Friday, March 13, 2009

A flashback to happy days



Sunday, Monday, Happy Days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days....


It’s Friday. In many corners of the blogosphere that means it’s a day for flashbacks. And since it’s Friday the 13th, I’m posting a picture that might amuse you on a day typically associated with the darker side of life.

Here I am in the embrace of Anson Williams. Yup. Potsie, from Happy Days.

I used to work at Sea World in San Diego. My department was responsible for producing all the live shows and part of my duties was to coordinate film crews that came to the park.

Back in the day when variety shows were all the rage, we had a steady flow. You know, stuff like….”Perry Como’s Easter by the Sea.” Captain Kangaroo even came to hang out for a couple weeks. The Captain was a bit of a pistol, but Mr. Greenjeans was a fine gentleman.

Well, Potsie, …er….Mr. Williams…had a brief stint of popularity during the reign of Happy Days. So some network gave him his own variety special. He was pretty full of himself. Hid out in his trailer with his girlfriend and then came on to the set with a big ugly hickey on his neck. Sent the producer into a tizzy and the makeup lady had to work TV magic.

Happy days. Flashbacks can be such fun.

9 comments:

we_be_toys said...

OMG - that really is Potsie! That has to be one of the best flashbacks I've ever seen, and a great insider scoop to boot!

So 'fess up - were you one of the Potsie groupies? I don't think I was particularly, but he was the cutest thing on that show (sorry Ritchie Cunningham, Fonzie and Ralf Malf!)

Anonymous said...

Is that you Pyzahn?

You be a hawt-tee!!

Ugh about Potsie the Hickey meister. And I agree he was the cute one.

(fonz impersonation) Aaaaaaaaaaaay.

Anonymous said...

I'm just so happy it wasn't Ralph Malph. I have bad dreams about that guy. When I was a little kid he gave me nightmares!

You can't give Potsie a hickey. That's like saying Doris Day used to shave her vah-jay-jay.

Hah, he looks like he's copping a feel under your coat. :)

Pyzahn said...

we_be: Nah, I don't really remember being that fond of Potsie. Can't remember my love puppy from that era.

QL: Thanks, but remember I was in my 20s...before the muffin top set in.

VegAss: I think he WAS copping a feel...he was just that kind of guy.

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

Happy Day's Potsie was like the 70's version of That 70's Show's Kelso. It's really weird if you think about it long enough.

Maybe not.

BrightBoy said...

I actually don't know who that is. I mean, I've heard of the show but never familiarized myself with the characters.

I didn't know about the Friday flashback thing, and I've been blogging for almost a year.

Cormac Brown said...

"Perry Como’s Easter by the Sea."

Um, seriously?

Cormac Brown said...

BTW, you're looking good in that picture, even with the granny shades.

Some Guy said...

I am a sucker for a good Anson Williams story. Cool!