The 1 Most Hated Episode of ‘Happy Days’ Is So Random

'Happy Days' is an iconic TV series with memorable episodes and popular scenes but even some storylines fell flat with viewers.

by Mandi Kerr

Published on January 18, 2021

2 min read

‘Happy Days’ spent 10 years on the air

Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Donny Most, and Anson Williams in a scene from 'Happy Days' — Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Donny Most, and Anson Williams in a scene from ‘Happy Days’ | Bettmann / Contributor

A happy day for fans of Happy Days took place on January 15, 1974, when the show premiered. Viewers met Ron Howard as Richie, Anson Williams as Potsie, Donnie Most as Ralph Malph, and Henry Winkler as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli.

Garry Marshall, the director of popular films such as Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, and Hocus Pocus, created the series. He wanted to make a show about life as a teen in the 1950s and Happy Days was born.

The series aired for a decade. It even spawned two spinoffs, Joanie Loves Chachi and Mork & Mindy. Happy Days came to an end in 1984 after 255 episodes and 11 seasons. Millions of people tuned in to say goodbye to the Cunningham family and The Fonz. Today, it lives on in re-runs.

A ‘Happy Days’ Season 7 episode is the most hated by fans

According to IMDb, Happy Days Season 7 Episode 2: “Chachi Sells His Soul” fell flat with viewers. It has the lowest rating out of any episode with 5.8 stars out of 10.

Originally airing on September 18, 1979, Marshall co-wrote the episode with Walter Kempley. Directed by Jerry Paris the episode follows Chachi Arcola (Scott Baio) as he seels his soul to the devil’s nephew. Fonzie offers his help but the situation only gets worse. He ends up making his own deal in the process of saving Chachi.

Scott Baio and Henry Winkler on 'Happy Days' — Scott Baio and Henry Winkler on *Happy Days* | Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Interestingly enough, Chachi ended up getting his own Happy Days spinoff in 1982. While fans of Happy Days may not have particularly enjoyed “Chachi Sells His Soul,” audiences responded more positively to the character’s own show, which ran for two seasons.

The most popular episode of ‘Happy Days’ happened early in the series

11 seasons of Happy Days and the highest-rated episode of the entire show happened in season 2. Happy Days Season 2 Episode 11: “Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas” has 8.8 stars out of 10 on IMDb. A holiday episode, it originally aired on December 17, 1974.

Directed by Frank Buxton and written by Marshall and Bill Idelson, the episode centers around Fonzie being alone at Christmas. Despite his popularity, he doesn’t have anyone to spend the holiday with. Richie decides to ask his parents if he can invite his leather jacket-wearing friend to celebrate with the rest of the Cunningham family.

Watch Happy Days on CBS All Access.