Happy Days was another hit comedy that had many characters in a half hour comedy format. For most of the series, it had 8 or 9 main characters. Yet it managed to pull it off and you didn't have fans saying that they got confused with so many characters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W6y7YhHdVE

Interesting in Happy Days Season 1, they only had 4 characters featured on the show introduction. So instead of reducing characters, they added them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlmeQv8OTk0

Yes, large casts have been no problem on many, many shows. Degrassi had more than 30 students. Sure, it was a 45-minute show, but chop that in half to compensate for the shorter running time, and you still end up with 15 students... and teachers, and parents.

I wish they would have kept Chuck.

Ironically, both Chuck and the Lost Girls, along with Judy Winslow and Mike Douglas, were nominated in 2008 for a TV Land Award, in the category Favorite Character Who "Went Missing" (https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0001221/2008/1/). Chuck won, but it was cool that seven awesome lost characters were nominated. Viewers remembered these characters, and it was cool that there was recognition.

Happy Days became a mess, in later years. I wish that they would have reintroduced Chuck when Ritchie left, instead of adding random cousins and nieces.

Interesting in Happy Days Season 1, they only had 4 characters featured on the show introduction. So instead of reducing characters, they added them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlmeQv8OTk0

I think shows (or networks) feel safer adding more character as they go on rather than starting out, because you've already had like 25 or 50 or shows to get to know the original main characters and who they are (a la "Cheers").

Chuck got chucked.

Yes, large casts have been no problem on many, many shows. Degrassi had more than 30 students. Sure, it was a 45-minute show, but chop that in half to compensate for the shorter running time, and you still end up with 15 students... and teachers, and parents.


Degrassi was only a half hour show. The original was 28 minutes on PBS and the revival was 22.

Degrassi was only a half hour show. The original was 28 minutes on PBS and the revival was 22.

Well, see, then how could Degrassi have 30 characters, FOL had 10, and yet there were "too many girls" on FOL?

Well, see, then how could Degrassi have 30 characters, FOL had 10, and yet there were "too many girls" on FOL?

Haha yep! Then again Degrassi Nancied alot of chars in certain eps. They didnt usually show more than half the cast in an entire ep.

Well, see, then how could Degrassi have 30 characters, FOL had 10, and yet there were "too many girls" on FOL?

In one of the segments of the "Mama's Family" roudtable cast discussion on the bonus features, Vicki Lawrence talks about how when they were on the network (before they taped for syndication) how the suits just did not understand a rural comedy and they really did not understand a young woman playing an old woman, and they just did not get it. And while Vicki is saying this, Dorothy Lyman (Naomi) nods and says "Warren Lit-tle-field", punctuated like that, as Vicki is going on. :lol: He must have been a real pill in a suit!

Happy Days is somewhat like the Facts of Life for boys. The core four cast of Fonzie, Ritchie, Ralph Malph, and Potsie are still friends 45 years later. They had a feisty redhead who gave out motherly advice and provided correction when need. Except it was Mrs. C. instead of Mrs. G. They had lots of episodes about growing up, except it was from the male point of view.

Happy Days is somewhat like the Facts of Life for boys. The core four cast of Fonzie, Ritchie, Ralph Malph, and Potsie are still friends 45 years later. They had a feisty redhead who gave out motherly advice and provided correction when need. Except it was Mrs. C. instead of Mrs. G. They had lots of episodes about growing up, except it was from the male point of view.



Wow really???? I never knew that!!!!! Another MRS G for boys instead of girls: classy!!!! (there is a few 'feisty red haired' for everyone!!!!):rofl::rofl::rofl:

:banana::banana::banana:

In one of the segments of the "Mama's Family" roudtable cast discussion on the bonus features, Vicki talks about how when they were on the network (before they taped for syndication) how the suits just did not understand a rural comedy and they really did not understand a young woman playing an old woman, and they just did not get it. And while Vicki is saying this, Dorothy Lyman (Naomi) nods and says "Warren Lit-tle-field", punctuated like that, as Vicki is going on. :lol: He must have been a real pill in a suit!

OMG, '80s, thanks for sharing that! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

I had no idea, but I believe what you are saying. Wow! :eek:

Happy Days is somewhat like the Facts of Life for boys. The core four cast of Fonzie, Ritchie, Ralph Malph, and Potsie are still friends 45 years later. They had a feisty redhead who gave out motherly advice and provided correction when need. Except it was Mrs. C. instead of Mrs. G. They had lots of episodes about growing up, except it was from the male point of view.

That's a good point.

...They even tried to name the FOL biker chick "Foxy". Instead of Fonzie, Ritchie, Ralph, Potsie, and Mrs. C., they would have had Foxy, Bitchy, Nat, Tootie, and Mrs. G. :lol:

OMG, '80s, thanks for sharing that! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Right?? I never noticed it the first time I watched it because she said it while Vicki was talking (this time when watching the roundtable I made sure to rewind and listen for everything anyone said while someone else was talking---you know how that happens when 5 folks are reunited and discussing things).


I had no idea, but I believe what you are saying. Wow! :eek:

You better, 'cause it's caught on tape! :lol: ;)

Omg, someone has it on YouTube! There are 3 half-hour roundtable segments, and this happens to be the part of the roundtable where this occurs.

Retro, go to the 14:14 mark, and you'll see when it happens about a minute in...

(also, Dorothy talks about our Lorsie! Well, sort of---she mentions "Lorimar Telepictures"! :lol: :woohoo:)

(and if you listen to Vicki's narrative at the 14:14 mark and then Dorothy's Lorsie---I mean, Lorimar narrative right after, you might see some similarities between MF and season 1 FOL)

-

i636OOfa1dY

Omg, someone has it on YouTube! There are 3 half-hour roundtable segments, and this happens to be the part of the roundtable where this occurs.

Retro, go to the 14:14 mark, and you'll see when it happens about a minute in...

(also, Dorothy talks about our Lorsie! Well, sort of---she mentions "Lorimar Telepictures"! :lol: :woohoo:)

(and if you listen to Vicki's narrative at the 14:14 mark and then Dorothy's Lorsie---I mean, Lorimar narrative right after, you might see some similarities between MF and season 1 FOL)


Thank you, '80s!

I think this really speaks volumes. "The young [network] guys... they just didn't get it." "Warren Littlefield." They moved the show into bad time slots and then once they had enough ammo, they moved in to kill the show. Vicki says it herself. :eek:

And then, over the summer, the ratings bounced back...hmmm.... yes, this all sounds eerily familiar.

Thank you, '80s!

I think this really speaks volumes. "The young [network] guys... they just didn't get it." "Warren Littlefield." They moved the show into bad time slots and then once they had enough ammo, they moved in to kill the show. Vicki says it herself. :eek:

Yup. :nod: I've known all this for years except for the "Warren Lit-tle-field" part. I love that Dorothy threw him under the network bus. :lol:

He probably thought 2 or 4 Mamas were too many Mamas on the show. ;)


And then, over the summer, the ratings bounced back...hmmm.... yes, this all sounds eerily familiar.

Yes! I had NO idea about that!

Okay, see, I knew that the young guys at Lorimar Telepictures (such open-minded smart guys!) looked at MF and said it wasn't fair what happened, that the show never got a fair shot. And it was their faith in the show that led to them producing it in first-run syndication.

But what I didn't know was that NBC was airing their episodes for the last time in that summer of '86, and that it was the Lorimar guys catching that final round of reruns that gave them the idea of bringing back the show; which makes sense, since the network reruns did so, so well over that summer.

Fascinating.

I hadn't watched these extras in years, but I've binged on all of the interviews and reunions and extras on the MF box set this past week. I've even re-watched some of them! There is just SO much to absorb, process, and take in. I even talked with my best MF friend for 2 hours on the phone just about stuff all these extras say about the show after he had been re-watching the extras too, and we're still messaging "on the Internets" with more thoughts from the extras. :lol: I LOVE this set. :heart::heart::heart:

Yup. :nod: I've known all this for years except for the "Warren Lit-tle-field" part. I love that Dorothy threw him under the network bus. :lol:

He probably thought 2 or 4 Mamas were too many Mamas on the show. ;)

:brent


Yes! I had NO idea about that!

Okay, see, I knew that the young guys at Lorimar Telepictures (such open-minded smart guys!) looked at MF and said it wasn't fair what happened, that the show never got a fair shot. And it was their faith in the show that led to them producing it in first-run syndication.

But what I didn't know was that NBC was airing their episodes for the last time in that summer of '86, and that it was the Lorimar guys catching that final round of reruns that gave them the idea of bringing back the show; which makes sense, since the network reruns did so, so well over that summer.

Fascinating.

I hadn't watched these extras in years, but I've binged on all of the interviews and reunions and extras on the MF box set this past week. I've even re-watched some of them! There is just SO much to absorb, process, and take in. I LOVE this set. :heart::heart::heart:

This was excellent, and quite the eye-opener! Thank you!!!!!

:brent



This was excellent, and quite the eye-opener! Thank you!!!!!

You're :welcome:

(the only thing from that clip is it was actually 35 NBC episodes, not 36)

And executive producer and writer Rick Hawkins has a few interviews on the extras (one with Vicki), and he is such a likable guy; very enthusiastic, very loving of the show. And he was so grateful for that chance when the show came back. He says, "How often in this business do you get a do-over?? I must have been born under a lucky star."

Canceled after 35 episodes, and then resurrected for 100 more under a company who believes in your product, and doesn't have suits.* I mean, yeah...wow. Blessed, indeed!

*(he said syndication was such a new thing back then that there were no suits at Lorimar for syndicated programming---they were just on their own, making the show they loved to make, and sent 'em to Lorimar who'd ship 'em out! So awesome)

You're :welcome:

(the only thing from that clip is it was actually 35 NBC episodes, not 36)

And executive producer and writer Rick Hawkins has a few interviews on the extras (one with Vicki), and he is such a likable guy; very enthusiastic, very loving of the show. And he was so grateful for that chance when the show came back. He says, "How often in this business do you get a do-over?? I must have been born under a lucky star."

Canceled after 35 episodes, and then resurrected for 100 more under a company who believes in your product, and doesn't have suits.* I mean, yeah...wow. Blessed, indeed!

*(he said syndication was such a new thing back then that there were no suits at Lorimar for syndicated programming---they were just on their own, making the show they loved to make, and sent 'em to Lorimar who'd ship 'em out! So awesome)

Can you imagine NOT ever having to struggle with network brass? Like, just putting together a show without pencil pushers and network execs who can't even count to seven? That must have been heaven for them! :)

(also, Dorothy talks about our Lorsie! Well, sort of---she mentions "Lorimar Telepictures"! :lol: :woohoo:)

(and if you listen to Vicki's narrative at the 14:14 mark and then Dorothy's Lorsie---I mean, Lorimar narrative right after, you might see some similarities between MF and season 1 FOL)


That's me :D (who my username is based on atleast :crazy: )

(Happy 5,000th post, Lorimar!)

Wow really???? I never knew that!!!!! Another MRS G for boys instead of girls: classy!!!! (there is a few 'feisty red haired' for everyone!!!!):rofl::rofl::rofl:

:banana::banana::banana:

You can see Mrs. C. and Mrs. G. together here. Mrs C. is still alive and active.
https://editorial01.shutterstock.com/wm-preview-1500/9197567x/7495a90c/television-academys-70th-gala-and-saban-media-center-opening-governors-room-north-hollywood-usa-shutterstock-editorial-9197567x.jpg

Fonzie was also used as an inspiration for the Jo character.

And then, over the summer, the ratings bounced back...hmmm.... yes, this all sounds eerily familiar.

Who knew summer reruns were such good help for shows or could save shows? Don't forget about "Who's the Boss?" too. Judith Light says in her Television Academy interview that they didn't do well the first season, but then they re-ran the first season over the summer and their numbers just shot up through the roof, and after that they were a top 10 hit until almost the end. I love stories like that. :)

(Happy 5,000th post, Lorimar!)

:eek: I didn't even notice! Wow! party:

That's a good point.

...They even tried to name the FOL biker chick "Foxy". Instead of Fonzie, Ritchie, Ralph, Potsie, and Mrs. C., they would have had Foxy, Bitchy, Nat, Tootie, and Mrs. G. :lol:




Are by any chance 'Foxy' CINDY and 'Bitchy' BLAIR? (i would bet 100 bucks it is!!!!):brent:brent:brent

Are by any chance 'Foxy' CINDY and 'Bitchy' BLAIR? (i would bet 100 bucks it is!!!!):brent:brent:brent

Foxy was Jo's original name.

Jo was in the Core Four. Cindy wasn't. ;)

Foxy was Jo's original name.

Jo was in the Core Four. Cindy wasn't. ;)



Oops i was wrong! (i shouldn't have bet on that money!):rofl::rofl::rofl:

I happened to see a link for a show on here called Head of the Class about a teacher and his class. He had about 10 students for all 5 seasons! Have never seen the show myself but it must have not had a problem with a large cast to run that long.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2597/4248/products/1000764646_aa7737bc-5c17-495f-b5ac-76581b9a69f1_2028x2048@2x.jpg?v=1589301143

I happened to see a link for a show on here called Head of the Class about a teacher and his class. He had about 10 students for all 5 seasons! Have never seen the show myself but it must have not had a problem with a large cast to run that long.


Yeah, Head of the Class ran for five seasons on ABC. It even reached the Top 20 in the Nielsen Ratings, and never dipped below #30 during its run. HBO Max is apparently reviving the show for a reboot.

The show's cast was very large, and yet they managed...

I happened to see a link for a show on here called Head of the Class about a teacher and his class. He had about 10 students for all 5 seasons! Have never seen the show myself but it must have not had a problem with a large cast to run that long.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2597/4248/products/1000764646_aa7737bc-5c17-495f-b5ac-76581b9a69f1_2028x2048@2x.jpg?v=1589301143




The teacher is kind of cute, but the students all look like they're all of different ages: there is one little girl, a few teenagers, but others should already be in college lol!!!!! (never heard of that sitcom though):rotflmao::rotflmao::rotflmao:

The teacher is kind of cute, but the students all look like they're all of different ages: there is one little girl, a few teenagers, but others should already be in college lol!!!!! (never heard of that sitcom though):rotflmao::rotflmao::rotflmao:

The little girl, Janice, is a FREAK GENIUS. :lol: That's why she's there.

The show had a fantastic instrumental theme song! Very upbeat rockin' '80s! :guitar: :rock: