Comfort TV remains alive with classic sitcoms

I am not a TV watcher and would much rather read a book or surf the Net after a long day.

But with the cold weather we've experienced lately,  I've indulged in some mindless television a few hours before bedtime.

At 8 p.m., on Thursday night, my son was already asleep in his crib.

This left myself and my daughter Maria, 4, to find something to watch on television.

Of course, she wanted cartoons. But since she got her way earlier that day, I took over the remote control.

It was up to me to select the least offensive and most appropriate program for both of us on cable TV.

After scrolling through the  menu, I settled on the first of three programs obviously themed to evoke some nostalgia for viewers.

Hunkered down in our basement and sharing a fleece blanket, we escaped the cold weather with episodes of "Happy Days," "Laverne and Shirley" and "Batman."

"Happy Days" and "Laverne and Shirley" brought me back to my childhood of watching similar reruns.

I didn't watch the "Batman" sitcom as a child, but still appreciated the stilted speech, dated sayings and bright costumes this week.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see pianist Liberace appear as a guest star on the show.

In "Happy Days," main character Fonzie, played by Henry Winkler, is accidentally blinded after being hit with a metal tray at the local burger joint.

Fonzie revisits the restaurant, but is embarrassed when he can't find the jukebox and abruptly leaves.

He retreats to his apartment that's attached to the home of his friend Richie Cunningham's parents.

Although he has his own living space, he still joins the Cunningham family for meals.

One night during dinner, Fonzie hasn't adjusted to his blindness and in Richie's opinion, asks for too much help salting his food and finding eating utensils.

An emotional confrontation between Richie and Fonzie follows, with a frustrated Richie imploring Fonzie to start helping himself.

Richie later brings pieces of Fonzie's motorcycle to reassemble inside the privacy of his apartment. Richie believes Fonzie, a skilled mechanic, can complete the task.

Leaving an angry Fonzie, Richie silently watches his friend through the window.

Fonzie completes the task and emerges more confident and accepting of his situation.

After some time, his sight returns.

The next show, "Laverne and Shirley," focused on character Squiggy's struggle to pass a work-mandated driver's test at Shotz Brewery.

Concerned Squiggy could lose his truck driving job and move in with them, Laverne and Shirley help Squiggy study for his exam.

Despite the frustrations of helping their nonacademic friend, the women don't give up.

Thankfully, Squiggy eventually passes the test with a score of 72 percent.

I was starting to doze off during the third program, "Batman."

But I do remember visions of evil women characters playing bagpipes and knocking out their opponents with the piercing sound.

Finally, seeing Liberace play the piano in prison as his punishment wrapped up our TV watching for the night.

I gained more from those programs than I ever imagined.

Relaxing with my daughter taught me it's OK to just relax and be still.

Lynne Lynch is the Columbia Basin Herald business and agriculture reporter. Some of her coworkers remember how cool Fonzie was.