnold's always meant the Ron Howard era of the show was almost over. Talk about a one-two punch.

That would have been during the next-to-last season (S10), because Al had been moved to Chicago with Chachi's mom for Joanie Loves Chachi. so Arnold got his old restaurant back. He apparently wasn't brought back for the last Happy Days season, except for Joanie & Chachi's wedding (He also married them as Al's twin brother, Father Delvecchio.), even though Joanie & Chachi were. Linda Purl as Ashley was also dumped at the same time, so the producers would have enough $ to bring back Erin Moran & Scott Baio, whose characters were still popular even if their spinoff wasn't.

I remember that Joanie acknowledged that Fonzie and Ashley broke up and Fonzie mentioned it later. Remember when the old Arnold's had a expresso machine? It was before Arnold's burned down. You could see it in the infamous "Melvin Scratch" episode where Chacahi sells his soul. An expresso machine just doesnt work with Arnolds.

Remember when the old Arnold's had a expresso machine? It was before Arnold's burned down. You could see it in the infamous "Melvin Scratch" episode where Chachi sells his soul. An expresso machine just doesnt work with Arnolds.

I remember that episode. I wish the devil had taken Chachi and his soul. :cool:

And don't forget the Weezer video. It used the old set too.

http://thumbnails109.imagebam.com/36839/6daabe368387712.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/6daabe368387712)
Here's a couple more photos of the outside of Arnold's RARELY ever seen
( see attached )

Watching the later episodes from 1980-84, the new Arnold's reminded me of a country-western bar with the saloon doors, the bar area, the wood, the stained glass, and the bench seating.

Oh, I agree. I didn't like the New Arnold's. Not only by what you mentioned but there wasn't any backs to where you sit so when you leaned back on the bench you'd fall down.

And it did not look like a 1960s restaurant. Like with the hairstyles and clothes, the attention to period detail went out the window when they designed the new Arnold's.

http://7.t.imgbox.com/XatQj2lg.jpg (http://imgbox.com/XatQj2lg) http://9.t.imgbox.com/PZCrIi1S.jpg (http://imgbox.com/PZCrIi1S) http://7.t.imgbox.com/ykstomTN.jpg (http://imgbox.com/ykstomTN) http://9.t.imgbox.com/TRMGmnyi.jpg (http://imgbox.com/TRMGmnyi) http://2.t.imgbox.com/Qx4lYBQl.jpg (http://imgbox.com/Qx4lYBQl) http://4.t.imgbox.com/uQ3sntYl.jpg (http://imgbox.com/uQ3sntYl) http://7.t.imgbox.com/wJ9b6Qpe.jpg (http://imgbox.com/wJ9b6Qpe) http://9.t.imgbox.com/CaC72nkV.jpg (http://imgbox.com/CaC72nkV) http://0.t.imgbox.com/c9xDoIu2.jpg (http://imgbox.com/c9xDoIu2) http://2.t.imgbox.com/YAlrF0Gv.jpg (http://imgbox.com/YAlrF0Gv)
I think we can ALL agree, the new Arnold's blew! What I have always wanted to do was make a small model of the original Arnolds for a display collectible. I sort of saw one online http://www.ebay.com/itm/FONZ-Ayyy-HOW-COOL-IS-THIS-FONZIES-DINER-CARS-TRUCKS-PROPS-FONZ-FIGURE-/271745773386?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3f454f6f4a&autorefresh=true but will have to make it myself I suppose. Since they never showed the back of the place one will have ti improvise I guess?

http://2.t.imgbox.com/Xr8otlW3.jpg (http://imgbox.com/Xr8otlW3)
The OUTSIDE of the NEW Arnold's was ok but the inside was AWFUL!

I saw someone created "A miniature world in HO Scale created by Marty Quaas, and assisted by Bob Almeida."

Pretty cool I thought?
Source: http://alaskamodelrrnews.homestead.com/mooselip.html


I saw another person made this toy set too: (source)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24682838@N05/3708184093
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24682838@N05/3708184093
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2574/3708184093_9c810c3f7a_b.jpg

Wow, thats pretty good!!!

The New Arnolds was just like the show was becoming and got worse as the years went on. It was a square peg in a round hole it just did not fit. The new additions to the cast also were irrelevant and unnecessary they are Roger Jennie Casey Flip Ashley and Heather Eugene and Melvin Belvin the show really went downhill after season 5.

The New Arnolds was just like the show was becoming and got worse as the years went on. It was a square peg in a round hole it just did not fit. The new additions to the cast also were irrelevant and unnecessary they are Roger Jennie Casey Flip Ashley and Heather Eugene and Melvin Belvin the show really went downhill after season 5.

Pretty much sums it up for me. From Chachi onward it lost its luster terribly.

Photo from Season 1 or Season 2

MR. C.!!! I miss him!!

According to:
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/milwaukee/219197-arnolds-drive-cunninghams-home-milwaukee-glendale.html#ixzz43RkxtXHQ

The Milky Way Drive-In, located on Port Washington Road in the North Shore suburb of Glendale, now Kopps, was the inspiration for the original Arnold's Drive-In; it has since been demolished.
The exterior of Arnold's was a "dressed" area on the Paramount Studios lot, that has since been demolished, very close to Stage 19, where the rest of the show's sets were located.

According to: http://www.itsfilmedthere.com/2013/12/happy-days.html
Arthur's From The Pilot Episode / 1001 S. Victory Blvd, Burbank (Note: This Got Torn Down A Long Time Ago And Was Replaced With A New Building)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMg6acGOZWE/Uqujj16cHjI/AAAAAAAAjCI/UqyHLkLMVqY/s1600/Diner+0.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5eVIboXZdM/UqujhzWijRI/AAAAAAAAjB8/-mo0EqoO6po/s1600/Diner+2.jpg


Arnold's And Later Al's From The Rest Of The Series / Paramount Studios Backlot; Los Angeles (Note: That Was Just A Set And Was Probably Removed Shortly After The Series Was Over)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17sOt2gGU7I/Uqujf7Kno5I/AAAAAAAAjBw/6Nw-kLT5sbI/s1600/Arnolds.jpg

Found this video of someone who actually has a place named Arnold's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okifquX5_vk of the 50s theme like the show

I didn't like the new Arnold's either. It was just so many reasons for this show to end after 1979

New Arnold
No richie
No ralph
Ted Mckinley
More Postie
Joanie and Chachi


:lol: :lol: :lol:

I personally liked the New Arnold's. It brought something new to the show. I agree, no Richie was definitely a mistake but the show was still good. I think Roger would be better if he had more personality though, but I do like him. Chachi is a fine character too, as is Joanie

And I love Potsie!