Happy Days (1974–1984)

TV Series  -   -  Comedy | Family | Music
7.3
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 7.3/10 from 6,334 users  
Reviews: 70 user | 21 critic

The Cunningham family live through the 1950s with help and guidance from the lovable and almost superhuman greaser, Fonzie.

Creator:

0Check in
0Share...

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 35 images created 6 months ago
 
a list of 50 titles created 11 months ago
 
a list of 1672 titles created 13 Oct 2011
 
a list of 508 titles created 8 months ago
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: Happy Days (1974–1984)

Happy Days (1974–1984) on IMDb 7.3/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of Happy Days.

Season:

11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | See more »

Year:

1984 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 | 1980 | 1979 | 1978 | 1977 | 1976 | 1975 | See more »
Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 19 nominations. See more awards »
Learn more

People who liked this also liked... 

The Muppet Show (1976–1981)
Comedy | Family | Music
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.5/10 X  

Kermit the Frog and his friends struggle to put on a weekly variety show.

Stars: Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Jim Henson
Growing Pains (1985–1992)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.3/10 X  

The misadventures of a family with a home business father and a journalist mother.

Stars: Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron
Gilligan's Island (1964–1967)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.2/10 X  

Seven men and women are stranded on an uncharted island following a torrential storm.

Stars: Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus
The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X  

Widower Sheriff Andy and his son Opie live with Andy's Aunt Bee in Mayberry NC. With virtually no crimes to solve, most of Andy's time is spent philosophizing and calming down his cousin Deputy Barney.

Stars: Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Frances Bavier
The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.5/10 X  

The misadventures of a large family united when two widowed people married.

Stars: Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis
The Cosby Show (1984–1992)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X  

The goings-on in the life of a successful African American family.

Stars: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Family Ties (1982–1989)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.9/10 X  

A couple who were ardently leftwing political activists in the sixties face the problems of raising a family with children who have strongly conservative views.

Stars: Meredith Baxter, Michael Gross, Michael J. Fox
The Partridge Family (1970–1974)
Comedy | Family | Music
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.2/10 X  

The humourous adventures of a family of pop musicians.

Stars: Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Susan Dey
Victorious (TV Series 2010)
Comedy | Drama | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.3/10 X  

Aspiring singer Tori Vega navigates life while attending a performing arts high school called Hollywood Arts.

Stars: Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande, Elizabeth Gillies
Laverne & Shirley (1976–1983)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.7/10 X  

The misadventures of two single women in the 1950's and '60's.

Stars: Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, David L. Lander
I Love Lucy (1951–1957)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.3/10 X  

A daffy woman constantly strives to become a star along with her bandleader husband and gets herself in the strangest situations.

Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance
Home Improvement (1991–1999)
Comedy | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7/10 X  

The daily trials and tribulations of Tim Taylor, a TV show host raising three mischeivous boys with help from his loyal co-host, domineering wife, and genius neighbor.

Stars: Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, Earl Hindman
Edit

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
...
 Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli (255 episodes, 1974-1984)
...
 Marion Cunningham (255 episodes, 1974-1984)
...
 Howard Cunningham (255 episodes, 1974-1984)
...
 Joanie Cunningham (236 episodes, 1974-1984)
...
 Potsie Weber (219 episodes, 1974-1984)
...
 Richie Cunningham (171 episodes, 1974-1984)
...
 Ralph Malph (167 episodes, 1974-1983)
...
 Al Delvecchio (146 episodes, 1974-1984)
...
 Chachi Arcola (130 episodes, 1977-1984)
Edit

Storyline

Richie Cunningham and his friend Potsie face life at Jefferson High in Milwaukee Wisconsin in the 1950s. Originally fifth-billed Fonzie moved up steadily, finally into first billing in 1980, as the thumbs-up, "Heyyy!" biker increased his own and show's popularity. Lots of changes over time as kids come and go, new series spin off, Richie and pals go to college then the army. Even marriage. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy | Family | Music

Certificate:

TV-G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

15 January 1974 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

New Family in Town  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (255 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

4:3
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Comedian Phil Silvers once did a cameo in an episode as Jenny Piccalo's dad. Jenny Piccalo was played by his real-life daughter, Cathy Silvers. See more »

Goofs

Throughout the show's run, in most of the facade scenes, many of the cars seen passing by are clearly from the late '60s and early '70s. See more »

Quotes

The Fonz: [after Chachis has accidentally burned down Arnold's by not turning off the grill] The man trusted you! What did you do, send your brain on vacation?
Charles 'Chachi' Arcola: Fonz... It was an accident.
The Fonz: [livid] No! Accidents just happen! This is *your fault*! *You* caused this! Irresponsibility!
Charles 'Chachi' Arcola: [in tears] I'm sorry!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Conan: The Silvery Thistles of St. Lispmoor (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

"Happy Days"
(theme song)
Lyrics by Norman Gimbel
Music by Charles Fox
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

They were indeed!
6 September 2003 | by (Xanadu) – See all my reviews

Yes, those were Happy Days, when I watched this show as a child. For quite a while, this was the best show on tv. It outstayed its welcome, but it shined for a time.

The success of the show rests heavily on the performances of Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Tom Bosley, and Marion Ross. Henry Winkler had tremendous charisma and handled his role with great subtlety, until the writing got out of hand. Ron Howard was the rare case of a child actor whose talent matured with his body. Tom Bosley and Marion Ross were outstanding character actors who brought life to Howard and Marion Cunningham. The cast was rounded out by fine supporting players and guest stars.

It was interesting to watch the 50's nostalgia evolve to the point that the time period was no longer mentioned in the show. It seemed that, by the end, it was set in the present. It's interesting to watch the earliest seasons, with episodes revolving around Adlai Stevenson vs. Eisenhower, or Rock 'N' Roll shows; and compare those to shows revolving around Fonzie as a teacher.

It's a shame that memories of Happy Days are tainted by the later years, and that stupid "jumping the shark" phrase. For a time, this show was unbeatable. It created successful spin-offs, like "Laverne and Shirley" and "Mork and Mindy," as well as less successful ones like "Joannie Loves Chachi." It ruled Tuesday nights and was one of the top ten shows for a long part of its existence.

The one question that remains from this show is, "What happened to Chuck?" Maybe he died in Vietnam, with the Beaver. Oh, wait, that was an urban legend. Maybe he was recruited into the CIA.


16 of 21 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
No longer on Hallmark :( FreddyWasHere
laugh track or studio audience? fa6947
one good thing about season 8 and beyond fa6947
Richie and the boys backing Leather? fa6947
Cheering for the Bears!?!? SanDigital
Potsie's real name butterfly24
Discuss Happy Days (1974) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page