The first two seasons of Happy Days were not filmed before an audience, were instead filmed a lot on location and therefore, have a stronger fifties feel to them (well, almost American Graffiti sense, anyway) The third season, while the first one filmed in front of the audience, has a rather unique edge to it as well. The characters are still rich, Fonzie is now more included as is Ralph Malph. They are all hopelessly flawed.
However long after this season it ws that Richie became the moralist of the show, Fonzie became the hip moralist, I couldn't say, but at this time, the show was still working and creative.
The reason for reviewing this episode is because of its similarities to an episode of The Jeffersons. While the Jeffersons hardly mirrors this episode or what happened, they are linked in plots. And both episodes involve Ned Wertimer.
In this instance, Richie wants to go on his date, Howard wants Richie to date the client's daughter, the client being WErtimer.
Fonzie decides Potsie should pose as Richie and go on the date instead. Things don't go well on the date, however, and now Howard thinks it is Richie who lost control with the poor Winnie.
Howard Cunningham was definitely at his peak with these episodes and in this episode, as the befuddled father hearing his son sing 'I found my thrill' after getting the distraught phone call from Mr. McKinnie.
Bosley spins the episode like a pro, caving in to having Potsie apologize as Richie, then discarding of Joannie when she stumbles into the plot (note the similarities again to the Jeffersons episode with Lionel and how that affects the outcome there).
Still, Happy Days pulled the biggest stunner with Howard, when McKinnie reveals he isn't a big chain store owner, Howard brings it all home.
While the show did manage to hang on to Howard's dislike of Potsie, it failed in maintaining any discord between Howard and Fonzie and that was a real shame.
This episode shows definite possibilities that were missed.
However long after this season it ws that Richie became the moralist of the show, Fonzie became the hip moralist, I couldn't say, but at this time, the show was still working and creative.
The reason for reviewing this episode is because of its similarities to an episode of The Jeffersons. While the Jeffersons hardly mirrors this episode or what happened, they are linked in plots. And both episodes involve Ned Wertimer.
In this instance, Richie wants to go on his date, Howard wants Richie to date the client's daughter, the client being WErtimer.
Fonzie decides Potsie should pose as Richie and go on the date instead. Things don't go well on the date, however, and now Howard thinks it is Richie who lost control with the poor Winnie.
Howard Cunningham was definitely at his peak with these episodes and in this episode, as the befuddled father hearing his son sing 'I found my thrill' after getting the distraught phone call from Mr. McKinnie.
Bosley spins the episode like a pro, caving in to having Potsie apologize as Richie, then discarding of Joannie when she stumbles into the plot (note the similarities again to the Jeffersons episode with Lionel and how that affects the outcome there).
Still, Happy Days pulled the biggest stunner with Howard, when McKinnie reveals he isn't a big chain store owner, Howard brings it all home.
While the show did manage to hang on to Howard's dislike of Potsie, it failed in maintaining any discord between Howard and Fonzie and that was a real shame.
This episode shows definite possibilities that were missed.
