Earlier this week, local gallery owner Mike Brenner said he would close his gallery and move out of Milwaukee if the bronze statue of TV icon Fonzie is erected in Downtown Milwaukee. Milwaukee Art Museum director David Gordon also chimed in with opposition to the project. OnMilwaukee.com’s Jeff Sherman wrote a blog about Brenner’s statement, which inspired a swarm of talkbackers to give their thoughts on the statue and more.
Like it or hate it, “Happy Days” will always be associated with Milwaukee, because the popular show, which ran from 1974-'84, took place here. Brew City travelers know that people outside of Milwaukee still mentally connect the city to “Happy Days” (or “Laverne & Shirley,” depending on the country) as well as beer, Harley Davidson and / or, sadly, Jeff Dahmer.
But is “Happy Days” a positive aspect of Milwaukee’s history and helpful to our current image, or does it simply reinforce inaccuracies and stereotypes? Sound off, Milwaukee!
“Happy Days” is great for Milwaukee’s image. “Happy Days” keeps the hard-working, family-oriented, close-knit community aspects of Milwaukee alive. There's a lot of negative press about Milwaukee’s crime and violence, and thank goodness some people still liken this city with that classic show to balance out negative perceptions. “Happy Days” was an extremely popular program and fun, too, so it’s an honor to have Milwaukee associated with such great success.
“Happy Days” is dragging us down. I’m sick of old Milwaukee stereotypes, perpetuated by shows like “Happy Days." The show’s characters are naïve, creating the myth that Milwaukeeans are polite small-towners with a interest in nothing more than beer, sausage and bowling. We need to improve Milwaukee’s image, and “Happy Days” unfortunately keeps us stuck in an old, outdated groove.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
