Almost two years before the great Sticks came to town, Howard's old army buddy Fred, who happens to be black, comes to town to get married.
At first he's merely staying at the Cunningham household, but after he can't get a venue for the wedding, in true sitcom fashion the wedding takes place in the Cunningham living room.
Doing a "race" episode so early in the show's run may have risked alienating some viewers, as these kinds of episodes can tend to be a little preachy. I doubt anyone is going to second-guess their beliefs after watching a lighthearted sitcom show.
The episode wastes no time getting down to business however. Right at the very beginning as Marion/Mrs. C and Richie come home from shopping, we can see a huge watermelon sticking out of a grocery bag, so you know that's going to be used somehow.
Less than a minute later, Howard enters with Fred and introduces him, and of course right at that very moment Marion is holding the watermelon. Taken by surprise at a black man in her kitchen, Marion then exclaims, after fumbling a greeting, "We have watermelon all the time!" as she pats it. So right there, you know we're it for a heckuva ride.
As a matter of fact, Marion pretty much admits she's a bigot (after Howard accuses her), and it even comes to light that she had the idea to have the wedding in the house due to White Guilt.
Of course, there have to be the obligatory 'racist' incidents. A snooty neighbor comes over to use the phone and can't handle Fred's presence. A cop finds Fred walking outside and brings him to the Cunningham house to check out his story. Heck, at the beginning, even Richie seems a bit apprehensive about Fred.
Later, Richie and Fonzie have a brief talk about race. One funny thing is that after Fonzie refers to guests at the upcoming wedding as "black people," Richie mildly scolds him and says, "I don't think they like being called 'black'. They're negroes." Things certainly have changed in fifty years. Heck, even today, some find both of those terms racist for whatever reason.
Fonzie of course says "I'll take any guy as long as he's cool," laying some perspective on things.
The wedding goes off and of course the obviously nerdy white people (Marion, Richie and Joanie) unsuccessfully try to keep the black guests entertained after the groom runs off and Howard tries to get him to come back. The wedding is complete, and of course the bride's father then shows nerdy Marion how to get funky on the piano.
Noteworthy is that this is a very rare episode (the only one actually) in the earlier years where Potsie and Ralph Malph do not appear, which is quite odd. Their comedic reactions to the situation would have been quite welcome due to this being one of the weaker early episodes. Without them, the show kind of turns into a sitcom called "The Cunninghams" and Fonzie makes a brief cameo.
Also in true sitcom fashion, Fred, who was even considering buying a house in the 'hood, is never seen or heard from again.
The actor playing Fred, Robert DoQui, has a very impressive TV show resume and is quite good, rising above the material. Tip: check him out in the "Insight" episodes he is in, especially "The Jesus Song."
So as Mrs. C enjoys her huge watermelon, this is an episode that is good to see but most won't be in any rush to watch again.
At first he's merely staying at the Cunningham household, but after he can't get a venue for the wedding, in true sitcom fashion the wedding takes place in the Cunningham living room.
Doing a "race" episode so early in the show's run may have risked alienating some viewers, as these kinds of episodes can tend to be a little preachy. I doubt anyone is going to second-guess their beliefs after watching a lighthearted sitcom show.
The episode wastes no time getting down to business however. Right at the very beginning as Marion/Mrs. C and Richie come home from shopping, we can see a huge watermelon sticking out of a grocery bag, so you know that's going to be used somehow.
Less than a minute later, Howard enters with Fred and introduces him, and of course right at that very moment Marion is holding the watermelon. Taken by surprise at a black man in her kitchen, Marion then exclaims, after fumbling a greeting, "We have watermelon all the time!" as she pats it. So right there, you know we're it for a heckuva ride.
As a matter of fact, Marion pretty much admits she's a bigot (after Howard accuses her), and it even comes to light that she had the idea to have the wedding in the house due to White Guilt.
Of course, there have to be the obligatory 'racist' incidents. A snooty neighbor comes over to use the phone and can't handle Fred's presence. A cop finds Fred walking outside and brings him to the Cunningham house to check out his story. Heck, at the beginning, even Richie seems a bit apprehensive about Fred.
Later, Richie and Fonzie have a brief talk about race. One funny thing is that after Fonzie refers to guests at the upcoming wedding as "black people," Richie mildly scolds him and says, "I don't think they like being called 'black'. They're negroes." Things certainly have changed in fifty years. Heck, even today, some find both of those terms racist for whatever reason.
Fonzie of course says "I'll take any guy as long as he's cool," laying some perspective on things.
The wedding goes off and of course the obviously nerdy white people (Marion, Richie and Joanie) unsuccessfully try to keep the black guests entertained after the groom runs off and Howard tries to get him to come back. The wedding is complete, and of course the bride's father then shows nerdy Marion how to get funky on the piano.
Noteworthy is that this is a very rare episode (the only one actually) in the earlier years where Potsie and Ralph Malph do not appear, which is quite odd. Their comedic reactions to the situation would have been quite welcome due to this being one of the weaker early episodes. Without them, the show kind of turns into a sitcom called "The Cunninghams" and Fonzie makes a brief cameo.
Also in true sitcom fashion, Fred, who was even considering buying a house in the 'hood, is never seen or heard from again.
The actor playing Fred, Robert DoQui, has a very impressive TV show resume and is quite good, rising above the material. Tip: check him out in the "Insight" episodes he is in, especially "The Jesus Song."
So as Mrs. C enjoys her huge watermelon, this is an episode that is good to see but most won't be in any rush to watch again.
