Happy Days on This Day in History

 

This Day in History: Happy Days, a sitcom about life in the 1950s, debuted on ABC on this day in 1974.

Happy Days is an American television sitcom that aired first-run on the ABC network from 1974 to 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning 11 seasons. Created by Garry Marshall, it was one of the most successful series of the 1970s. The series presented an idealized vision of life in the 1950s and early 1960s Milwaukee Wisconsin, and it starred Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham, Henry Winkler as his friend Fonzie, and Tom Bosley and Marion Ross as Richie's parents, Howard and Marion Cunningham. Although it opened to mixed reviews from critics, Happy Days became successful and popular over time.

Initially a moderate success, the series' ratings began to fall during its second season, causing Marshall to retool it. The new format emphasized broad comedy and spotlighted the previously minor character of Fonzie, a "cool" biker and high school dropout. Following these changes, Happy Days became the number-one program in television in 1976–1977, Fonzie became one of the most merchandised characters of the 1970s, and Henry Winkler became a major star. The series also spawned a number of spin-offs, including Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Joanie Loves Chachi, Blansky's Beauties featuring Nancy Walker as Howard's cousin, and Out of the Blue.

The show had many notable guest stars over the years, including Hank Aaron, Lorne Greene, Suzi Quatro, Frankie Avalon, Tom Hanks, Morgan Fairchild, Cheryl Ladd, Dave Madden, The Amazing Randi, Robin Williams, etc.

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