The Best Man-Controversial? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Schmoopie · 09-24-2008, 05:40 AM

Did anyone find this episode controversial? In Season One, it's the one where Howard's friend from the army comes to visit and they decide to have the wedding at the Cunningham's. I noticed that a big deal was made because the guy is black. His color didn't bother me, of course. It was the fact that they kept harping on it. It was actually getting on my nerves, but then I wondered if it had been controversial when it aired. It was the 70's, but I thought that there were some other TV shows that had dealt with racism and prejudice and so forth. Take The Jefferson's for instance. I think that series started after Happy Days, but Helen and Frank (is that his name?) were an interracial couple.
I also wondered if they dealt so heavily on race because that's the way things were in the 50's.
I thought the episode was well-done, but it definitely isn't a favorite of mine.

Andrea

Zoneboy · 09-24-2008, 06:01 AM

I haven't seen this one in years but I did want to acknowledge the August 28th passing of actor/comedian Wonderful Smith who played the Reverend in the episode. Robert Doqui who played Fred Washington passed away earlier this year on February 9th.

Schmoopie · 09-24-2008, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I haven't seen this one in years but I did want to acknowledge the August 28th passing of actor/comedian Wonderful Smith who played the Reverend in the episode. Robert Doqui who played Fred Washington passed away earlier this year on February 9th.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that! I don't know much about either of them, but it's sad to hear that they are both gone. What a unique name; "Wonderful". He was great in this episode! I would have liked it more if they hadn't played up the fact that that they were black and not white.

Andrea

Wreckless · 09-24-2008, 08:49 AM

I thought it was annoying as well, in how they kept looking at him and making a big deal out of his race. I guess the 70s are half and half, sometimes their was still trouble with blacks and whites and sometimes their wasn't. But I don't know completely. I would hope their wasn't any trouble on set or nothing.

spreckenzeedeu · 09-24-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I also wondered if they dealt so heavily on race because that's the way things were in the 50's.

Remember the "Fonzie's new Friend" Episode, where nobody is allowed to go to Richie's Party, because a black Boy (Stick, the Drummer) is there! - That was hard, but I guess it was/is Reality.

And also remember the "Soutern Crossing" Episode, where Al and Fonzie go to a Demonstration for the Rights of the black People! - That's a tough one too, but also Reality.

Waterston_Fan · 09-24-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iris*happydays

Remember the "Fonzie's new Friend" Episode, where nobody is allowed to go to Richie's Party, because a black Boy (Stick, the Drummer) is there! - That was hard, but I guess it was/is Reality.

And also remember the "Soutern Crossing" Episode, where Al and Fonzie go to a Demonstration for the Rights of the black People! - That's a tough one too, but also Reality.

Don't forget, this show was set in the 1950's. They are having it as to where it's in the '50's not the 70's.

spreckenzeedeu · 09-24-2008, 10:22 AM

Have I said anything? I know that! "FNF" was set in the 50's, and "SC" in the early 60's! But I'm sure, that even in the 1970's those ''Problems'' were around ... I mean, they are still there, even today. The World isn't one. Unfortunately !!!!

Pat · 09-24-2008, 05:58 PM

That episode is not one of my favs either (Howard's buddy having the wedding at the C's house). As Iris noted the other shows on rasism, I personally think the writers and producers of Happy Days knew that they had a powerful influence in the world with this show - (not so much in this early show of Howard's buddy's wedding), but Henry Winkler did say that the show was contacted by the library system and asked if they would do a show involving libraries - thus, the episode where Fonzie takes Richie to the library to meet chicks - he meets Lori Beth there. Henry said that the number of library cards increased by 600 percent (I think) in a short time after the show.

Saying that, I think Happy Days opened eyes to millions of people on these issues. Do you remember a late issue when Joanie was a teacher being attacked by one of her students? Erin Moran was in tears during that episode. (I've heard Erin was abused in real life - God Bless that girl). I wonder if they were trying to touch on that subject to get the word out that it's okay to talk about things like that.

- Joanie had a student on drugs
- Joanie smoking (with the gang: The Magnets)
- Ralph's folks getting a divorce
- Flips and his friends hit Heather while they were driving drunk

09-24-2008, 05:40 AM	#1
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	The Best Man-Controversial? Did anyone find this episode controversial? In Season One, it's the one where Howard's friend from the army comes to visit and they decide to have the wedding at the Cunningham's. I noticed that a big deal was made because the guy is black. His color didn't bother me, of course. It was the fact that they kept harping on it. It was actually getting on my nerves, but then I wondered if it had been controversial when it aired. It was the 70's, but I thought that there were some other TV shows that had dealt with racism and prejudice and so forth. Take The Jefferson's for instance. I think that series started after Happy Days, but Helen and Frank (is that his name?) were an interracial couple. I also wondered if they dealt so heavily on race because that's the way things were in the 50's. I thought the episode was well-done, but it definitely isn't a favorite of mine. 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

09-24-2008, 06:01 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,381	I haven't seen this one in years but I did want to acknowledge the August 28th passing of actor/comedian Wonderful Smith who played the Reverend in the episode. Robert Doqui who played Fred Washington passed away earlier this year on February 9th.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

09-24-2008, 05:58 PM	#8
Pat Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: 2Trivia4Me, VA Posts: 2,729	Pat's 2 cents That episode is not one of my favs either (Howard's buddy having the wedding at the C's house). As Iris noted the other shows on rasism, I personally think the writers and producers of Happy Days knew that they had a powerful influence in the world with this show - (not so much in this early show of Howard's buddy's wedding), but Henry Winkler did say that the show was contacted by the library system and asked if they would do a show involving libraries - thus, the episode where Fonzie takes Richie to the library to meet chicks - he meets Lori Beth there. Henry said that the number of library cards increased by 600 percent (I think) in a short time after the show. Saying that, I think Happy Days opened eyes to millions of people on these issues. Do you remember a late issue when Joanie was a teacher being attacked by one of her students? Erin Moran was in tears during that episode. (I've heard Erin was abused in real life - God Bless that girl). I wonder if they were trying to touch on that subject to get the word out that it's okay to talk about things like that. - Joanie had a student on drugs - Joanie smoking (with the gang: The Magnets) - Ralph's folks getting a divorce - Flips and his friends hit Heather while they were driving drunk
	__________________ Frasier: "Don't stare at me Eddie. I'm a humane man, but right now I could kick a kitten through an electric fan!"

09-24-2008, 08:49 AM	#4
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	I thought it was annoying as well, in how they kept looking at him and making a big deal out of his race. I guess the 70s are half and half, sometimes their was still trouble with blacks and whites and sometimes their wasn't. But I don't know completely. I would hope their wasn't any trouble on set or nothing.

09-24-2008, 10:22 AM	#7
spreckenzeedeu form.known.as irishappydays Forum Regular* Join Date: Feb 13, 2000 Location: GERMANY Posts: 900	Have I said anything? I know that! "FNF" was set in the 50's, and "SC" in the early 60's! But I'm sure, that even in the 1970's those ''Problems'' were around ... I mean, they are still there, even today. The World isn't one. Unfortunately !!!!