Why was Roz Kelly dropped as Pinky? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

kiddynOmite · 04-09-2007, 08:43 PM

The story goes...

Pinky Tuscadero (Roz Kelly) was hyped as a new, recurring character on Happy Days for the 1976 season but was abruptly dumped after the three-part "Fonzie Loves Pinky" (aka Malachi Brothers/Demolition Derby) episode after Kelly had personal conflicts with the other Happy Days cast members, and producers.

Does anyone know exactly what precipitated this conflict? Was it money? Was it ego? Was it greedy agents in the middle? Who didn't like her? Was it that the producers didn't like the story direction? WHY was she dumped?

Apparently, Happy Days was a very happy set (unlike "Three's Company", or today's "Grey's Anatomy" as an example) and the producers -- especially Garry Marshall -- treated their cast well.

So what could Roz Kelly have done to p*** them off?

It's also sad that she could have been a star, but languished into obscurity, except for her infamous brush-with-the-law incident a few years ago, which proves the point: DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU!

ponytail · 04-10-2007, 06:51 AM

I think she had issues even back then. Henry didn't care for her. I think Roz kept making fun of Henry as the Fonz and was teasing him a lot. I think Henry said she was the only cast member he didn't like.

Dynomite · 04-10-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponytail

I think she had issues even back then. Henry didn't care for her. I think Roz kept making fun of Henry as the Fonz and was teasing him a lot. I think Henry said she was the only cast member he didn't like.

Clearly, Roz Kelly was too much of a loose cannon, on and off camera. She clearly wasn't cast material for Happy Days. It was 1976, the show was no. 1 in the Nielsens for the season and I really believe the cast, including Henry Winkler, was clearly better off without her.

Race's Girl · 04-10-2007, 11:40 AM

Youre so totally right, Dynomite

kiddynOmite · 04-10-2007, 11:23 PM

*THIS IS ALL SPECULATION...except for the Winkler quote.

But I wonder if Roz Kelly had "Suzanne Somers" syndrome where she shamelessly perceived she was irreplaceable after signing on the dotted line.

Ponytail might be right. Henry Winkler had so much clout at the time that he could have easily had her nixxed if he didn't like her. And Kelly would have had to be totally insufferable since Winkler has a known reputation for being an easygoing "nice guy" to castmates, friends, family, and fans.

I recently heard Henry Winkler say on what kept his ego in check during the height of his fame (paraphrased): "On the one hand, they make you think you can walk on water. On the other hand, I realized that I was still short (he's 5' 6") and could never wear a three-piece suit!"

kiddynOmite · 04-10-2007, 11:31 PM

*THIS IS SPECULATION

But I wonder if Roz Kelly had "Suzanne Somers" syndrome where she shamelessly perceived she was irreplaceable after signing on the dotted line.

Ponytail might be right. Henry Winkler had so much clout at the time that he could have easily had her nixxed if he didn't like her. And Kelly would have had to be totally insufferable since Winkler has a known reputation for being an easygoing "nice guy" to castmates, friends, family, and fans.

I recently heard Henry Winkler say on what kept his ego in check during the height of his fame (paraphrased): "On the one hand, they make you think you can walk on water. On the other hand, I realized that I was still short (he's 5' 6") and could never wear a three-piece suit!"

Scoobiedoo30 · 04-11-2007, 10:15 PM

I nevery know Ros Kelly weas drooped as Pinky

The Flying Dutchmans · 04-13-2007, 09:03 PM

I didnt like the pinky character myself, I thought she was too much hype, I did however like her little sister, or should I say leather tuscadero
(suzi quatro) and her song stumblin in.

Dr. Thong · 04-13-2007, 10:16 PM

If Roz Kelly did think she was indispensible, she was delusional. She hadn't done anything of note before Happy Days and has done nothing of note since.

I also think - and this is just my own speculation - that Fonzie having a steady girl would have bogged the character down at the peak of his popularity. Part of Fonzie's mystique was his way with women and to have a monogamous Fonz at that point would have dimmed the character's "cool."

Again, just my opinion.

Race's Girl · 04-14-2007, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Flying Dutchmans

I did however like her little sister, or should I say leather tuscadero (suzi quatro) and her song stumblin in.

Yeah, Leather was better looking than Pinky and she's got a great singing voice too

Li-Sung · 04-14-2007, 02:41 PM

I don't know exactly why she was dropped from the show. I did see her appearance on a Match Game show from the 1970s. I think she was in her Pinky character. I did read that she was arrested for threatening someone many years ago with a gun. Person was making noise and keeping her awake. I know the Pinky character she played was popular. I think it went to her head too qucikly.

The Flying Dutchmans · 04-28-2007, 01:55 PM

Roz was also in a Love Boat episode in which she fell in love with peter graves who played a minister. I do not know if thats the only love boat ep she was in but its the only one I have.

And then, Peter years later was cast in reacurring roles as Kernal John Camden in 7th heaven the Father of a minister.

Oh and BTW Roz Kelly looks so nice in that epsiode of The Love Boat

faraj · 05-04-2007, 02:34 AM

I thought Pinky was just a one-time character who just made that special guest appearance for that 3-parter. Like the CA Kid from that other 3-parter in that next season.

Pat · 05-04-2007, 04:00 PM

Roz Kelly was in Season one or two of Starsky and Hutch as an undercover cop (If I recall)

Waterston_Fan · 01-01-2009, 01:41 AM

Interesting though. I never thought why she or Leather never came back.

Did the character Leather come back?

I saw the three parter.. I agree, I think it would have messed up the show some and it seemed like HW-- The Fonz was the star.. or up coming star.

04-09-2007, 08:43 PM	#1
kiddynOmite Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 11, 2007 Posts: 11	Why was Roz Kelly dropped as Pinky? The story goes... Pinky Tuscadero (Roz Kelly) was hyped as a new, recurring character on Happy Days for the 1976 season but was abruptly dumped after the three-part "Fonzie Loves Pinky" (aka Malachi Brothers/Demolition Derby) episode after Kelly had personal conflicts with the other Happy Days cast members, and producers. Does anyone know exactly what precipitated this conflict? Was it money? Was it ego? Was it greedy agents in the middle? Who didn't like her? Was it that the producers didn't like the story direction? WHY was she dumped? Apparently, Happy Days was a very happy set (unlike "Three's Company", or today's "Grey's Anatomy" as an example) and the producers -- especially Garry Marshall -- treated their cast well. So what could Roz Kelly have done to p*** them off? It's also sad that she could have been a star, but languished into obscurity, except for her infamous brush-with-the-law incident a few years ago, which proves the point: DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU!

04-10-2007, 11:40 AM	#4
Race's Girl Miss Tremendous Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jan 26, 2005 Location: On Fonzie's bike in front of Arnold's Posts: 22,930	Youre so totally right, Dynomite
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04-11-2007, 10:15 PM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I nevery know Ros Kelly weas drooped as Pinky
	__________________ Who Dat

04-13-2007, 09:03 PM	#8
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	I didnt like the pinky character myself, I thought she was too much hype, I did however like her little sister, or should I say leather tuscadero (suzi quatro) and her song stumblin in.
	__________________ A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief." The Flying Dutchman

04-13-2007, 10:16 PM	#9
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	If Roz Kelly did think she was indispensible, she was delusional. She hadn't done anything of note before Happy Days and has done nothing of note since. I also think - and this is just my own speculation - that Fonzie having a steady girl would have bogged the character down at the peak of his popularity. Part of Fonzie's mystique was his way with women and to have a monogamous Fonz at that point would have dimmed the character's "cool." Again, just my opinion.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

04-10-2007, 06:51 AM	#2
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,272	I think she had issues even back then. Henry didn't care for her. I think Roz kept making fun of Henry as the Fonz and was teasing him a lot. I think Henry said she was the only cast member he didn't like.

04-10-2007, 11:23 PM	#5
kiddynOmite Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 11, 2007 Posts: 11	*THIS IS ALL SPECULATION...except for the Winkler quote. But I wonder if Roz Kelly had "Suzanne Somers" syndrome where she shamelessly perceived she was irreplaceable after signing on the dotted line. Ponytail might be right. Henry Winkler had so much clout at the time that he could have easily had her nixxed if he didn't like her. And Kelly would have had to be totally insufferable since Winkler has a known reputation for being an easygoing "nice guy" to castmates, friends, family, and fans. I recently heard Henry Winkler say on what kept his ego in check during the height of his fame (paraphrased): "On the one hand, they make you think you can walk on water. On the other hand, I realized that I was still short (he's 5' 6") and could never wear a three-piece suit!"

04-10-2007, 11:31 PM	#6
kiddynOmite Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 11, 2007 Posts: 11	*THIS IS SPECULATION But I wonder if Roz Kelly had "Suzanne Somers" syndrome where she shamelessly perceived she was irreplaceable after signing on the dotted line. Ponytail might be right. Henry Winkler had so much clout at the time that he could have easily had her nixxed if he didn't like her. And Kelly would have had to be totally insufferable since Winkler has a known reputation for being an easygoing "nice guy" to castmates, friends, family, and fans. I recently heard Henry Winkler say on what kept his ego in check during the height of his fame (paraphrased): "On the one hand, they make you think you can walk on water. On the other hand, I realized that I was still short (he's 5' 6") and could never wear a three-piece suit!"

04-14-2007, 02:41 PM	#11
Li-Sung I surrender Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: Somewhere dark and secluded Posts: 336	I don't know exactly why she was dropped from the show. I did see her appearance on a Match Game show from the 1970s. I think she was in her Pinky character. I did read that she was arrested for threatening someone many years ago with a gun. Person was making noise and keeping her awake. I know the Pinky character she played was popular. I think it went to her head too qucikly.
	__________________ Captivated by my Captor If there is an escape I don't want to know I am helplessly at your mercy "I Miss The Chief"

04-28-2007, 01:55 PM	#12
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	Roz was also in a Love Boat episode in which she fell in love with peter graves who played a minister. I do not know if thats the only love boat ep she was in but its the only one I have. And then, Peter years later was cast in reacurring roles as Kernal John Camden in 7th heaven the Father of a minister. Oh and BTW Roz Kelly looks so nice in that epsiode of The Love Boat

05-04-2007, 02:34 AM	#13
faraj Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 03, 2004 Posts: 736	I thought Pinky was just a one-time character who just made that special guest appearance for that 3-parter. Like the CA Kid from that other 3-parter in that next season.
	__________________ John

05-04-2007, 04:00 PM	#14
Pat Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: 2Trivia4Me, VA Posts: 2,729	Roz Kelly Roz Kelly was in Season one or two of Starsky and Hutch as an undercover cop (If I recall)
	__________________ Frasier: "Don't stare at me Eddie. I'm a humane man, but right now I could kick a kitten through an electric fan!"

01-01-2009, 01:41 AM	#15
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	Interesting though. I never thought why she or Leather never came back. Did the character Leather come back? I saw the three parter.. I agree, I think it would have messed up the show some and it seemed like HW-- The Fonz was the star.. or up coming star.