Henry Winkler, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ creator team for ABC project
Henry Winkler is someone who can probably do anything when it comes to television, and we would watch. Therefore, it’s pretty darn easy to be excited when news comes out that the former star of “Happy Days” has scored himself another new TV gig.
ABC has ordered a pilot for a show entitled “The Winklers,” which sounds like a perfect companion to “The Goldbergs.” This show’s pilot is being written by a brilliant sitcom mind in Phil Rosenthal of “Everybody Loves Raymond” fame, and the story is based on Winkler’s relationship with his son-in-law Rob Reinis, who also serves as an executive producer on the pilot. Henry is not necessarily confirmed to star as himself on the series, but at the moment he is in talks to do so.
Would the network be smart to pick this show up? Maybe, but it shouldn’t be a lock the same way that some would think. Michael J. Fox and Robin Williams were basically assured success by critics the moment that it was announced that they were each getting a new show. However, Fox’s show in particular has struggled, and Williams’ has merely been mediocre. All of this in the end is yet another reminder that you need more than just a big star at the center of your show; you also need a good story that is going to sustain it. All we really saw from Fox’s show in particular was a good idea that started to not really go anywhere once you were around the midway point in the season.
Now that we’ve went into full-on negative Nancy mode, let us go ahead and say that we would be stunned to see this show not continue, since it has everything you would want from both a cast and a creative vantage point.
Granted, we are curious now as to whether or not the show is going to interfere with Henry’s ability to appear on “Royal Pains.” After all, he’s had a nice little presence on there over the years.
Are you excited to see a show with Winkler’s involvement? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below, and also be sure to click here if you want to snag even more news from our CarterMatt Newsletter.
Photo: ABC