Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Podcast Tuesday: "You Can Officially Forget the Alamo"

Erin Moran and Michael Dudikoff on Happy Days.

This week on These Days Are Ours: A Happy Days Podcast, it was our distinct pleasure to review the Season 7 episode "Joanie's Dilemma." This episode is a rarity, in that it focuses on Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran) but doesn't even mention her stalker-turned-boyfriend-turned-husband Chachi Arcola (Scott Baio). For the rest of the series, Joanie's fate will be tied to Chachi's, but for this one episode, she's on her own.

In fact, Joanie's independence is the focus of this story. Her latest boyfriend, an amiable dope named Jason (future American Ninja star Michael Dudikoff), has given her his class ring. With that ring comes the expectation that Joanie will accompany Jason to an unlit, secluded section of Inspiration Point known as the Alamo. Why is it called the Alamo? Because it's so much fun to "remember" all the necking (and possibly more) you did there.

Should Joanie go to the Alamo with Jason? Should she not? Joanie's friends have their opinions on the matter, as do her brother Richie (Ron Howard) and her parents (Tom Bosley and Marion Ross). But ultimately, the decision is up to Joanie herself. "Joanie's Dilemma" was written by an actual woman, April Kelly, and it shows in the final result. 

But does my cohost agree with me? Find out by listening to the latest episode of These Days Are Ours.