HAPPY DAYS: FONZIE THE SUPERSTAR (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedies about life in the 1950s. In this episode, Richie and Ralph wonder why Potsie seems hesitant to rehearse for their senior dance performance at Arnold’s. Potsie eventually reveals that he is getting dragged to Notre Dame for the weekend with relatives. Meanwhile, Fonz has plans to head to the Powder Puff Derby to be part of Pinky Tuscadero’s pit crew. That night, Richie tries to think who he can enlist to replace Potsie as their lead singer. With Arnold about to hire another band, Ralph comes up with a plan – to get Fonz to sing. Word quickly spreads and the female population is ecstatic. Later, Fonz returns from his trip and reports on victory in the derby. Ralph is then forced to tell him of the surprise, showing him a poster advertising him as the event’s singer. Fonz refuses, wondering why he would want to sing with them. Ralph claims it will make Fonz a huge star, but Fonz admits he can’t sing. Later, Potsie tries to teach Fonz how to sing, with little success. Then, Laverne and Shirley arrive to be Fonz’s backup singers, something that only pleases the Fonz. As the dance nears, Arnold is nervous that Fonz has yet to arrive. Fonz finally gets to Arnold’s and immediately tries to cancel due to his nervousness. He tells Richie that he can’t afford to be seen as a failure, but Richie can’t believe the Fonz is chickening out. Begrudgingly, Richie reveals to the adoring crowds that Fonz injured himself and is unable to perform. With the fans booing, Arnold is forced to take the stage to sing “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” with Laverne and Shirley. Finally, Fonz comes out of the bathroom wearing a white fringed suit to talk the words to “Heartbreak Hotel” and electrify the crowds. After the performance, he has to switch outfits with Richie to escape all the adoring girls awaiting him. Richie, however, delights in the attention. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: January 27, 1976 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:13183
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Asian American Pacific Islanders Collection
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1974-1984
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Bubble Yum bubblegum
- TV - Commercials - Prell shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Sure deodorant
- TV - Commercials - Visine eye drops
- TV - Promos - "Baretta"
- TV - Promos - "Charlie's Angels"
CREDITS
- Garry K. Marshall … Executive Producer, Created by
- Thomas L. Miller … Executive Producer
- Edward K. Milkis … Executive Producer
- Mark Rothman … Producer
- Lowell Ganz … Producer
- Tony Marshall … Producer
- Nick Abdo … Associate Producer
- Jerry Paris … Director
- Arthur Silver … Writer
- Barry Rubinowitz … Writer
- Frank Comstock … Music by
- Norman Gimbel … Theme Music by
- Charles Fox … Theme Music by
- Ron Howard (See also: Ronny Howard) … Cast, Richie Cunningham
- Henry Winkler … Cast, Arthur "Fonz" Fonzarelli
- Marion Ross … Cast, Marion Cunningham
- Anson Williams … Cast, Potsie Weber
- Donny Most … Cast , Ralph Malph
- Erin Moran … Cast, Joanie Cunningham
- Tom Bosley … Cast, Howard Cunningham
- Pat Morita … Cast, Arnold
- Cindy Williams … Cast, Shirley Feeney
- Penny Marshall … Cast, Laverne DeFazio
- John-Anthony Bailey … Cast, Sticks
- Jillian Kesner … Cast, Patty Petralunga