Question about Jenny Piccolo - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Amanda Hugnkiss · 05-02-2017, 06:00 AM

Why was she portrayed as a girl who wanted to get dates but had a hard time of it? Was it a case of bad writing or something? Cathy Silvers who played her was one of the cutest cast members; and if I was the same age as her and had been a cast member, I would've requested a role as her boyfriend.
God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

Dianne3 · 05-04-2017, 03:50 PM

It's a plot line shows use having a character who can't get a date.

Amanda Hugnkiss · 05-04-2017, 04:40 PM

Well she was definitely a cute girl, more so than Joanie. I would think they'd use a guy who couldn't get a date, and Happy Days did have someone like that once in a while, just never ones that were regulars. I know with Family Ties, it was Skippy who couldn't get dates.
God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

lj01 · 05-04-2017, 07:54 PM

Funny, I thought that was odd too the running joke that she couldn't get a date - she was quite attractive.

I guess the idea must have been that her personality was so obnoxious that she was a turnoff, despite being a cute girl?

Zoneboy · 05-04-2017, 09:23 PM

I read in a tabloid years ago that Erin Moran personally chose Cathy Silvers to play Jenny because she wanted someone that she thought was less attractive than herself. Of course since it was a tabloid there probably wasn't a grain of truth to it and no, I'm not making this up.

Mr. Television · 05-04-2017, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I read in a tabloid years ago that Erin Moran personally chose Cathy Silvers to play Jenny because she wanted someone that she thought was less attractive than herself. Of course since it was a tabloid there probably wasn't a grain of truth to it and no, I'm not making this up.

Yea I wouldn't really believe that because Cathy wasn't a homely girl.

Amanda Hugnkiss · 05-14-2017, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lj01

Funny, I thought that was odd too the running joke that she couldn't get a date - she was quite attractive.

I guess the idea must have been that her personality was so obnoxious that she was a turnoff, despite being a cute girl?

That wouldn't stop me from dating a cute girl. If a girl who looked like her was coming onto me like a dog in heat, I'd let her get away with anything and be the one who she'd be looking for in that song, "It Ain't Me, Babe." Personally, I think the males were queer for not wanting her.

There was a Happy Days episode that took place in 1962 that dealt with civil rights. Did they have civil rights activists back then?

visaman666 · 05-14-2017, 11:01 PM

Gary Marshal said in an interview that the studio wanted a sexy girl, but he insisted on a girl who thought she was sexy. All talk no action in other words.

visaman666 · 05-14-2017, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irelan

There was a Happy Days episode that took place in 1962 that dealt with civil rights. Did they have civil rights activists back then?

Yes, that's when the civil rights movement was at its peak actually. Rosa Parks, refused to give up her seat on a bus.

Amanda Hugnkiss · 05-15-2017, 06:26 AM

If he meant no action as in not being able to get a date, he did it; but I didn't see it as believable. The only one who had a valid reason for not going out with her was Chachi been he already had a steady girlfriend. I'd use Richie as an example, but I believe he left the show before she joined the cast.
God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

Amanda Hugnkiss · 05-19-2017, 03:57 PM

I remember an episode of TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes where they played a joke on the Fonz. Henry Winkler walked into Arnold's, snapped his fingers, and several dudes walked up to him. It was funny to watch, but there were times when he treated Jenny in way that was less than cool and ethical. The owner of the mouth that ate Milwaukee said something about him, and she had to go into the lady's room to avoid getting hit. Unless a girl is trying to act like Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon towards a guy, how was he being cool? There's no way she could literally have a mouth that ate Milwaukee since that's a big city, and he was there to say it. There was also an episode where he went on a date with her where they were supposed to do a skit and they went as a bride and groom, and he was having an uncool fit over the result of the skit. If it was just a skit, then there's no way that could have been a real wedding.

Amanda Hugnkiss · 05-21-2017, 09:14 AM

I have an idea for how the Fonz should've handled that rumor. If he wanted to discipline her, instead of trying to hit her, he should've tickled her; and that would've been more fun. True you can get in trouble for tickling someone, but you can also get in trouble for hitting someone too, and she probably would've been more willing to be tickled. They should do a crossover story between Happy Days and The Beverly Hillbillies because Cathy Silvers is the daughter of the actor Phil Silvers in real life, and he was on a few episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. Can you imagine if the Clampetts were to pay a visit to Arnold's, and Jethro tried to start the juke box with his fist like Fonzie does and accidentally broke it? I imagine the Fonz wouldn't be too thrilled, but Jed's rich enough to not only pay for a new juke box but to buy Arnold's if he wanted to.
God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

robyrob · 05-21-2017, 09:33 AM

i think the premise for Jenny Piccalo having a tough time getting a date was predicated on the assumption that she had a very bad reputation and everyone is aware of it and it is scaring all the guys in town off.

the times she did get dates she was exceedingly clingy and usually did something despicable (lying, cheating, dumping the guy as soon as another guy came along, talking about them or spreading rumors) - heck even the potential to be involved in any of Jenny's rumors would probably be enough to scare a lot of guys off.

Marvo301 · 05-21-2017, 06:25 PM

Also the Jenny Piccolo character was well established long before Cathy Silvers was hired to play her. Joannie was talking about her unseen friend Jenny for several seasons before she became an on screen character so her character was well established long before the producers had any inkling who might someday portray her. as for Erin Moran personally picky Cathy Silvers for the role there`s no way Erin would have had that kind of power or authority. Gary Marshall and his fellow producers would have been the ones making that decision.

Amanda Hugnkiss · 05-21-2017, 07:02 PM

Well if a hot chick who was dating me was spreading rumors, that wouldn't scare me; and I'd just let her have her fun. In any event, the way Fonzie was starting to handle a rumour about him was very wrong; and Dr. Phil would say that a man should never hit a woman. It's one thing to fight with men because they have male strength, but any male who would hit a female is not a man. The only way that's acceptable is if it's in a self defense situation or if you're spanking a daughter.
God bless, Jason Scott Irelan
God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

05-02-2017, 06:00 AM	#1
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	Question about Jenny Piccolo Why was she portrayed as a girl who wanted to get dates but had a hard time of it? Was it a case of bad writing or something? Cathy Silvers who played her was one of the cutest cast members; and if I was the same age as her and had been a cast member, I would've requested a role as her boyfriend. God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

05-04-2017, 09:23 PM	#5
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,416	I read in a tabloid years ago that Erin Moran personally chose Cathy Silvers to play Jenny because she wanted someone that she thought was less attractive than herself. Of course since it was a tabloid there probably wasn't a grain of truth to it and no, I'm not making this up.
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05-21-2017, 09:33 AM	#13
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,200	i think the premise for Jenny Piccalo having a tough time getting a date was predicated on the assumption that she had a very bad reputation and everyone is aware of it and it is scaring all the guys in town off. the times she did get dates she was exceedingly clingy and usually did something despicable (lying, cheating, dumping the guy as soon as another guy came along, talking about them or spreading rumors) - heck even the potential to be involved in any of Jenny's rumors would probably be enough to scare a lot of guys off.
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05-21-2017, 06:25 PM	#14
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Also the Jenny Piccolo character was well established long before Cathy Silvers was hired to play her. Joannie was talking about her unseen friend Jenny for several seasons before she became an on screen character so her character was well established long before the producers had any inkling who might someday portray her. as for Erin Moran personally picky Cathy Silvers for the role there`s no way Erin would have had that kind of power or authority. Gary Marshall and his fellow producers would have been the ones making that decision.
	__________________ 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

05-04-2017, 03:50 PM	#2
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,058	It's a plot line shows use having a character who can't get a date.

05-04-2017, 04:40 PM	#3
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	Well she was definitely a cute girl, more so than Joanie. I would think they'd use a guy who couldn't get a date, and Happy Days did have someone like that once in a while, just never ones that were regulars. I know with Family Ties, it was Skippy who couldn't get dates. God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

05-04-2017, 07:54 PM	#4
lj01 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 14, 2008 Posts: 88	Funny, I thought that was odd too the running joke that she couldn't get a date - she was quite attractive. I guess the idea must have been that her personality was so obnoxious that she was a turnoff, despite being a cute girl?

05-14-2017, 11:01 PM	#8
visaman666 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 818	Gary Marshal said in an interview that the studio wanted a sexy girl, but he insisted on a girl who thought she was sexy. All talk no action in other words.

05-15-2017, 06:26 AM	#10
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	If he meant no action as in not being able to get a date, he did it; but I didn't see it as believable. The only one who had a valid reason for not going out with her was Chachi been he already had a steady girlfriend. I'd use Richie as an example, but I believe he left the show before she joined the cast. God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

05-19-2017, 03:57 PM	#11
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	I remember an episode of TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes where they played a joke on the Fonz. Henry Winkler walked into Arnold's, snapped his fingers, and several dudes walked up to him. It was funny to watch, but there were times when he treated Jenny in way that was less than cool and ethical. The owner of the mouth that ate Milwaukee said something about him, and she had to go into the lady's room to avoid getting hit. Unless a girl is trying to act like Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon towards a guy, how was he being cool? There's no way she could literally have a mouth that ate Milwaukee since that's a big city, and he was there to say it. There was also an episode where he went on a date with her where they were supposed to do a skit and they went as a bride and groom, and he was having an uncool fit over the result of the skit. If it was just a skit, then there's no way that could have been a real wedding.

05-21-2017, 09:14 AM	#12
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	I have an idea for how the Fonz should've handled that rumor. If he wanted to discipline her, instead of trying to hit her, he should've tickled her; and that would've been more fun. True you can get in trouble for tickling someone, but you can also get in trouble for hitting someone too, and she probably would've been more willing to be tickled. They should do a crossover story between Happy Days and The Beverly Hillbillies because Cathy Silvers is the daughter of the actor Phil Silvers in real life, and he was on a few episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. Can you imagine if the Clampetts were to pay a visit to Arnold's, and Jethro tried to start the juke box with his fist like Fonzie does and accidentally broke it? I imagine the Fonz wouldn't be too thrilled, but Jed's rich enough to not only pay for a new juke box but to buy Arnold's if he wanted to. God bless, Jason Scott Irelan

05-21-2017, 07:02 PM	#15
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	Well if a hot chick who was dating me was spreading rumors, that wouldn't scare me; and I'd just let her have her fun. In any event, the way Fonzie was starting to handle a rumour about him was very wrong; and Dr. Phil would say that a man should never hit a woman. It's one thing to fight with men because they have male strength, but any male who would hit a female is not a man. The only way that's acceptable is if it's in a self defense situation or if you're spanking a daughter. God bless, Jason Scott Irelan God bless, Jason Scott Irelan