"Joanie's Weird Boyfriend"




The title is ambiguous, since it seems at first to be about her nerdy boyfriend Roger (Marc McClure in a different role), who says "keen" a lot and doesn't kiss her at the end of the date.  And then, tired of being treated like a child by her family and flattered by the attentions of the gangleader of the Red Devils, she dresses in a Jenny-Piccalofied outfit, including heavy makeup.  Then she is at the risk of being "initiated," i.e. gang-necked.  Until the guys ride to the rescue, with help from a guest star.

Notes:
  • One of my all-time favorite YouTube comments is on a clip of this episode, something about "the Grandpa's Trunk Hat Gang."
  • Derrel Maury's first role on the show is Leroy.
  • This is set on St. Patrick's Day and aired on March 1st, which is pretty timely for HD.
  • It's presumably set before "The Physical," since Richie says that he, Ralph, and Potsie are almost eighteen.
  • As when Joanie had her first date, Richie is protective, here with more cause.  From what I recall, this would be a more common theme as she got older.
  • Somehow, while Richie was following the Red Devils around, Fonzie kissed the information out of Becky, recruited Potsie and of course a very reluctant Ralph to go with him to the Jefferson High gym, and then all three of them hid in lockers before the Devils brought Joanie there.  Richie knew nothing about this, which makes his bravery all the more impressive.
  • I discuss Eddie Mekka's cameo as Carmine at my Laverne & Shirley blog (https://revisitinglaverneandshirley.blogspot.com/2021/04/i-love-your-feet-you-know-that.html), but I will note that Mekka was then pretty busy, as he was also on Blansky's Beauties as his younger cousin in 1977.  (Where he knew Pinky T and would meet Arnold.)  This is his first but not last HD cameo, and he would again have a memorable entrance.
  • The L&S episode that night was one of the best, "Hi Neighbors, Book II," which doesn't actually feature Carmine.

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