Happy Days
A nostalgic sitcom about 1950s adolescence and friendship.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from January 15, 1974 to September 24, 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning 11 seasons. Created by Garry Marshall, it was one of the most successful series of the 1970s, presenting life in the 1950s and early 1960s Midwestern United States. The series featured an ensemble cast, starring Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham, Henry Winkler as his friend Fonzie, and Tom Bosley and Marion Ross as Richie's parents.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Sitcom
- Creator
- Garry Marshall
- Theme Music Composer
- Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (1974–1975, opening) / Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox (1975–1984, opening; 1974–1984, ending)
- Open Theme
- "Rock Around the Clock", performed by Bill Haley & His Comets (1974–1975) / "Happy Days", performed by: / Pratt & McClain (1975–1983) / Bobby Arvon (1983–1984)
- End Theme
- "Happy Days", performed by: / Jim Haas, The Ron Hicklin Singers, Stan Farber, Jerry Whitman, Gary Garrett (1974–1975) / Pratt & McClain (1975–1983) / Bobby Arvon (1983–1984)
- Composer
- John Beal · Frank Comstock · Pete King · James Patrick Dunne
- Director
- Jerry Paris / Various (seasons 1–3)
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 11
- Num Episodes
- 255
- List Episodes
- List of Happy Days episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series began as an unsold pilot starring Ron Howard, Marion Ross, and Anson Williams, which aired in 1972 as a segment titled 'Love and the Happy Days' on ABC's anthology show Love, American Style. Based on the pilot, director George Lucas cast Howard as the lead in his 1973 film American Graffiti, causing ABC to take a renewed interest in the pilot. The first two seasons focused on teenager Richie Cunningham, his family, and his high school friends, attempting to honestly depict a wistful look back at adolescence. Initially a moderate success, the series' ratings began to fall during its second season, causing Marshall to retool it. The new format emphasized broad comedy and spotlighted the previously minor character of Fonzie, a cool biker and high school dropout. Following these changes, Happy Days became the number-one program in television in 1976–1977, Fonzie became one of the most merchandised characters of the 1970s, and Henry Winkler became a major star.
Reader's Guide
Happy Days is significant as one of the most successful television series of the 1970s, reflecting a nostalgic view of 1950s and early 1960s American life. Its cultural impact is underscored by the rise of Fonzie, a breakout character who became a merchandising phenomenon and helped the show achieve the top rating in 1976–1977. The series also spawned successful spin-offs including Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy, as well as three less successful ones: Joanie Loves Chachi, Blansky's Beauties, and Out of the Blue. The show's legacy extends to a Happy Days musical that has toured the United States since 2008. The leather jacket worn by Henry Winkler as Fonzie was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution for the permanent collection at the National Museum of American History. The series' original pilot, originally shown as 'Love and the Television Set', later retitled 'Love and the Happy Days' for syndication, aired on February 25, 1972.
Did You Know?
- The series began as an unsold pilot that aired as a segment on Love, American Style in 1972.
- Fonzie's leather jacket is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.
- The show's original light grey McGregor windbreaker worn by Winkler in season 1 was thrown into the garbage after ABC allowed the leather jacket.
- Happy Days spawned the successful spin-offs Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy.
More in Nielsen ratings winners 1-24
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