As a finale to a long running hit series, this worked well, though I'll once again ask the question I asked when it first aired, thirty eight years ago: Why weren't Potsie and Ralph anywhere to be seen, except in flashbacks?
Potsie was Joanie's first crush and lifelong friend. He was also Chachi's longtime friend, bandmate and roommate, until the end. Certainly, he rated a wedding invitation. Anson Williams was the only performer, besides Marion Ross, to be named in the credits of the original Love American Style pilot all through the final episode of the series. Tom Bosley was also listed in the credits of every episode of the series, though his character, Howard Cunningham, was played by a different actor in the original pilot. Anson Williams, the actor, and Potsie, the character both more than earned the right to be part of the grand finale.
Though Donnie Most no longer appeared on the show, his character, Ralph Malph was also a long term close friend of both Joanie and Chachi. Ralph Malph was an iconic part of the series and he too should have been part of the final episode.
Both actors and their characters were missed by the audience and could have easily been worked in, without taking away time from anyone or anything else. Again, that aside, this was a nice way to close what was already a classic show.
Potsie was Joanie's first crush and lifelong friend. He was also Chachi's longtime friend, bandmate and roommate, until the end. Certainly, he rated a wedding invitation. Anson Williams was the only performer, besides Marion Ross, to be named in the credits of the original Love American Style pilot all through the final episode of the series. Tom Bosley was also listed in the credits of every episode of the series, though his character, Howard Cunningham, was played by a different actor in the original pilot. Anson Williams, the actor, and Potsie, the character both more than earned the right to be part of the grand finale.
Though Donnie Most no longer appeared on the show, his character, Ralph Malph was also a long term close friend of both Joanie and Chachi. Ralph Malph was an iconic part of the series and he too should have been part of the final episode.
Both actors and their characters were missed by the audience and could have easily been worked in, without taking away time from anyone or anything else. Again, that aside, this was a nice way to close what was already a classic show.
