What do *you* think happened to Chuck Cunningham? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

DTF955 · 05-15-2009, 08:10 AM

(Foreboding voice): Remember, this is about the character.

Obviously, the actor left, but there must be some explanation for a character disappearing. I wrote this http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3334476/...uck_Cunningham maybe 10 years ago and finally posted it a few years ago despite the fact I didn't write as well then.

It made sense to me, that a tragic death could keep them from mentioning him - my grandparents had that experience with a stillborn baby, but there are a few other options.

@2 makes it even more plausible - but wouldn't there be some residual shock in the season right after his last appearance, even if it was 4-5 months later on the calendar?

3. Remember that we see less than 1% of each week of their lives (1/2 hour out of 168.) He could contact them, etc.. And, since Marion's comment about their 2 children was breaking the 4th wall in the finale, technically it doesn't have to be canon. (Plus, parents can misspeak.)

4. Makes sense condiering that he wasn't in a lot of episdoes int he first 2 anyway, and it would be like the Cunninghams to help someone like this, hence their acceptance of the Fonz.

5. I don't recall the series enough, but...would it be possible for him to just be there but not in the time we don't see? Not as a close family member, perhaps, but if he was a distant cousin or just adopted at 17 or something, say?

catlover79 · 05-15-2009, 08:19 AM

He's on the island of misfit TV characters with Judy Winslow (Family Matters), Carl Dixon (Good Times), etc.

Cactus Jack · 05-15-2009, 01:13 PM

Remember that closet that was never opened that was shown in season 3-11? Yeah he wasi n there

AB · 05-15-2009, 04:53 PM

^ lol! Or he may have joined the service like Shirley Fenney's brother Bobby did.

Smartboy · 05-15-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

He's on the island of misfit TV characters with Judy Winslow (Family Matters), Carl Dixon (Good Times), etc.

Let us not forget Uncle Ed from "Gimme a Break!" and Tiger the dog from the "Brady Bunch"!

catlover79 · 05-15-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartboy

Let us not forget Uncle Ed from "Gimme a Break!" and Tiger the dog from the "Brady Bunch"!

Or Fluffy the cat!!

Dr. Thong · 05-15-2009, 06:43 PM

I think Fonzie killed him and the Cunninghams were so stunned they decided never to speak of him again. I think they were afraid if they didn't take in Fonzie, he might hurt them as well.

Of course, Fonzie later committed the atrocity of introducing his cousin Chachi to the family -- Arthur Fonzarelli was a cruel man down deep.

Smartboy · 05-15-2009, 06:49 PM

One series whose page has not received any posts in years is that of "Nurses"! Well, I think that you could make a case that there was also a character in that show who suffered from "Chuck Cunningham Syndrome"! I remember, at the start of the series there was a dark-haired nurse from Texas. Her name was Sandy. If my memory is correct, by the start of the third and last season, she was history. I do not remember any explanation as to whatever happened to her. What do you guys make of that situation?

shotzette · 05-16-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTF955

(Foreboding voice): Remember, this is about the character.

Obviously, the actor left, but there must be some explanation for a character disappearing. I wrote this http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3334476/...uck_Cunningham maybe 10 years ago and finally posted it a few years ago despite the fact I didn't write as well then.

It made sense to me, that a tragic death could keep them from mentioning him - my grandparents had that experience with a stillborn baby, but there are a few other options.

@2 makes it even more plausible - but wouldn't there be some residual shock in the season right after his last appearance, even if it was 4-5 months later on the calendar?

3. Remember that we see less than 1% of each week of their lives (1/2 hour out of 168.) He could contact them, etc.. And, since Marion's comment about their 2 children was breaking the 4th wall in the finale, technically it doesn't have to be canon. (Plus, parents can misspeak.)

4. Makes sense condiering that he wasn't in a lot of episdoes int he first 2 anyway, and it would be like the Cunninghams to help someone like this, hence their acceptance of the Fonz.

5. I don't recall the series enough, but...would it be possible for him to just be there but not in the time we don't see? Not as a close family member, perhaps, but if he was a distant cousin or just adopted at 17 or something, say?

shotzette · 05-16-2009, 09:05 PM

Chuck became a drag queen and moved to Chicago where he starred in his own burlesque review for many years before retiring to Key West. The family never recovered from their discovery of his 6" red stilletto heels and went into complete denial that they had ever had an older son.

FanofRetroTV · 05-20-2009, 04:44 PM

I think Mork went back in time and stopped Howard and Marion from making love the night Chuck was to be consived

Dr. Thong · 05-20-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanofRetroTV

I think Mork went back in time and stopped Howard and Marion from making love the night Chuck was to be consived

Not necessary, as we all know that people didn't have sex in the fifties.

catlover79 · 05-20-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Not necessary, as we all know that people didn't have sex in the fifties.

FanofRetroTV · 05-21-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Not necessary, as we all know that people didn't have sex in the fifties.

That's why I said 'making love' instead of sex, that word didn't exist

catlover79 · 05-21-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanofRetroTV

That's why I said 'making love' instead of sex, that word didn't exist

I don't think that existed either - everyone slept in twin beds back then, remember??

View Poll Results: What do you think happened to Chuck Cunningham?
Tragically murdered after leaving Milwaukee, family too shocked to ever mention him	1	6.67%
Like above, but in front of them, too traumatic to mention Chuck	2	13.33%
Left Milwaukee, rarely called, could have been mentioned in time we don't see	10	66.67%
Wasn't really related, just treated like it like Fonz later, left Milwaukee	0	0%
Like above, but was around in time we don't see	2	13.33%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

05-15-2009, 08:10 AM	#1
DTF955 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Posts: 408	*What do you* think happened to Chuck Cunningham?** (Foreboding voice): Remember, this is about the character. Obviously, the actor left, but there must be some explanation for a character disappearing. I wrote this http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3334476/...uck_Cunningham maybe 10 years ago and finally posted it a few years ago despite the fact I didn't write as well then. It made sense to me, that a tragic death could keep them from mentioning him - my grandparents had that experience with a stillborn baby, but there are a few other options. @2 makes it even more plausible - but wouldn't there be some residual shock in the season right after his last appearance, even if it was 4-5 months later on the calendar? 3. Remember that we see less than 1% of each week of their lives (1/2 hour out of 168.) He could contact them, etc.. And, since Marion's comment about their 2 children was breaking the 4th wall in the finale, technically it doesn't have to be canon. (Plus, parents can misspeak.) 4. Makes sense condiering that he wasn't in a lot of episdoes int he first 2 anyway, and it would be like the Cunninghams to help someone like this, hence their acceptance of the Fonz. 5. I don't recall the series enough, but...would it be possible for him to just be there but not in the time we don't see? Not as a close family member, perhaps, but if he was a distant cousin or just adopted at 17 or something, say?
	__________________ Full House Chronology - at the webite "Tanner Central" among others (or e-mail fullhousechron (at) aol.com. "If Baseball Integrated Early," about baseball integrated fromt he beginning, & other works at baseballwhatifs (at) aol.com

05-15-2009, 08:19 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	He's on the island of misfit TV characters with Judy Winslow (Family Matters), Carl Dixon (Good Times), etc.
	__________________ "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

05-15-2009, 01:13 PM	#3
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	Remember that closet that was never opened that was shown in season 3-11? Yeah he wasi n there
	__________________ Id Love to help you Tracy, but I cant have sex with a black guy, Id lose my endorsement deal with NASCAR-Jenna Maroney,30 Rock April 17,2009 9:02 PM : 100,000th post!

05-15-2009, 06:43 PM	#7
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I think Fonzie killed him and the Cunninghams were so stunned they decided never to speak of him again. I think they were afraid if they didn't take in Fonzie, he might hurt them as well. Of course, Fonzie later committed the atrocity of introducing his cousin Chachi to the family -- Arthur Fonzarelli was a cruel man down deep.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

05-15-2009, 04:53 PM	#4
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	^ lol! Or he may have joined the service like Shirley Fenney's brother Bobby did.

05-15-2009, 06:49 PM	#8
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	One series whose page has not received any posts in years is that of "Nurses"! Well, I think that you could make a case that there was also a character in that show who suffered from "Chuck Cunningham Syndrome"! I remember, at the start of the series there was a dark-haired nurse from Texas. Her name was Sandy. If my memory is correct, by the start of the third and last season, she was history. I do not remember any explanation as to whatever happened to her. What do you guys make of that situation?

05-16-2009, 09:05 PM	#10
shotzette Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2004 Posts: 1,782	Chuck became a drag queen and moved to Chicago where he starred in his own burlesque review for many years before retiring to Key West. The family never recovered from their discovery of his 6" red stilletto heels and went into complete denial that they had ever had an older son.

05-20-2009, 04:44 PM	#11
FanofRetroTV Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 292	I think Mork went back in time and stopped Howard and Marion from making love the night Chuck was to be consived