# Unhappy Days **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 19, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989 "2011-04-19T19:15:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/1 "2011-04-19T19:15:53Z")
[Happy Days cast sue CBS](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1378526/Happy-Days-cast-sue-CBS-fraud-breach-contract-claiming-owed-millions.html?ito=feeds-newsxml) > [@](#): > > They were once so happy they brought joy to millions of households all over the world. > > But the cast of Happy Days are currently far from being anything close to happy. In fact they are angry. > > For they are claiming that CBS has deprived them of much-needed money the network made from the merchandising bonanza the show spawned. > > They are now suing for fraud and breach of contract. The actors involved are Anson Williams, Don Most , Marion Ross and Erin Moran. (No Fonzie, I notice.) Sad to see that Marion has fallen on hard times. > [@](#): > > Marion Ross told CNN: ‘It takes a lot to make me angry because so often my expectations are so low. But the other day someone came up to me and said, “You must be cleaning up on those casinos”. And I said, “Well, what are you talking about?” And he said, “If you get five Marions, you get the jackpot”.’ > > She lost her California home to foreclosure recently and said the money would have made a difference. I hope CBS do the right thing here and spread some of the gravy round. ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/2 "2011-04-19T19:19:28Z")
I also notice that Ron Howard isn’t one of the plaintiffs. But then again, he’s probably got more money than everyone else in the cast combined. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/3 "2011-04-19T19:21:27Z")
> [@Dahnlor](#): > > I also notice that Ron Howard isn’t one of the plaintiffs. But then again, he’s probably got more money than everyone else in the cast combined. Along with Henry Winkler, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/4 "2011-04-19T20:27:46Z")
Bu - bu - but why _CBS_? The show aired on ABC. ETA: 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/5 "2011-04-19T20:38:07Z")
[QUOTE=aldiboronti] Sad to see that Marion has fallen on hard times. [/QUOTE] I think that’s a misprint. Erin Moran lost her home to foreclosure last year- it was written about a lot at the time- and I think they mixed up her and Marion Ross. ETA: [In this](http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/19/news/companies/happy_days_fraud_claim/)it’s definitely attributed to Moran. And if her reality show appearances are any indication, Girl is seriously Interrupted. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/6 "2011-04-19T20:38:47Z")
I think CBS owns it now. Not sure how that works. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/7 "2011-04-19T20:47:25Z")
Marion Ross had pretty steady post Happy Days work, so if she’s broke-broke I’d be surprised. But Erin Moran has not so much post-Love Boat. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/8 "2011-04-19T21:01:27Z")
[QUOTE=fiddlesticks] But Erin Moran has not so much post-Love Boat. [/QUOTE] Almost none that isn’t reality show or with other HD alum. _Celebrity Fit Camp_ is apparently a stage in the celebrity foreclosure process: Screech, Willie Aames and Erin Moran all had them and that was just one season. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/9 "2011-04-19T21:09:50Z")
I realize a contract has to be honored. But, the idea of actors cashing in thirty years later bugs me. They were highly paid when they were actually working. Now they get more. Hey!! Maybe I should demand that my old bosses fork over money for those computer programs I wrote 15 years ago. I know some are still being used. How about the contractor that built the houses in my neighborhood 40 years ago. Maybe he should get $$$ every time one of these houses resells. I bet the plumber that installed these pipes needs money too. Let’s give him some $$$$. Actors and athletes. How did they get on this gravy train??? They are paid obscene amounts of money compared to people that really matter like doctors, teachers, farmers etc. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/10 "2011-04-19T21:16:38Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I realize a contract has to be honored. > > But, the idea of actors cashing in thirty years later bugs me. They were highly paid when they were actually working. Now they get more. > . I think here lies your problem. Some of the big time folks (at the time) get big time money. But plenty don’t, or not as much as you think, particularly back in those days. And for all those “big time folks”, there are plenty of second and third level actors that don’t get shit. Their only hope for a decent retirement is to get some long term residuals. So, I suspect the mechanism designed to help the peons also helps the big name folks to some extent as well. Just my guess mind you. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/11 "2011-04-19T21:24:44Z")
The casino story suggests that their images are being used without their permission or any payment. [QUOTE=from the OP] they are claiming that CBS has deprived them of much-needed money the network made from the merchandising bonanza [/QUOTE] It’s not the residuals or that they were underpaid at the time, it’s that CBS continues to use these characters in money making ventures without giving the actors a cut of the profits. Another side of this kind of thing was mentioned in Stephen Fry’s latest autobiography where two actors get paid megabucks for using their wildly popular characters in an advertisement - Stephen asked one of the actors if the writers (who created and sustained those wildly popular characters) were happy with their cut of the profits - the actor grew a little edgy and said he’d send them a crate of wine. ETA: A crate of _very good_ wine. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/12 "2011-04-19T21:40:39Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > How did they get on this gravy train??? They have a good union. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/13 "2011-04-19T22:23:05Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Their only hope for a decent retirement is to get some long term residuals. Yes, but Happy Days spent many years in reruns, and may still be be showing daily in some parts. I suspect that if they are losing their houses to forclosure, it ain’t the networks fault. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/14 "2011-04-19T22:32:49Z")
> [@maggenpye](#): > > Another side of this kind of thing was mentioned in Stephen Fry’s latest autobiography where two actors get paid megabucks for using their wildly popular characters in an advertisement - Stephen asked one of the actors if the writers (who created and sustained those wildly popular characters) were happy with their cut of the profits - the actor grew a little edgy and said he’d send them a crate of wine. Did he mention any names? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/15 "2011-04-19T23:29:45Z")
Am I the only one who is amazed that Happy Days still makes money in merchandising and licensing? ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/16 "2011-04-19T23:45:07Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > Did he mention any names? The \*Yes Minister \*leads. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/17 "2011-04-20T00:38:26Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Sad to see that Marion has fallen on hard times. I read an article earlier today that said it was Erin Moran who’d lost her home. This is borne out by a Google search that turns up lots of references to it. [Here’s a brief one from TMZ.](http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/09/joanie-cunningham-erin-moran-not-so-happy-days-fonzie-foreclosure-debt-chachi-arcola-scott-baio-mortgage-auction-sunday-monday-happy-days/) Google doesn’t turn up anything on Marion Ross having lost her home other than references to today’s article, and Wiki has nothing on it either. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/18 "2011-04-20T00:47:39Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > **I realize a contract has to be honored.** > > But, the idea of actors cashing in thirty years later bugs me. They were highly paid when they were actually working. Now they get more. Yes. It’s in the contract. > [@aceplace57](#): > > Hey!! Maybe I should demand that my old bosses fork over money for those computer programs I wrote 15 years ago. I know some are still being used. Was it in your contract? If so, then yes, you should. > [@aceplace57](#): > > How about the contractor that built the houses in my neighborhood 40 years ago. Maybe he should get $$$ every time one of these houses resells. I bet the plumber that installed these pipes needs money too. Let’s give him some $$$$. Was that in his contract? If so, then by all means, send him his cut when the house resells. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/19 "2011-04-20T00:54:01Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I read an article earlier today that said it was Erin Moran who’d lost her home. This is borne out by a Google search that turns up lots of references to it. [Here’s a brief one from TMZ.](http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/09/joanie-cunningham-erin-moran-not-so-happy-days-fonzie-foreclosure-debt-chachi-arcola-scott-baio-mortgage-auction-sunday-monday-happy-days/) Google doesn’t turn up anything on Marion Ross having lost her home other than references to today’s article, and Wiki has nothing on it either. You’re right. [Here’s the CNN report](http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/19/news/companies/happy_days_fraud_claim/index.htm) which is clearly the source of the Daily Mail story in the OP. > [@](#): > > In 1999, Moran did receive $692 for merchandising after she said she pressed the studio, which was then Paramount Pictures. In a document sent to Moran, Paramount said she was previously paid $8,229 for merchandising, but Moran told CNN she had not received that money. > > Moran declined to discuss details of her current financial situation but confirmed that last year, she lost her California home to foreclosure after attempts to work out a loan modification with her bank failed. > > “It definitely could have made a difference,” Most said. “I would think so, and right now it could really make a difference because (Moran) is going through a bit of a hard time.” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989/20 "2011-04-20T01:04:03Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I think that’s a misprint. Erin Moran lost her home to foreclosure last year- it was written about a lot at the time- and I think they mixed up her and Marion Ross. > > ETA: [In this](http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/19/news/companies/happy_days_fraud_claim/)it’s definitely attributed to Moran. And if her reality show appearances are any indication, Girl is seriously Interrupted. The other inaccuracy is the caption on the second photo, “Happier Days: The original cast members in the show which ran from 1974 to 1984 but its legacy still lives on today.” But the photo is from the later run of the show. It includes Ted McGinley and Scott Baio. I don’t think they’re from the original cast. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unhappy-days/578989.md?page=2)