I mean, it isn't like he set the world on fire post-Happy Days. He appeared (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0609182/) in a lot of low budget, sex comedies after Happy Days went off the air. It was around this time that he was billing himself as "Donald Most" instead of "Donny Most" in a futile attempt to distance himself from his Ralph Malph persona. For instance, Most appeared on the 1982 Halloween episode of CHiPs as Moloch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccNt3XCrlgU), a shock rocker made up like a Kiss reject. The most high-profile stuff that he did post-Happy Days were arguably providing the voices of Eric the Cavalier and Stiles on the Dungeons & Dragons and Teen Wolf animated series.

So what if he hasn't had the most high profile career since then? The only thing that matters is if Don Most thinks it was the "right thing" for him to do. And since we don't know how he feels about it then I don't see the point in talking about it.

Ed.

He must have thought the offers would be rolling in.

Ralph is my least favorite of the original foursome, consisting of Richie, Fonzie, Potsie and Ralph, so I'm not too fussed he left the show. Though, it would have probably been better in the long run if he just stayed, then maybe Potsie would have had a bigger in the last few seasons.

Potsie without Ralph Malph didn’t seem right.

I wish he had stayed with the show. The loss of both Richie and Ralph as well as the travesty of Arnold's burning was too much. Why did they make Arnold's look like a Western Steakhouse when they rebuilt it?

I wish he had stayed with the show. The loss of both Richie and Ralph as well as the travesty of Arnold's burning was too much. Why did they make Arnold's look like a Western Steakhouse when they rebuilt it?

Apparently, they wanted to give Arnold's a 60's makeover, as by that time in the show, it had reached that decade. Though, I don't see what's so 60's about it.

Potsie without Ralph Malph didn’t seem right.

It seemed that the writers really didn't know what to do with Potsie without having Ralph and Richie to play off of.

It wasn't like all of a sudden Potsie was going to become Fonzie's new best friend or anything like that, because Fonzie could barely tolerate him at times.

And yes, I do remember the episode where Fonzie became Potsie's buddy to pay him back for saving his life, but Fonzie was at his wits end having to spend all his spare time with Potsie and their relationship went back to normal at the end of that episode. Fonzie seemed like he was going to have a nervous breakdown after having to do nearly everything being at Potsie's side.

Ralph was my favorite of the group. It would have been better if Anson Williams left instead, but what would Ralph’s role be?

In hindsight he probably should not have left I guess . I read in a interview where he said that he could not get one acting job for 6 months after leaving the show. He had to go back out for auditions And he ended up just getting guest spots on The Love Boat and Fantasy Island etc. That had to be tough. But at the time I guess he didn't want to be typecast as Ralph Malph.

In hindsight he probably should not have left I guess . I read in a interview where he said that he could not get one acting job for 6 months after leaving the show. He had to go back out for auditions And he ended up just getting guest spots on The Love Boat and Fantasy Island etc. That had to be tough. But at the time I guess he didn't want to be typecast as Ralph Malph.

I saw an interview on you tube with Donny Most and Anson Williams.

Most said he left because he felt the show had gone downhill after Fonzie jumped the shark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEaGBenx4WE

the ralph and potsie characters were not needed once richie left

the ralph and potsie characters were not needed once richie left

The show wasn't needed once Ron Howard left.

The show wasn't needed once Ron Howard left.

I would agree. he was definitely the show

I would agree. he was definitely the show

The show was originally written around the character of Richie -- you were seeing the 50s through his eyes.

And even though Fonzie became more prominent, and Henry Winkler the breakout star of the show, the relationship between Fonzie and Richie was central to the show. They went from being friends to more like brothers.

Once that dynamic was gone, the show became something different. It wasn't the show that I'd discovered in 1975. It was as though the 50s gave way to the 80s. There were references made to the 60s, but it didn't feel like a nostalgia show anymore. And that process had started even before the changeover.

And Anson Williams was a man alone after Ron and Donny left -- Potsie was part of a trio and was reduced to a solo. It wasn't like Potsie was going to become Fonzie's buddy (they tried that in one episode), and it became obvious that the writers didn't know what do with him in the later years of the show. I don't blame Anson Williams for doing fewer episodes in the last couple of years and seeking out other opportunities -- he had to think about his career.

I saw an interview on you tube with Donny Most and Anson Williams.

Most said he left because he felt the show had gone downhill after Fonzie jumped the shark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEaGBenx4WE

Don is being a little misleading though. He stuck around for 3 more seasons even though he says he wasn't happy with the scripts and the shark jump.

Don is being a little misleading though. He stuck around for 3 more seasons even though he says he wasn't happy with the scripts and the shark jump.

That's also what I was thinking when I saw the video.

The show was originally written around the character of Richie -- you were seeing the 50s through his eyes.

And even though Fonzie became more prominent, and Henry Winkler the breakout star of the show, the relationship between Fonzie and Richie was central to the show. They went from being friends to more like brothers.

Once that dynamic was gone, the show became something different. It wasn't the show that I'd discovered in 1975. It was as though the 50s gave way to the 80s. There were references made to the 60s, but it didn't feel like a nostalgia show anymore. And that process had started even before the changeover.

And Anson Williams was a man alone after Ron and Donny left -- Potsie was part of a trio and was reduced to a solo. It wasn't like Potsie was going to become Fonzie's buddy (they tried that in one episode), and it became obvious that the writers didn't know what do with him in the later years of the show. I don't blame Anson Williams for doing fewer episodes in the last couple of years and seeking out other opportunities -- he had to think about his career.

He did the right thing, his character was pointless without richie and ralph, And add to the fact they were out of high school and grown men so it was time to go. It was still stupid he wasnt in the last episode

Don is being a little misleading though. He stuck around for 3 more seasons even though he says he wasn't happy with the scripts and the shark jump.

Not sure if this is the reason, but, perhaps, he was under contract and couldn't leave until it was finished.

He did the right thing, his character was pointless without richie and ralph, And add to the fact they were out of high school and grown men so it was time to go. It was still stupid he wasnt in the last episode

Neither was Donny. And Ron didn't show up until the actual wedding in part 2. He should have been there to have a scene with Joanie before the wedding, about how his little sister has grown up and is getting married. And a scene with Fonzie about his adopting a son.

Neither was Donny. And Ron didn't show up until the actual wedding in part 2. He should have been there to have a scene with Joanie before the wedding, about how his little sister has grown up and is getting married. And a scene with Fonzie about his adopting a son.

But Donny wasnt active from 1980 to 83 like Anson was so he wasnt expected to be there. Anson still was appearing in the last season while Donny was gone for good after the previous season

But Donny wasnt active from 1980 to 83 like Anson was so he wasnt expected to be there. Anson still was appearing in the last season while Donny was gone for good after the previous season

Neither was Ron, but he at least made an appearance in that final episode.

I think if the series finale had been done better, we would have had Ron and Donny in the episode fully and we could have said goodbye to their characters.

Neither was Ron, but he at least made an appearance in that final episode.

I think if the series finale had been done better, we would have had Ron and Donny in the episode fully and we could have said goodbye to their characters.

Looks like Passages wasnt intended to be a finale since it was the last episode aired. Five more episodes aired after Passages

Looks like Passages wasnt intended to be a finale since it was the last episode aired. Five more episodes aired after Passages

"Passages" was the series finale.

Due to ABC's airing of the winter Olympics and pulling HD off the schedule in March, 1984 to try out the new series AKA Pablo, the show had five unaired episodes, which aired after the finale.

Back then, when a network paid for something, they used it. They didn't put it on a shelf. It was called "burning off."

"Passages" was the series finale.

Due to ABC's airing of the winter Olympics and pulling HD off the schedule in March, 1984 to try out the new series AKA Pablo, the show had five unaired episodes, which aired after the finale.

Back then, when a network paid for something, they used it. They didn't put it on a shelf. It was called "burning off."

I wonder if people was confused back then unless it was explained in the newspaper what was going on

I wonder if people was confused back then unless it was explained in the newspaper what was going on

Couldn't tell ya. But like I said, if the network paid for something, it was common practice to "burn off" unaired episodes during the summer rerun season. ABC did the same thing with Welcome Back Kotter a few years prior.

That same summer of 1984, CBS aired the pilot for W*A*L*T*E*R, a spin-off featuring Gary Burghoff's character from M*A*S*H, that the network failed to pick up as a series.

Keep in mind that the very first Happy Days pilot was rejected by ABC in the early 70s and recycled as an episode of Love, American Style titled "Love And The Happy Days."

Speaking of bad career moves. Pat Morita leaves Happy Days after one season for his own bad series Mr T and Tina. I watched a episode and it's awful. It was cancelled pretty quickly and until 1983 his career is terrible. He could have been on Happy Days for another 7 or 8 years. Arnold was popular.

Speaking of bad career moves. Pat Morita leaves Happy Days after one season for his own bad series Mr T and Tina. I watched a episode and it's awful. It was cancelled pretty quickly and until 1983 his career is terrible. He could have been on Happy Days for another 7 or 8 years. Arnold was popular.

I dont think many actors will turn down having their own show

Speaking of bad career moves. Pat Morita leaves Happy Days after one season for his own bad series Mr T and Tina. I watched a episode and it's awful. It was cancelled pretty quickly and until 1983 his career is terrible. He could have been on Happy Days for another 7 or 8 years. Arnold was popular.

Oh right, that Welcome Back Kotter spin-off. The sweathogs even kickoff the pilot episode.

Speaking of the pilot.....

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7n1pvj

Oh right, that Welcome Back Kotter spin-off. The sweathogs even kickoff the pilot episode.

Speaking of the pilot.....

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7n1pvj

That should have been a extra on the DVD since he started on the show

Even the opening theme was bad. If he didn't get cast in The Karate kid he would be remembered like Mclean Stevenson is remembered.

Even the opening theme was bad. If he didn't get cast in The Karate kid he would be remembered like Mclean Stevenson is remembered.

Yes some short lived shows had nice theme like Angie but Mr. t and tina was bad all the way around

Speaking of bad career moves. Pat Morita leaves Happy Days after one season for his own bad series Mr T and Tina. I watched a episode and it's awful. It was cancelled pretty quickly and until 1983 his career is terrible. He could have been on Happy Days for another 7 or 8 years. Arnold was popular.

I hear what you're saying and I agree; however, put yourself in Pat Morita's shoes. You're a veteran actor who has spent years making one-off guest appearances and you're now in a recurring supporting role on a hit show.

You get offered a show of your own by a producer who has a couple of hit shows under his belt. What do you do? You take the opportunity.

It's easy for us to pass judgment because we're emotionally detached from the situation. I think Pat Morita did what he had to do. Did he regret his decision? Probably, but we'll never really know.

Yes some short lived shows had nice theme like Angie but Mr. t and tina was bad all the way around

I remember watching it at the time, but I don't remember if it was any good or not.

I remember watching it at the time, but I don't remember if it was any good or not.

Even this Welcome Back Kotter promo didnt help lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUoNeRxBA5Q

I remember Mr. T & Tina, not a good sitcom but I liked Susan Blanchard, she was cute looking. :eyes: Ted Lange was in this show too before he became the bartender on The Love Boat. The debut episode of Mr. T & Tina is on You Tube but the picture quality isn't too great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbZMr25DLd8

So what if he hasn't had the most high profile career since then? The only thing that matters is if Don Most thinks it was the "right thing" for him to do. And since we don't know how he feels about it then I don't see the point in talking about it.

Ed.

Well, since I can't ask Don Most himself, I'm asking the viewing public. I'm guessing that he figured that if Ron Howard was leaving, then there would've been little point or relevance to his character anymore. Potsie staying around without two of his best friends to play off of kind of proves that point. Potsie for all intends and purposes, became a glorified extra (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/DemotedToExtra/LiveActionTV) in the later years.

Poor Potsie. I am watching the first season and Potsie is Richie's best friend. He is not the dumb guy he would later become. By the end of the show he is a walk on punchline that no one likes.

Well, since I can't ask Don Most himself, I'm asking the viewing public. I'm guessing that he figured that if Ron Howard was leaving, then there would've been little point or relevance to his character anymore. Potsie staying around without two of his best friends to play off of kind of proves that point. Potsie for all intends and purposes, became a glorified extra (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/DemotedToExtra/LiveActionTV) in the later years.


I can see that since it was no reason for him to be at the cunningham's or Arnolds. He should have left too

Happy Days should have ended with dignity when Ritchie and Ralph left. But no. Someone decided to keep milking it for a few more years.

When Richie and Ralph left, there was a major hole in Happy Days. And where did that leave Potsie? It left him with very little to do and to me, Garry Marshall could have spun him off into another show or build another series around Anson Williams. Since he was a very talented singer, one possibility could have been a variety show. Otherwise, his character would have been left out in the cold just like it was the last four seasons.

Happy Days should have ended with dignity when Ritchie and Ralph left. But no. Someone decided to keep milking it for a few more years.

While I agree, I can also see it from the point of view of the network and the actors.

While HD was not as big as it had once been, it was still a hit show pulling in solid ratings, so the network wanted it to continue.

And let's face it, it was a steady gig for the actors, so they probably wanted to continue it so they would continue to have an income. I get that.

I think perhaps, that the show should have been retitled -- maybe call it Jefferson High or even The New Happy Days. But it made sense from a branding perspective to keep the existing title.

In hindsight he should have stayed. I watched him on a couple love boat episodes and he is Mr. Serious and sensitive and it was lame. It was bad. I think he decided to leave before Ron.

Wish Potsie had left instead of Donny

Probably not the best career move for Donny Most, leaving HD when he did.

I mean, there was no guarantee that Ron Howard would have had a successful directing career like he did, but Ron knew he wanted to pursue directing for many years and it was time for him to leave and at least give it a shot. Obviously, it worked out very well for him.

In retrospect, Donny Most leaving hurt Anson Williams because the Potsie character had no one to play off anymore. Part of what made the show fun was the shenanigans' and situations that Richie, Potsie, and Ralph would get into.

Without Ralph and Richie, Potsie was like the last man standing and it wasn't like Fonzie was all of a sudden going to become his new best friend.

I did pose a question in a previous post asking was Potsie was really needed after the departure of Ron Howard and Donny Most and to me, he wasn't because he was the only member of the old gang that was still left.

I did pose a question in a previous post asking was Potsie was really needed after the departure of Ron Howard and Donny Most and to me, he wasn't because he was the only member of the old gang that was still left.

No he wasnt and not sure why he still remained on the show

About Potsie staying - this is purely a guess on my part

I believe Anson Williams got married & divorced (to the actress who played Potsie's girlfriend Jennifer for a least 2 episodes) and had a young child to support. So of course staying with HD, he is guaranteed a steady paycheck.

Donny Most was single with no kids when he left HD. Ron Howard would have had money saved up (I'm sure) from when he was a child actor.

Also, since AW was part of the original pilot, it may have also been harder for him to leave than it was for DM. The role of Ralph was specifically created for DM. Again, just a guess.

I havent watched a lot of eps after 1980 so wanted does Postie role decrease at all on the show?

Even if the show went on, the show "ended" when Ron Howard left.

Happy Days is about Richie Cunningham. No Richie, no show.

I havent watched a lot of eps after 1980 so wanted does Postie role decrease at all on the show?

Over time, his presence in the show diminishes. While listed as a full cast member, he misses several shows in the last couple of seasons. I think he was pursuing other ventures like directing and singing, but I can't confirm either.

Even if the show went on, the show "ended" when Ron Howard left.

Happy Days is about Richie Cunningham. No Richie, no show.

Agree 100%.

The show was originally the 1950s as seen through Richie's eyes.

Even though Henry Winkler became the breakout star as Fonzie, much of the show centered on their relationship and you take the central character out of that, as well as the trio he formed with Ralph and Potsie and it just doesn't work without him.

When Donny left Potsie is pointless on the show. His sidekick is gone. Who does he have to hang out with? They don't give him a girlfriend, they don't have him sing at Arnolds anymore. Joanie and Chachi take over the singing that does happen. He appears from time to time to walk on, say something stupid and walk off. The other characters just find him annoying by this time. I remember when Arnold returns to take over Al's Potsie says to Arnold "I am still here" and Arnold replies "why?". Even the writers were saying it. But to be fair to Anson what if he had left too? The same fate as Donny likely.

In season 8 Potsie appears in 22 episodes, in season 9, 20 episodes, he drops to 6 episodes in season 10 and 6 episodes in season 11.

In season 8 Potsie appears in 22 episodes, in season 9, 20 episodes, he drops to 6 episodes in season 10 and 6 episodes in season 11.

Yeah I was going to ask was he heavily seen the season after Richie left and I see it was 22 eps

When Donny left Potsie is pointless on the show. His sidekick is gone. Who does he have to hang out with? They don't give him a girlfriend, they don't have him sing at Arnolds anymore. Joanie and Chachi take over the singing that does happen. He appears from time to time to walk on, say something stupid and walk off. The other characters just find him annoying by this time. I remember when Arnold returns to take over Al's Potsie says to Arnold "I am still here" and Arnold replies "why?". Even the writers were saying it. But to be fair to Anson what if he had left too? The same fate as Donny likely.

Actually, Anson went on to direct TV shows and did quite well for a while. He even said in an interview that he liked directing better, as he always felt he had limitations as an actor. I think he may have said this in a TV Guide interview in the late 80s.