Happy Days turns 30 this year, so there is a celebration going on. After all, one does not turn 30 without others taking notice.
In this case, this television show was so huge that they had to plan a reunion of their major cast members. Specifically, the Cunninghams, the Fonz, Chachi, Potsie, and Ralph Malph. Oh yeah, and Laverne and Shirley. Garry Marshall, the show's longtime producer had to, since he and Penny Marshall, who plays Laverne, are brother and sister.
The opening segment was a nice touch. While playing the now famous theme song, the cast was shown as they were in the show and as they look today. Some were not hard to figure out. For example, Ron Howard, formerly Opie on The Andy Griffith Show, went from playing Richie to directing and producing some of today's biggest movies. And Henry Winkler, the Fonz, has appeared in many a project. Remember him in The Practice?
Of course, others have not exactly been out of the picture either. Anson Williams (Potsie) went on to a singing career (he's probably the only one who can carry a tune) as well as directing many a television show, such as CSI (the original). The Cunningham parents continued their careers with parts, too. They are pretty hard to miss. I saw Marion Ross (Mrs C) on Jane Pauley the other day. And Scott Baio used to be on Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke.
The program took viewers on a nostalgic trip through the planning stages (two tries to get on air), bloopers, WInkler's home movies, and questions from a live audience.
No, it wasn't always a fun comedy. Remember when Arnold's burned down? But they were also able to do good, like increase library card signups 500% after the Fonz got his. And the cast formed a softball team to raise money for charities. They played in major league ballparks about a couple of times a year.
That being said, it was a pretty good representation of life back in the fifties when teenagers were growing up, sometimes too fast.
Article comments
1 - Bill Salerno
I missed the show. Will it be recorded on DVD? Where can I get a copy?
2 - Diet Doc
For my jaundiced eye, yet another "Reunion Show" displays, in microcosm, that television today is bereft of original ideas. Nothing against "Happy Days"; I liked the show.
When the hottest new shows are all "reality TV," it seems producers have completely run out of ideas ("Desperate Housewives," "Nip/Tuck," and "24" being notable exceptions). And even the "Reality" genre appears to be sucking wind (witness "Strange Love" - OY!).
Creativity in both movies and TV seems to be on holiday.
[End of editorial. We return you now to regular programming.]
Cheers,
Ron
3 - NancyGail
Thursday Night Feb 3 2005 was the Reunion date it showed on ABC, As for DVD, couldn't say. I don't even own a player.
Yes,reunion shows can be trite. Some of those reunions, however, can come from shows that made a huge impact.
Bring back Boston Legal! As clever as DH is,I watched for the show following. Smart writing, strong cast. And now having a Golden Globe winner in Wiliam Shatner.