Why did Garry Marshall ABC sitcoms that were hits in 1978-9 go into a slump in 1980 and never recover?

For Mork and Mindy, it was a timeslot change plus needless network tinkering.

For Laverne & Shirley, it was a timeslot change, plus a creative decline due to writer/producer changes.

For Happy Days, it was age plus being separated from its timeslot partner Laverne & Shirley.

Why did Garry Marshall ABC sitcoms that were hits in 1978-9 go into a slump in 1980 and never recover?

New Decade and New shows like the A-Team

As for Happy Days, it was in 1980 that both Ron Howard and Don Most left the show, leaving Anson Williams with little to work with. The show was starting to get old when Fonzie became the star and the focus was turned to Joanie and Chachi.

I guess it proved revealing that the Joanie Loves Chachi spinoff couldn't succeed, but then again his Blansky's Beauties had flopped back in 1977.

It was still a very competitive time among the big 3 networks. Probably a little remarkable that HD and L&S could run as many years as they did.

I guess it proved revealing that the Joanie Loves Chachi spinoff couldn't succeed, but then again his Blansky's Beauties had flopped back in 1977.

It was still a very competitive time among the big 3 networks. Probably a little remarkable that HD and L&S could run as many years as they did.

1st season JLC scored ranked higher than Three's company but it only had 4 eps that season lol

I guess it proved revealing that the Joanie Loves Chachi spinoff couldn't succeed, but then again his Blansky's Beauties had flopped back in 1977.

It was still a very competitive time among the big 3 networks. Probably a little remarkable that HD and L&S could run as many years as they did.


I think a "Lenny & Squiggy" spinoff series would have worked better than "Joanie Loves Chachi" did.

As for Happy Days, it was in 1980 that both Ron Howard and Don Most left the show, leaving Anson Williams with little to work with. The show was starting to get old when Fonzie became the star and the focus was turned to Joanie and Chachi.

HD really dropped in the ratings during its final Ron Howard year and when it was separated from lead-out Laverne & Shirley, which had outrated it for several seasons. HD was ranked #4 during 78-79, and dropped to #17 during 79-80 (Howard’s last year). The first season without Howard had basically the same viewership as it did the previous year. But I agree with you - the show had a lot less to work with creatively.

HD really dropped in the ratings during its final Ron Howard year and when it was separated from lead-out Laverne & Shirley, which had outrated it for several seasons. HD was ranked #4 during 78-79, and dropped to #17 during 79-80 (Howard’s last year). The first season without Howard had basically the same viewership as it did the previous year. But I agree with you - the show had a lot less to work with creatively.

That's puzzling because CBS or NBC didnt have a show that was in the top 10 that aired on Tuesday Nights at 8pm

I think Laverne & Shirley was helping to prop up HD’s ratings in the late 70s. L&S was higher rated than HD during the 77-78 and 78-79 seasons. Separating the two shows was disastrous for both of them.

I think Laverne & Shirley was helping to prop up HD’s ratings in the late 70s. L&S was higher rated than HD during the 77-78 and 78-79 seasons. Separating the two shows was disastrous for both of them.

And ABC thought it was the new timeslot that cause the ratings to drop and not realizing it was the setting. Then tried to switch it back to Tuesday Nights in mid season:lol:

The setting didn’t change to Hollywood until fall of 1980. The timeslot did hurt the ratings, plus there was a decline in the writing as the production team changed for 79-80. There were still some good episodes that season, but it wasn’t nearly as consistent as it had been.