Would You Really Consider 'Mork & Mindy' A Spin-off of 'Happy Days?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-10-2010, 10:55 AM

I know he first appeared on Happy Days, but the concepts of each sitcom are so different. 'Happy Days' was a sitcom based in the 50's while Mork was based in the present day of the '70's. 'mork & Mindy' was also very silly and wacky while Happy Days was more based on realistic situations. Thoughts?

old grouch · 06-10-2010, 12:01 PM

Technically it was a spin off. But the only reason it was a spin off was because 'Happy Days' was red hot at the time and they wanted to use it as a springboard to launch a new show by the same producers. But 'Mork and Mindy' probably could have been successful on its own.

catlover79 · 06-10-2010, 02:28 PM

Yes - Mork appeared first on Happy Days and then got his own show. That, in my mind, makes a spinoff. (Sorry, Solomon!!

)

McGillicuddy · 07-07-2010, 09:59 PM

Technically, it is but wasn't Mork & Mindy set in present day (While Happy Days is set in the '50's)? Just like Blansky's Beauties (Nancy Walker's Show) was a spin-off of Happy Days, as Nancy Blansky was first introduced as Howard Cunningham's cousin.
But, this show was set in present day also, and had Scott Baio, Lynda Goodfriend , Eddie Mekka and Pat Mortia playing different characters from those on HD and Laverne & Shirley.

Laverne & Shirley and Joanie Loves Chachi are the only full-fledged spin-offs of Happy Days!

TVFactFan · 07-11-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I know he first appeared on Happy Days, but the concepts of each sitcom are so different. 'Happy Days' was a sitcom based in the 50's while Mork was based in the present day of the '70's. 'mork & Mindy' was also very silly and wacky while Happy Days was more based on realistic situations. Thoughts?

Yes it was a spinoff but it was hard to tell in syndication. Even in the Happy Day eps that Mork appeared in it just came across as a guest appearance not really a set up episode for the character that would start the new spinoff. I think the connection to Happy Days was only seen on ABC in 1978

Dr. Thong · 07-11-2010, 03:10 PM

Mork's first appearance on HD was that of a guest character. It wasn't the original intention to spin him off. However, once the network saw the episode and the audience's reaction to Robin Williams, they got the wheels in motion and quickly developed a show for Mork.

And yes, Mork & Mindy was set in the late seventies, but Mork was an alien, so he was capable of time travel.

In his second appearance on Happy Days, Mork explains that he's come back from 1979. Fonzie asks him about two things: Cars and girls.

Mork responds, "In 1979, both are faster."

TVFactFan · 07-11-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Mork's first appearance on HD was that of a guest character. It wasn't the original intention to spin him off. However, once the network saw the episode and the audience's reaction to Robin Williams, they got the wheels in motion and quickly developed a show for Mork.

And yes, Mork & Mindy was set in the late seventies, but Mork was an alien, so he was capable of time travel.

In his second appearance on Happy Days, Mork explains that he's come back from 1979. Fonzie asks him about two things: Cars and girls.

Mork responds, "In 1979, both are faster."

That's right, It wasn't supposed to be a spinoff and then when it was a new Report to Ork was made.

Dr. Thong · 07-11-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

That's right, It wasn't supposed to be a spinoff and then when it was a new Report to Ork was made.

I believe the scene you're referring to was added to reruns of Mork's first appearance at the end of the episode.

In the original version, Mork's appearance was explained as a dream of Richie's.

If they ever release season five of Happy Days, I wonder if they'll put the original aired version or the re-edited one.

TVFactFan · 07-11-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I believe the scene you're referring to was added to reruns of Mork's first appearance at the end of the episode.

In the original version, Mork's appearance was explained as a dream of Richie's.

If they ever release season five of Happy Days, I wonder if they'll put the original aired version or the re-edited one.

Is there any connection to Happy Days on the season 1 DVD of M&M?

Dr. Thong · 07-11-2010, 04:23 PM

Yes. Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Laverne (Penny Marshall) appear in the first Mork And Mindy episode.

TVFactFan · 07-11-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Yes. Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Laverne (Penny Marshall) appear in the first Mork And Mindy episode.

I mean before the opening credits like a teaser

Dr. Thong · 07-11-2010, 05:58 PM

I don't remember M&M having a pre-credits sequence or teaser. It just started with the opening theme and cast credits.

robyrob · 07-11-2010, 06:09 PM

Robin Williams wasn't even the first choice for the Mork character, he was a last minute replacement for John Byner (the reason why the spacesuit was so ridiculously tight on RW).

the ratings and hype after the first Mork episode made the network jump on the idea of giving Robin Williams his own show as a spinoff from Happy Days at the start of the next season.

tmac81s · 02-22-2011, 04:51 AM

[QUOTE=markway895]Mork & Mindy set in present day (While Happy Days is set in the '50's)? Just like Blansky's Beauties (Nancy Walker's Show) was a spin-off of Happy Days, as Nancy Blansky was first introduced as Howard Cunningham's cousin.
But, this show was set in present day also, and had Scott Baio, Lynda Goodfriend , Eddie Mekka and Pat Mortia playing different characters from those on HD and Laverne & Shirley.

[QUOTE]

The odd thing with Blansky's Beauties....

1) Almost 20 years pass from her appearance on HD, and she's not aged!
2) Pinky Tuscadero appears on BB, and like Nancy, she doesn't appear to have aged!

At least they made Eddie Mekka's character a relative of Carmine and not actually Carmine. As for all the other actors appearing on both (as different characters), I wonder if either (a) they were undercontract to Paramount and they wanted to use them all they could, or (b) the producers hoped that seeing so many familar faces from "Happy Days" might help with ratings?

Dr. Thong · 02-22-2011, 11:19 AM

What was interesting is that Nancy Walker and Pat Morita had both starred in failed sitcoms in the fall of 1976. Blansky's Beauties premiered in mid-season 1977, which meant that their agents worked fast in finding them another show.

I don't remember much about the show. I do recall watching it and thinking it was cool to see Pinky and Arnold again, and that Caren Kaye was stone cold gorgeous, though.

06-10-2010, 10:55 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Would You Really Consider 'Mork & Mindy' A Spin-off of 'Happy Days?' I know he first appeared on Happy Days, but the concepts of each sitcom are so different. 'Happy Days' was a sitcom based in the 50's while Mork was based in the present day of the '70's. 'mork & Mindy' was also very silly and wacky while Happy Days was more based on realistic situations. Thoughts?
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06-10-2010, 02:28 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Yes - Mork appeared first on Happy Days and then got his own show. That, in my mind, makes a spinoff. (Sorry, Solomon!! )
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07-11-2010, 03:10 PM	#6
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	Mork's first appearance on HD was that of a guest character. It wasn't the original intention to spin him off. However, once the network saw the episode and the audience's reaction to Robin Williams, they got the wheels in motion and quickly developed a show for Mork. And yes, Mork & Mindy was set in the late seventies, but Mork was an alien, so he was capable of time travel. In his second appearance on Happy Days, Mork explains that he's come back from 1979. Fonzie asks him about two things: Cars and girls. Mork responds, "In 1979, both are faster."
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07-11-2010, 06:09 PM	#13
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,156	Robin Williams wasn't even the first choice for the Mork character, he was a last minute replacement for John Byner (the reason why the spacesuit was so ridiculously tight on RW). the ratings and hype after the first Mork episode made the network jump on the idea of giving Robin Williams his own show as a spinoff from Happy Days at the start of the next season.
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02-22-2011, 04:51 AM	#14
tmac81s Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 06, 2011 Location: Kalispell, MT, USA Posts: 203	[QUOTE=markway895]Mork & Mindy set in present day (While Happy Days is set in the '50's)? Just like Blansky's Beauties (Nancy Walker's Show) was a spin-off of Happy Days, as Nancy Blansky was first introduced as Howard Cunningham's cousin. But, this show was set in present day also, and had Scott Baio, Lynda Goodfriend , Eddie Mekka and Pat Mortia playing different characters from those on HD and Laverne & Shirley. [QUOTE] The odd thing with Blansky's Beauties.... 1) Almost 20 years pass from her appearance on HD, and she's not aged! 2) Pinky Tuscadero appears on BB, and like Nancy, she doesn't appear to have aged! At least they made Eddie Mekka's character a relative of Carmine and not actually Carmine. As for all the other actors appearing on both (as different characters), I wonder if either (a) they were undercontract to Paramount and they wanted to use them all they could, or (b) the producers hoped that seeing so many familar faces from "Happy Days" might help with ratings?
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06-10-2010, 12:01 PM	#2
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	Technically it was a spin off. But the only reason it was a spin off was because 'Happy Days' was red hot at the time and they wanted to use it as a springboard to launch a new show by the same producers. But 'Mork and Mindy' probably could have been successful on its own.

07-07-2010, 09:59 PM	#4
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Technically, it is but wasn't Mork & Mindy set in present day (While Happy Days is set in the '50's)? Just like Blansky's Beauties (Nancy Walker's Show) was a spin-off of Happy Days, as Nancy Blansky was first introduced as Howard Cunningham's cousin. But, this show was set in present day also, and had Scott Baio, Lynda Goodfriend , Eddie Mekka and Pat Mortia playing different characters from those on HD and Laverne & Shirley. Laverne & Shirley and Joanie Loves Chachi are the only full-fledged spin-offs of Happy Days!

07-11-2010, 04:23 PM	#10
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	Yes. Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Laverne (Penny Marshall) appear in the first Mork And Mindy episode.

07-11-2010, 05:58 PM	#12
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	I don't remember M&M having a pre-credits sequence or teaser. It just started with the opening theme and cast credits.

02-22-2011, 11:19 AM	#15
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	What was interesting is that Nancy Walker and Pat Morita had both starred in failed sitcoms in the fall of 1976. Blansky's Beauties premiered in mid-season 1977, which meant that their agents worked fast in finding them another show. I don't remember much about the show. I do recall watching it and thinking it was cool to see Pinky and Arnold again, and that Caren Kaye was stone cold gorgeous, though.