Henry Winkler says he refused to let ABC change the title of “Happy Days” to “Fonzie’s Happy Days.” Winkler describes the move as something that would be a “slap in the face” to his co-stars and the show’s legacy, based on his character’s popularity. He says he made the objection during discussions around the proposed rename.
Both outlets report that the character “Fonzie” became a major driver of the series’ fame, leading to the idea of using his name in the title. TVLine also notes that Ron Howard, a co-star and prominent figure on the show, was not happy with the concept. The sources do not present additional details on why ABC considered the change or how the decision was ultimately handled, but they agree the proposal was rejected and that Winkler publicly explains his reasoning later.
