Happy Days didn't start on its own - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

The Flying Dutchmans · 10-18-2012, 04:00 PM

Love American Style is where it started. An episode titled "Love and the Happy Days" of course only a couple of the original actors were brought back for the TV series. And in the LAS version, there was no Fonzie. Only Ron Howard---Marion Ross and Anson Williams returned for the series. Joannie and Howard were played by other actors.

steevo · 11-05-2012, 11:30 AM

I remember watching this episode when ME-TV ran it recently. It centered around the Cunningham family being one of the first in their neighborhood to get a TV and had a viewing party celebrating it. Richie agonized inviting a girl over his best friend Potsie.

Marvo301 · 11-05-2012, 02:58 PM

Happy Days was also helped along by the success of the movie "American Graffitti". When that movie was so successful TV networks looked to capitilize on the nostalgia craze it started. And someone remembered this segment from "Love American Style" and thought maybe we can make a series out of that.

rcbrad · 11-05-2012, 09:20 PM

It originally was a Pilot on it's own. It was not made for Love American Style. It was a pilot that was passed on, to develop as a series. Many filmed unsold pilots were used for LAS in addition to scripts that were produced just for the series.

Yes as Marvo301 points out, the success of American Graffiti, prompted a second look at the unsold 1971 pilot. It was created by Gary Marshall.

Garry Marshall and ABC recast the unsold pilot to turn Love and the Happy Days into a series. The original title of the series was a New Family in town. The title was changed to Love and the Happy Days when it aired on LAS.

Schmo · 07-11-2019, 10:34 PM

“Love And the Happy Days” ran a full 30 minutes?

10-18-2012, 04:00 PM	#1
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	Happy Days didn't start on its own Love American Style is where it started. An episode titled "Love and the Happy Days" of course only a couple of the original actors were brought back for the TV series. And in the LAS version, there was no Fonzie. Only Ron Howard---Marion Ross and Anson Williams returned for the series. Joannie and Howard were played by other actors.
	__________________ A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief." The Flying Dutchman

11-05-2012, 11:30 AM	#2
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,474	I remember watching this episode when ME-TV ran it recently. It centered around the Cunningham family being one of the first in their neighborhood to get a TV and had a viewing party celebrating it. Richie agonized inviting a girl over his best friend Potsie.
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

11-05-2012, 02:58 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	Happy Days was also helped along by the success of the movie "American Graffitti". When that movie was so successful TV networks looked to capitilize on the nostalgia craze it started. And someone remembered this segment from "Love American Style" and thought maybe we can make a series out of that.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-05-2012, 09:20 PM	#4
rcbrad Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Posts: 479	It originally was a Pilot on it's own. It was not made for Love American Style. It was a pilot that was passed on, to develop as a series. Many filmed unsold pilots were used for LAS in addition to scripts that were produced just for the series. Yes as Marvo301 points out, the success of American Graffiti, prompted a second look at the unsold 1971 pilot. It was created by Gary Marshall. Garry Marshall and ABC recast the unsold pilot to turn Love and the Happy Days into a series. The original title of the series was a New Family in town. The title was changed to Love and the Happy Days when it aired on LAS.

07-11-2019, 10:34 PM	#5
Schmo Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 24, 2013 Posts: 466	“Love And the Happy Days” ran a full 30 minutes?