Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Happy Days with three cameras

"Happy Days" was a Top 30 show for its entire run... except it's second (1974-75) and last (1983-84) seasons.  Near the end, they were getting trounced by "The A-Team."  At the beginning, it was "Good Times," which CBS programmer Fred Silverman purposely moved opposite "Happy Days" (both shows having debuted at mid-season, in January, 1974) to kill it.  Soon, Silverman moved to ABC and had to save "Happy Days"-- a wise decision considering all the hit shows that it spun-off: "Mork & Mindy," "Laverne & Shirley" (as well as the non-spin-off "Angie" from the same producers).
Midway through season 2, someone suggested filming "Happy Days" with three cameras in front of a live audience.  Previously, it was filmed on a closed set (no audience) with a single camera -- like a feature film.  The producers quickly tweaked the set to accommodate everything and shot one episode -- "Fonzie Gets Married" -- one of the funniest installments.  When the show returned for season 3, the set had been completely re-arranged so they could film every episode with a live audience and three cameras.  For now, enjoy this strange-looking episode of "Happy Days." #SNL4Kidz


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