Happy Days' Secret Origin: The Forgotten Anthology Show

The sitcom "Happy Days," now a television landmark, began its journey on a different, less remembered show: "Love, American Style." Initially, ABC passed on Garry Marshall's "Happy Days" concept in the early 1970s, questioning its appeal to contemporary audiences. Marshall managed to have the pilot episode broadcast as part of the "Love, American Style" anthology series in 1972.

The cultural landscape shifted with the 1972 Broadway premiere of "Grease," sparking renewed interest in the 1950s. This trend prompted ABC executives to reconsider "Happy Days," leading to its official series premiere in 1974.

"Love, American Style" also made other significant contributions to pop culture, providing early acting roles for stars like Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton, and even earning Emmy nominations. Furthermore, an episode from this anthology served as the pilot for the animated sitcom "Wait Till Your Father Gets Home."

Notably, the iconic character Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli was not in Marshall's initial plans for "Happy Days." ABC executives, seeking a more rebellious element, specifically requested a gang and "bad guys" after seeing "American Graffiti." This led to the creation of Fonzie, a character Marshall envisioned as mostly silent and gestural.

Henry Winkler's portrayal soon transformed Fonzie, as the character's popularity grew and he was promoted to a lead role. This evolution cemented "Happy Days" as a '70s classic and immortalized Fonzie.