Why Fonzie and Pinky DIDN'T work as a couple

[Dr. Thong]

I was watching the "Fonzie Loves Pinky" 3 parter on MeTV last week and it dawned on me why Fonzie and Pinky wouldn't have worked as a couple.

The answer? They're too much alike.

Yes, Henry Winkler and Roz Kelly had great chemistry together, but the characters are too much alike. Pinky is essentially a female Fonzie. They got along great in the beginning, but once Pinky became a star and she asserted her superiority over Fonzie by writing him a check for his services as "Prez" of her organization, the party was over.

If Fonzie couldn't accept the fact that she was the star, whose celebrity would come to dominate the relationship, it was doomed to failure. And that's in addition to the fact they're too similar.

And while both characters are a little full of themselves, Henry Winkler as Fonzie is more likeable and charming than Roz Kelly, who in my opinion, comes off as a little obnoxious. After three episodes of her, it wore on me. I think the producers made a wise decision not to bring Pinky/Roz back.

[Dr. Thong]

Someone must agree or disagree with this.

[robyrob]

I agree, but I found Pinky to be more than just obnoxious

I think they could have had her in more episodes if they hadn't done the bit with the check and having Fonzie be her employee - they really backed themselves into a corner there

the way I remember it, viewers HATED Pinky and there was no way she was coming back

[MRPITT]

Originally Posted by robyrob

the way I remember it, viewers HATED Pinky and there was no way she was coming back

Not only did the viewers not like Pinky, but none of the cast got along with her.

[Torgo]

Annoying character, glad she didn't last. Her younger sister though I wouldn't have minded if she was in more episodes.

[PracTz]

Agree that Pinky just didn't mesh with the Fonz or the rest of the HD gang and it even seemed as though that conclusion was reached by the time her story arc was done.

However, what's weird is that I can remember Roz Kelly appearing on at least one variety show around the time of HD's season premiere being promoted as playing Fonzie's new (and permanent) love interest. I wonder if they had had higher expectations for the character and put her on that variety show to promote the character (and the show itself) only to discover the character had already imploded by the time the HD arc had ended- but the variety show had already been taped and they couldn't undo it so they went ahead and aired it! They also had her do a week's worth of 'Match Game, '76' game show episodes in which Miss Kelly was promoted as 'Fonzie's girlfriend' but not only did she not last in that role but she was barely a momentary meteorite much less a 'star' but I guess the HD and 'Match Game' suits had thought it would work out before they had her on. Oh, BTW, she somewhat bombed on 'Match Game' with unfunny and dumb answers that didn't match!

I guess we should be lucky that at NO point did she appear with Leather (Miss Quatro) because one can't imagine those two having ANY chemistry whatsoever as sisters (in part because Miss Quatro DID actually mesh with the HD gang as a friend even though she played Fonzie's ex's sis).

[Dr. Thong]

Even if Roz hadn't been so obnoxious, I still think it wouldn't have worked, because part of Fonzie's appeal was the fact that he was this stud who had a different girlfriend for each day of the week.

I think tying him down to one permanent girlfriend would have diminished his appeal.

I think a good scenario -- had Roz not been so off-putting -- would be to have her as a recurring character, maybe appearing 3 or 4 times a season. She could resume her romance with Fonzie when she visited on breaks from her road tour, with the understanding that once she was on the road, Fonzie could go back to his other chicks.

[Dr. Thong]

I think Leather Tuscadero (Suzi Quatro) was nicer, cuter, and more down to earth than Pinky. Pinky was full of herself.

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I think Leather Tuscadero (Suzi Quatro) was nicer, cuter, and more down to earth than Pinky. Pinky was full of herself.

I FULLY agree! And Pinky failed Leather as a sister in that she didn't lift a finger to help Leather back on her feet to become a productive citizen after her prison stint while her own ex-boyfriend Fonzie and the HD DID have her back even though they had no real obligation to do so.

[Schmo]

Originally Posted by MRPITT

Not only did the viewers not like Pinky, but none of the cast got along with her.

The cast didn’t get along with “Pinky” or the actress playing her?

[Schmo]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I think Leather Tuscadero (Suzi Quatro) was nicer, cuter, and more down to earth than Pinky. Pinky was full of herself.

Suzi was a popular singer in the UK, but did not catch on in the US, despite being a Detroit native.

[80s Dude]

Sometimes the chemistry between the cast is so bad that the acting can't disguise it.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by Schmo

The cast didn’t get along with “Pinky” or the actress playing her?

No, and from all accounts, it was all on Roz Kelly, who had a bit of an attitude and did not try to be nice. I think she sabotaged her career by doing that.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Sometimes the chemistry between the cast is so bad that the acting can't disguise it.

Are you referring to Roz (Pinky) or Suzi (Leather) or what?

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by Schmo

Suzi was a popular singer in the UK, but did not catch on in the US, despite being a Detroit native.

She did have a top 10 hit in the U.S. in 1979, probably because of her exposure on Happy Days, "Stumblin' In," a duet with Chris Norman. More "yacht rock" than the type of old school rock 'n roll Suzi was known for.