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Were Those Happy Days Really That Happy?
If so, why did Fonzie jump the shark?
Many of us have seen the classic TV show, Happy Days, either when it originally aired, or in syndication. While it portrayed life in the 50s and 60s in Milwaukee as idyllic, if you look closer problems arise.
What about Chuck?
Richie and Joanie Cunningham originally had an older brother, Chuck. After appearing on the series for two seasons, Chuck was gone forever. The family seemed to take it well. Chuck was never seen on a milk carton and John Walsh was never called. Nobody called the police.
While nobody said anything about foul play, the fact is, Arthur Fonzarelli, aka “Fonzie”, and “The Fonz” did slide into Chuck’s role in the Cunnigham family pretty easily. Plus, Fonzie had a suspect background. Hmm.
Then there’s that jumping the shark thing.
The term, “jumping the shark” has been synonymous with a TV show doing something desperate to remain on the air. To be clear, Happy Days was still a ratings dynamo when Fonze jumped the shark. While wearing his leather jacket, no less.
Fonzie performed that stunt to prove his courage. Huh? Was The Fonze so insecure he had to resort to a dangerous stunt to prove himself? I thought he was supposed to exude…
