I seem to recall that in the earliest episodes Ralph was cooler than Richie and Potsie. Can anybody here verify this? Also, did Richie meet Ralph for the first time in the first episode?

I believe that originally the contrast was supposed to be between Ritchie & "the more worldly Potsie". One can see this especially in the "bachelor party" episode in which both get stoned. Fonzie only has one scene at the end if I remember, in which his thumb turns from up to down. I think the producers noticed later how much blander both Rich & Potsie were compared to Fonzie. I'm not sure of Ralphs connection, but even he was a shadow to Fonzie in the early years.

P.S. Ritchie first ment Ralph & Potsie in a booth at Arnolds during "Our Gang" in which Richie talks Chachi out of joining a gang by recalling his first encounter with the Fonz. That was during Ritche's sophomore year at Jefferson High School. which, would have been a year before the series started (Ritchie was a junior in 1974.)

In the "Love American Style" skit, ie"Love The Happy Days" from 1972, which inspired the TV show, there was JUST Richie and Potsie(RON HOWARD, ANSON WILLIAMS), Marion(MARION ROSS), YES, EVEN CHUCK, I don't think the girl was even a JOANIE, and Howard was played by HAROLD GOULD, not TOM BOSLEY. Bottom line is, RICHIE AND POTSIE were the first of ALL the boys

So would Ritchie & Potsie have been freshmen in 1972? Also the 1st "Joannie" was NOT played by the much cuter Erin Moran, but some other blonde.

In the PILOT, originating from "Love American Style", the Cunninghams' TV goesirls on the fritz, and Howard tries to get a new one. Also, Richie is dating a girl, wearing a leather jacket, and, at the girls' house, her mother remarks to Richie, "Your Father Has A Lovely Hardware Store". There is an episode on the REAL show, from the first season, that is the sequel to the PILOT, with Richie dating that girl, because Richie was to reunite with her, and date her again,wanted him to go steady with her, on the TV show

Since "Ralph" was not originally a character on the show (the part was created especially for Donny Most because he was too funny not to use) no one knew what to do with him. In the early episodes, he played baseball, told jokes, and charmed the girls (especially this one!)

I get curious about scenes from the OPENING CREDITS of the FIRST SEASON(when the theme song was "Rock Around The Clock")where Richie and Potsie are both combing their hair in ARNOLD'S restroom, and, for a while, I thought the THIRD BOY combing his hair had to be RALPH, but, by getting a good look at him, I'm not so sure

Ya. The show was originally about (the way I like it!:D ) Richie, and- the wordly Potsie (even though he just PRETENDING he knew all these chicks). Ralph was more "cool" too.. but after that he did get a little more goofy and started making more jokes... but Ralph Malph changing didnt bother me at all! You could hardly notice it! The first 2 seasons were about the 3 getting chicks and necking, but then after 3, it was about Fonzie getting them chicks and them usually messing it up! LOl:lol:

To directly answer in the earlist episodes, yes Ralph was supposed to be cooler. An instance would be episode #2 where Ralph takes two girls home from Arnold's b/c he has a car and Richie & Potise don't.

In the Begining he NEVER EVER told jokes and was SERIOUS! He WAS cooler then he kinda got goofy...But he was always a GREAT character!