It becomes painfully apparent after watching any post-Ron Howard and Donny Most episodes, how much this show went downhill in a hurry. I think it had to do number one with the loss of a pivotal character, Richie, who the show was originally built around.

Also, they shifted some of the focus to Joanie & Chachi's romance and the next generation of kids at Jefferson High. Throw in a weak pseudo-Richie (Roger) and it's no wonder why Happy Days went from being must-see-TV to must-avoid-watching-TV.

It's too bad they didn't end the show when Richie left. I can understand them wanting to go on and not wanting to lose their jobs, but there's nothing worse than a show that goes on way past its prime.

Did I forget to mention that Fonzie became Mr. Respectful (half-owner of Arnolds, garage mechanic and shop teacher) and a real nerd in the process. You almost wish The Falcons brought him back and restored his street toughness.

:wave:

I Liked the later episodes actually. Sure their not quite as good as the early ones, But i Still love them. And i think im the only one here that likes Roger :lol:

I love all the episodes of Happy Days :) I could care less about nielsen ratings.

I agree with you Katie! I love all of the episodes. :)

I like the earlier eps better, but still liked the show as as a whole. Fonzie just gew up. Even when the had the Flacons reunion on the show, his best friend(in the Falcons) had grown up too. It was just the passing of time.
For me it was just having the show go from great to good. And good is still only a small group when you are talking about TV shows.

Originally posted by Katie_NY
I love all the episodes of Happy Days :) I could care less about nielsen ratings.
Ditto. Nomatter what the Neilson ratings were, it is always #1 in my ratings!
Chad-- I like Roger too, he wasnt as good as Richie but I like him.
Also, FonzForever is right, Fonzie didn't turn into a nerd, he just grew up.

Originally posted by Chad Doody
And i think im the only one here that likes Roger :lol:

That makes three of us!

Originally posted by animalcrackers

That makes three of us!

That makes four of us!When Richie is there it is way better!!!Happy Days is ALWAYS the best!!!

Originally posted by Dr. Thong
Did I forget to mention that Fonzie became Mr. Respectful (half-owner of Arnolds, garage mechanic and shop teacher) and a real nerd in the process. You almost wish The Falcons brought him back and restored his street toughness.





:faint: Fonzie....a nerr....nerrrrrrr.....nerd? NEVER! :p

Originally posted by CollegeGirl





:faint: Fonzie....a nerr....nerrrrrrr.....nerd? NEVER! :p

Yea.Apologize Dr.Thong to Fonzie Fanz and Fonzie.

Hm... in a way I agree with Dr.Thong. Yes, I love HD as a WHOLE, but anything after 1980 doesnt even compare IMO. Fonzie a nerd? Yes. Sorta. Now, before the Mafia gets me LOl, let me explain. He wasnt a NERD, but he changed- he grew up. I liked it and yet I didnt. I liked him best when he was tough and mysterious, but Im also glad when he changed and did something to help others. I dont like change, thats why I liked him best tough. I guess Im kinda torn between the two. Id choose him as he used to be, but he'll always be The Fonz, even if he has to wear a shirt and tie to work.

Dr. Thong better apologize before the Fonz beats him up and sends him up a flag pole.

I like Happy Days even without Richie and Ralph, but season 10 is my least favorite season. It is kind of boring in a way.

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
Hm... in a way I agree with Dr.Thong. Yes, I love HD as a WHOLE, but anything after 1980 doesnt even compare IMO. Fonzie a nerd? Yes. Sorta. Now, before the Mafia gets me LOl, let me explain. He wasnt a NERD, but he changed- he grew up. I liked it and yet I didnt. I liked him best when he was tough and mysterious, but Im also glad when he changed and did something to help others. I dont like change, thats why I liked him best tough. I guess Im kinda torn between the two. Id choose him as he used to be, but he'll always be The Fonz, even if he has to wear a shirt and tie to work.

I look at this way, The Fonz grew up, as only The fonz could. Successfully! As cool as he was to Richie and his friends he became an equal success in life. I like the early eps way better too, but have fond memories of the later ones too, as those are the ones I remember most clearly seeing during the show's original run.
If I only had seen the show as a syndicated package I might feel differently. The changes aren't as big a blow when they happen over the course of several years not weeks.

Originally posted by FonzForever


I look at this way, The Fonz grew up, as only The fonz could. Successfully! As cool as he was to Richie and his friends he became an equal success in life. I like the early eps way better too, but have fond memories of the later ones too, as those are the ones I remember most clearly seeing during the show's original run.
If I only had seen the show as a syndicated package I might feel differently. The changes aren't as big a blow when they happen over the course of several years not weeks.
Ya.. I wouldve loved to have seen it during its original run. Maybe Id feel differently.. who knows. I like Fonzie no matter how he was... but I liked him best as his tough self.

No, the last four seasons were cool for sure ... a lot of people don't realize that the last Richie season was kind of lame ...

I think the writers did the best they could with remaining characters (well, they kind of shafted Potsie) and the new ones ... aging/growing the Fonzie character was not an easy task. Some might argue that it should have never been done, but I'm glad they did it.

I enjoy those episodes as a nice coda to the series.

Ron