Happy Days

Happy Days TV Show

Happy Days, one of the most popular family comedies of the 70's and 80's, ran from 1974 to 1984 on ABC.  This show basically revolved around the Cunningham family, their friends, and action at the Cunningham house and the local hamburger joint (Al’s Drive In).  The main characters were Howard Cunningham (the father, played by Tom Bosley), Marion Cunningham (the mother, played by Marion Ross), Richie Cunningham (the son, played by Ron Howard), Joanie Cunningham (daughter, played by Erin Moran), Fonzie (friend, played by Henry Winkler), Potsie (friend, played by Anson Williams), Ralph Malph (friend, played by Donny Most), Al (owner of the burger joint, played by Al Molinaro), and Chachi (cousin of Fonzie, played by Scott Baio).  The show spawned a number of spin-offs, including Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Joanie Loves Chachi, Out of the Blue, and Blansky’s Beauties.

The Cunninghams lived in Milwaukee, and early episodes centered around Richie Cunningham and his friends from Jefferson high, Potsie and Ralph.  As the years went on, however, it was Fonzie that became the central character, eventually replacing Richie as the seasons grew long (Richie went off to join the army).  Episodes revolved around the shenanigans of Richie and his friends, who seem to only be concerned with making out with girls, but of course there were deeper themes as well, such as honesty, friendship, hard work, and true love.