Why was Chuck Cunningham written out of the show and then forgotten - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Novarro · 06-02-2002, 07:06 PM

I was always curious to know why Chuck Cunningham , Ritchie's older brother simply disappeared from the show and was never referred to again. In later years it was as though there were only two Cunningham children. Can anyone tell me why?

TJL · 06-02-2002, 07:24 PM

It is one of the unsolved mysteries of TV. What happened to Chuck Cunningham....

My guess is the producers/wirters/creative folk weighed the strengths and weaknesses of the show, and Chuck was one of the weakest links. He was never around, always in class or basketball practice, so he really didn't contribute much to the show.
Originally, the show was supposed to focus on Richie and his friend Potsie and The Cunninghams, but focus was soon pulled towards Richie's pals, particularly The Fonz, Ralph and the other assorted characters at Arnold's. Plus, the show went from a filmed 50's style "Leave It To Beaver" family themed show to before a live audience 70's sitcom, so they needed strong characters to maintain a good comedic ensemble, and Chuck the always absent older college student brother just wasn't funny enough.

Or....
Maybe the guy who played Chuck got into a fight with the Producers, and they wrote his character out just to spite him.

kck · 06-02-2002, 07:42 PM

It seems to me that two actors played Chuck. One in each of the first two seasons. If anyone knows for sure please post.

TJL · 06-02-2002, 08:55 PM

Gavin O'Herlihy played Chuck in 1974 for some episodes.
Randolph Roberts took over the role in 1974 until Chuck's unexplained disappearance in 1975.

This whole thing has X-Files written all over it!

DetectiveGriffin · 06-02-2002, 09:19 PM

LOL. They never did really explain it, but when they realized fonzie was so popular, they really wanted to make him into an older brother type to richie, which was no good since he had an older brother.
on the happy days biography, they said chuck was on a scholarship to the university of outter mongolia.

Rockapella722 · 06-02-2002, 09:44 PM

LOL. You're right. He is forgotton. I would have never thought of him again if you hadn't posted this.

I didn't think he was that strong of a character. That was most likely it.

Cactus Jack · 06-02-2002, 10:16 PM

I realize that Chuck was hardly in it! Only the first two seasons, besides Happy Days was much better w/o him in my opinion I Have An Opinion!!

Marvo301 · 06-11-2002, 08:27 PM

As the character of Aurthur Fonzarelli was developed during the run of the show he became more and more like a big brother to Ritchie. This made Ritchie's actual big brother Chuck completely unnecessary to the storyline. Therefore for all intents and purposes Chuck ceased to exist.( or maybe he dissappeared into the Twilight Zone?!?!)

06-02-2002, 07:06 PM	#1
Novarro Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 02, 2002 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 191	Why was Chuck Cunningham written out of the show and then forgotten I was always curious to know why Chuck Cunningham , Ritchie's older brother simply disappeared from the show and was never referred to again. In later years it was as though there were only two Cunningham children. Can anyone tell me why?

06-02-2002, 07:24 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	It is one of the unsolved mysteries of TV. What happened to Chuck Cunningham.... My guess is the producers/wirters/creative folk weighed the strengths and weaknesses of the show, and Chuck was one of the weakest links. He was never around, always in class or basketball practice, so he really didn't contribute much to the show. Originally, the show was supposed to focus on Richie and his friend Potsie and The Cunninghams, but focus was soon pulled towards Richie's pals, particularly The Fonz, Ralph and the other assorted characters at Arnold's. Plus, the show went from a filmed 50's style "Leave It To Beaver" family themed show to before a live audience 70's sitcom, so they needed strong characters to maintain a good comedic ensemble, and Chuck the always absent older college student brother just wasn't funny enough. Or.... Maybe the guy who played Chuck got into a fight with the Producers, and they wrote his character out just to spite him.
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06-02-2002, 07:42 PM	#3
kck Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 28, 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 39	It seems to me that two actors played Chuck. One in each of the first two seasons. If anyone knows for sure please post.
	__________________ Security is my biz, classic sitcoms are my passion

06-02-2002, 09:44 PM	#6
Rockapella722 .B.A.D.G.E.R. .G.I.R.L. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 28, 2001 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,489	LOL. You're right. He is forgotton. I would have never thought of him again if you hadn't posted this. I didn't think he was that strong of a character. That was most likely it.
	__________________ ...Queer Eye For The Straight Guy... "You guys, look. This is my pile of stuff I don't like..... is it getting too big?" -Thom Filicia \| livejournal \| email \|

06-02-2002, 08:55 PM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Gavin O'Herlihy played Chuck in 1974 for some episodes. Randolph Roberts took over the role in 1974 until Chuck's unexplained disappearance in 1975. This whole thing has X-Files written all over it!

06-02-2002, 09:19 PM	#5
DetectiveGriffin Sankontessou! Senior Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2001 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 1,288	LOL. They never did really explain it, but when they realized fonzie was so popular, they really wanted to make him into an older brother type to richie, which was no good since he had an older brother. on the happy days biography, they said chuck was on a scholarship to the university of outter mongolia.

06-02-2002, 10:16 PM	#7
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	I realize that Chuck was hardly in it! Only the first two seasons, besides Happy Days was much better w/o him in my opinion I Have An Opinion!!

06-11-2002, 08:27 PM	#8
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	As the character of Aurthur Fonzarelli was developed during the run of the show he became more and more like a big brother to Ritchie. This made Ritchie's actual big brother Chuck completely unnecessary to the storyline. Therefore for all intents and purposes Chuck ceased to exist.( or maybe he dissappeared into the Twilight Zone?!?!)