In Case You Haven’t Heard: ‘SNL,’ ‘Happy Days’

Alan Ritchson is set to be a man of few words in his new film, beloved “Saturday Night Live” cast member Heidi Gardner is stepping away from the show, and “Happy Days” star Henry Winkler gives the inside scoop on his relationship with fellow co-star Ron Howard in this edition of “In Case You Haven’t Heard.”

Some people might say Alan Ritchson is an “up and comer”; others say he’s already arrived. Either way, he is the star of what looks like a really cool new film that is not afraid to take a few risks. “Motor City” premiered at the Venice Film Festival last week. Set in 1970s Detroit, Ritchson plays a man framed for a crime he did not commit. He loses everything and seeks revenge. We’ve seen the story before, but not in a film that has only five lines of dialogue. The movie will rely on action, story, and what Deadline says is an excellent soundtrack. 

Speaking of one of the biggest humans ever, Ritchson’s towering stature makes him a natural fit to play a superhero in the DC universe. There were rumors he could play Batman, which Ritchson dismissed. Ritchson is a huge fan of director and DC co-CEO James Gunn, who recently directed “Superman.” Ritchson hasn’t ruled out a role in the superhero world. Seems like a natural fit. 

The longest tenured female cast member on “Saturday Night Live” is exiting the show ahead of Season 51. Heidi Gardner has decided to leave after eight seasons. You might know her as the cast member who played a round table discussion host who cracked up uncontrollably during the Beavis and Butthead sketch with Ryan Gosling.

Gardner’s exit makes the fourth cast member who has either left or been let go ahead of the new season after Executive Producer Lorne Michaels promised to shake up the cast. Gardner has also been seen recently and the Apple TV show “Shrinking” opposite Harrison Ford and Jason Segal. She also appeared in an episode of “You” on Netflix during its final season, the sitcom “Girls5eva,” and Adam Sandler’s 2022 basketball flick “Hustle.”

Gardner told Craig Ferguson on his podcast that she was thinking about leaving the show due to sketch fatigue and wanting to do more longform entertainment. Translation: she’s not getting more money from Lorne Michaels? Sorry if that sounds cynical.

Ron Howard and Henry Winkler have a long history together that all started on the show “Happy Days.” When the show first aired, Howard, who played Richie Cunningham, was the star, but as Winkler’s popularity rose as the character Fonzie, the show’s producers almost changed the show’s title to “Fonzie’s Happy Days.” Despite rubbing Howard the wrong way, the two remained close friends. Winkler recently told People Magazine how he felt when he was informed by Howard that he was leaving the show, saying he got a phone call during a taping where Howard said, “in 10 minutes it’s going to become public that I’m leaving Happy Days.”

The Fonz said it was like his life was over, but he wasn’t totally surprised, having known that Howard always wanted to direct. Shortly after leaving the show, Howard directed his first big studio film “Nightshift” and says he offered Winkler either of the two lead roles. Winkler ended up playing the sad sack New York City Morgue employee opposite Michael Keaton. It would’ve been interesting to see how the movie turned out if the fans ended up playing Billy Blaze. 

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join host Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.