Quick Read
- Happy Days ranked 2nd best ABC show of all time by TVLine.
- The show ran for 11 seasons from 1974 to 1984.
- Fonzie’s leather jacket is in the Smithsonian Institution.
The long-running sitcom Happy Days has been recognized as the second-best television series in the history of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), according to a comprehensive ranking published by TVLine on June 7, 2026. The series, which defined a generation of nostalgic Americana, remains a cornerstone of the network’s legacy.
Starring Ron Howard as Midwestern teenager Richie Cunningham, Happy Days followed the everyday adventures of a group of friends in the late 1950s. The show became a cultural institution during its 11-season run, which concluded in 1984. Beyond its primary success, the series was instrumental in launching several spin-offs, including Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy.
Industry analysts point to the breakout performance of Henry Winkler as Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli as a primary driver of the show’s enduring popularity. The character’s impact was such that his iconic leather jacket is now held in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution. TVLine’s ranking highlights that the show’s “wholesome, nostalgic” appeal secured its position just behind the experimental cult classic Twin Peaks in the network’s all-time hierarchy.