The Very First Episodes-some observations - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Schmoopie · 09-11-2008, 03:49 AM

As I mentioned in a different thread, I just got disc 1 of Season 1 in the mail yesterday.
I don't think I had ever seen the first episodes before, but I did find some very interesting observations.

So far I've watched "All the Way" "The Lemon" "Richie's Cup Runneth Over" and then I fell asleep watching "Guess Who's Coming to Visit" ( it was VERY late at night!).

For one thing, Arnold's was called "Arthur's" in the very first episode; unless I was seeing things.

I guess the first episodes weren't filmed in front of a live audience. That was pretty obvious; especially in the first episode because the laugh track wasn't "quite right". And there were a lot of location shots, which was cool, but I think I prefer the live audience! Anyone know when they started doing that?

Fonzie sure didn't say much and he definitely wasn't as "cool" as he turned out to be later on (and still is!). In the first few episodes, Fonzie is wearing a gray jacket, and not his trademark leather jacket. Anyone know the story behind that?

I had completely forgotten that Richie and Joanie had an older brother, Chuck. I read that he was only mentioned in the first and second seasons but was forgotten by the third. Interesting....

I was

at these old Happy Days episodes! I'm kind of bummed to see that apparently there isn't any bonus material on any of the DVD sets. Is that true? I would have loved to have listened to a commentary of the first episode!

The opening sequence. I actually like the "Rock Around The Clock" theme song better than the "Happy Days" one. Anyone know why they changed it? The scenes they showed were hilarious; the girl's hair getting caught in the guy's car roof when he's trying to open it, the girl and the guy fallling out of the car while they are making out and Potsie is

Anyway, that's what I've picked up from the eppy's so far. Can't wait to see more of them!

Andrea

Wreckless · 09-11-2008, 03:53 AM

Yeah, the show wasn't filmed before a live audience until episode 11 I believe. Then after that, it was pretty much a live audience throughout lol. Yeah I remember reading I think it was the manuscript from the pilot episode and Fonzie didn't come in at first and only had like 3 speaking parts I think I read lol, not much but he was still in the mix I guess. One of the things I love about the First Season and part of the Second was when Fonzie came in. I remember the episode where he pretended he was driving his bike, using the mashed potatoes fork and spoon

. Not only that, but his gray wind breaker instead of the leather jacket and he always seemed to have his Broncos blue **** on lol. Nice observations though! Keep em comin...

Wreckless · 09-11-2008, 04:04 AM

Yeah Chuck is the equivalent of the Forgotten Brady

. I liked Chuck, did you know 2 competely different actors played Chuck?

Schmoopie · 09-11-2008, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wreckless8228836

Yeah Chuck is the equivalent of the Forgotten Brady

. I liked Chuck, did you know 2 competely different actors played Chuck?

I just read that on a different site!

Andrea

Wreckless · 09-11-2008, 04:37 AM

Yeah, pretty interesting stuff.

tv star collector · 09-11-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

As I mentioned in a different thread, I just got disc 1 of Season 1 in the mail yesterday.
I don't think I had ever seen the first episodes before, but I did find some very interesting observations.

So far I've watched "All the Way" "The Lemon" "Richie's Cup Runneth Over" and then I fell asleep watching "Guess Who's Coming to Visit" ( it was VERY late at night!).

For one thing, Arnold's was called "Arthur's" in the very first episode; unless I was seeing things.

I guess the first episodes weren't filmed in front of a live audience. That was pretty obvious; especially in the first episode because the laugh track wasn't "quite right". And there were a lot of location shots, which was cool, but I think I prefer the live audience! Anyone know when they started doing that?

Fonzie sure didn't say much and he definitely wasn't as "cool" as he turned out to be later on (and still is!). In the first few episodes, Fonzie is wearing a gray jacket, and not his trademark leather jacket. Anyone know the story behind that?

I had completely forgotten that Richie and Joanie had an older brother, Chuck. I read that he was only mentioned in the first and second seasons but was forgotten by the third. Interesting....

I was

at these old Happy Days episodes! I'm kind of bummed to see that apparently there isn't any bonus material on any of the DVD sets. Is that true? I would have loved to have listened to a commentary of the first episode!

The opening sequence. I actually like the "Rock Around The Clock" theme song better than the "Happy Days" one. Anyone know why they changed it? The scenes they showed were hilarious; the girl's hair getting caught in the guy's car roof when he's trying to open it, the girl and the guy fallling out of the car while they are making out and Potsie is

Anyway, that's what I've picked up from the eppy's so far. Can't wait to see more of them!

Andrea

The reason behind Fonzie's grey windbreaker is that ABC was nervous about
the image the character would project if he wore a leather jacket. I think the
reason the theme song was changed was that they wanted an original song,
once they found out that the show was a hit and would on the air for a while.

anglemark10 · 09-11-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

For one thing, Arnold's was called "Arthur's" in the very first episode; unless I was seeing things.

You were not seeing things; it was called "Arthur's" in the first episode.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I guess the first episodes weren't filmed in front of a live audience. That was pretty obvious; especially in the first episode because the laugh track wasn't "quite right". And there were a lot of location shots, which was cool, but I think I prefer the live audience! Anyone know when they started doing that?

The first episode filmed before a live audience was "Fonzie's Getting Married" in the second season. Every episode from the third season on was filmed before a live audience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

In the first few episodes, Fonzie is wearing a gray jacket, and not his trademark leather jacket. Anyone know the story behind that?

As was already mentioned, ABC was against Fonzie wearing a leather jacket because it was thought he would be perceived as a hoodlum. A compromise was made to allow him to wear it only while in the presence of his motorcycle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I was

at these old Happy Days episodes! I'm kind of bummed to see that apparently there isn't any bonus material on any of the DVD sets. Is that true? I would have loved to have listened to a commentary of the first episode!

This is true. There is no bonus material on any of the sets released so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

The opening sequence. I actually like the "Rock Around The Clock" theme song better than the "Happy Days" one. Anyone know why they changed it?

When the series hit, "Rock Around the Clock" was re-released and became a hit again on the record charts. The producers of the series wanted to capitalize on the success of the show, so they used "Happy Days" as the theme and released that as a single. Also, they didn't have to pay licensing fees for it.

spreckenzeedeu · 09-11-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

The opening sequence. I actually like the "Rock Around The Clock" theme song better than the "Happy Days" one.

Well. Come over here then. We never had the "Happy Days" Theme. Here all 11 Seasons used "Rock around the Clock".

robyrob · 09-11-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iris*happydays

Well. Come over here then. We never had the "Happy Days" Theme. Here all 11 Seasons used "Rock around the Clock".

is that just for syndication, or were the original airings like that?

and what about the DVD sets?

spreckenzeedeu · 09-11-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

is that just for syndication, or were the original airings like that?

I can't say it from the first Airing, cause I've never seen an Eppy then, but all Re-Runs I have seen on German TV used "Rock" for each Episode.

Quote:

and what about the DVD sets?

There is no German Release!
But the Reg2 Box of Season Two has "HD" for the Intro...

Mikado · 09-11-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anglemark10

As was already mentioned, ABC was against Fonzie wearing a leather jacket because it was thought he would be perceived as a hoodlum. A compromise was made to allow him to wear it only while in the presence of his motorcycle.

That's correct and, its also the reason that in some early eps, you see Fonzie's motorcycle INDOORS (Such as in his upper level "pad"); because that enabled Fonzie to keep his jacket on wherever he went. (Seems totally rediculous now, doesnt it?

)

Wreckless · 09-11-2008, 06:38 PM

Wow that's interesting Iris, I never knew that! I like how the Rock Around the Clock is the first 2 seasons, then the Happy Days theme song, then season 11 Bobby Arvon did the theme song, which I love. Anybody else like the final season's theme song besides me? I like the new jukeboxs they used in the intro and the different colors to it.

anglemark10 · 09-12-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wreckless8228836

then season 11 Bobby Arvon did the theme song, which I love. Anybody else like the final season's theme song besides me?

Oh, yeah, that version is great. A lot of people don't like it compared to the original, but I think it's much better.

Wreckless · 09-12-2008, 12:25 AM

^ Yeah, I think it's great. I like the background singin in the final version too lol. The girls singin "Wa Wa."

catlover79 · 09-12-2008, 12:29 AM

Arnold was indeed "Arthur's" in the first ep. I too thought I was imagining that.

The first episodes were a far cry from what the show ended up being. Even though the others tried their best, it was never the same after Ron Howard and Donny Most left the show.

09-11-2008, 03:49 AM	#1
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	The Very First Episodes-some observations As I mentioned in a different thread, I just got disc 1 of Season 1 in the mail yesterday. I don't think I had ever seen the first episodes before, but I did find some very interesting observations. So far I've watched "All the Way" "The Lemon" "Richie's Cup Runneth Over" and then I fell asleep watching "Guess Who's Coming to Visit" ( it was VERY late at night!). For one thing, Arnold's was called "Arthur's" in the very first episode; unless I was seeing things. I guess the first episodes weren't filmed in front of a live audience. That was pretty obvious; especially in the first episode because the laugh track wasn't "quite right". And there were a lot of location shots, which was cool, but I think I prefer the live audience! Anyone know when they started doing that? Fonzie sure didn't say much and he definitely wasn't as "cool" as he turned out to be later on (and still is!). In the first few episodes, Fonzie is wearing a gray jacket, and not his trademark leather jacket. Anyone know the story behind that? I had completely forgotten that Richie and Joanie had an older brother, Chuck. I read that he was only mentioned in the first and second seasons but was forgotten by the third. Interesting.... I was at these old Happy Days episodes! I'm kind of bummed to see that apparently there isn't any bonus material on any of the DVD sets. Is that true? I would have loved to have listened to a commentary of the first episode! The opening sequence. I actually like the "Rock Around The Clock" theme song better than the "Happy Days" one. Anyone know why they changed it? The scenes they showed were hilarious; the girl's hair getting caught in the guy's car roof when he's trying to open it, the girl and the guy fallling out of the car while they are making out and Potsie is Anyway, that's what I've picked up from the eppy's so far. Can't wait to see more of them! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

09-12-2008, 12:29 AM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Arnold was indeed "Arthur's" in the first ep. I too thought I was imagining that. The first episodes were a far cry from what the show ended up being. Even though the others tried their best, it was never the same after Ron Howard and Donny Most left the show.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-11-2008, 03:53 AM	#2
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Yeah, the show wasn't filmed before a live audience until episode 11 I believe. Then after that, it was pretty much a live audience throughout lol. Yeah I remember reading I think it was the manuscript from the pilot episode and Fonzie didn't come in at first and only had like 3 speaking parts I think I read lol, not much but he was still in the mix I guess. One of the things I love about the First Season and part of the Second was when Fonzie came in. I remember the episode where he pretended he was driving his bike, using the mashed potatoes fork and spoon . Not only that, but his gray wind breaker instead of the leather jacket and he always seemed to have his Broncos blue **** on lol. Nice observations though! Keep em comin...

09-11-2008, 04:04 AM	#3
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Yeah Chuck is the equivalent of the Forgotten Brady . I liked Chuck, did you know 2 competely different actors played Chuck?

09-11-2008, 04:37 AM	#5
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Yeah, pretty interesting stuff.

09-11-2008, 06:38 PM	#12
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Wow that's interesting Iris, I never knew that! I like how the Rock Around the Clock is the first 2 seasons, then the Happy Days theme song, then season 11 Bobby Arvon did the theme song, which I love. Anybody else like the final season's theme song besides me? I like the new jukeboxs they used in the intro and the different colors to it.

09-12-2008, 12:25 AM	#14
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	^ Yeah, I think it's great. I like the background singin in the final version too lol. The girls singin "Wa Wa."