Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion

This was a poorly directed clip show that looked like it was done by anyone other than a real fan of the one of America's classic TV shows. It broke my heart to see such a choppy junk show made about such a classic. Spoiled were the Happy Days memories smooth as the Fonz himself....this was as spastic and dull as cable TV junk shows are now. What a disappointment. I would like to have seen this directed by one of the show's original regular directors like Frank Buxton, Peter Baldwi, or Mel Fisher, God rest his soul, he probably rolled over in his grave when he saw this one. And where was Gary Marshall when this was being shot and cut? This was so dull, was he asleep? Well, it shows.

It was so nice to see all those stars from one of my favorite sitcoms. I enjoyed seeing these folks as they look today. The special was not just some collections of clips from the old series. It included stories about the people that were a part of that adventure. And Gary Marshall was there to add his perspective and insights. It was interesting to hear about his interaction with his cast.

Henry Winkler's "home movies" showed us things that have not been seen before. He had little gems that he shot over the full eleven years the show was produced.

I particularly enjoyed the stories about their softball team. They played in many locations including games against the troops overseas. It was fun to see who was the star player and who was not. I won't spoil that here. I'll just say that being one of the more significant cast members did not mean you were also one of the more significant softball players.

And while this was not just a re-hashing of clips from old shows, it did include some highlights. I saw characters I had forgotten. I'm going to have to watch the local TV schedule for some repeats. Happy Days will always be one of the best TV series ever made.

Obviously, "Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion" brought back all the cast members, all of whom threw in their two cents about the show's various aspects. Until watching this reunion, I had never known about their baseball team, or that the show was spun off of "Love: American Style". And Henry Winkler's home movies showing the bloopers were pretty interesting. It must have been pretty incredible to be in the same room as Robin Williams hearing him ad lib a bunch of jokes as Mork.

Admittedly, this will probably only appeal to the show's hardcore fans; otherwise, the whole thing just seems like self-congratulation. But I would congratulate Fonzie's coolness. On another note, it's sort of weird to think that all of the "Happy Days" cast members are still alive after all these years (but not everyone who participated; director Jerry Paris has passed on). But no matter, it's great to see Richie, Fonzie, Howard, Marion, Joanie, Potsie, Ralph and Chachi together again, not to mention some of the obscurer cast members. Just one question: where was Al? Oh well. As Fonzie always says: heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!

Seeing that "Happy Days 30th Anniversary Special", it seems like yesterday when i would religiously watch the show tuesday nights back in the 70's and 80's. Time flies! I liked that a lot of the characters in the show joined together in the original Arnolds drive-in, but was disappointed that they didn't have Lori-Beth and Al included. They were a pretty big part of the show, so they should have been there too. Anyway, i recorded the special onto DVD, so it's preserved in my library of great, enjoyable TV memories. Can't wait till the "Happy Days 50th Anniversary special." Can you imagine, Richie Cunningham a senior citizen? LOL!

I enjoyed the reunion show because growing up Happy Days was my favorite show. Tuesdays at 8:00 was always the time for Happy Days!! I just was wondering why AL wasn't included in it. I know he is still very much alive because I checked his biography page. I would be surprised to find out that he wouldn't have wanted to be with everyone else sharing the old memories. Also, I wonder where Pinky was?? Last time I saw her she was on the news for shooting a car window out because the alarm was too loud!!! Poor Pinky!The sitcoms today cannot compare to what we had. All there is now is sex, and profanity. It is a shame that this is what our children have to be subjected to.