HAPPY DAYS: Season 11 (1983-84) Clip (The Final Scene)

These are the final minutes from "Passages", the 16 and 17th episode (and 250th overall) from the eleventh-and final-season of ABC's monster hit 1974-84 sitcom, "Happy Days".  While there were five more episodes that would by burned off by ABC during the summer of 1984, this would serve as the series finale.  This originally aired as a two-part, one hour special on Tuesday, May 8, 1984.

After spending most of the season apart and dating other people, on-again/off-again couple Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran) and Charles "Chachi" Arcola (Scott Baio) decide to make it offical and get married.  The episode's other sub-plot is Fonzie's (Henry Winkler) quest to adopt a young orphan boy named Danny (Danny Ponce), whom he has played a Big Brother to.  His plans are derailed when he discovers regulations that prevent single parents from adopting children.  This changes on the morning of the wedding when the adoption agent handling the case allows Fonzie to adopt Danny.

The wedding, which is taking place in the Cunnighams' backyard, sees faces from the past come together to celebrate.  Jenny Piccolo (Cathy Silvers), Joanie's longtime best friend, serves as a matron of honor while Fonzie stands up as Chachi's best man.  Though it was extremely last minute, Joanie's brother Richie (Ron Howard) and his wife Lori Beth (Lynda Goodfriend) arrives just in time to make the ceremony which is being performed by Father Delvecchio (Al Molinaro in a dual role), the never-before mentioned twin brother of Cunningham family friend-and Chachi's stepfather-Al.  After exchanging vows, the newlyweds celebrate with their family and friends.  Fonzie is especially proud for the marriage, as he has always been considered a member of the Cunningham family, and the marriage just made it official.

During the reception, Howard (Tom Bosley) gives a emotional speech about while he and his wife Marion (Marion Ross), "never climbed Mount Everest" or "written a great American novel", they did have the pleasure of watching their two children and their friends grow up into loving adults.  He then looks to the camera and breaks the fourth wall by thanking the viewing audience "for being a part of the family" for 10 years.  He raises his glass and toasts "to happy days".  

What then follows is a montage of clips from the series set to Elvis Presley's song "Memories" and ends when there is a freeze frame of Joanie and Chachi cutting their wedding cake with all of their friends and family next to them.

This scene is noted for a few things.  Firstly, there was no appearance from two of the most important supporting characters of the show: Warren "Potsie" Weber (Anson Williams) and Ralph Malph (Donny Most).  Most found it hard to believe that those two, who had been considered a part of the extended family would miss the wedding of two of their closest friends.  (Anson Williams barely appeared in the final season)

Secondly, when Howard is making his speech about raising two children, this effectively writes Chuck Cunningham (Richie and Joanie's older brother who disappeared after the third season) out of existence, as Fonzie sort of became the defacto older brother of the characters.

Thirdly and lastly, when they made their previous appearance in "Welcome Home", Richie and Lori Beth were expecting yet another child.  At the wedding, it's obvious Lori Beth has given birth, but we never find out the name or sex of the baby.

Also, there were rumors early in the season about ABC possibly renewing it for a 12th season, but by that time, the majority of the cast members were ready to move on to new projects.