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.

BARRY JENNER DEAD AT 75

Actor Barry Jenner died on Tuesday. You can read the full story here.

Perhaps best known for his appearances on various Star Trek programs or his recurring role on Family Matters, his sole Saturday credit was as a traveler in an episode of Aaah!!! Real Monsters. 

IT'S PUNKY BREWSTER

IT’S PUNKY BREWSTER

(NBC, September 14, 1985-December 6, 1986)

Ruby-Spears Productions, NBC Productions

MAIN CAST:

Soleil Moon Frye – Penelope “Punky” Brewster

George Gaynes – Henry Warnimont

Ami Foster – Margaux Kramer

Cherie Johnson – Cherie Johnson

Casey Ellison – Allen Anderson

Frank Welker – Glomer, Brandon

Casey Kasem – NBC Bumper Announcer

            Penelope “Punky” Brewster (Soleil Moon Frye) was a unique young girl whose father walked out on her and mother abandoned her. She took residence in an empty apartment with her dog, Brandon, where she was eventually discovered by the building manager, photographer and curmudgeon Henry Warnimont (George Gaynes). Despite some personality conflicts and the best efforts of social services to put her in a “better” environment, she ended up becoming Henry’s adopted daughter. Punky’s friends included neighbor Cherie Johnson (niece of the series creator who used her own name) and her grandmother, Betty (Susie Garrett, who was actually her grandmother), geeky Allen Anderson (Casey Ellison), and stuck-up rich girl Margaux Kramer (Ami Foster).

            Punky Brewster was created by David W. Duclon with input from NBC’s programming chief Brandon Tartikoff (for whom the dog was named). Tartikoff’s involvement was what led to the lead character’s unique name: taken from a childhood crush named Peyton “Punky” Brewster. NBC secured the rights to use her name for the show and even hired her to do a cameo in an episode (credited as Peyton B. Rutledge, her married name). It was one of the first primetime shows geared towards children, an intended audience that Tartikoff hoped would allow them to compete against CBS’ 60 Minutes on Sunday nights, and one of the few featuring a female lead. It would tackle the world from a kid’s perspective, dealing with issues real kids would face in their everyday lives.

 

Punky with Cherie, Allen, Glomer, Brandon and Margaux.

            The show ran for two seasons on NBC between 1984 and 1986 and seemed to be a hit with kids; with the production receiving up to 10,000 pieces of fan mail a week and a high demand for merchandise. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform as Tartikoff had hoped in the ratings and was cancelled by the end of the second season. The show was quickly revived for syndication by Columbia Pictures Television through their Coca-Cola Telecommunications division and the third season went into production; although it wasn’t broadcast until 1987. The series came to a final end in 1988, just in time for the Writers Guild of America strike. While NBC still had the rights, they sought to spin Punky off into two programs. The first was Fenster Hall, named after the foster home where Punky was placed at the end of the first season, which never took off. The second was It’s Punky Brewster (“It’s” was never seen in the actual title), an animated spin-off airing on Saturday mornings.

Poor Henry was kept in the dark.

            It’s Punky Brewster featured the entire Punky cast reprising their roles with the exception of Garrett and T.K. Carter as Mike Fulton, a resident-turned-administrator at Fenster Hall (and would-be star of the unproduced series). They were joined by a new character: Glomer (Frank Welker). Glomer was a magical being from Chaundoon, a city at the end of the rainbow. Glomer used his powers to transport the kids to various places, gave Brandon the ability to talk (courtesy of Welker), transformed the kids into statues or shrank them, and sometimes just caused general chaos that he’d have to straighten out. Glomer was added as a way to keep kids interested in the show, as well as have the characters perpetually thrown in adventures befitting Saturday mornings. 

Magical shenanigans.

            It’s Punky Brewster debuted on NBC on September 14, 1985 and was produced by Ruby-Spears Productions. Each episode was comprised of two 11-minute segments, and featured music by Haim Saban and Shuki Levy. The cartoon was picked up for a second season, but only the first three episodes contained two original segments. For the rest of the show’s run, a new segment was paired up with a rerun from the previous season. The series was written by Cliff Roberts, Sheryl Scarborough, Gary Greenfield, Diane Dixon, Kayte Kuch, Michael Chain, Jack Enyart, Elana Lesser, Cliff Ruby, Gene Ayres, Ted Field, Matt Uitz, Barbara Chain, Janis Diamond, Herb Engelhardt and Reed Robbins, with Lesser, Kuch, Ruby and Scarborough serving as story editors.

Punky: the doll!

            After NBC cancelled the show, it was used later in 1987 to replace their cancelled pre-teen show, 2 Hip 4 TV. In 1989, the series was included as a rotating feature along with DiC Entertainment’s Beverly Hills Teens to pad out DiC’s Maxie’s World syndication package. Among the collectibles made available for the show was a lunchbox by Thermos, a series of coloring books and a paper doll book by Golden Books, and a read-along book by Tele-Story.

Punky on VHS.

In 1985, various episodes were released on several VHS tapes by Celebrity Home Entertainment. Between 2004 and 2008, Shout! Factory released all four seasons of the live show. Included as special features were episodes of the animated series split between them. “The Shoe Must Go On” was the only episode missing as Shout! ran into rights issues with the licensed song “Axel F” by Harold Faltermeyer. However, in 2021 they released the complete series with the indication that it included all episodes of the cartoon. Cartoon Network’s Robot Chicken parodied the cartoon in two episodes with Frye returning to voice her character. Seth Green took over as Henry while Tom Kane filled in as Glomer.

In the wake of many pop-culture nostalgic revivals, NBCUniversal revisited the idea of Punky Brewster by greenlighting production on a new series in 2019 developed by Steve and Jim Armogida. Rather than a reboot, it was a continuation of the original focusing on an adult Punky (still Frye) who was now a divorced mother of two, Diego (Noah Cottrell) and Daniel (Oliver De Los Santos), working as a photographer (like Henry), and living once again in her childhood apartment, and still marching to the beat of her own drum. Cherie was still her best friend and now working at Fenster. Punky would also take in another abandoned resident of Fenster, Izzy (Quinn Copeland). Foster also reprised her role as Margaux for an episode. The series dropped all 10 episodes on February 25, 2021 on the streaming service Peacock. Unfortunately, the series failed to garner much in the way of ratings or attention compared to other Peacock offerings and was cancelled just a few months later.

EPISODE GUIDE:

Season 1:

“Punky to the Rescue / The Quartrsize Quaterback” (9/14/85) – Punky convinces Henry to take a photography job in a Florida swamp where they think he catches a sea monster. / Glomer gives Allen the skills of a professional football player.

“The Gold Rush / Phar Out Pharaoh” (9/21/85) – Glomer accidentally frees an evil leprechaun. / Glomer takes the kids to ancient Egypt to return a necklace Margaux has and she’s mistaken for a princess.

“Pretty Ugly / Glomer’s Story” (9/28/85) – Glomer changes Margaux’s face just before a party. / Punky recalls the day she met Glomer.

“Brandon the Dialogue Dog / Winning Isn’t Everything” (10/5/85) – Glomer allows Brandon to talk and he catches the attention of a magazine writer. / The kids scheme on how to win a TV in a contest.

“Punky Wise and Pound Foolish / Christmas in July” (10/12/85) – Brandon is locked in a pound after Punky spends his license money. / A trip to Santa’s workshop leads to an accident that causes it to snow around the world.

“Return to Chaundoon / A Small Mistake” (10/19/85) – Glomer takes Pinky to Chaundoon where they discover everyone asleep due to the theft of the town’s clock. / Glomer’s drink causes the kids to shrink.

“Halloween Howlers / The Perils of Punky” (10/26/85) – Glomer changes whoever doesn’t give him candy into a Jack-O-Lantern. / Glomer takes the kids into an adventure movie.

“Glomer Punks Out / Louvre Affair” (11/2/85) – Glomer’s musical act attracts the attention of a crooked record producer. / Glomer turns Henry into a statue of Julius Caesar, and when he’s declared a forgery Punky must save him before he’s destroyed.

“Growing Pain / Double Your Punky” (11/9/85) – Punky discovers that pepperoni pizza makes Glomer grow. / Glomer creates a Punky clone to keep him company and accidentally zaps the original back into the photograph he used.

“Spellbound / The Shoe Must Go On” (11/16/85) – Glomer zaps a bee and it gives people the ability to spell words. / The school diva wants the magical dancing shoes Glomer made Cherie.

“Switchin’ Places / How the Midwest Was Won” (11/23/85) – Allen switches bodies with Glomer to impress a girl. / Glomer takes the kids to 1803 Chicago where a fur poacher tries to prevent the city’s development.

“Any Wish Way You Can / The Bermuda Tangle” (11/30/85) – Glomer’s spell accidentally hits Margaux and she wishes she was a queen with everyone as her servants. / Glomer takes the kids to a tropical island and loses his powers after a coconut hits his head.

“Unidentified Flying Glomer / Fish Story” (12/7/85) – A pet groomer chases after Glomer. / Glomer turns Punky into a mermaid to help her land a part in the school play.

Season 2:

“Little Orphan Puny / Punky’s Millions” (9/13/86) – Punky is taken from home and put into a home where girls are used as slave labor in a candy factory. / Punky has to spend $1 million in a week so she and Henry can win a game show.

“Punky, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves / Punky the Heiress” (9/20/86) – Glomer brings the characters of Snow White to life. / Punky’s aunt and uncle use her in an embezzlement scheme.

“Fair Feathered Friend / Be My Glomley” (9/27/86) – Glomer gets jealous when Punky nurses a bird back to health. / A female glomley may help Glomer get back to Chaundoon.

“All in Henry’s Family” (10/4/86) – Henry takes Punky and Cherie to visit his eccentric sisters.

“Call Me Ms.” (10/11/86) – Glomer turns Punky into an adult.

“Punky P.I.” (10/18/86) – Punky decides to open a detective agency in school.

“Mississippi Mud” (10/25/86) – Glomer takes the kids to an old Mississippi riverboat.

“Punky’s Little Acre” (11/1/86) – Margaux visits Punky’s pen pal’s farm and creates chaos.

“Camp Confusion” (11/8/86) – Camp Tumbleweeds takes on Camp Towering Pines in an athletic competition.

“Bright Eyes” (11/15/86) – Cherie’s deaf friend wants to keep a lost puppy.

“Mother of the Year” (11/22/86) – Glomer creates a mother for Punky.

“Allen Who?” (11/29/86) – Allen wishes he was never born and Glomer grants it.

“Caught in the Act” (12/6/86) – Henry spots Glomer and Glomer gives him amnesia just before an important photography assignment.

Originally posted in 2016. Updated in 2022.

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.

PRIME-TIME SPIN-OFF MONTH

            It’s Prime Time Spin-Off Month on Saturday Mornings Forever.

            When a show or character becomes popular enough, the creators or network look to expand their franchise by producing a spin-off. Saturday mornings were no different, as networks would always be looking for a way to attract younger viewers to their various properties. As a result, a good number of prime time programs, usually sitcoms, had an animated counterpart airing at or around the same time.

            This month, we’ll be looking at those animated counterparts to some of your favorite shows. Heck, maybe we’ll even bring up a few shows you didn’t even know got the Saturday treatment.

Some shows we’ve already done:

The Dukes

Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series

Gilligan’s Planet

The New Adventures of Gilligan