icecream
11-03-2021, 05:02 PM
Ron Howard and Anson Williams were on the season 3 finale of Love, American Style in 1972. Almost 2 years later, Happy Days premiered, very loosely based on that skit. It is one of the longest running sitcoms ever with 11 seasons and 255 episodes from 1974-1984. Happy Days also launched four spin-offs: Laverne and Shirley, Mork and Mindy, Joanie Loves Chachi, and the very obscure Blansky's Beauties. Ron Howard was Richie Cunningham. His best friends originally were Potsie Weber (Anson Williams) and Ralph Malph (Donny Most). His parents were Howard (Tom Bosley) and Marion (Marion Ross) Cunningham. Richie's younger sister was Joanie, portrayed by Erin Moran. Henry Winkler was introduced as "Fonzie" Arthur Fonzarelli. ABC at first was uncomfortable with someone riding a motorcycle with a leather jacket. But they got past that, and Fonzie's role kept being increased. Henry Winkler's billing kept getting moved up from fifth to third to second. When Ron Howard left at the end of season 7, Henry became the sole lead. His cousin Chachi Arcola (Scott Baio) became a regular. During season 10 he left with Erin Moran for the Joanie Loves Chachi spin-off. They were back in the final season and got married in the series finale. With Happy Days being set in the 50s, Arnold's was the cool diner hangout. Pat Morita played the original owner Arnold Matsui Takahashi. Al Molinaro replaced him as Al Delvecchio, then Pat returned replacing Al. In the post Ron Howard era, Ted McGinley replaced him as cousin Roger Phillips. Two popular phrases that have come from Happy Days: jump the shark from Fonzie literally jumping a shark, and the Chuck Cunningham syndrome. That is where siblings/children disappear without ever being mentioned again. Chuck was the oldest sibling in the first two seasons. Richie became the only brother to Joanie, that dynamic worked better as none of the actors playing Chuck did much.
Too Close for Comfort aired three seasons on ABC. When they cancelled it moved to first-run syndication for three more seasons, total run from 1980-1986. AKA The Ted Knight Show at the end, Too Close was renewed for season 7. But when Ted Knight died during the summer of 1986, that renewal was naturally rescinded. He played cartoonist Henry Rush, who was married to Muriel (Nancy Dussault). They had two adult daughters, Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) and Sara (Lydia Cornell). Jackie and Sara left at the end of season 5. Jm J. Bullock played dunderhead Monroe Ficus. Deena Freeman recurred in season 2 as cousin April Rush.
Too Close for Comfort aired three seasons on ABC. When they cancelled it moved to first-run syndication for three more seasons, total run from 1980-1986. AKA The Ted Knight Show at the end, Too Close was renewed for season 7. But when Ted Knight died during the summer of 1986, that renewal was naturally rescinded. He played cartoonist Henry Rush, who was married to Muriel (Nancy Dussault). They had two adult daughters, Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) and Sara (Lydia Cornell). Jackie and Sara left at the end of season 5. Jm J. Bullock played dunderhead Monroe Ficus. Deena Freeman recurred in season 2 as cousin April Rush.