"The Not Making of a President"


Despite airing on January 28th, this takes place up to and including the Presidential Election of 1956, when Richie is 17 and finds himself going against family tradition in supporting the Democrat, Adlai Stevenson.  (Of course, by this math, Richie wouldn't be able to vote for president until '60.)  This is another episode where Howard realizes he's wrong in insisting that Richie believe as he does, although what would by '75 be called The Generation Gap is dealt with gently.

A few notes:
  • Fonzie likes Ike and his bike likes Ike, one of the few lines I remember from syndication.
  • There's a twist with Marion having voted for Stevenson!
  • Ralph talks about sex, but Richie just hopes to neck.
  • Director Jerry Paris plays the Heckler.
  • This is the only HD episode written by Lloyd Garver, who'd do some for, e.g. The Bob Newhart Show, while Ken Hecht would do one more for HD, but not until 1984, with some other shows in between.

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