If "Happy Days" Had Ended In 1980 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 10-20-2008, 11:34 AM

Of course, I've stated over and over again that Happy Days should've ended when Ron Howard left the show.

This got me to thinking of what I'd do for a "final" episode at the end of season seven.

I would have had it be the graduation of Richie, Ralph & Potsie from college. Yeah, I know, they'd only been in college three years, but it wouldn't be the first liberty the show had taken in regards to the period.

It would have been a rite of passage: We would have heard what the guys would go on to: Richie a journalist, perhaps - possibly even announcing his engagement to Lori Beth, etc.

I don't know what Ralph and Potsie would have become, but I think it would have been better had everything been neatly sewn up rather than what happened with Richie and Ralph conveniently "drafted" to explain their absence from the show.

Thoughts, anyone on what might have happened if the "final" episode had aired in the spring of 1980?

spreckenzeedeu · 10-20-2008, 12:16 PM

One of the FanFics I have written starts shortly after Richie,Potsie,Ralph graduated from College ... and Richie is a Journalist, Potsie a Psychologist, Ralph a Ophthalmologist.

I took what was mentioned and built/created it ... because I really like the Idea

Chachi'88 · 10-20-2008, 12:24 PM

not at all agree, it is a pity that there are more Richie and Ralph OK

But I have loved the same last season, where they have been thorough and Joanie Chaco, for me the 8th was the start of growth for the young.

with the 11 that also Joanie and Chacha were married, the series was complete! because now everyone had grown up.

sorry but I was just doing the 8th -9 -11 ° season (the 10th is a bit another account)

Wreckless · 10-20-2008, 06:00 PM

Yup, I agree with Iris, that's what I think the 3 of them would of done. Ralph following his fathers footsteps and becoming an optomitrist, potsie a psychologist since he was studying that in college and in depth and richie of course, a journalist. I liked the show afterwards though, even though Ron Howard was great, so I'm fine with it ending in 1984.

catlover79 · 10-20-2008, 06:37 PM

I like that idea. Just as I feel Bewitched should've ended in 1969 with the departure of Dick York, I agree that HD should've folded in 1980 when Ron Howard left. To me, HE was the real star of the show.

Chachi'88 · 10-21-2008, 12:44 AM

well, I have not said that the fact that applicant is no more beautiful is one thing, I say only that the series I like it.

Avilos · 10-21-2008, 01:27 AM

They could have ended it like American Graffiti. Just having text on screen explaining what happens to the characters in the future,

Chachi'88 · 10-21-2008, 08:22 AM

This is true

Wreckless · 10-21-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avilos

They could have ended it like American Graffiti. Just having text on screen explaining what happens to the characters in the future,

True. I don't know if I completely like that though. They did that with The Wonder Years, but it was for good reasons, that didn't happen with HD. I think the way it ended was great, as far as finale's go. There ya go Newhart

.

faraj · 10-23-2008, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I like that idea. Just as I feel Bewitched should've ended in 1969 with the departure of Dick York, I agree that HD should've folded in 1980 when Ron Howard left. To me, HE was the real star of the show.

Did you know that there's an amazing coincidence involved in those 2 shows after Ron Howard and Dick York left Happy Days and Bewitched, respectively? There were at least 80 episodes with Dick Sargent as Darrin #2 and without Ron Howard.

TVFactFan · 10-24-2008, 12:28 PM

I don't think a finale can be done in just 5 and a half years, i think it has to be on the year for a minimum of 7 years to have the characters closed out properly and not seemed rushed

Chachi'88 · 10-24-2008, 02:46 PM

sorry but I still do not understand that there is that does not go in recent seasons, I found beautiful the 8th, 9th season, the last two slightly less, and I especially liked the growth of Joanie, Chaci and FOnzie, sorry but my opinion is that Happy days is better to be continued until you see the marriage of Joanie, so why are all grown.

for me with only 7 seasons would not be the same.

what we understand is that Richie lacking, to me missing But Happy Days continues at will

TVFactFan · 10-24-2008, 06:44 PM

I can see season 7 being the only bad season because that was the season that writers and producers had to get used to not having Richie and Ralph. By season 8 and 9, it was no longer a big deal

Avilos · 10-25-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillySportsHater

I can see season 7 being the only bad season because that was the season that writers and producers had to get used to not having Richie and Ralph. By season 8 and 9, it was no longer a big deal

You mean 8th right? The 8th was the first without Richie.

I agree. Because Ron had an exclusive contract with NBC to direct tv movies he could not appear on ABC in any way. Though it sounds like he would have done guest appearance in the 8th season if allowed to. But all the constant references to Richie and about him not being there made the show seem stuck in its past.

It also did not help that Lori Beth was not given much to do without Richie. Other than the wedding episode and the pregnancy she did not have much to do. Its seems odd that she was made a regular cast member. Which is a shame. I have always liked Lynda Goodfriend! She is very cute! Good actress too.

The 10th season is the really OFF SEASON. No Joanie or Chachi expect guest appearances due to the spin-off. KC and FLip were never developed to well. IS it ever even explained what happened to them? Did they just disappear like Chuck? Flip COULD still be living with Roger but we don't ever see him. But he would have been at Joanie and Chaci's wedding then.

Wouldn't Joanie Loves Chachi have made more sense to have been tried after Happy Days ended? It might have fared better that way. Everyone knew they would get married. There was no mystery or suspense of whether they would breakup. Even the title of the show proved that. So them being newlyweds starting a band would have worked. Plus it would not have negatively affected Happy Days the way their absence in the 10th season did. Otherwise the show must have seemed like to much Happy Days at the same time. But after HD Joanie Loves chachi would have been the only place to see the characters. Guest appearances from characters, like the Fonz, would have been more special then.

I liked Ashley. I would have been nice to see her in at least one episode during the last season.

MusicJunkie · 10-26-2008, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillySportsHater

I don't think a finale can be done in just 5 and a half years, i think it has to be on the year for a minimum of 7 years to have the characters closed out properly and not seemed rushed

6 1/2 seasons (since technically s1 was a half-season so I'd say 6 1/2 and not 7) isn't a really long time but I think it was long enough that they could've pulled the plug with Ron leaving. 6 1/2 seasons is the amount of time that The Dukes Of Hazzard and Buffy The Vampire Slayer lasted, and both shows were seen as having good runs and ended at the right time, but hour long shows are different than sitcoms.

I think what should've been done was ABC give him a raise and strike a deal with him and Donny to come back and promote the 1980-1981 season as the last year. With all the last season hoopla, ratings would've bounced back up and the last few years wouldn't have happened.

10-20-2008, 11:34 AM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	If "Happy Days" Had Ended In 1980 Of course, I've stated over and over again that Happy Days should've ended when Ron Howard left the show. This got me to thinking of what I'd do for a "final" episode at the end of season seven. I would have had it be the graduation of Richie, Ralph & Potsie from college. Yeah, I know, they'd only been in college three years, but it wouldn't be the first liberty the show had taken in regards to the period. It would have been a rite of passage: We would have heard what the guys would go on to: Richie a journalist, perhaps - possibly even announcing his engagement to Lori Beth, etc. I don't know what Ralph and Potsie would have become, but I think it would have been better had everything been neatly sewn up rather than what happened with Richie and Ralph conveniently "drafted" to explain their absence from the show. Thoughts, anyone on what might have happened if the "final" episode had aired in the spring of 1980?
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

10-20-2008, 06:37 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I like that idea. Just as I feel Bewitched should've ended in 1969 with the departure of Dick York, I agree that HD should've folded in 1980 when Ron Howard left. To me, HE was the real star of 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

10-20-2008, 12:16 PM	#2
spreckenzeedeu form.known.as irishappydays Forum Regular* Join Date: Feb 13, 2000 Location: GERMANY Posts: 900	One of the FanFics I have written starts shortly after Richie,Potsie,Ralph graduated from College ... and Richie is a Journalist, Potsie a Psychologist, Ralph a Ophthalmologist. I took what was mentioned and built/created it ... because I really like the Idea

10-20-2008, 12:24 PM	#3
Chachi'88 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 21, 2008 Location: Milano (ita) Posts: 165	not at all agree, it is a pity that there are more Richie and Ralph OK But I have loved the same last season, where they have been thorough and Joanie Chaco, for me the 8th was the start of growth for the young. with the 11 that also Joanie and Chacha were married, the series was complete! because now everyone had grown up. sorry but I was just doing the 8th -9 -11 ° season (the 10th is a bit another account)

10-20-2008, 06:00 PM	#4
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Yup, I agree with Iris, that's what I think the 3 of them would of done. Ralph following his fathers footsteps and becoming an optomitrist, potsie a psychologist since he was studying that in college and in depth and richie of course, a journalist. I liked the show afterwards though, even though Ron Howard was great, so I'm fine with it ending in 1984.

10-21-2008, 12:44 AM	#6
Chachi'88 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 21, 2008 Location: Milano (ita) Posts: 165	well, I have not said that the fact that applicant is no more beautiful is one thing, I say only that the series I like it.

10-21-2008, 01:27 AM	#7
Avilos Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: Plymouth, WI Posts: 83	They could have ended it like American Graffiti. Just having text on screen explaining what happens to the characters in the future,

10-21-2008, 08:22 AM	#8
Chachi'88 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 21, 2008 Location: Milano (ita) Posts: 165	This is true

10-24-2008, 12:28 PM	#11
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,055	I don't think a finale can be done in just 5 and a half years, i think it has to be on the year for a minimum of 7 years to have the characters closed out properly and not seemed rushed

10-24-2008, 02:46 PM	#12
Chachi'88 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 21, 2008 Location: Milano (ita) Posts: 165	sorry but I still do not understand that there is that does not go in recent seasons, I found beautiful the 8th, 9th season, the last two slightly less, and I especially liked the growth of Joanie, Chaci and FOnzie, sorry but my opinion is that Happy days is better to be continued until you see the marriage of Joanie, so why are all grown. for me with only 7 seasons would not be the same. what we understand is that Richie lacking, to me missing But Happy Days continues at will

10-24-2008, 06:44 PM	#13
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,055	I can see season 7 being the only bad season because that was the season that writers and producers had to get used to not having Richie and Ralph. By season 8 and 9, it was no longer a big deal