After Happy Days went off the air, some of its cast members were able to ride the last waves of its popularity. There were crumbs from its main storyline that were good enough to make new shows out of.
The Fonz, for example, appeared in not one, but two animated TV shows of his own: The Fonz, and The Happy Days Gang. These didn’t pan out well though, and he decided to shift his attention to the spinoff of Laverne & Shirley titled Laverne & Shirley In The Army.
The Show's New Star
Richie Cunningham, played by Ron Howard, wouldn’t have a significant role in the sitcom after his exit during the second season. After seven seasons, it was quite understandable that actor Ron Howard would leave the show for better opportunities elsewhere. He wanted to grow within the entertainment industry and pursue other interests.
Howard would still show up once in a while in the series, returning to make guest appearances, but Henry Winkler, who played the Fonz, clearly was the new head honcho. He would be given top billing during the opening credits when season 8 began.
A National Treasure
The Happy Days television sitcom eventually found its way into the hearts of its viewing audience after a number of modifications to its style, so much so that the show has even inspired spin-offs, new shows albeit not nearly as successful, and a musical tour in 2008.
This makes clear just how popular the show has become, permeating through American society, influencing how TV in general was made at the time. With Happy Days having such a deep impact on American culture, the Smithsonian Institution sought out Fonzie’s signature leather jacket to be displayed at the National Museum of American History.
Happy Days Started Off A Bit Differently...
By now, we are all aware that the Happy Days television sitcom struggled during its inception. They tried to sell the idea of bringing back the feel of the good old fifties, but the network had its doubts. In 1971, it started with a different title. They named it New Family in Town, which was also produced by Garry Marshall.
It introduced the same characters—Richie, Howard, Marion, and Potsie—which were played by the same actors—Ron Howard, Marion Ross, and Anson Williams. Way back then, before its numerable syndications. Mr. Cunningham was played by Harold Gould.
Thankful For Happy Days
For a while, it seemed like the concept of Happy Days would go into a deep and long-forgotten slumber. Nobody seemed interested in it, at least not until George Lucas’ American Graffiti persuaded them otherwise.
When ABC realized what they were missing, the cast was in the middle of a Thanksgiving celebration. This was back in 1973. When the network informed them about its decision to finally pick it up, there were no scripts yet written. No-one had foreseen all this, and they only had a few months to work on everything before its January 1974 premiere.