Joanie Loves Chachi 

The romantic adventures of Joanie Cunningham and Chachi Arcola as they pursue music careers in Chicago.

Creators:

Lowell Ganz, Garry Marshall

Stars:

Scott Baio, Erin Moran, Al Molinaro

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Scott Baio	...	Chachi Arcola 17 episodes, 1982-1983
Erin Moran	...	Joanie Cunningham 17 episodes, 1982-1983
Al Molinaro	...	Al Delvecchio 17 episodes, 1982-1983
Derrel Maury	...	Mario Mastorelli 17 episodes, 1982-1983
Ellen Travolta	...	Louisa Arcola Delvecchio 17 episodes, 1982-1983
Winifred Freedman	...	Annette Mastorelli 17 episodes, 1982-1983
Robert Pierce	...	Bingo 17 episodes, 1982-1983
Art Metrano	...	Uncle Rico Mastorelli 16 episodes, 1982-1983

Storyline

This spin-off of Happy Days (1974) follows Chachi Arcola as he moves out and tries to succeed on his own with a rock band and a music career. In between holding down a job and keeping his girlfriend, Joanie Cunningham, happy, he must also deal with the often unwanted, but sometimes needed, advice and interference from his friends, relatives and neighbors.

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Plot Keywords:

1960s | sitcom | happy days spin off | chicago illinois | character name in title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Music

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 March 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jenny e Chachi

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miller-Milkis-Boyett Productions, Henderson Productions, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (17 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Given the moderate to conservative nature of the Cunningham family it's doubtful that the would have approved of their single daughter moving away with a man, regardless of who he was, without the two being married. While this may have been acceptable in the 1980s era when it was filmed, it would have been viewed as completely inappropriate in the early 1960s setting of the series.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: George Carlin/Susan Sullivan/Sheryl Lee Ralph (1987)

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Soundtracks

You Look At Me
Written by James Patrick Dunne and Pam Phillips
Performed by Erin Moran and Scott Baio

User Reviews

Joanie Loves Chachi

I don't think it was that great an idea to take Joanie and Chachi away from Happy Days for their own show because their romance became such an integral part of the show, especially in the post-Ron Howard era. But the big mistake was taking away the spinoff from the time slot right after Happy Days onto its own night. Then Joanie Loves Chachi faded into oblivion, and Joanie and Chachi (Erin Moran and Scott Baio) returned to the mother ship for what turned out to be its last season, and the two lovebirds married in the final episode.

Catch Joanie Loves Chachi on TV Land or one of those cable channels and enjoy the few episodes. And be warned, Scott Baio is NO singer. The poor boy can't carry a note! Erin Moran is no Karen Carpenter or Sarah Brightman, but she has a sweet voice. The theme song is nice, and with Moran singing with Baio, it's only half bad (Baio's half).

Maybe this spinoff didn't achieve the success of Laverne and Shirley, or Mork and Mindy, but it's still worth checking out if you're a Happy Days fan. (And who isn't? :))