Chances are, fans of retro TV could probably name at least two spinoffs of ABC’s Happy Days — the two successful ones — but there are many more TV shows that can count the classic sitcom as a predecessor. In fact, Happy Days itself was a spinoff of sorts, evolving out “Love and the Television Set,” an episode of the ABC anthology Love, American Style. That episode introduced the Cunningham family as Richie (Ron Howard) gets a new TV set that he and pal Potsie (Anson Williams) consider a chick magnet. Happy Days initially focused on the Cunninghams and Potsie and their life in 1950s Milwaukee, but soon it was the lovable greaser Fonzie (Henry Winkler) who stole the spotlight. The show eventually hit No. 1 and aired 11 seasons before the series finale, the two-parter “Passages,” capped off the story on May 8, 1984, 40 years ago now. Four decades removed from ...
- 5/8/2024
- TV Insider
Nominated in five categories at the 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards, the darkly humorous and ominously cringey psychological drama May December is filmmaker Todd Haynes’ tenth (!) Spirit Award nomination. A pioneer of the New Queer Cinema movement, Haynes previously won Best Director for 2002’s period romantic drama Far from Heaven (starring May December co-lead Julianne Moore), as well as the Robert Altman Award for 2007’s Bob-Dylan-inspired musical fantasia, I’m Not There.
Haynes has talked about how May December is about “the stories we tell ourselves” in order to “survive our lives.” Loosely based on the 1990s-era Irl story of Mary Kay Letourneau, the film follows 59-year-old housewife Gracie (Moore), who seems happily married with children to her 36-year-old husband, Joe Yoo, played by Charles Melton. Melton, too, is nominated for Best Supporting Performance at the 2024 Spirit Awards, streaming Live this Sunday at 2pm Pt.
The narrative tension kicks off when...
Haynes has talked about how May December is about “the stories we tell ourselves” in order to “survive our lives.” Loosely based on the 1990s-era Irl story of Mary Kay Letourneau, the film follows 59-year-old housewife Gracie (Moore), who seems happily married with children to her 36-year-old husband, Joe Yoo, played by Charles Melton. Melton, too, is nominated for Best Supporting Performance at the 2024 Spirit Awards, streaming Live this Sunday at 2pm Pt.
The narrative tension kicks off when...
- 2/21/2024
- by Su Fang Tham
- Film Independent News & More
Ben Lanzarone, the composer, arranger, musical director and pianist who wrote music for such shows as Dynasty, Happy Days, Mr. Belvedere and The Tracey Ullman Show, has died. He was 85.
Lanzarone died Friday in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer, his family announced.
The Brooklyn native toured with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams and for Broadway served as the musical director on the original 1972-1980 production of Grease and arranger on 1972’s Via Galactica and 1975’s Truckload.
His long association with TV producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer resulted in scores for Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, Vega$, Matt Houston and Hotel.
And for production companies led by Thomas Miller, Edward Milkis and/or Bob Boyett, he came up with music for episodes of Happy Days (including the one in 1977 when Henry Winkler’s...
Lanzarone died Friday in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer, his family announced.
The Brooklyn native toured with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams and for Broadway served as the musical director on the original 1972-1980 production of Grease and arranger on 1972’s Via Galactica and 1975’s Truckload.
His long association with TV producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer resulted in scores for Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, Vega$, Matt Houston and Hotel.
And for production companies led by Thomas Miller, Edward Milkis and/or Bob Boyett, he came up with music for episodes of Happy Days (including the one in 1977 when Henry Winkler’s...
- 2/19/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What began as a single segment titled “Love and the Television Set” on the anthology series “Love, American Style,” grew to become a top ten sitcom that lasted 11 seasons and defined “cool” for a generation. Set in 1950s Milwaukee, “Happy Days” debuted on January 15, 1974, and, although it was only a moderate success initially, became one of the most iconic TV series of its time.
Ron Howard was already a well-known TV star from his days as Opie Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show,” so it’s not surprising this series centered around his all-American teenage character Richie Cunningham and his middle-class family. In fact, Howard’s appearance in the “Love, American Style” episode led to his casting by George Lucas in the equally nostalgic “American Graffiti” in 1973 — the success of which prompted ABC to pick up “Happy Days.” But it was the character of greaser Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler...
Ron Howard was already a well-known TV star from his days as Opie Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show,” so it’s not surprising this series centered around his all-American teenage character Richie Cunningham and his middle-class family. In fact, Howard’s appearance in the “Love, American Style” episode led to his casting by George Lucas in the equally nostalgic “American Graffiti” in 1973 — the success of which prompted ABC to pick up “Happy Days.” But it was the character of greaser Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler...
- 1/15/2024
- by Susan Pennington and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
What began as a single segment titled “Love and the Television Set” on the anthology series “Love, American Style,” grew to become a top ten sitcom that lasted 11 seasons and defined “cool” for a generation. Set in 1950s Milwaukee, “Happy Days” debuted on January 15, 1974, and, although it was only a moderate success initially, became one of the most iconic TV series of its time.
Ron Howard was already a well-known TV star from his days as Opie Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show,” so it’s not surprising this series centered around his all-American teenage character Richie Cunningham and his middle-class family. In fact, Howard’s appearance in the “Love, American Style” episode led to his casting by George Lucas in the equally nostalgic “American Graffiti” in 1973 — the success of which prompted ABC to pick up “Happy Days.” But it was the character of greaser Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler...
Ron Howard was already a well-known TV star from his days as Opie Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show,” so it’s not surprising this series centered around his all-American teenage character Richie Cunningham and his middle-class family. In fact, Howard’s appearance in the “Love, American Style” episode led to his casting by George Lucas in the equally nostalgic “American Graffiti” in 1973 — the success of which prompted ABC to pick up “Happy Days.” But it was the character of greaser Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler...
- 1/14/2024
- by Susan Pennington, Chris Beachum and Misty Holland
- Gold Derby
From Mary Tyler Moore’s black capri pants to the waist-cinching corsets on Bridgerton, the costumes on television’s hottest shows over the past 70-plus years have influenced what we wear more than viewers may realize. That’s the premise of Hal Rubenstein’s just-released book, which is sure to spawn an escapist deep dive by even the most casual TV fan.
Dressing the Part: Television’s Most Stylish Shows (Harper, $36) explores the costume design of 50 high-profile TV series, from I Love Lucy and The Donna Reed Show in the 1950s, to Downton Abbey, Sex and the City, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and others. But it was Bridgerton that inspired the idea for the book. “Harper wanted to do a book on Bridgerton’s costume design, and my feeling was that it was a period costume show that [didn’t relate yet],” Rubenstein told The Hollywood Reporter. “I thought we would see the ramifications...
Dressing the Part: Television’s Most Stylish Shows (Harper, $36) explores the costume design of 50 high-profile TV series, from I Love Lucy and The Donna Reed Show in the 1950s, to Downton Abbey, Sex and the City, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and others. But it was Bridgerton that inspired the idea for the book. “Harper wanted to do a book on Bridgerton’s costume design, and my feeling was that it was a period costume show that [didn’t relate yet],” Rubenstein told The Hollywood Reporter. “I thought we would see the ramifications...
- 11/10/2023
- by Laurie Brookins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A title that started ironically has now become all too accurate when it comes to the belated fourth installment of Sylvester Stallone’s action franchise. Arriving a full nine years after the poorly received prior entry, Expend4bles — the number is in the middle of the word, get it? — represents a nadir for a series that began as an entertainingly nostalgic throwback to old-school action movies and the square-jawed muscle men who starred in them. This edition — essentially a sub-par Jason Statham vehicle (after this and Meg 2: The Trench, some quality control might be in order for the actor) featuring a brief appearance by Stallone and several new castmembers who fail to make much of an impression — indicates that it’s time to put a fork in the series; it’s done.
If you can believe the good folks at Wikipedia, among the stars originally under consideration for this fourth Expendables film were Pierce Brosnan,...
If you can believe the good folks at Wikipedia, among the stars originally under consideration for this fourth Expendables film were Pierce Brosnan,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Happy Days was a popular American sitcom that aired from 1974 to 1984. The show followed the lives of the Cunningham family and their friends, and was set in the 1950s and early 1960s. The show was incredibly popular during its run, and is considered to be one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. There were several reasons for the show’s massive popularity, including its relatable characters, nostalgic setting, and lighthearted humor. Happy Days also featured several breakout stars, including Henry Winkler, who played the iconic character of Fonzie. Over the years, Happy Days has become a beloved...
- 6/28/2023
- by Matthew C. F
- TVovermind.com
This post contains spoilers for the series finale of Barry, which we recapped here.
Henry Winkler had already had the acting career of a lifetime decades before he got cast to play hacky, narcissistic acting teacher Gene Cousineau on HBO’s Barry. As Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on Seventies and Eighties sitcom smash Happy Days, he became one of the most famous men in the world, and to this day still gets smiles, hugs, and invitations to dinner pretty much everywhere he goes.
But as iconic as Fonzie was, Cousineau...
Henry Winkler had already had the acting career of a lifetime decades before he got cast to play hacky, narcissistic acting teacher Gene Cousineau on HBO’s Barry. As Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on Seventies and Eighties sitcom smash Happy Days, he became one of the most famous men in the world, and to this day still gets smiles, hugs, and invitations to dinner pretty much everywhere he goes.
But as iconic as Fonzie was, Cousineau...
- 5/29/2023
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
There are a lot of memorable characters who orbit the central study group on the NBC comedy series "Community," but few had the ability to send everything into chaos quite like Señor Ben Chang. The character starts out as the study group's Spanish teacher, but eventually ends up becoming one of the series' biggest antagonists. Played with bottomless energy by actor Ken Jeong, Chang is one of the most ridiculous characters in sitcom history. His arc over the six seasons (and upcoming movie) of the series is one of the most extreme of the entire cast, and that's pretty incredible considering Troy (Donald Glover) ends up sailing the globe with LeVar Burton.
In a Reddit Ask Me Anything, series creator Dan Harmon explained that while Chang was fantastic in the authority position of a professor, he was just too great to relegate to the realm of teaching forever. Instead, Harmon...
In a Reddit Ask Me Anything, series creator Dan Harmon explained that while Chang was fantastic in the authority position of a professor, he was just too great to relegate to the realm of teaching forever. Instead, Harmon...
- 3/31/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
“America’s Got Talent: All-Stars” aired its sixth episode Monday night with 10 more acts performing for a coveted spot in The Finals. The new spin-off series features former “Got Talent” contestants from America and beyond, competing in a seven-week showdown to determine which ultimate all-star will claim the title of “Got Talent World Champion.” Longtime series judges Howie Mandel, Simon Cowell and Heidi Klum return to the judges’ panel with Terry Crews on stage for hosting duties.
In the first of these first rounds, only two acts from each episode will advance to The Finals. One will be hand-selected by one of the judges via the Golden Buzzer and the other is voted through by a collection of superfans from across the country. With no Golden Buzzers left in this episode, that left one spot in the finale, which went to Kodi Lee. Yes, you read that correctly, only one act advanced.
In the first of these first rounds, only two acts from each episode will advance to The Finals. One will be hand-selected by one of the judges via the Golden Buzzer and the other is voted through by a collection of superfans from across the country. With no Golden Buzzers left in this episode, that left one spot in the finale, which went to Kodi Lee. Yes, you read that correctly, only one act advanced.
- 2/7/2023
- by Vincent Mandile
- Gold Derby
She was Fonzie’s girlfriend, Ashley, in Happy Days. Additionally, she was Pam’s mother in The Office. She also played Matlock’s daughter, Charlene Matlock, during the hit show’s first season. Linda Purl’s claim to fame is that she’s been in every good television show. More importantly, she’s played some of the most lovable characters in each of them. However, it’s her long history of being involved with some of the world’s most famous men that her fans love to hear more about. Her life is one of the most fascinating in Hollywood. 1. Linda Purl Began Acting in the 60s It
10 Things You Did Not Know About Linda Purl’s Love Life...
10 Things You Did Not Know About Linda Purl’s Love Life...
- 2/6/2023
- by Tiffany Raiford
- TVovermind.com
The death of Laverne & Shirley star Cindy Williams has brought her iconic sitcom work with Penny Marshall back into the spotlight. The film and television star died of a short illness on Jan. 30. However, her legacy of work remains a touchstone of a more innocent era for television fans. Cindy once said that despite many behind-the-scenes clashes, she and Penny could “always make each other laugh.” Their turbulent relationship was legendary, but their friendship remained strong.
Penny Marshall and Cindy Wiliams | ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images How did Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall meet?
Cindy and Penny met through mutual friends, reported the Los Angeles Times. They were out-of-work actors when Francis Coppola’s Zoetrope company hired them to write a prospective TV spoof for the Bicentennial.
“At the time, they got a lot of comedy writers or people who wanted to be comedy writers,...
Penny Marshall and Cindy Wiliams | ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images How did Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall meet?
Cindy and Penny met through mutual friends, reported the Los Angeles Times. They were out-of-work actors when Francis Coppola’s Zoetrope company hired them to write a prospective TV spoof for the Bicentennial.
“At the time, they got a lot of comedy writers or people who wanted to be comedy writers,...
- 1/31/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Henry Winkler, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael McKean and Ron Howard are among the notable figures in Hollywood remembering Cindy Williams, who died at the age of 75.
The actress, who starred in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley, died in Los Angles on Wednesday following a short illness, according to a statement from her children. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege,” the statement read. “She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”
Henry Winkler, who met Williams while playing Fonzie on Happy Days – the show that kicked off Laverne & Shirley, shared in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, “Cindy has been my friend and professional colleague since I met her on the set of Happy Days in 1975. Not once have I ever been in her presence when she wasn’t gracious, thoughtful and kind.
The actress, who starred in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley, died in Los Angles on Wednesday following a short illness, according to a statement from her children. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege,” the statement read. “She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”
Henry Winkler, who met Williams while playing Fonzie on Happy Days – the show that kicked off Laverne & Shirley, shared in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, “Cindy has been my friend and professional colleague since I met her on the set of Happy Days in 1975. Not once have I ever been in her presence when she wasn’t gracious, thoughtful and kind.
- 1/31/2023
- by Carly Thomas and Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!" These are the immortal words that begin the song "Making Our Dreams Come True," the catchy tune used as the theme song of the popular series, "Laverne & Shirley." Cindy Williams, the actress who played the perky and positive albeit meek Shirley Feeney, has sadly joined her co-star Penny Marshall, passing away at the age of 75. Williams' children Zak and Emily Hudson confirmed the passing with the Associated Press following a brief illness.
"The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed," the statement said. "Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous, and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved." While Williams' Shirley didn't possess the monogrammed "L" like Laverne,...
"The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed," the statement said. "Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous, and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved." While Williams' Shirley didn't possess the monogrammed "L" like Laverne,...
- 1/31/2023
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Cindy Williams, the energetic actress who appeared in a pair of Oscar best picture nominees before starring as the idealistic Shirley Feeney on the beloved ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley, has died. She was 75.
Williams died in Los Angeles on Wednesday after a brief illness, her children, Zak and Emily Hudson, said in a statement released Monday.
“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” the statement said. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”
After popping up as a pot-smoking hippie in the Maggie Smith-starring Travels With My Aunt (1972), one of the last films directed by George Cukor, Williams took her first big turn in the spotlight when she portrayed Laurie,...
Williams died in Los Angeles on Wednesday after a brief illness, her children, Zak and Emily Hudson, said in a statement released Monday.
“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” the statement said. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”
After popping up as a pot-smoking hippie in the Maggie Smith-starring Travels With My Aunt (1972), one of the last films directed by George Cukor, Williams took her first big turn in the spotlight when she portrayed Laurie,...
- 1/31/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Henry Winkler is looking back at a “wild” moment in his life, thanks to a throwback video that a fan posted on Twitter.
In the video, Neil Diamond is performing in Los Angeles in 1977 when he invites Winkler onto the stage to join him for a duet on “Song Sung Blue”.
At the time, Winkler was television’s biggest star, thanks to his role as Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on “Happy Days”.
Read More: Ron Howard Says He Lost His Hair Due To Stress Over Fonzie Stealing His ‘Happy Days’ Thunder
That led Diamond to ask Winkler to sing the song “like The Fonz would do it. How would The Fonz sing this song?”
As a result, concertgoers witnessed the somewhat surreal spectacle of Winkler channeling Fonzie to sing Diamond’s hit.
This is wild.
In 1976, Neil Diamond invites Henry Winkler up on stage to sing Song Sung Blue like the Fonz.
In the video, Neil Diamond is performing in Los Angeles in 1977 when he invites Winkler onto the stage to join him for a duet on “Song Sung Blue”.
At the time, Winkler was television’s biggest star, thanks to his role as Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on “Happy Days”.
Read More: Ron Howard Says He Lost His Hair Due To Stress Over Fonzie Stealing His ‘Happy Days’ Thunder
That led Diamond to ask Winkler to sing the song “like The Fonz would do it. How would The Fonz sing this song?”
As a result, concertgoers witnessed the somewhat surreal spectacle of Winkler channeling Fonzie to sing Diamond’s hit.
This is wild.
In 1976, Neil Diamond invites Henry Winkler up on stage to sing Song Sung Blue like the Fonz.
- 1/25/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Tom Hanks got his first big breakthrough on the big screen with Ron Howard’s mermaid-out-of-water comedy Splash. But it wasn’t his run on the sitcom Bosom Buddies that landed him a spot alongside Daryl Hannah. It was actually whooping Fonz’s butt!
In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show (per Entertainment Weekly), Tom Hanks reflected on his one-off appearance in the season 10 episode “A Little Case of Revenge”, which aired in November 1982. “I kicked Fonzie…I got dressed up in a judo karate outfit. And I think I’m legendarily the first guy to actually strike Fonzie. I kicked him through the stained glass window of Al’s Drive-in,” he said, referring to the popular hangout for the Happy Days gang.
And that, apparently, was enough to impress Ron Howard, who was set to direct Splash, based on what would become an Oscar-nominated screenplay.
In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show (per Entertainment Weekly), Tom Hanks reflected on his one-off appearance in the season 10 episode “A Little Case of Revenge”, which aired in November 1982. “I kicked Fonzie…I got dressed up in a judo karate outfit. And I think I’m legendarily the first guy to actually strike Fonzie. I kicked him through the stained glass window of Al’s Drive-in,” he said, referring to the popular hangout for the Happy Days gang.
And that, apparently, was enough to impress Ron Howard, who was set to direct Splash, based on what would become an Oscar-nominated screenplay.
- 1/21/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Disney might be an unstoppable media empire today, but back in the 1980s it still wasn't a major Hollywood player. Back then the studio was known primarily for its children's fare. Disney Studios had a well-earned reputation after more than four decades of popular animated movies beginning with 1937's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
Fast-forward to the early 1980s when the film industry was booming thanks to VHS rentals and cable television. Disney Studios wanted in on the action but knew they would have a hard time breaking from the kids-only stigma. Their solution came in the form of Touchstone Films. Utilizing what is known as market segmentation, Disney launched a separate arm of the company, Touchstone Films (later renamed Touchstone Pictures), to produce more mature, live-action content. The first film produced under the Touchstone umbrella was "Splash" in 1984.
"Splash" is literally a fish-out-of-water romantic comedy. The movie stars...
Fast-forward to the early 1980s when the film industry was booming thanks to VHS rentals and cable television. Disney Studios wanted in on the action but knew they would have a hard time breaking from the kids-only stigma. Their solution came in the form of Touchstone Films. Utilizing what is known as market segmentation, Disney launched a separate arm of the company, Touchstone Films (later renamed Touchstone Pictures), to produce more mature, live-action content. The first film produced under the Touchstone umbrella was "Splash" in 1984.
"Splash" is literally a fish-out-of-water romantic comedy. The movie stars...
- 1/19/2023
- by Travis Yates
- Slash Film
Tom Hanks is making a splashy statement about Walt Disney Studios.
The Oscar winner revealed that “no one wanted to work for Disney” in the 1980s, and that’s how he was eventually cast in Ron Howard’s 1984 film “Splash” after guest starring on the TV series “Happy Days.”
“Ron Howard had already left the show, and he was directing, and they had written this movie called ‘Splash,'” Hanks said during SiriusXM’s “The Jess Cagle Show” podcast. “And it was at Disney, and no one wanted to work for Disney, and no one would take the job. And eventually they said, ‘Hey, this guy who kicked Fonzie through a plate-glass window might be good.’ And so I ended up auditioning for that.”
Hanks continued, “I remember going over to the Disney studios and it had not been refurbished. They had built it in like 1958 and it hadn’t changed a bit.
The Oscar winner revealed that “no one wanted to work for Disney” in the 1980s, and that’s how he was eventually cast in Ron Howard’s 1984 film “Splash” after guest starring on the TV series “Happy Days.”
“Ron Howard had already left the show, and he was directing, and they had written this movie called ‘Splash,'” Hanks said during SiriusXM’s “The Jess Cagle Show” podcast. “And it was at Disney, and no one wanted to work for Disney, and no one would take the job. And eventually they said, ‘Hey, this guy who kicked Fonzie through a plate-glass window might be good.’ And so I ended up auditioning for that.”
Hanks continued, “I remember going over to the Disney studios and it had not been refurbished. They had built it in like 1958 and it hadn’t changed a bit.
- 1/19/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Disney is such an all-consuming, slickly mechanized corporate beast that it is easy to forget that, just a few decades ago, it was a family business that had fallen into disrepair and was painfully uncool to the rest of Hollywood.
Thankfully, Tom Hanks is here to remind us.
Hanks was a guest on Sirius Xm’s “The Jess Cagle Show,” and when Cagle brought up the fact Hanks once appeared on “Happy Days,” it led to a fascinating story about how that brief appearance (where Hanks played a guy who kicks Fonzie through a plate-glass window) would lead to the biggest break of his nascent career – his role in “Splash.” Watch above.
As it turns out, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel were the head writers on “Happy Days” when Hanks filmed his episode. Ron Howard had already left “Happy Days” and was working on what would be the 1984 hit “Splash” with the film’s writers.
Thankfully, Tom Hanks is here to remind us.
Hanks was a guest on Sirius Xm’s “The Jess Cagle Show,” and when Cagle brought up the fact Hanks once appeared on “Happy Days,” it led to a fascinating story about how that brief appearance (where Hanks played a guy who kicks Fonzie through a plate-glass window) would lead to the biggest break of his nascent career – his role in “Splash.” Watch above.
As it turns out, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel were the head writers on “Happy Days” when Hanks filmed his episode. Ron Howard had already left “Happy Days” and was working on what would be the 1984 hit “Splash” with the film’s writers.
- 1/19/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
An overwhelmingly vast number of psychic claims should be taken with a healthy dose of salt, and Call Me Miss Cleo aims to be sodium-free. HBO Max’s original documentary does, however, throw a little bit of corn syrup into the mix. It promises viewers an in-depth study on a complicated con game, Psychic Readers Network (Prn), a call-in service which took in billions of dollars from the desperately lonely, and pours out a VH1 Behind the Music-style tale of a fallen celebrity who couldn’t see her fate in the stars.
Call Me Miss Cleo is co-directed by Jennifer Brea and Celia Aniskovich, and they come at it with great empathy, which undercuts the accusations against the prime suspect, and makes the prosecuting investigators look like true believers. Neither is the case, but the ambiguity is only skimmed in the dark pond of corporate malfeasance and community standards. The late middle section,...
Call Me Miss Cleo is co-directed by Jennifer Brea and Celia Aniskovich, and they come at it with great empathy, which undercuts the accusations against the prime suspect, and makes the prosecuting investigators look like true believers. Neither is the case, but the ambiguity is only skimmed in the dark pond of corporate malfeasance and community standards. The late middle section,...
- 12/16/2022
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
For some actors, one series of movies can go on to define their entire career. For Daniel Radcliffe, it's the "Harry Potter" franchise. For Michael J. Fox, it's the "Back to the Future" franchise. For Ralph Macchio, it also could have been the "Back to the Future" franchise, but he was deemed "too east coast" for the role. Luckily for Macchio, he already had a career-defining franchise in hand with the "Karate Kid" films. The story of a kid from Brooklyn being taught karate by his wise building maintenance man spawned two sequels, multiple spin-offs, and a hit Netflix series. For Macchio, that's practically a lifetime of work just from one franchise.
But Macchio didn't know immediately that the script he received about a kid doing karate would become his life's work. According to a recent interview on the "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast, when Macchio first got a call about the film,...
But Macchio didn't know immediately that the script he received about a kid doing karate would become his life's work. According to a recent interview on the "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast, when Macchio first got a call about the film,...
- 11/10/2022
- by Matt Rainis
- Slash Film
Whoever takes on the role of Dr. Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. in a production of "Little Shop of Horrors" has an incredibly difficult task laid out in front of them. You simultaneously have to play this big, goofy caricature of a tough guy, greaser type but without playing it too off-the-handle that the abuse he inflicts on his girlfriend Audrey isn't flippant or downplayed. "Little Shop" always presents a lot of tonal challenges for creative teams, and it can be thrown off-balance easily if not everyone is locked in, particularly for the actor playing the sadistic dentist.
In the film adaptation of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's off-Broadway smash, that role is played by the great Steve Martin. When you see that name, especially in the 1980s, you are expecting a performance that goes Big. And Martin does. His Orin Scrivello is about as cartoonish as you can get,...
In the film adaptation of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's off-Broadway smash, that role is played by the great Steve Martin. When you see that name, especially in the 1980s, you are expecting a performance that goes Big. And Martin does. His Orin Scrivello is about as cartoonish as you can get,...
- 10/26/2022
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
When it comes to kooky sitcoms you have to see to believe, "Mork & Mindy" is near the top of the list. To describe the late-'70s comedy to a young audience today feels a bit like trying to have a conversation in Orkan.
There was this show called "Happy Days," you see, with Henry Winkler as leather jacket-clad Fonzie and Ron Howard as the aw-shucks protagonist Richie. That otherwise non-fantasy show, for reasons that had to do with "Star Wars," had a surreal episode about aliens. This led to the alien-human roommates spinoff "Mork & Mindy," which is how legendary comedian Robin Williams got his big break, playing a rainbow-suspender-wearing being who liked to declare stuff like "Shazbot!"
Williams Saved His Wildest Stunts For The Pre-Show
"Mork & Mindy" is already a pretty wild show on the surface, but when you take into account the fact that it was...
There was this show called "Happy Days," you see, with Henry Winkler as leather jacket-clad Fonzie and Ron Howard as the aw-shucks protagonist Richie. That otherwise non-fantasy show, for reasons that had to do with "Star Wars," had a surreal episode about aliens. This led to the alien-human roommates spinoff "Mork & Mindy," which is how legendary comedian Robin Williams got his big break, playing a rainbow-suspender-wearing being who liked to declare stuff like "Shazbot!"
Williams Saved His Wildest Stunts For The Pre-Show
"Mork & Mindy" is already a pretty wild show on the surface, but when you take into account the fact that it was...
- 9/24/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
"Barry" fans, it sounds like season 4 may be the show's last, at least if series regular Henry Winkler has any insight into the matter. Season 3 of "Barry" just wrapped to rave reviews on HBO back in June, and all three seasons of the show have received Emmy Award nominations: a grand total of 44 so far, with previous wins for Winkler and Bill Hader as Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, respectively. Our own season 3 review called "Barry" one of the best shows on television right now, but on the red carpet at tonight's Emmys, Winkler seemed to indicate that "Barry" and its co-showrunners, Hader and Alec Berg, might be looking to go out on a high note and not overstay their welcome.
When asked how many seasons he thought "Barry" would last, Winkler held up four fingers and told Variety:
"Four. I think [that's it]. Because Bill...
When asked how many seasons he thought "Barry" would last, Winkler held up four fingers and told Variety:
"Four. I think [that's it]. Because Bill...
- 9/13/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
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