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| The future chick Cupcake (left) meets her exact double on The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang. |
I'm sure you've heard the theory that, somewhere in this world, there is a person who looks exactly like you. Same facial features, same hair, same body type, etc. There may even be more than one such person. The scientific validity of this is dubious at best, but it's still fun to think about. And it's a great plot device for writers, which is why it has turned up in so many movies, TV shows, plays, novels, short stories, etc. Two lookalike characters could intentionally switch places with each other, or one could simply be confused for the other and get into all kinds of wacky predicaments. Everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Mark Twain has had a go at this kind of story.
The sitcom Happy Days was not exactly immune from clichés and stock situations, but they never did the classic "doppelganger" plot, unless you count the fact that actor Al Molinaro played two characters: amiable restaurateur Al Delvecchio and Al's rarely-seen brother, Father Delvecchio, a Catholic priest. Have no fear, though. The animated version of Happy Days did this type of story at least twice. In Season 1, Fonzie (Henry Winkler) is mistaken for an outlaw in the Old West. Then, in Season 2, Cupcake (Didi Conn) meets her own double in 19th century Siam.
This week on These Days Are Ours: A Happy Days Podcast, we talk about that Season 2 episode, appropriately titled "Double Jeopardy." As usual, we talk about a bunch of other stuff, including Peter Lorre's career and whether or not all the races will blend into one by the 25th century. We'd love it if you would join us.