45TH & 50TH ANNIVERSARIES

 Along with our anniversary, these shows are turning 45 & 50 this year!

MITZI McCALL DEAD AT 91

 

You can read the full story here.

She starred as Penny in The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show and The Flintstone Comedy Hour; Elektra 6000, Shazalle and additional voices in The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang; Miss Burns in Rick Moranis in Gravedale High; Talula LaTrane in Yo Yogi!; Ammonia Pine in Darkwing Duck; Mother Goose in Mother Goose and Grimm/Grimmy; Mame Slaughter in Captain Planet and the Planeteers; and Golda Meir in Histeria! She also provided additional voices in Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1979), The Richie Rich/Scooby-Doo Show, The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries, Snorks, Bobby’s World and Monster in my Pocket: The Big Scream.

DALE BAER DEAD AT 70

 

You can read the full story here.

He served as a story director for The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Laverne & Shirley in the Army and The Smurfs, a storyboard artist on an episode of Mother Goose and Grimm and Animaniacs, and a prop designer for two episodes of Histeria!

40TH ANNIVERSARIES

MORK & MINDY/LAVERNE & SHIRLEY/FONZ HOUR

MORK & MINDY/LAVERNE & SHIRLEY/FONZ HOUR

(ABC, September 25, 1982-March 26, 1983)

Hanna-Barbera Productions, Ruby-Spears Productions, Paramount Network Television

MAIN CAST:

Robin Williams – Mork

Pam Dawber – Mindy McConnell

Conrad Janis – Frederick McConnell

Ralph James – Orson

Frank Welker – Doing, various

Mark L. Taylor – Hamilton DuPont, Jr.

Stan Jones – Principal Caruthers

            Before Robin Williams became a household name, he was a hyperactive alien who sat on his head.

Mork with Richie and Fonzie at Arnold's.

            The retro 1950s sitcom Happy Days was entered into the world of science fiction by having an alien attempt to abduct Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) only to be saved by the show’s most popular character, the Fonz (Henry Winkler). Creator Garry Marshall cast Williams in the role of Mork from Ork almost immediately after Williams sat on his head at the audition (a move that was worked into the character), stating that he was the only alien to audition for the role. The season five episode “My Favorite Orkan” was initially planned to be an elaborate dream sequence, but when the character proved to be popular they re-edited the ending to have Mork wipe the memories of the experience from everyone’s minds. Mork’s creation was inspired by director Jerry Paris’ previous series, The Dick Van Dyke Show. In particular, the episode “It May Look Like a Walnut” which featured a dream with an alien encounter. 

            Mork (and Williams) was given his own show in Mork & Mindy, which was set in present day Boulder, Colorado. Mork was assigned by his unseen and long-suffering superior, Orson (Ralph James), to travel to Earth and study human behavior (as well as get rid of Mork who was a practitioner of humor, which was forbidden on Ork). Mork arrived in an egg-shaped spacecraft and eventually met and befriended Mindy McConnell (Pam Dawber), who allowed him to move into her attic. The series focused on Mork’s attempts to assimilate into and understand human behavior while his own Orkan customs tended to get in the way (thanks in part to the manic and improvisational comedic stylings of Williams). Mork’s greeting of “Na-nu na-nu” and expletive declaration of “shazbot” became popular sayings outside of the show.

Mork, Mindy and their little bundle of aging comedian.

            The sitcom debuted on ABC on September 14, 1978 and eventually outperformed both Happy Days and its other successful spin-off, Laverne & Shirley. The network attempted to use the show’s popularity in a bit of counter-programming against the competition and moved it to a new timeslot. They also attempted to attract a younger demographic by giving the theme song a disco aesthetic, dropping the characters of Mindy’s father, Frederick (Conrad Janis), and his mother-in-law, Cora (Elizabeth Kerr) and replacing them with new ones, and changing the focus to the developing romance between Mork and Mindy. These changes, however, proved detrimental to the series and it suffered a dramatic drop in ratings. For the third season, it was moved back to its original timeslot and Fred and Cora were reinstated in an attempt to bring the show back to basics. When that failed, wilder ideas were pushed in order to make full use of Williams’ talents. ABC reluctantly renewed the show for a final season in which one of Williams’ idols, Jonathan Winters, was added as Mork and Mindy’s adult child, Mearth (Orkans age in reverse), and numerous special guest-stars made appearances. But, the show’s ratings continued to plummet. Even though it ended in 60^th place in the ratings, it certainly helped to launch Williams’ long and varied career.

Fred, Eugene, Caruthers, Doing, Mork, Mindy and Hamilton.

            Encouraged by the show’s earlier success and furthering their attempt for a younger demographic, ABC commissioned an animated version of the show for their Saturday morning line-up. ABC had done so previously with The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang and Laverne & Shirley in the Army. The premise of the animated Mork & Mindy was largely the same as its parent show, except both Mork and Mindy were de-aged to teenagers attending high school run by Principal Caruthers (Stan Jones). Williams, Dawber, Janis and James all returned to voice their respective characters (the first of many voice-over credits for Williams to come), and Eugene, Mork’s child friend from the live show’s first season, returned voiced by Shavar Ross. The snobbish bully Hamilton DuPont, Jr. (Mark L. Taylor) was introduced as a villain-type, trying to win over Mindy when not causing trouble for others. The character of Cora made no appearances. Mork was given a pet to accompany him on his mission: a pink, six-legged dog-like creature named Doing (Frank Welker). Of course, while Mork was still bizarre by Earth standards, his antics were comparatively toned down due to the limitations of animation and lack of room for the improvisation that made the character stand out.

This promotional art for the series was the only time the characters ever met.

            The animated Mork & Mindy was featured on ABC’s Saturday Morning Pac Preview Party hosted by Dick Clark the night before its debut on September 25, 1982; four months after its live counterpart was cancelled. It was aired alongside the second season of Laverne & Shirley in the Army, which was renamed Laverne & Shirley with the Fonz after the characters of Fonzie (Winkler) and Mr. Cool (Welker) were added to the cast upon the cancellation of Happy Days Gang. Both shows were given the blanket title of The Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour, with the introduction largely focused on establishing the Mork cartoon.

Mork is beside himself.

Story direction was handled by Gary Goldstein, Cullen Houghtaling, Alex Lovy, Tom Minton, Dave Russell, Hank Tucker and Sharon Rolnick, with Norman Maurer serving as story editor and Walt Kubiak and Gordon Kent serving as story supervisors. The music was composed by Hoyt Curtin and Paul DeKorte.  The show was jointly produced by Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears Productions, both of which were owned by Taft Broadcasting, in association with Paramount Network Television, who produced the Happy Days franchise of programs. Ultimately, Mork & Mindy didn’t go beyond its single season. With its conclusion and the end of Laverne & Shirley, the Happy Days animated universe came to a close.

EPISODE GUIDE:

“Who’s Minding the Brat?” (9/25/82) – Mork babysits the principal’s daughter, which leads her to accidentally be changed into a Cave Ork.

“The Greatest Shmo on Earth” (10/2/82) – Mork, Mindy and Eugene have to rescue Doing from an evil circus ringmaster.

“To Ork or Not to Ork” (10/9/82) – Mork attempts to learn about love from Eugene while Mindy and Hamilton are cast in the school play: Romeo & Juliet.

“Orkan Without a Cause” (10/16/82) – Feeling lonely and neglected, Mork joins a motorcycle gang and unknowingly aids their crimes.

“Mork Man vs. Ork Man” (10/23/82) – When Mork accidentally breaks the video game Orson sent him for his birthday, Mork uses his powers to fix it and brings the main character to life.

“Which Witch is the Witch’ (10/30/82) – Orson sets Mork up with a witch date who takes a fancy to Hamilton and gives him magical powers.

“Every Doing Has His Day” (11/6/82) – Mork plans to fake a robbery in order to get Mr. McConnell to allow Doing back into the house.

“Beauty or the Beast” (11/13/82) – Mork attempts to use his powers to heal Mindy’s bug bite before her beauty contest, but accidentally turns her into a gorilla.

“Morkel and Hyde” (11/20/82) – Mork splits himself so he can be at two places at once, unfortunately one of the Morks turns out to be evil.

“The Wimp” (11/27/82) – NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“Ride ‘em, Morkboy” (12/4/82) – The eggs Mork prepared for Orson ends up being eaten by rodeo animals, which causes them to act uncharacteristically.

“Meet Mork’s Mom” (12/11/82) – When Mork’s parents are sent to Earth for a meeting with the principal, they’re abducted by a wealthy man who believes they’ve found the fountain of youth.

“Muddle in a Huddle” (12/18/82) – A rival football team feeds Mork’s team his eggs so that they’ll play poorly.

“The Incredible Shrinking Mork” (12/25/82) – Mork shrinks himself, Mindy and Doing in order to pursue a sewer rat that steals the principal’s watch.

“The Invisible Mork” (1/8/83) – After challenging a bully to a wrestling match for Mindy, Mork drinks a protein shake that activates an allergy that turns him invisible.

“The Fluke Spook” (1/15/83) – A sudden rainstorm interferes with a picnic outing and causes Mork, Mindy and friends to take refuge in a haunted house.

“Mayhem for the Mayor” (1/22/83) – Mork and Mindy continue an injured Fred’s campaign for mayor against the unscrupulous DuPonts.

“Coo Coo Caveboy” (1/29/83) – NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“A Treasure Ain’t No Pleasure” (2/5/83) – NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“The Mork with the Midas Touch” (2/12/83) – NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“Extra-Terrestrial Toddler” (2/19/83) – Mistaking a movie robot for an Orkan creature, Mork zaps it back to Ork and he and Mindy have to retrieve it.

“Time Slipper Slip-Up” (2/26/83) – Mork uses his diamond slippers to take him and Mindy back to ancient Egypt for their report.

“Super Mork” (3/5/83) – After screwing up on the school paper, Orson grants Mork’s wish to be more like Superguy and sends him a super-powered suit.

“Mork P.I.” (3/12/83) – Mork becomes a private eye to prove he was framed for stealing a test’s answers from the principal’s office.

“Monkey on My Back Pack” (3/19/83) – Mork inadvertently helps foreign spies steal the Army’s new top secret rocket pack.

“On Your Mork, Get Set, Go!” (3/26/83) – When Mork accidentally destroys the prize money for a race, he enters so that he can win and prevent anyone from thinking Mindy stole it.


Originally posted in 2016. Updated in 2020.

THE FONZ AND THE HAPPY DAYS GANG

THE FONZ AND THE HAPPY DAYS GANG

(ABC, November 8, 1980-November 28, 1981)

Hanna-Barbera Productions, Paramount Network Television

MAIN CAST:

Henry Winkler – Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli

Ron Howard – Richie Cunningham

Donny Most – Ralph Malph

Frank Welker – Mr. Cool

Didi Conn – Cupcake

Wolfman Jack – Opening Narrator

             It’s not unusual for people to look back on a certain era (usually when they were kids) with fondness and fascination (heck, we’re living that now). For people of the 1970s, that era was the 1950s. Garry Marshall attempted to capture that nostalgic interest by creating a show set in an idealized version of 1950s America. Unfortunately, the networks passed on his pilot and it was used instead as an episode of the anthology series Love, American Style called “Love and the Television Set” (later renamed “Love and the Happy Days” in syndication). The episode ended up being used by George Lucas in his decision to cast the pilot’s star, Ron Howard, in his upcoming 1950s movie, American Graffiti.

             After the success of Graffiti, Marshall and ABC recast and reshot the pilot and it was picked up as the series Happy Days. The sitcom originally revolved around the Cunningham family in 1950s Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Howard returned as middle child Richie, as did Marion Ross as his mother Marion and Anson Williams as one of his best friends, Potsie Weber. Joining them was Tom Bosley as patriarch Howard, Gavan O’ Herlihy and then Randolph Roberts as older brother Chuck (who was written off in the second season), Erin Moran as youngest daughter Joanie, and Donny Most as Richie’s other best friend, Ralph Malph. The breakout character, however, was initially a secondary one: Arthur Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler), aka “The Fonz” or “Fonzie” to his friends. Fonzie was the personification of cool: he wore a leather jacket (originally a windbreaker as the network was concerned the leather would make him seem too shady) and rode a motorcycle (which was always with him at first as he was allowed to wear the leather jacket when riding it), could summon a legion of pretty girls with a snap of his fingers, play the jukebox without any money, and when he spoke everyone listened. Fonzie connected with audiences, and his role grew and evolved to become the star of the show. Plots would begin to move away from the family experiences in a 1950s backdrop to follow the antics of Fonzie and the people he interacted with.

The original principal cast of Happy Days: Winkler, Bosley, Williams, Most, Moran, Ross and Howard.

             Happy Days debuted on January 15, 1974, using Bill Haley & His Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock” as its theme before adopting the more-recognized “Happy Days” by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox. The series proved to be a success, although it would take a few seasons for it to reach the top of the ratings charts. The show managed to run for 11 seasons and became the launching point for several spin-off series: Fonzie’s gal pals Laverne DeFazio (Penny Marshall, Garry’s sister) and Shirley Feeney (Cindy Williams) became single roommates working at a brewery in Laverne & Shirley; Initially appearing in a dream sequence, the alien Mork from Ork (Robin Williams) was given a human friend in Mindy McConnell (Pam Dawber) and his own show, Mork & Mindy; Howard Cunningham’s cousin and former Las Vegas showgirl, Nancy Blansky (Nancy Walker), was the subject of Blansky’s Beauties; After Blansky’s cancellation, Scott Baio’s character of Chaci was added to the Happy Days cast where he and Joanie eventually married and received their own brief show, Joanie Loves Chachi; and finally, Angel-in-training Random (Jimmy Brogan) acted as a guardian angel for a family in Out of the Blue (although a scheduling error had the show debut before the character’s technical first appearance on Happy Days).

             Happy Days also became the origin of the phrase “jump the shark.” The phrase was coined by Jon Hein in 1986 and is a term used to describe when something in entertainment begins using desperate attempts to keep viewers interested or boost ratings. It’s become the indication that something has gone on long past its prime and the people behind it are clearly running out of ideas. In the case of Happy Days, the term was quite literal as the show had Fonzie jump over a shark on water skis during the fifth season premier. Although the episode’s writer, Fred Fox, Jr., debated the validity of that phrase considering the show ran an additional six seasons, there was no stopping its entering into the American lexicon.

Fonzie, Mr. Cool, Cupcake, Richie and Ralph.

             While the Happy Days universe was spread out all over prime time, it was decided that wasn’t quite enough and the producers set their sights on their younger audience on Saturday morning. Often viewed as one of the show’s “jump the shark” moments, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang was produced by Hanna-Barbera and Paramount Network Television and featured Fonzie, Richie and Ralph being whisked away in a malfunctioning time machine by the magical future girl Cupcake (Didi Conn). Also joining them was Fonzie’s new anthropomorphic dog, Mr. Cool (Frank Welker). The three Happy Days cast members supplied the voices for their animated counterparts (billed as “guest appearances”), despite the fact that Howard and Most had left the main show at the conclusion of the seventh season months before the cartoon premiered. The characters were designed by Ruben Aquino, Curtis Cim, Debbie Hayes, Don Morgan and Lew Ott.

Getting a Geico quote?

             Debuting on ABC on November 8, 1980, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang followed the characters as they travelled from one era to another looking to return to 1957 Milwaukee. However, the faulty time machine and Cupcake’s screwy magic usually ended up sending them farther and farther away from their goal. Cupcake also used her magic to disguise themselves in loosely era-appropriate attire (read: not very convincing disguises). Radio personality Wolfman Jack, who had worked with Howard in American Graffiti, was tapped to provide the opening narration for the program explaining the overall plot to the audience over a backdrop of 50s-esque music by Hoyt Curtin and Paul Dekorte. The show was written by Duane Poole, Tom Swale, Diane Duane, Joan Brooker, Paul Haggis, Michael Maurer, Jeffrey Scott and Alexandra Stoddart. Poole and Swale served as story editors with Barry Blitzer and Ray Parker.

Chariots of fire.

             The series ran for two seasons. During the second season, a Laverne & Shirley animated spin-off debuted called Laverne & Shirley in the Army. Upon the conclusion of The Fonz, Fonzie and Mr. Cool were moved over to that show for its 8-episode second season where the show was renamed Laverne & Shirley with the Fonz. It aired alongside the animated spin-off of Mork & Mindy as part of the Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour. Originally, Hanna-Barbera wanted to pair Fonzie up with Scooby-Doo, but beyond some artwork for the potential series no production had ever moved forward on it.

Puffy stickers.

             Like its parent series, Happy Days Gang received its own share of merchandising to help promote it and generate some extra income. Imperial released a set of puffy stickers, a miracle bubble shooter, Bubb-A-Loons (the plastic balloons you blow from a tube and stick) and a Hi-Bounce Ball all featuring images of the show’s characters. Larami made a wallet, Walkman and a Fonz Viewer. Gordy released a set of pins; Hasbro an acrylic paint-by-numbers set; APC a rub-down transfer game; and there was even a belt and handheld pinball game. In 2019, CBS Home Entertainment finally released the entire series to DVD.

EPISODE GUIDE:

Season 1:

“King for a Day” (11/8/80) – The gang ends up in 1 Million B.C. where Ralph is made the king for a day of a tribe of cave people, which could end up costing him his life.

“May the Farce Be With You” (11/15/80) – The time machine and Cupcake’s magic send the time machine to the moon in 2057 where the gang has to foil an alien invasion plot.

“Arabian Knights” (11/22/80) – In ancient Iraq, the gang is enlisted to help King Nebuchadnezzar II rescue his Hanging Gardens from an evil prince.

“Bye-Bye Blackbeard” (11/29/80) – The gang has to help Blackbeard find a lost treasure.

“Westward Whoa!” (12/6/80) – The gang ends up in the Old West and in the company of Billy the Kid.

“Ming Fu to You, Too!” (12/13/80) – Cupcake uses her magic to defeat an evil sorcerer and retrieve the Hongwu Emperor’s throne.

“The Vampire Strikes Back” (12/20/80) – The time machine finally ends up back in 1957, but in Transylvania courtesy of Count Dracula.

“You’ll Never Get Witch” (12/27/80) – Cupcake is captured by a witch hunter during the Salem Witch Trials.

“The 20,000 Drachma Pyramid” (1/3/81) – Ralph falls in love with Cleopatra in ancient Egypt.

“It’s a Jungle Out There” (1/10/81) – The gang has to save the Incas from Francisco Pizzaro.

“Gone with the Wand” (1/17/81) – The gang must rescue King Arthur from the clutches of the evil Black Knight.

“Science Friction” (1/24/81) – Cupcake uses her magic to bring the gang into Jules Verne’s imagination.

“Greece is the Word” (1/31/81) – The gang has to save Hercules from Medusa.

Season 2:

“The French Correction” (9/12/81) – In 1625 France, the gang has to find the missing king while protecting the queen from an evil count set on conquering the kingdom.

“The Ridiculous Renaissance” (9/19/81) – The gang ends up in Italy where they meet Leonardo da Vinci.

“Fonz Boone” (9/26/81) – Ending up in the days of the American frontier leads the gang to save the legend of Daniel Boone.

“Haiku Humor” (10/3/81) – In 17^th Century Japan, the gang meets poet Matsuo Basho and Ralph is challenged to a samurai showdown.

“It’s All Downhill From Here” (10/10/81) – The time machine ends up at the 1953 Mount Everest Expedition led by Sir Edmund Hillary.

“Three Scientists & A Coconut” (10/17/81) – The gang ends up on a Cuban Island with Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla, and Marie Curie.

“Fords & Sorcery” (10/24/81) – Cupcake helps Henry Ford with his car business.

“There’s No Place Like Rome” (10/31/81) – The gang encounters Emperor Nero in Ancient Rome.

“The Other Gang” (11/7/81) – A short circuit strands the gang in 1927 Chicago where they meet Al Capone.

“Fonz’s Christmas Carol” (11/14/81) – The gang uses the time machine to give cold Charles Dickens the Christmas spirit.

“Ralph Takes Flight” (11/21/81) – Ending up in 1935 Hawaii puts the gang as passengers on Amelia Earhart’s famous flight.

“All’s Fair at the World’s Fair” (11/28/81) – The time machine becomes the star attraction of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.


Originally posted in 2016. Updated in 2024.

GARRY MARSHALL DEAD AT 81

Actor, writer, director and producer Garry Marshall died on Tuesday. You can read the full story here.

Marshall created the 1950s nostalgia show Happy Days, which led to the spin-offs Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy. Each show would go on to receive an animated spin-off on Saturday mornings: The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Laverne & Shirley in the Army, and Mork & Mindy.