"Fonzie Joins the Band" is the nineteenth episode of the second season of Happy Days, also the 35th overall episode in the series. Co-written by Ben Joelson and Art Baer, the episode, which was directed by Frank Buxton, premiered on ABC-TV on March 4, 1975.
Synopsis[]
Howard secures a gig for Richie, Potsie, Ralph, and Bag to play at the Leopard Lodge dance. Fonzie is able to get the guys tuxedos, but, in return, he joins them as a member of the band. When Fonzie plays a loud bongo solo during a slow dance, Richie is chosen to give him the news that he's out of the band.
Storyline[]
Fonzie wants to join Richie's band. Potsie sings and the band (Richie on keyboard, Ralph on saxophone, and Bag on drums) play "Splish, Splash" in the Cunningham garage. Howard gets the band a job for a Leopard Lodge dance (they get the job by a 8 to 1 vote).
The catch is that they have to get tuxedos while they get $12.50 a piece for the job. Fonzie fixes Richie's car and Richie tells him about their dilemma. Fonzie comes through with the tuxedos (he makes a deal with old man Miller at the Spic and Span Cleaner if he breaks a date with his daughter). Fonzie gets his own tuxedo and wants to join the band and play the bongos.
Richie tries mouthing "I love you" to a strawberry blond (as Fonzie had previously suggested), but misses and sends it to a waiter first and then Mrs. C. Fonzie does his bongo solo during the middle of a slow dance in order for him to impress a girl. The guys decide they must get rid of Fonzie for the future of the band, and nominate Richie as the leader.
Potsie sings and the band plays "Splish, Splash". Afterwards, Richie goes up to Carol Downs, and wants to ask her out on a date. Her date wants to fight Richie and calls him out to the bird bath in 5 minutes. Fonzie shows up in the nick of time to save Richie. Everyone does the bunny hop as the group performs the next song. The family comes home and Howard comes home with a sore back and then Marion hurts her back doing the Charleston (a dance move). Richie and Joanie help them upstairs for the night.
Cast[]
- Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham
- Henry Winkler as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli
- Anson Williams as Potsie Weber
- Tom Bosley as Howard Cunningham
- Marion Ross as Marion Cunningham
- Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham
- Don Most as Ralph Malph (credited as Donny Most)
Guest starring/Recurring cast[]
- Neil J. Schwartz as Bag Zombroski
- Adam Arkin as Bo
- Susan Richardson as Carol Danson
