Happy Days - A Farewell to the Old Gang (1983) (With a Fats Domino Tribute)

This was the true final moment of the old gang (Ritchie, Potsie, Ralph, and of course The Fonz)
From Ron Howard's (and Donny Most's) two-part return Welcome Home (1983)
This also doubles as my tribute to the late Fats Domino (Who it should be noted, contributed music for the first season of Happy Days.)

[@JohnCee754]

This scene was very well written and performed -- I think just about everyone can relate with re-connecting with people you knew years and years ago -- then sitting there staring at each other as you realize you've all drifted your own ways and can't find anything to say. And yet, when I initially watched this episode, a part of me really wanted them all to say something that brought it all back. The idea of having Ralph start playing "Blueberry Hill" was a masterstroke.

[@fjccommish]

This is what immature children do.

[@JohnCee754]

@@fjccommish Immature children do what? Play piano? Sing "Blueberry Hill"? Reminisce with friends? I don't understand what you're saying?

[@peterbell3199]

Last year I reconnected with some old HS friends, it was very similar to this.

[@kendallrivers1119]

@@fjccommish No immature children post negative mess on a classic iconic scene like this.

[@avenger1888]

@@kendallrivers1119 There was NOTHING negative in his comment!!!! You're just reading as such. Geez .

[@linkbiff1054]

You could tell how much Henry and the gang loved Ron upon his return.

[@CS5VR]

I was 11 when this show started. They were like family growing up. Thank you to all of them.

[@andrebeck1444]

One of my all-time favorite sitcom episodes. Great to have the two redheaded R's, aka. Richie and Ralph, back. "They still got it!"

[@jb888888888]

Fun fact, Donny Most auditioned for Potsie but since Ron Howard was a redhead they thought they looked to similar. But they really liked Most, so they created the character of Ralph for him.

[@TraceRouteMind]

Saddens me but also warms my heart. Love this show and grew up with its reruns this and twilight zone fonzie is my hero

[@tinawelch5524]

I so loved Happy Days, but these make me miss my sweet Mama that watched it with me while Daddy was working 2nd shift.

[@leonalley4229]

I had the very same memory you did!!

[@charleszammit2717]

I love this scene, it was great to see the old gang back together.

[@benjaminlucas1635]

Charles Zammit i really liked the show but not as much when Richie and Ralph left and the old Arnolds burnt down. The show had already exhausted its potential at this point, so they decided to get the originals back together for one last time before the show ended.

[@MrT8T3R]

Really great

[@jacklowe3429]

It was. But by now, Richie and Ralph had been through both school and the army. Somehow, Potsie was still in college. He must've been working on his second PhD by then.

[@terryaltman6765]

It was a real real good show showed a lot of the American Spirit back in that day that was a glorious time

[@beatle9239]

I thought the scene was realistic. It's almost impossible to relive your teen years once their gone.

[@jamesspecht5384]

One of the best shows ever,I remember not missing an episode

[@dennissculaf2740]

Let me go back and re-live my youth..... everything was good back then....

[@Guvrunner]

HAPPY DAYS....a Big part of my childhood! I fondly watch it to these days whenever it comes on!

[@jessdave3107]

It's always a little bit sad when something good dies, even if it's time.

[@andreyu5469]

Kudos to the person who posted this. It’s a shame this syndicated version cut so much of this scene that really brought back the original Happy Days nostalgia. Originally the scene begins with Richie and Ralph entering the building, soaking in the gleeful emotions of a place they both missed while they were in the Army, looking at each other and saying in a joyful and relaxing manner, “Arnold’s!” This was followed by Potsie entering, hugging Richie, and telling him how he hated his mustache. Ralph tries to embrace Potsie to which Potsie rebukes Ralph for money Ralph never paid to him. Richie intervenes and gives Potsie the amount of money Ralph owed him, which helped the two to make up and hug one another. Chachi and Roger enter, which brings about the funniest scene in which Roger mistakens Ralph for Richie. Ralph decides to play along with this and Chachi has to nudge Roger of his error. Roger looks at Ralph, while completely embarrassed at himself and says “oh I get it...laughter at my own expense. Ralph’s response is legendary- “that’s what I do best!” There was other small dialogue between everyone long before Fonzie’s arrival. I’m telling you, just as this scene on KZbin was memorable, the uncut edition brought it to a whole new level.

[@RevanLockheart-]

Kudos

[@eddierascalhaskell4954]

Yeah. TV Land I think had the longer version of the scene while other syndicated channels had the edited version.

[@paulleckner8235]

After all these years, they finally sang the song from beginning to end. Nice of them to give it to Don Most to get it started.

[@paulleckner8235]

@Berry Harbour I saw what you did there.

[@paulleckner8235]

@Berry Harbour I saw what you did there!

[@JoshMaxPower]

lol Mr. Most is not playing that piano, my friend. Same as Ron Howard does not play the sax and Scott Baio doesn't play drums. That's show biz! 👍

[@qthemusicdj]

And that’s why when a show peaks they call it “Ralph Malphing the piano” happens to the best of shows eventually

[@keithclark7266]

R.I.P. to Tom Bosley (Mr. C), Erin Moran ( Joanie), Pat Morita (Arnold), Al Molinaro (Al), Jack Dodson (Ralph's Dad)

[@cricketj7399]

Erin Moran passed away? She was at least 10 years younger than Henry Winkler and Henry Winkler is alive and well!!!!😮😮

[@avenger1888]

@@cricketj7399 Yes Erin Moran has passed away. She died of cancer I believe about a year or so ago.

[@cricketj7399]

@@avenger1888 That's weird how Ron Howard, and Erin Moran both passed of cancer. That is so sad.😥

[@ccg1171]

Marion Ross Mrs C is still alive. She's in her 90s

[@ccg1171]

@@cricketj7399 Ron Howard is alive

[@juliuscepeda9655]

It would have been a total riot if Potsie said, “ Hey Rich, do you remember Chuck Cunningham, . . . he’s dead.”

[@brianalex2193]

Yeah 2020 blow's

[@kenmcauliffe3028]

Savage 🤣

[@Fruttidoro]

Cause of death: Chuck Cunningham Syndrome. 😄😃

[@martinlutherbling424]

"Hey, Rich... whatever happened to your older brother, Chuck ?" Richie: "oh, he got a basketball scholarship and we never heard from him again."

[@AndrewT-hb8we]

Also would have been nice if Marsha the waitress came out of the kitchen to take their order. And fonz said something like. "Marsha it's about time. It felt like you were in that kitchen for 7 years

[@Robocoppat]

One of the best shows of the 70's. Couldn't wait to watch the new episode every Tuesday night.

[@lisaweiner215]

Happy days will always be my favorite show.

[@Vartholomeos.]

Well, for a show that is set between 1957 and 1968, that's very...........early 80s!! Still, one of the BEST shows ever produced.

[@sdrewe99]

Brilliant nostalgia. Miss the old Happy Days gang!

[@kendallrivers1119]

One of the greatest scenes ever! It was awesome to have the foursome back together again and a brilliant way to reconnect them.

[@eLiFILMSinc]

How did they break apart? Don't recall

[@j2times2006]

You can tell the audience loved it and was so into this reunion.

[@kendallrivers1119]

eLi FILMS remember, Richie and Ralph went to the army because Donny Most wanted off the show and Ron wanted to start directing

[@laminage]

They were older and they had their own lives. Richie went to Los Angeles, Ralph went to Dental School, Potsie became a Guidance Counselor at Jefferson High and Fonzie co-owned Arnold's, Taught at The Vocational School, and owned The Garage. Not bad for a Garage Mechanic. It happens, you got older, you're interests changed and you change. Remember in Stand By Me, Gordie, Vern, Chris, and Teddy were thick as Thieves in 1959 but by the time they graduated in 1965 they were "Strangers". The same thing happened in The Sweet Valley High Books. Elizabeth's Best Friend at 12 Amy came back and they couldn't believe that in four years they would both change.

[@timobrien8809]

Yeah. I had some good friends that I lost contact with as I grew up. I've reconnected with a few of them with FB. & some I still haven't heard from. It's a little sad but that's what happens with life.

[@bowlnow824]

love this show. this was a great last scene of the gang.

[@jukedar]

they could never make TV this good again

[@macmiles278]

Such a happy but sad scene with the foursome back together. This reunion 1983 kind of forecasted the end of the Happy Days series which would end in 1984. I had many good memories on Tuesday night's with this show. America could use a show like this again 2018--19 but with today's political climate it would not succeed. So sad so long ago when tv was an escape no internet. R.I.P. Tom Bosley, Erin Moran, Al Molinaro and Pat Morita

[@dago6911]

Mac Miles well said my friend

[@macmiles278]

@@dago6911 THANKS Memories 😢

[@kelleyannethomas5372]

I didn't know that Pat Morita was dead! 😢

[@jkingvevo2472]

@@kelleyannethomas5372 how you ain't know? Pat Morita died in 2005. He even appeared on a episode of SpongeBob SquarePants before he passed away (the episode didn't air until 2006, in which the episode was dedicated in his memory.)

[@Robocoppat]

Well said Sir. Im starting to fill up..

[@fjccommish]

That's how the show should have ended.

[@jasonfagan3104]

Deze Nuts

[@Guvrunner]

True, but I did enjoy the real ending as well!

[@user-tz3ck6uc2p]

nah.. the real final with joanie and chachi getting married was perfect. Tom Bosely's speech and "breaking the fourth wall" talking to the camera at the end was iconic.

[@fjccommish]

@@user-tz3ck6uc2p Nope. No Richie, Fonz a school teacher. Nope.

[@christywhitehead3171]

I totally agree it wasn't the same after Ron Howard and the rest of them left

[@usmc-veteran7316]

When Mr C. looked into the camera and thank us the fans, that was great. Things were always a little different after Richie (Ron Howard) left the show.

[@TheJonarkin]

Wow, I was a big fan of this show, never missed an episode...until the 80s or so, and never saw this scene. Sweet. Thanks for posting!

[@douggrey6253]

Love this, it’s how it is…I have a small group from high school and grade school friends that we try and get together a few times a year, after about a 25 year absence from each other when having families and living in the real world took precedence…the first few get togethers started out awkward like the guys just did, but after a few moments we pick up right from those glory days, as we are now in our 60’s and have been getting together for over 10 years…

[@yee_littleskittles]

What every high school graduation person wants to see again.

[@tvfanatic9044]

Good to see Richie , Ralph and Roger share a scene together.

[@lisaweiner215]

I always enjoyed watching happy day on tv.

[@jasonfagan3104]

Dis Jawn common back in 2019. Give me a Hell Yeah. Deze Nutz

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Happt Days, not happy day. Why do people say they watched certains shows, but they do not know the name of the show? I have only seen the show in reruns, and I know the name of it.

[@19HuskyWolf70]

Loved this show

[@gary6754]

this timeframe was passing of the torch..... Happy Days, Mash, Three's Company, Lavern and Shirley were going off the air. In a couple years the NBC sitcoms were ruling the TV world led by Cheers and then Seinfeld and then Friends.

[@benschlechter]

And 5 years after Happy Days went off the air, Miller-Boyett came out with Family Matters, which is considered a spiritual successor to the former. Of course, the latter show only lasted 9 seasons.

[@qbtc]

You left out the most iconic 80's show that had just started around this time - Family Ties.

[@alanmartinez2688]

yeah it was great to have them together one more time,😎👍👍

[@yvettepennington8960]

Glad I grew up watching HAPPY DAYS RIP TOM,ERIN,AL, AND PAT

[@hankmessaros1835]

I was 12 when this eps came on and back then you didn't understand why people left a show or whatever. I did know having Ralph and Richie back was specail . Lol I still didn't know how he could be Opie and Richie at the same time look so different lol. But this show was specail and for my childhood will always stand out. A lot of different show came from this and a lot of great actors got their big shot from this show. So thank you

[@shannonwhite3721]

This song made me cry 😭 darn emotions

[@crombajaa]

I miss these good shows!!

[@JayDogTitan]

Absolutely priceless. Happy Days was so awesome!

[@derekllewellyn6663]

I love it so much it's looks like gaslight theater in new horizons show TV and DVD interview request review oasr awesome picture awards TCM channel interview review history of the same time years before 50s 70s I want Hippocampus for Christmas stuff on board with different colors of the same place galya peeva she was in movie theater in 50s years TV show on doing live music made

[@SlickNickVids]

Blueberry Hill. I remember singing that song after a school dance.

[@michaelpowell8908]

Fonz really missed Richie, but at least he did him a favor by looking after his sister Joanie and cousin K.C., while he was in the Army!!! Of course, Ralph still got it, after all of this time. Potsie is still the same!!!

[@eddiel2531]

Also, Henry missed Ron

[@timobrien8809]

" Oh Hey Rich, Rich, Remember Greg Blackman ?? He's dead" classic Potsie thing to say. Gotta love him. Always thought he was cooler then Fonzie cause he was never afraid to be his true self !!

[@jameshughes6049]

This scene always gets me

[@lukng-fat2499]

every time i watch this i lose it came to canada 1975 couldnt speak a word of english fonzie richie ralph potsie teach me how best show from the70s for me still

[@markcianfarani8777]

Blueberry hill. My fathers favorite song. R.i.p dad. ..miss.you so very much.

[@ElementofKindness]

No matter how many times I see it, I'll never get used to that caterpillar under Richie's nose.

[@tammyshaw9248]

Love this!!!! Love happy days

[@dw1985]

That really was a geat show. I miss it a lot.

[@carlahubbs3602]

Annette episode it seems like it's good to see all them back to gather it always feels like the old times and that up so

[@Katzi_]

Love this !!

[@davidcentofanti312]

Those were the good old Happy Days !!!

[@bernardpinton2606]

Très boons acteurs,pour une tres belle série,qui nous manque

[@soonermodels1173]

Sweet memories

[@nilekhalaf4091]

That's high level everything!

[@pateichman6709]

Awesome!!

[@DMS-pq8]

I missed Ralph even more then Ritchie

[@davidpayne4315]

The scene was great really great

[@Savagemister]

RIP Greg Blackman

[@BBKUS]

He was a great guy

[@hankmessaros1835]

I would love them to do special eps that brings them back together. I know some have passed away but it still would be nice

[@a1aprospects470]

Later episodes like this were going through the motions. Some characters had modern (1980s) hairstyles and clothes. In this scene, Jefferson's hair and suit are current day when the show aired. And they say "our old spot" but this version of Arnolds is new to them.

[@kenhernandez8128]

Show went down hill after Richie and Ralph left.

[@timobrien8809]

Yeah. And while I always liked Potsie I found it a little weird that he still hung out @ Arnolds but never really fit in with the teens or adults !!

[@MichaelLantz]

Ron Howard was directing movies at the time.

[@iamalive.1255]

Yep went down the hill to the ocean and barely jumped the shark.

[@johnshaffer682]

I agree with you 100%!!!

[@brettthebassist]

@jett woodward K.C😍

[@davidcook5705]

Happy Days ran its course, but I was sad to see it end. Too bad they don't make sitcoms like this anymore.

[@Richard-qk3xm]

Great scene!

[@kristabrewer9363]

Ya know what's Ironic about this episode? Richie really IS a writer for movies

[@barbaranelson8617]

Krista Brewer I thought Ron Howard was a director.

[@tonyacosta4574]

He is now but started as a writer first

[@jb888888888]

@@barbaranelson8617 He wrote that movie about a killer robot driving instructor who goes back in time for some reason.

[@octaviograciano9049]

Classic show

[@keithleeuwen877]

Great !

[@jasonfagan3104]

2019 Sad Days

[@carlblumenstock338]

2020. Very sad days!

[@davidwilliam9681]

Great scene. Reminds me of the reunion of the Derry Loser's Club in Stephen King's IT.

[@tammyshaw8783]

They are so awesome.potsie hasnt changed a bit

[@stevengoodman7167]

I still got it

[@mrknowitalllt1]

those were some happy days indeed

[@antoinec822]

0:08, good seeing them 2 together.

[@bradsmith8977]

I miss the episode the where Ralph left the show would love to see that one.

[@ragzrocco8803]

To happy days

[@jasemac5391]

I still miss Greg Blackman to this day :(

[@timobrien8809]

It's just sad that even really good friends can slowly grow apart. Just the way life goes sometimes. That being said Potsie was one of my fave characters but in the later eppys he never really fit in with the adults or teens.

[@njpubadjuster3710]

True. When Richie and Ralph left, that left Fonzie and Potsie. Fonzie only tolerated him for Richie's sake and they had nothing else in common.

[@davros123ify]

I remember watching this episode. I sure thought Richie was here to stay

[@900milesfromnormal3]

I'd love to know what became of each character circa 1984 (the year the show ended).

[@michaelmarshall1713]

HAPPY DAYS !

[@texasrockshillcountry6574]

It ran it's course, it was LONG overdue to end.

[@jonimichalski69]

Happy Days

[@bonnieriffle8371]

This is a scene from the two part episode Home Again.

[@TheMarky26]

Kinda sad..Thats how life really is.At least when people drift down their own paths they can still connect over old memories..

[@rockystelone21]

The older you get the more you look back in life.

[@TheMarky26]

@@rockystelone21 true story..For me the older I get the harder life is getting..I look back on my younger years with fond memories..Longing for the old days..

[@random22026]

1:44 Fonzie's face...🤣🤣🤣 ON, WISCONSIN!! 📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣

[@geeked-outturtlesfan4288]

It wasn't the same without Richie and Ralph leaving. Richie was the center piece of the show and Ralph and Potsie were his side kicks. Without two of them it was odd. Yeah they still had The Fonz, The Cunningham's, Joanie, Chachi ect.... But without Richie, the show went downhill. Potsie looked out of place and Arnold's original look not being there looked odd. Still nice to see the gang back together

[@MPDLR]

Though we're apart....you're a part of me too.

[@keithclark7266]

Ron Howard was the youngest of the quartet, He was older than the actor who played the older brother Chuck

[@jonathanstewart2255]

69 people did not find their thrill on blueberry hill.

[@generalzod7959]

The "remember Grant Blackmon?" Scene was funny😀

[@wb3381]

It was good to see Chachi and Roger leave for the moment

[@frankrossi6972]

The show truly did jump the shark when Howard left. The Fonzie and Chachi Show was a shadow of the first five years. The reason why the show endured was money. Unlike ABC's other disastrous decisions to move successful shows to new time slots, leading to their demise or departure from the network ("Taxi," "Mork and Mindy," "Angie"), they never moved Happy Days from Tuesday night, likely because of Garry Marshall's clout, so it had a built-in loyal audience who watched it regularly, like clockwork, so the ratings remained high.

[@roberthaworth8991]

"Angie" died b/c the writers unwisely married off the two leads at the end of Season 1, so the sexual tension disappeared. Season 2 was just another domestic comedy, not as appealing, so it got canned 1/2way through. On all other shows (e.g., IDOJeannie, Get Smart, The Nanny), the romantic leads get married only in the penultimate season, after a long run of teasing the audience with their romance.

[@frankrossi6972]

@@roberthaworth8991 Indeed, they didn't learn the "Rhoda" rule on marrying off the lead early---but I would argue that "Angie" had enough great character actors in supporting roles who could have kept the show afloat had it not been moved around.

[@jonnydanger7181]

Aaayyyye 👍

[@lynnecrisp]

Fonzie hasn't aged a day

[@harperstacey9604]

He has aged now. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@fizzy4149]

They all sat down and has absolutely nothing to say to each other. Except 'remember Greg Hackman? He's dead" It was just like my last class reunion!!

[@brianalex2193]

Back when show's were fun to watch without bull crap

[@domfrommelb27]

Could you tell it wasn’t the same anymore 👐🏻

[@keithclark7266]

I cannot recall, but does anyone knows if Fonzie and Chuck ever interacted in season 1?

[@jacksugden8190]

They all had nice teeth like the keys of that piano.

[@michaelgarcia8602]

See this Esp with The 4 of them. Richie . Fonzie Ralph & Pooches. One last time. Was special. More Special hear. Them sings. Blue berry hills & yes It can be odd to olds friends after years. Of not see each other

[@jamesodell4249]

Bule berry hill great song