I remember reading a post here, a few posts down discussing how "serious" the first 2 seasons were. I disagree with that assessment, although I will say the filmed episodes stand out as one of the most realistic sitcoms in television history, right up there with "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "All in the Family" and "The Wonder Years." I can distinctly recall for example, Ritchie telling his parents that he was inviting Fonzie over for supper and Howard saying something like "he didn't want that hoodlum in the house." THAT is EXACTLY what the parent of somebody like Richard WOULD have said in the 1950s. Also Ritchie did alot of realistic teenage things like having "72 teeny-weeny glasses of beer" and he bought a used car, tried to join a fraternity, etc. Potsie was Ritchie's more worldly best friend and came off as a fairly normal rebel. Ralph was even cooler, and was very mysterious at the beginning. Fonzie was a minor hood who acted extremely cool, and the fact that we rarely saw him meant that he may be doing all sorts of rebelious things that went out the window the day he moved into the Cunningham house. Like for example, why would he spend all his time hanging around Richie, Potsie, and Ralph? How did he graduate night school? In another very realistic first season episode, Fonzie enrolls in Jefferson High for a short time, felt he had to cheat on a test, was foiled and passed ANYWAY, and he STILL dropped out. The first 2 seasons were very authentic to the 1950s, right down to "Rock Around the Clock" as the theme song. Only the fact that the show was filmed in color and a very risque cracks (like the word nerd) you would have thought that the show was filmed in 1956 or 1957. By the time Pinky Tuscadero showed up, it was DEFINITELY the 1970s. In my mind, there is no question that the first 2 seasons were the best episodes, (I especially enjoyed, those outdoor scenes in front of Arnold's) and the show started to go downhill as soon as the studio audiences were introduced (although it would not be totally lost until Ron Howard finally left).

The first 2 seasons are my favorites also. They had more charm. The other seasons were fun too, but sometimes they got a little too silly IMO.

I loved the first 2 seasons...but didn't Laverne and Shirley first appear in Season 3??

Feenster Girl

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God Looked down upon the rose and said no fair a flower grows. Then he searched the human race and named my Shirley, Angel Face!

When I watched the show during it's original run, I didn't notice the difference (between the first two seasons and the later ones) as much as I do now as I watch in syndication. Maybe becasue I was young and just happy the show was on. I will never forget the Tuesdsay nite line up in the late 70's: Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Three's Company, Family, and Soap.

Anyway, I agree with the post before mine; the first two seasons were much more true to the look, feel, and culture of the 1950's. An excellent example of this was the episode in the pool hall when the gang steals Potsie's bike. I also liked the scenes outside Arnold's. The later seasons dealt with more general issues rather than issues that were specific to the 50's.

When it switched to LIVE AUDIENCE, the '50's were coming to an end, and they were in the '60's by the sixth season

The problem I have with the 1st season compared to the rest was that Fonzie's character was so mondane (sp) that he only spoke a few words & wore that neerdy looking light blue windbreaker. Somehow a leather jacket seemed more appropriate for him. I think the reason Fonz moved above the garage was that the raitings were slipping in the second season & Garry Marshall wanted Fonz to be more involved. I think there are shining moments in later years, like Ritchie Fights Back, My Favorite Orkkian, Rules to Date by, & the ones with Laverne & Shirley.
Rich: When are you going to pick Booker Brown up?
Laverne: How about October? September?

I thought that the 3rd season managed to maintain that same look and feel of the first 2 seasons, even though it was now being filmed in front of a studio audience. I don't think it was until the fourth season that it really stepped over the line and started to become a little artificial.