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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Did You Know?

Goofs

The social mores and values in the series more clearly reflected the 1980s filming period of the series rather than its 1960s setting. Smoking was largely eschewed, women were treated as equals and ethnic White Americans were not disparaged as they were during the early 1960s when the series was set.

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Connections

Referenced in Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018)

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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

A Chachi in the hand is worth 2 Fonzis in the bush!

Chachi my Chachi - This show was the epitome of 70's closure.

We stepped into the 80's and Joanie and Chachi began to meld into ONE being that was the essence of Chach. I miss them both and recall Joanie and Chachi hosting the 1980 New Year's countdown and at 9 yrs of age, I remembered musing to myself, "Why does Chachi not have his own show!?" It turned out to be prophetic (I guess I had the Spirit of Chachi working inside me as many of us still do) and lo and behold JOANIE LOVES CHACHI. I cried everytime I watched it because I knew it couldn't last. I also took great hope in the realization that the power of Chach would go on and MUST go on and that my sense of loss would be fulfilled by Charles in Charge. Today, I am a thriving Chachi impersonator and travel the "Chachi lookalike" contest circuits in hopes that this show JOANIE LOVES CHACHI would rise up and be resurrected to vindicate my incessant admiration for the beautiful work of art that is "Joanie loves Chachi". I remember the one show where we were blessed by the playful side of Chachi and were allowed to hear his melodic voice. Anyone with a recording of that show is , I'm sure, a millionaire right now simply because it shows a side of our beloved Chachi that is other than his deeply spiritual side and in stark contrast to his internationally powerful political side, in time, others like yourself will one day long for the return of the Chach and that all mankind would join hands in the spirit of Chachi and bring an end to the oppression of violence and war that is SO UNChachi-like and hopefully, we can pool our visualization and visualize a new world leader. It is time to put Chachi in Charge. Or at least have a Joanie loves Chachi reunion show that I might enjoy. Thank you. Stay Chachi and remember, if ever you are in a bind, just ask yourself, "What would Chachi do?" Andrew

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 March 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Joanie Loves 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