The Cunningham's Yard - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

CameraQueen · 12-31-2001, 08:09 PM

I've never noticed this until now, having reviewed tapes of some old shows because I'm doing a Happy Days neighborhood for The Sims (yeah I know, I have no life)...anyway, up until about the last season, the side kitchen door led out to the driveway, garage with the basketball hoop. and the stairs to Fonzie's apartment. Then during the last season, suddenly in one episode that door led directly to a nicely maintained backyard, complete with bbq. During the wedding episode, that same door (from the outside) seemed to lead into some kind of laundry room or something. Anyone know what was going on here? I'm so confused...I need answers!! LOL

Geoff · 01-01-2002, 10:29 PM

If you check throughout the show, the backyard was always there. (ie. The Bomb Shelter episode from Series 2) Apparently the backyard set (and it was a set) was simply changed according to the logistics required by the storyline. Remember Marion and Howard getting married on their 25th Wedding Anniversary in the back yard (Series 7), the Series 8 two parter when Lori Beth announced she was pregnant at the family BBQ?
And what about when Joanie had moved to Chicago and Marion hired the huge campervan that sat in the driveway. And there's the rub. The Side door leading to the garage,basketball hoop and Stairs to Fonzie's apartment was actually the SIDE entrance in the driveway. The Backyard is where its always been.
A more interesting trivia question should be "Why did the front door to the Cunningham household change from the left side of screen to the right side? (Answer: The first 2 years was filmed on a closed set, the remainder of the show's run was filmed live in front of a studio audience, neccisating the placement of the door to the right hand side of screen, which also altered the kitchen setup somewhat if you'll also note).

CameraQueen · 01-01-2002, 10:37 PM

Well, see, that's the thing...I always thought that there was a backyard AND the little side yard thing (where the garage was) but in the episode where Joanie decides not to go back to Chicago with Chachi, Howard and Chachi are in the backyard talking and then chachi goes inside. Then Howard goes inside and the camera cuts from him entering the house from the backyard door to a reverse shot of him coming in through the kitchen door. That's what confused me.

wayne · 01-03-2002, 12:22 AM

The backyard may have always been there, but there must have been shows in which it wasn't used.I remember the episode with Bob & Ray as ministers was there. The dialogue with them & Ritchie is one of the most funny of the show, the one in which Rich bites on a pillow!

12-31-2001, 08:09 PM	#1
CameraQueen Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 08, 2001 Location: MA Posts: 602	The Cunningham's Yard I've never noticed this until now, having reviewed tapes of some old shows because I'm doing a Happy Days neighborhood for The Sims (yeah I know, I have no life)...anyway, up until about the last season, the side kitchen door led out to the driveway, garage with the basketball hoop. and the stairs to Fonzie's apartment. Then during the last season, suddenly in one episode that door led directly to a nicely maintained backyard, complete with bbq. During the wedding episode, that same door (from the outside) seemed to lead into some kind of laundry room or something. Anyone know what was going on here? I'm so confused...I need answers!! LOL
	__________________ <center>http://www.tvlinksonline.com/boards/...&postid=499947<center> <center>http://www.kids-incorporated.net/pictures/smcast4.JPG</center> <center>K! I! D! S! Yeah!! </center>

01-01-2002, 10:29 PM	#2
Geoff Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 75	Cunnigham's backyard. If you check throughout the show, the backyard was always there. (ie. The Bomb Shelter episode from Series 2) Apparently the backyard set (and it was a set) was simply changed according to the logistics required by the storyline. Remember Marion and Howard getting married on their 25th Wedding Anniversary in the back yard (Series 7), the Series 8 two parter when Lori Beth announced she was pregnant at the family BBQ? And what about when Joanie had moved to Chicago and Marion hired the huge campervan that sat in the driveway. And there's the rub. The Side door leading to the garage,basketball hoop and Stairs to Fonzie's apartment was actually the SIDE entrance in the driveway. The Backyard is where its always been. A more interesting trivia question should be "Why did the front door to the Cunningham household change from the left side of screen to the right side? (Answer: The first 2 years was filmed on a closed set, the remainder of the show's run was filmed live in front of a studio audience, neccisating the placement of the door to the right hand side of screen, which also altered the kitchen setup somewhat if you'll also note).
	Last edited by Geoff; 01-01-2002 at 10:34 PM.

01-03-2002, 12:22 AM	#4
wayne Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2000 Location: portland Oregon, Inspiration Point Posts: 1,047	The backyard may have always been there, but there must have been shows in which it wasn't used.I remember the episode with Bob & Ray as ministers was there. The dialogue with them & Ritchie is one of the most funny of the show, the one in which Rich bites on a pillow!
	__________________ wayne's world

01-01-2002, 10:37 PM	#3
CameraQueen Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 08, 2001 Location: MA Posts: 602	Well, see, that's the thing...I always thought that there was a backyard AND the little side yard thing (where the garage was) but in the episode where Joanie decides not to go back to Chicago with Chachi, Howard and Chachi are in the backyard talking and then chachi goes inside. Then Howard goes inside and the camera cuts from him entering the house from the backyard door to a reverse shot of him coming in through the kitchen door. That's what confused me.