Happy Days

At Arnold's, Chachi looks at a newspaper to see what he and Joanie can do that night. He says they can see The Blob which Al describes as a giant disgusting slime ball that goes around sucking up everything. He, then, asks what they'd like to eat. Joanie and Chachi say they'll pass. Al tells them not to see Psycho because Clarence hasn't showered since he's seen it. He goes into the kitchen as Fonzie, Potsie, and two men with lab coats walk in. Potsie tells Fonzie to get the girl by the jukebox, so Fonzie snaps his fingers. She comes over, and the men in the lab coats measure the distance from the jukebox to Fonzie (14 feet, six inches). Potsie tells Joanie and Chachi that he's doing a study about Fonzie's power over women. Fonzie goes toward his office, and Potsie and his men follow. Joanie suggests to Chachi that he come over to her house to watch television. Chachi says her father has been dropping hints that he hangs around there too much. Joanie, then, suggests going over to his house to watch TV. Chachi says they can't because his TV is broken, but Joanie says he watched the basketball game last night. Chachi says he just wants to see a movie. Jenny comes over and asks if there's trouble in paradise. Joanie says that they've been going out a year, and she's never been to his house. She then realizes that she's never met his mother. Jenny tells Chachi that not introducing her to his mother is just rude. Jenny says that she's been seeing Eugene for awhile, but he's never met her parents. Joanie asks why, and Jenny says that she's ashamed of him. Chachi insults Jenny, and she walks away. Joanie asks Chachi how long he's felt ashamed of her, and Chachi replies that he isn't. He says he's out with her in public and hasn't asked her to wear a bag over her head. Joanie storms off still thinking Chachi's ashamed of her.

At the Cunningham house, Fonzie talks to Joanie about her and Chachi breaking up while Potsie and his men linger with a tape recorder. Fonzie tells Potsie to take a break. Joanie tells Fonzie that Chachi is ashamed of her saying he won't let her go to his house or meet his mother. Fonzie says he'll take care of it.

At the Arcola's apartment, Chachi hangs up some clothes to dry above the kitchen counter. Uncle Gonzo comes in looking for his cleats and says they have a big game against Army and that President Coolidge will be there. Gonzo is about to leave but realizes he forgot his bag of walnuts. Chachi tosses them to Gonzo, and he leaves through the window. Fonzie comes in and tells Chachi that the Cunninghams are all coming over for dinner. Chachi is upset at this news and says that they can't come over. He says his mother is having surgery. When Fonzie questions this, Chachi says he meant to say that she's having a bridge party with some friends who've had surgery. Chachi leads Fonzie to the door when his mother, Louisa, comes in holding a plunger. She says she had to help Potsie with a garbage disposal that he doesn't have. She tells Fonzie that managing an apartment building is not all glamour. Fonzie asks Louisa if she's busy the next night and tells her that he invited the Cunninghams over for dinner. Louisa says she's been trying to get Chachi to do that for a year. She gives Fonzie some stew and goes into another room. Chachi says that when Joanie brings her parents over, his mother will talk about fixing people's toilets, and, then, they'll meet Uncle Gonzo. Fonzie says that despite not playing with a full deck, he'll be the hit of the party. Chachi says that Marion will asks where his room is, and his mother will say that they're eating in it. Fonzie tells Chachi that he's ashamed of being poor. He says everything will be fine unless Chachi blows it. Chachi says he'll try.

The next night, Chachi is in his suit as Louisa finishes getting everything ready. She's short a chair, so she brings over an end table. Chachi looks at the plates and cups and says that nothing matches. Louisa says it doesn't matter - a plate is a plate, and a glass is a glass. Chachi says he sent Gonzo to the movies. Louisa is concerned that he'll spend the money Chachi gave him on walnuts. Louisa goes to put her dress on. Gonzo comes in with a bag of walnuts and cracks one on his forehead. Chachi gives him more money and tells him to go straight to the movie. Louisa comes back out. The Cunninghams arrive, and Chachi introduces them to his mother. Louisa tells Joanie that she's beautiful and squeezes her face. Louisa tells Howard and Marion that they're a cute couple and proceeds to squeeze their faces, as well. All but Louisa sit on the couch, and it is a very tight squeeze. Louisa gives the call that dinner is ready (spaghetti with Louisa's special sauce), and they all sit down (Howard on the end table). Marion serves the spaghetti onto the plates. She tries some of the spaghetti and starts moving her tongue back and forth. Her eyes start to roll and blink uncontrollably. She says there is cayenne pepper in the sauce, and Howard says that she's allergic to cayenne. Marion goes to the bathroom. Uncle Gonzo comes back and asks Howard if he's ever played football. When he says that he has, Gonzo tells him to suit up and go in for Zambroski. Gonzo played for the Canton Bulldogs and never once wore a helmet. Gonzo tackles Howard, and the bag of walnuts spills all over the floor.

Later on, Joanie finishes picking up the walnuts while Louisa leaves to return a chair that she borrowed. Marion is embarrassed about ruining the party and says she should have mentioned her allergy. Chachi says that the evening has been a disaster, but Marion says that she's glad she met his mother. Chachi says Gonzo is on the roof changing the scoreboard. Howard says every family has an "Uncle Gonzo." Louisa comes back, and Marion says that Louisa, Chachi, and Gonzo must come to their house for dinner next week. She says they'll stock up on walnuts. The adults leave to let Joanie and Chachi be alone. Chachi says that he was never ashamed of her but about other things. Joanie says that he has no reason to be and that she had a wonderful time. She leaves. Louisa comes back in, and she and Chachi squeeze each other's faces.

At the Cunningham's, Howard, Joanie, and Chachi watch Beat the Clock while Marion flips through a magazine. Fonzie comes in with a bag of walnuts, and they each crack one open on their foreheads.

Songs in this episode:
"Surf City" by Jan And Dean (1963)
"When I Fall In Love" by The Lettermen (1961)