Happy Days & Laverne & Shirley: Decline began the same season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 01-24-2004, 06:59 PM

It just dawned on me that both Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley both began their downward spiral the same TV season, 1980-81.

Richie and Ralph left HD, taking away a big part of the show and L&S migrated to California. If these shows hadn't already "jumped the shark", they certainly did so this season.

robyrob · 01-25-2004, 11:30 AM

I'm trying to remember how ABC was promoting the show for the new season that year, but all i remember was them talking about all the "big changes"

i think most of the classic shows from the 70-'s were starting to decline by that point, i honestly cant remember what shows were big around that time

(probably Dallas?)

Dr. Thong · 01-25-2004, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by robyrob
I'm trying to remember how ABC was promoting the show for the new season that year, but all i remember was them talking about all the "big changes"

i think most of the classic shows from the 70-'s were starting to decline by that point, i honestly cant remember what shows were big around that time
(probably Dallas?)

Dallas was huge, particularly that year with the "Who Shot J.R.?" craze, which gave way to the nighttime soap genre, with Dynasty and other shows of that ilk premiering soon after.

In fact, sitcoms in general were in decline in the early '80s. By the time Happy Days was cancelled in 1984, the sitcom as a TV genre was on life-support. If The Cosby Show hadn't come along the following season, who knows what would have happened...?

robyrob · 01-27-2004, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Thong
Dallas was huge, particularly that year with the "Who Shot J.R.?" craze, which gave way to the nighttime soap genre, with Dynasty and other shows of that ilk premiering soon after.

In fact, sitcoms in general were in decline in the early '80s. By the time Happy Days was cancelled in 1984, the sitcom as a TV genre was on life-support. If The Cosby Show hadn't come along the following season, who knows what would have happened...?

yeah - they prolly wulda come up with some really bad idea, like a string of pointless reality shows

Mr. Television · 01-27-2004, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by robyrob
yeah - they prolly wulda come up with some really bad idea, like a string of pointless reality shows

chris jacob · 01-27-2004, 05:10 PM

it had a final episde where joanie and chachi hot married it was there final season any way

hawaii five-o · 01-27-2004, 09:06 PM

Laverne and Shirley started to go downhill in 1979 when they moved it to Thursday, away from Happy Days.

01-24-2004, 06:59 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Happy Days & Laverne & Shirley: Decline began the same season It just dawned on me that both Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley both began their downward spiral the same TV season, 1980-81. Richie and Ralph left HD, taking away a big part of the show and L&S migrated to California. If these shows hadn't already "jumped the shark", they certainly did so this season.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

01-25-2004, 11:30 AM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,179	I'm trying to remember how ABC was promoting the show for the new season that year, but all i remember was them talking about all the "big changes" i think most of the classic shows from the 70-'s were starting to decline by that point, i honestly cant remember what shows *were* big around that time (probably Dallas?)
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01-27-2004, 05:10 PM	#6
chris jacob Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 06, 2000 Location: Hartford Posts: 753	Happy days as not canceld in 84 it had a final episde where joanie and chachi hot married it was there final season any way
	__________________ chris jacob

01-27-2004, 09:06 PM	#7
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	Laverne and Shirley started to go downhill in 1979 when they moved it to Thursday, away from Happy Days.