You would have thought that CBS had its hands full dealing with Charlie Sheen's $100 Million lawsuit.But now the network is embroiled in another lawsuit brought by four cast members of the 70’s sitcom “Happy Days” over merchandising revenue and slot machines.
The cast members, led by Anson Williams who played Potsie, said,
“The show represented to the public what the best of America has to offer... the friendships, the opportunities, and the warmth. Unfortunately, now 'Happy Days' also represents the worst of America -- of what major companies are trying to get from it, trying to use it for, and forgetting the family it created."
Joining Anson Williams is the estate of Tom Bosley, Donny Most, who played Ralph Malph, and Marion Ross.
The group says their images have been used by comic books, clothing makers, scrapbooks, trading cards, games, lunch boxes, dolls, toy cars, magnets, greeting cards and DVD covers.
And they say they have not seen a dime.
Marian Ross told CNN that she started to wonder if they were entitled to any of the merchandising money when a friend of hers told her about a "Happy Days" slot machine she played in Las Vegas.
The four cast members joined together and approached CBS and said they were at first shut down and told there was no money to distribute.
But after the cast appeared on CNN, CBS had a different response:
"We agree that funds are owed to the actors and have been working with them for quite some time to resolve the issue."
Marian Ross, who played the mother, lost her house three years ago in a foreclosures and Erin Moran, who played Joanie, is reported to be going through a difficult financial situation as we speak.
Step up CBS – do the right thing.
Funny. I remember in grade school I had a Fonzie lunchbox. I wonder how many pennies each cast member got from my big purchase.
