The Spin-Off Cycle

Happy Days debuted on ABC on January 15 in 1974. One of its legacies: spin-offs.

   * In a 1976 episode, Richie and Potsie double-dated some rough-around-the-edges friends of Fonzie’s named Laverne and Shirley—who were immediately transplanted into Laverne & Shirley.

   * In February 1977, Happy Days introduced Nancy Blansky, Howard’s cousin who was a landlady for a group of Las Vegas showgirls. That fall, Walker starred in the spin-off Blansky’s Beauties.

   * An alien named Mork appeared on a 1978 episode to launch the Mork & Mindy.

   * Chachi met his guardian angel, Random, in a 1979 Happy Days episode. That same month, Out of the Blue, about Random, debuted.

   * Chachi got his own spin-off in 1982, along with Richie’s younger sister Joanie: Joanie Loves Chachi.

tags: trivia