Episode 11 (S4) – RICHIE BRANCHES OUT

Richie falls in love with a poster of the Wisconsin Cola Girl. He discovers her real name is Angela Buvay and sets out to meet her.

Richie, Ralph and Potsie make an appointment at the modelling agency that represents Angela. They pose as businessmen representing Cunningham Hardware.

The trio arrange for Angela to attend Arnolds for a photoshoot.

After a number of missteps including taking photos with the lens cap on, Richie confesses to Angela he is neither a photographer nor a businessman. He says he just wanted the chance to meet his dream girl.

Richie confides that in his dream he gets to kiss the Wisconsin Cola Girl. Before departing Arnolds, Angela grants Richie his wish.

The actress who played Angela was Paulette Breen (1947 – 2014). In addition to acting she was also a film and movie producer. She was crowned Miss American Teenager in 1963.

Episode 10 (S4) – A.K.A THE FONZ

Officer Kirk appoints himself as the new acting sheriff after the untimely death –“The last time he’ll change a tyre without a jack” – of Sheriff Flanagan. He reads from a list of people he intends to run out of town. The list includes Fonzie. Kirk says he doesn’t like his ‘look’.

When Fonzie refuses to leave, Kirk begins targeting his friends. He issues trivial parking citations to Howard and others. Richie writes a letter to the Milwaukee Journal in protest of the harassment. Howard convenes a special meeting of the Leopard Lodge.

Fonzie promises Kirk he will leave town if he’ll lay off his friends. In a show of solidarity, everyone dresses in leather jackets to demonstrate they are on ‘Team Fonzie’.

Later, Howard gets a call from the Mayor letting him know that Officer Kirk has effectively been run out of town himself and is now a Crossing Guard at the Madison Elementary School.

Actor Ed Peck (1917 – 1992) played the role of Officer Kirk. Among a great many film and televsion roles he was also the announcer – with his trademark deep, resonating voice – on the THE JACK CARSON SHOW (1953 -1954).

Here he is in a 1965 Season 1 episode of GET SMART entitled KAOS IN CONTROL –

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Episode 9 (S4) – THE MUCKRAKERS

Students at the high school are coming down sick. Ralph complains his stomach hurts. Potsie mentions he found a bone in his meatloaf from the school cafeteria. Richie says, “Ever since the school got that new cook the food has been terrible.” He pledges to write a report on it for the school newspaper.

Richie goes undercover, posing as a school janitor. He uncovers a scam whereby good meat intended for the school cafeteria is being sold off to local restaurants leaving just the second grade meat for the school. His article, entitled TABLES TURNED ON SCHOOL CAFETERIA is printed in the school newspaper.

During his investigation it comes to light that Fonzie has a severe aversion to liver. Richie mentions to Fonzie that he plans a follow-up article, which will mention Fonzie’s allergy. Fonzie asks him not to write the article, saying it would be like pulling off the Lone Ranger’s mask.

Richie says as a ‘tough reporter’ he is obliged to print the article and inform people. Fonzie replies that in that case they are no longer friends. Richie consults his father for advise.

Howard tells Richie, “If someone does something wrong it’s your job to report it, but to print a story just to shock people and sell a few newspapers? I think that is wrong. Fonzie is a hero in the neighbourhood. If he hasn’t done anything wrong, why do you want to hurt him?”

Richie decides not to print the article. Fonzie confesses the reason he was upset was, “A lot of people tried to take the Lone Ranger’s mask off – but Tonto never did.”

The episode ends with Fonzie forcing himself to overcome his aversion to liver. Seated at a booth in Arnolds, he uses every bit of will power he can muster to take a single bite of a liver steak Al has specially cooked him.

The Jungle is a 1906 novel by American ‘muckraker’ Pulitzer Prize-winning author Upton Sinclair (1878 – 1968).

Sinclair spent seven weeks gathering information for his story while working incognito in the meatpacking plants of the Chicago stockyards.

Episode 8 (S4) – THEY SHOOT FONZIES DON’T THEY?

Joanie is upset for missing out on making it into the school cheerleader squad. She blames a fellow cheerleader named Jill Higgins who made the decision out of personal spite. Joanie is determined to get even.

She challenges Jill Higgins in the upcoming annual Dance marathon to be held at Arnolds. She asks Fonzie to be her partner for the event and, after initially saying no, he agrees.

On the eve of the dance Fonzie finds himself a long way away with a broken down motorcycle. In an effort to make it on time he pushes his motorcycle 12 miles all the way from Chicago. By the time he makes it to Arnolds he is exhausted and in need of sleep.

He struggles throughout the Marathon Dance Contest to stay awake. After 14 hours of non-stop dancing, all the couples have dropped out except for Joanie and Fonzie and Jill Higgins and her very tall brother.

When Fonzie proposes a ‘Challenge Dance’ he unleashes his last burst of energy (see clip below). Cindy and her brother cannot match it, leaving Joanie and Fonzie the winners of the contest.

American indie rock band WEEZER – formed in 1992 – released a song in 1994 called BUDDY HOLLY. The video for the song features the dance Fonzie performs in this episode. It can be found at the three minute mark in the clip below and goes for about 20 seconds –

Episode 7 (S4) – A PLACE OF HIS OWN

Richie’s date Cindy says it would be so much better if he had a place of his own. Richie lies and says he does and that he will take Cindy there the next night.

Richie asks Fonzie if he can use his apartment to fool Cindy into thinking it’s his. Fonzie agrees, saying Richie can have it until midnight, after which he’ll need it to sleep. The plan changes however when Fonzie finds he can’t stay awake until midnight.

With Marion and Howard out for the evening, they decide instead Fonzie will sleep in Richie’s room and Richie can sleep the night in Fonzie’s upstairs apartment.

The plan comes unstuck when Cindy’s father arrives early to collect her and the switch is discovered.

The actor who played the part of Cindy’s father was CONRAD JANIS (1928 – 1922). Among a great many film and television roles he played the part of Fred McConnell in 53 episodes of MORK AND MINDY.

Episode 6 (S4) – FONZIE’S HERO

Fonzie’s workplace catches fire. Amidst the haze of smoke, he is dragged semi-conscious from the wreckage by an unseen rescuer. Fonzie pledges to reward the person, if they can be found, with any favor they wish for.

Moments later Potsie staggers into Arnolds covered in soot, with his clothes in tatters. He is the person Fonzie owes his life to. Potsie nominates being able to ‘buddy around’ with Fonzie as his reward.

Much to Fonzie’s reluctance, Potsie begins planning a full schedule of activities with his new best friend. These include the circus on Tuesday, bumper-cars on Thursday and a family reunion dinner on Friday. After an awkward trip to a local rollerskating rink, Fonzie declares he’s had enough.

“Everywhere I go, he’s there. It’s like having gum on your shoe.” Fonzie unloads to Richie while the two are inside the restroom at Arnolds. They’re both unaware however that Potsie is inside one of the stalls, hearing what’s being said.

To allow Fonzie to save face, Potsie tells him he now realizes he needs his own space and that they don’t need to hang out so closely anymore. Potise also tells Fonzie that even though he saved his life, he doesn’t owe him any more favors anymore.

In the scene at the roller skating rink, Fonzie is teased by three children for his lack of skating ability. The taller of the two girls is Tom Bosley‘s (Howard Cunningham) daughter. The other two are the children of Happy Days creator Gary Marshall.

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Episode 5 (S4) – FONZIE THE FATHER

A pregnant woman enters Arnolds and says she’s looking for Fonzie. Her name is Louisa Corrigan. Her husband, who is a friend of Fonzie and working out of town, has sent his wife to stay with Fonzie in the final weeks leading up to the birth.

Fonzie doesn’t want to do the ‘minding’ so talks Richie into doing it instead. Louisa is accomodated in Joanie’s bedroom during her stay. Ralph and Potsie arrive and want Richie to come out and party with them. Richie declines, saying he has a responsilibity.

Lousia goes into labour. Fonzie and Richie deliver her in time to the hospital.

The actress that played the part of the pregnant woman was Udana Power (1944 – ). In addition to her many television roles, she also appered in over 250 commercials and was a talented puppeter.

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Episode 4 (S4) – A MIND OF HIS OWN

Fonzie goes ahead and beats up a bully who picks on Potsie. This is despite the bully backing down at the last moment.

Richie points out to Fonzie he could have let the person off with a warning. He reminds Fonzie he showed the same lack of mercy the previous week when someone accidentally knocked a bagel from his hands and then tried apologising.

Richie hints to Fonzie there may be something wrong with him. Fonzie admits lately he’s been feeling tense. Howard advises Fonzie to see a psychologist after it emerges Fonzie has had eight fights in the last week.

Fonzie mentions that bodywork at the garage has been slow recently, so the psychologist advises Fonzie he needs a replacement outlet for his aggresion. The psychologist advises Fonzie to build birdhouses. To signal his new calmer self, Fonzie gives his leather jacket away to Joanie and begins wearing blue t-shirts.

A few days later Fonzie is down at Arnolds showing off his hand-made birdhouses. The bully who Fonzie beat up the previous week walks in with his older brother. They both mean to even the score.

The older brother first snaps a piece off one of Fonzie’s birdcages and then grabs him by the shirt. Richie, who has been ‘mentoring’ Fonzie in the ways of serenity and control, gives his consent for Fonzie to ‘Get ’em!‘. Fonzie authoritively puts the two bullies in their place, without resorting to violence.

The actor who played the role of the psychologist was Bill Idelson (1919 – 2007). During WW2 he was awarded a Distinguised Flying Cross and four Air Medals for his operations as a night fighter pilot.

In addition to his work as an actor, he also was a television writer who contributed episodes to such shows as –

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Episodes 1-3 (S4) – PINKY LOVES FONZIE

The Milwaukee Leopard Lodge sponsors a Demolition Derby, with all funds raised going to charity. The pre-entertainment is to be provided by Pinky Tuscadero and her trick-motorbike riding Pinkets.

Fonzie is set to enter the Demolition Derby but when his driving partner Nookie Newman drops out at the last moment, he is left in the lurch. Pinky offers herself as a replacement but Fonzie turns down her offer.

To get back at Fonzie, Pinky plays up to one of Fonzie’s enemies, one half of the dreaded Malachi Brothers, Myron. The plan works. Fonzie becomes jealous and decides he wants Pinky as a driving partner afterall.

The derby begins but Pinky is injured and taken to hospital. She recovers and Fonzie and Pinky briefly contemplate marriage but in the end decide that they are both too free-spirited and it wouldn’t work out.

The actor that portrayed Myron ‘Count’ Malachi was Michael Pataki (1938 – 2010). Among a great many film and television roles he appeared in these movies –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN-BmKSmOGo

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Episode 23 (S3) – ARNOLD’S WEDDING

Arnold announces he is getting married to a Japanese lady named MoMo Okomoto. He asks Fonzie to be his best man but is met with a less than enthusiastic response.

Fonzie explains that there exists a ‘Fonzarelli Curse’ due to him previously being best man at two different weddings and them both ending in disaster.

Arnold invites MoMo to his restaurant but his bride-to-be comes away believing Arnold has become too American. She calls the wedding off and Fonzie cites this as proof of the ‘Fonzarelli Curse’.

Things eventually turn around and the wedding goes ahead, with Fonzie as Best Man dressed in a Kimono.

The actress that played the part of Arnold’s bride MoMo was Nobu McCarthy (1934 – 2002) – born Nobu Atsumi. Among a great many film and televsion roles she appeared in the Jerry Lewis movie THE GEISHA BOY (1958) and THE KARATE KID 2 (1986).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN-BmKSmOGo

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