Quote:
Originally posted by FonzForever
I read a book on Happy Days once (sorry don;t remember the title off the top of my head), and they explained the casting.
I know a library near me had it so I'll have ot look for it again for full details. It was made while the show as still on. Here's what I remember.
Garry Marshall said something to the effect that Tom Bosley didn't look a TV father, he looked like MY father. Meaning he looked like a real dad and he thought that would be perfect.
It said that Erin Moran was cast because the girl who played Joanie in Love AM (and I believe the unaired pilot too, have to check my tape on that) was unavailable.
I don't remember what it said about Marion Ross.
I have not read this book in several years so I have to look at it again to double check, but I remember the Tom Bosley casting explanation for sure.
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You're correct on that. Actually, though, the fact that Bosley looked like a "real" father was a turn off for the network executives, who insisted that a TV dad should look like Ward Cleaver. But, they decided having a dad like Bosley might just work. And indeed it did! I have that book somewhere...I'll have to look around for it. It is a great book!