Posted on 08/19/2008 4:45:50 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Reality and TV collided Monday when Cindy Williams, whose “Laverne & Shirley” character was a brewery worker from Milwaukee, stepped foot for the first time in a Milwaukee brewery and ran into the Fons.
That would be Karen Fons from human resources at MillerCoors here. “To the other Fonz,” Williams signed on her shirt when she popped in at a celebration to celebrate 1 million safe working hours at the brewery.
A few miles away, Anson Williams was touring the Harley-Davidson Museum, celebrating the motorcycle lifestyle associated not with his own “Happy Days” character, Potsie Weber, but rather with the Fonz.
In Milwaukee this week, it all comes back to the Fonz. And it’s raining “Happy Days” and “Laverne & Shirley” stars who have come to help unveil his bronze likeness and praise his alter ego, Henry Winkler.
This morning, a statue of “Happy Days” lovable tough guy Fonzie will be dedicated on the RiverWalk just south of Wells St. downtown. From now till forever, locals and visitors will be able to pose with the leather-jacketed icon, his thumbs aimed skyward in a silent “Aaay.”
"We're so proud of Henry, and we're proud of the show," Anson Williams said.
I told Cindy Williams there are people here who think it harms Milwaukee's cosmopolitan image if we keep reminding everyone that both these silly TV shows were set in our town. "Laverne & Shirley" was a spin-off of "Happy Days" and equally popular.
"Who are these people?" she said in that same simmering voice Shirley Feeney used when she was about to lose her cool. "Let's get a loudspeaker and drive through their neighborhoods. Why wouldn't they want to be part of pop culture as well as the ballet, the opera and other arts?"
Anson Williams (no relation to Cindy; his real last name is Heimlick, and despite the different spelling he's related to the guy who invented the thrust used on choking victims) said the past is worth remembering, even the pretend TV past.
"It's good feelings. It's a smile," he said about the Fonzie statue as he enjoyed eggs and toast at the Pfister Hotel. "Art is an experience. Art is a connection."
It's been decades since these shows went to reruns, but people seemed delighted to encounter the two early arrivals, especially Cindy at the brewery. Worker Carl Lunowa presented her with a beer bottle that had a work glove pulled over the top, a gesture that was instantly familiar to anyone who watched "Laverne & Shirley."
Anson proclaimed Milwaukee to be prettier than his home of Malibu, Calif. Cindy, who has two grown kids and lives in the San Fernando Valley, called her adopted Milwaukee "a hip little hideaway." Both said they've been here numerous times over the years, but less lately.
Cindy now is doing mostly stage work. Anson has been directing TV shows, and he's pushing a line of skin products and drug-free remedies. He gave me a tube of Cool Flash and said my wife should consider dabbing it on her neck to ease hot flashes. We'll see how she feels about taking medical advice from Potsie.
Anson brought two of his five daughters along on the visit. Jessa, 10, swore she has never seen "Happy Days." Hannah, 19, watched just one episode that involved her dad wearing a dress, and she didn't want to see any more. "Our house isn't big on watching TV," she said as we toured Discovery World on the lakefront.
Anson's favorite "Happy Days" episode? "Every one I'm in," he joked. For L&S, Cindy picked the two-part "Murder on the Moose Jaw Express" and a show where the gals take part in an experiment that deprives them of sleep and food to hilarious results.
Neither actor seemed upset over the lack of a bronze Shirley or Potsie.
"There were Laverne and Shirley dolls," Cindy said, "which were pretty frightening."
Hey Diana
The gang was at Miss Katies Diner in Milwaukee from 6 - 9 this morning. Amazing how packed the place was. Marion Ross, Anson Williams and Erin Moran were a pleasure to be around. Tom Bosley is up in years and didnt move around the crowd much.
Just a reminder, Miss Katies has also been visited by both Clintons. Long time joke at the diner is people will ask where bill sat and then request to sit somewhere else.
How fun for you! As you know, I grew up in Milwaukee. Back when it was a city to be VERY proud of...before the Libtards took over. ;)
Meant to add:
“Hold the Fort!” :)
Winkler was a card as well until he "Jumped the shark"
And now Marion Ross is the voice of SpongeBob’s Grandma.
“Ayyyyy! Git dees birds offa my hed!!!”
Actually, Anson Williams wasnt in Married With Children. Ted McGinley, who played Roger Phillips, (Richie's cousin), on Happy Days, was on MWC.
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