Critics couldn’t shake Tom Bosley or Happy Days

Happy Days was one of the hottest shows of the 1970s and ’80s, but the beloved series was once a hotbed for critics.

According to a 1974 interview with The Gazette, the series drew so much scrutiny that some broadcasts included a disclaimer warning viewers that its subject matter might not be suitable for children. Who knew The Fonz could stir so much controversy?

No one knew the controversy better than Tom Bosley, who played the wise father, Howard Cunningham, on the series for 11 seasons. As wise as he was on screen, Bosley also had a unique perspective to share off screen.

"A station in Dallas ran a disclaimer stating, 'This program may not be proper for children to watch' at the start of each show," Bosley said. "And another station was picketed because of it."

Bosley said he believed the demonstrations weren’t motivated by malice but by adults’ concern for children. 

"I guess they were afraid their kids would think they really did the things our kids on Happy Days do," Bosley said. "Well, they did."

Happy Days covered themes such as friendship, teenage rebellion, dating and family life. These issues were relatable to both the 1950s setting of the series and viewers watching at home in the ’70s and ’80s.

Although the cast and crew had faith in the series, critics questioned whether Happy Days was a good show, a productive show, or one that could be used for the greater good.

"When we debuted last January, a Chicago TV critic told me he was skeptical about the series because he didn’t remember his own teens in the ’50s being very happy," Bosley said.

Bosley figured that was the critic’s problem, not his or the show’s.

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"We’re not holding ourselves to an attitude exclusive to the ’50s," Bosley added. "We touch on generations in the ’30s, ’40s, and ’60s. Kids really haven’t changed that much, only their hairstyles and their language."

As for his own recollection of the ’50s, Bosley was not an adolescent at the time, but his career was. He understood that critics’ interpretations of Happy Days would differ from viewers’ experiences. While some struggled with the period setting, others connected with the characters, helping the show become a pop culture icon.

"When we first got together to talk about the concept of Happy Days, I had my doubts, but as we developed the plot, my hopes began to build," Bosley said. "To be perfectly frank, I’ve never been happier professionally. I call this my successful series."

He attributed Happy Days’ success to the fact that "we’re giving audiences nothing but entertainment—a fun glimpse backward. We’re not delivering messages or setting up moral standards."

Despite critics’ comments on the series, it was all happy days for the Happy Days star.