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HAPPY DAYS: THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW (TV)

Summary

One in the series of comedies about life in the 1950s. In this episode, Richie gets criticized for his lackluster reporting in the high school newspaper by editor Mark. Mark gives Richie one final shot and he decides to attempt an interview with Howdy Doody during the show's taping in Milwaukee. Ralph mentions that no one has ever seen Clarabell the Clown without makeout and Richie decides instead to score that exclusive picture. On air, Buffalo Bob mentions that there is an upcoming Howdy Doody lookalike contest. Then, Joanie is nervous to appear on the show, as she scheduled to present the "Junior Chipmunk of the Year" award to the puppet. Marion and Howard try to get her off-camera, then become similarly stagestruck. Afterward, Potsie claims he got a picture of Clarabell without makeup.

Taking a look at the shot, Richie is disappointed to see that Clarabell still has makeup on and, worse, is naked. Richie needs another way to get on the set and Fonz suggests he enter the lookalike contest. Richie feels he needs to take the photo though, so they decide to dupe Ralph into entering. Ralph refuses to enter the contest, however, and so Richie has no choice but to enter himself. As the only teen to enter, Richie loses the contest but still gets the coveted picture afterward. At home, Richie gets a call from Life magazine, offering $300 for the photo. Later, Buffalo Bob and Clarabell come to the Cunningham home to try and convince Richie to not sell the picture. Buffalo Bob claims that the photo will ruin Clarabell's "mystique" and possibly kill his career. Eventually, Richie rips the photo in half and is thus forced to interview Howard for his newspaper. Includes commercials.

Details

  • NETWORK: ABC
  • DATE: February 18, 1975 8:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:28:12
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:13191
  • GENRE: Comedy
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
  • SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1974-1984
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Colgate toothpaste
    • TV - Commercials - Curad bandages
    • TV - Commercials - Gillette Daisy shaver
    • TV - Commercials - Sears stores
    • TV - Commercials - Tame conditioner
    • TV - Promos - "The Streets of San Francisco"

CREDITS

  • Thomas L. Miller … Executive Producer
  • Edward K. Milkis … Executive Producer
  • Garry K. Marshall … Executive Producer, Created by
  • William S. Bickley … Producer
  • Ed Scharlach … Co-Producer
  • Michael Warren … Associate Producer
  • Jerry Paris … Director
  • Bob Brunner … Writer
  • Pete King … Music by
  • Charles Fox … Theme Music by
  • Norman Gimbel … Theme Music by
  • Ron Howard (See also: Ronny Howard) … Cast, Richie Cunningham
  • Marion Ross … Cast, Marion Cunningham
  • Anson Williams … Cast, Potsie Weber
  • Henry Winkler … Cast, Arthur "Fonz" Fonzarelli
  • Donny Most … Cast, Ralph Malph
  • Tom Bosley … Cast, Howard Cunningham
  • Erin Moran … Cast, Joanie Cunningham
  • Robert E. Smith … Cast, Buffalo Bob Smith
  • Bruce Kimmel … Cast, Mark
  • Robert Brunner … Cast, Clarabell