"Fonzie's Blindness" is the fourth episode of Season 6 of Happy Days, and also the 119th overall series episode. Co-written by Ron Leavitt and Richard Rosenstock, the episode, directed by Jerry Paris, was originally aired on ABC-TV on September 26, 1978.
Plot[]
Richie is at a table at Arnold's while Al serves some customers, Richie orders a ham and egg on toast. Potsie and Ralph come into Arnold's in UWM wrestling team t-shirts. Al accidentally hits Fonzie on the head with a metal tray. Fonzie can't see anything and sits in a booth. Richie takes Fonzie to the doctor. Fonzie comes back to the Cunningham house with some dark sunglasses on.
At Fonzie's place, Richie talks to Fonzie at the table and Fonzie tells him not to leave because he is scared and says he is blind. Back at Arnold's, Ralph tells Al that Fonzie has optic neurosis according to his father and could get his eyesight back with treatment. Fonzie talks to Al and says it wasn't his fault and wants him to forgive himself. Potsie and Ralph say hi to The Fonz, but forget that he can't see anything. Fonzie goes to do the jukebox bit, but he hits Al instead.
Fonzie eats dinner at the Cunningham's and Joanie helps him with his food. Richie tells Fonzie to try and adjust. Fonzie is too upset to eat, and Richie calls him a coward. Joanie reads the comics to Fonzie at his place. Richie tells Joanie that he wants to talk to Fonzie alone. Ralph and Potsie bring in his bike unassembled in many pieces. Richie leaves the parts on the floor for Fonzie to reassemble. Fonzie puts the bike back together while Richie cries silently and Richie returns to check in on him. Richie gets him his leather jacket.
Richie and Fonzie got to Arnold's. Fonzie comes to the house with his cane and his sight returns although things are still a little fuzzy for him. Fonzie thanks everyone for helping him and for being part of his life. Fonzie and everyone make toasts everything. Ralph and Potsie bring in Fonzie's bike once again unassembled. Ralph and Potsie run out when they find out that Fonzie can see again.
Trivia/Notes[]
- Note: Scott Baio (Chachi Arcola) is credited, but does not appear in this episode.
- When filming the part where Richie watches Fonzie fix the motorcycle from the window, Ron Howard was actually in tears.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham
- Henry Winkler as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli
- Marion Ross as Marion Cunningham
- Anson Williams as Warren "Potsie" Weber
- Don Most as Ralph Malph
- Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham
- Al Molinaro as Al Delvecchio
- Scott Baio as Chachi Arcola (credited only)
- Tom Bosley as Howard Cunningham
