Bronze The Fonz?

In the news yesterday I learned that “The Fonz” will soon be part of Milwaukee’s downtown landscape.

I guess you can never underestimate the popularity of a 30-year-old TV pop culture icon.

Local visitor groups and civic boosters hope to attract visitors to the city by immortalizing the character of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in a life-size bronze sculpture.

Henry Winkler, the man behind the character, was in Milwaukee yesterday morning for the announcement that the money needed WAS raised and now the tribute statue will be dedicated sometime around Labor Day this year.

According to local news sources, this strange idea started with TV Land, who developed an icon statue program. For the statue program, TV Land donated six sculptures commemorating memorable TV characters to various cities, starting in 2000 with a NYC statue of Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners. The effort is also responsible for a Mary Tyler Moore statue in Minneapolis and one of Bob Newhart in Chicago, among others, but the cable network later ended the program for whatever reason. That left the idea of bringing a bronze “Fonz” to Milwaukee in limbo, that is, until Visit Milwaukee and Spirit Milwaukee jumped on board to make it happen.

Local groups were forced to raise $85,000 to create and erect the statue, but many people were eager to contribute towards the cost. I learned that Brew City Promotions even designed a special "Bronze The Fonz" t-shirt that you could purchase online or at the Brew City store at The Shops of Grand Avenue for $22 and $10 of that would go towards the fund-raising campaign. Had I known, I would have bought one just because they are hilarious – and of course, Fonzie is the epitome of cool. Check it out.

This idea, however, wasn’t without controversy. (And it fits in nicely with the AOL article I’ve been talking about.)

I’m impartial to the creation of the statue – I’m not offended by it, nor do I think it’s the best way to attract visitors or build a better reputation for Milwaukee. All in all, I just find it hilarious. But I figure if it helps the city, then I’m okay with it no matter how ridiculous the concept. Besides, you have to trust that our tourist groups know what they’re doing, right?

Still many Milwaukeeans are fighting the statue because they believe it perpetuates the perception that the only things Wisconsin can offer are the Packers, serial killer Jeffery Dahmer and the show Happy Days, said Newsradio 620 WTMJ reporter Jay Sorgi. People in Milwaukee are trying to move forward and rebuild the city’s reputation by making attempts to depict the city as some place other than the home of Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley, so is this a step in the wrong direction?

Then again, some think Milwaukee should embrace its stereotypes and that The Fonz just represents the old image of Milwaukee, which some visitors still appreciate. Maybe instead of running from our traditions – beer, brats, fish fries, cheeseheads, Happy Days, etc. – we should realize that they all embody a small piece of Milwaukee’s culture and we should accept them knowing that they are minor labels and don't define Milwaukee or those who live here.

What do you think?

Should Milwaukee put up a statue of The Fonz? Do you think he represents Milwaukee or do you think we need to shed the Happy Days image? Maybe you’d rather see a statue of some other famous person. If so, who? Or are you neutral?

Either way, the commemorative statue of Fonzie will be built within the year. An exact spot hasn’t been chosen, but new reports state that it will most likely be along the Milwaukee River.

Comments

[Amanda]

I hope he’s posed with his thumbs up and that the statue has a motion sensor so that when visitors walk past he’ll say, “Aaay.”

[Mark]

I think bronzing the Fonz downtown is fun, interesting and well, cool.

I completely agree with the sentiment that Milwaukee is stereotyped through the image of Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days but whatever. This statue does not, in my opinion, truly reinforce that image. We can't completely run away from our past and I think it's healthy to embrace it in ways like this.

Think of all the people that will take their picture with Fonzie. I personally can't wait to be one of those people. It's just one of those stupid fun things... a conversation starter, a point of interest. People walk past, take a picture, talk about it and smile. That's the whole point, right?

[Tommy Boy]

I think the statue of the Fonz is a good thing for the city. I beleive most people see the Fonz as a fun guy and Happy Days as fun times. The statue will immortalize the relationship the city had with the good old days. It will be obvious to anyone walking the city to see in the backdrop of the Fonz statue that we aren't stuck in the Laverne and Shirley days.

[SuzieQ]

I think it's kind of stupid.

I guess I just don't understand why the city would invest in a statue of a fictional character that wasn't that impressive. The Fonz? Is he really worthy of such a tribute? I completely understand that “Happy Days” and the Fonz commemorate part of Milwaukee's history and iconography, but it's all from a TV show. Fiction.

I just don't understand.

[Erin]

I'm with Mark. I want to get my picture taken with the Fonz. :)

I think it's possible to move forward and change Milwaukee's image to be more arts and culture focused, but we can still have fun with our past and our blue-collar heritage.

To the local artist who is closing his studio in protest, I say GOOD RIDDANCE.

[Karen]

The statue is a harmless addition to the city's landscape. From what I've read it seems like most residents are embracing it. Many see it as a way to preserve our past and realize that it won't hinder Milwaukee’s progression. Oppostition definitely isn't a good reason to close a business or move from the city. It's just a statue.

Here’s an article that mentions the local artist. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325553,00.html
He calls the statue a publicity stunt. So, what's wrong with that? It’s also going to be a great photo opp, like Erin and Mark suggested. Is that a *bad* thing?

Oh. Amanda, I read that the creator of the statue was chewing on the idea of placing Fonzie next to a jukebox. I think that’s suitable.

[Kelly]

I don't think the statue is a bad idea, but I also don't think it's as big of a deal as it's being made out to be. There are probably things all over every city that commemorate the history of the cities that residents may or may not want to remember. And I think Milwaukee would be hard pressed with or without the statue to let go of their sometimes kitschy history. People seem to have a love-hate relationship with what makes the city endearing. It's all part of growing up, into a bigger, more cosmopolitan city!

[Melanie]

I think that is funny. Whether or not I think it should be in MKE is another thing. I guess overall I don't see what the harm really would be. People not from MKE are going to form their own opinions about what they think living here is like. I think the statue adds a little bit of something to our city. It puts us on the map as one of the cities picked to have these works of art. Also where can I get one of those T-shirts?

[Karen]

Melanie, you can buy the T-shirts here: http://www.brewcityonline.com/brewcity/product.asp?s_id=0&pf_id=PAAAAACOPDPIJIFI&dept_id=5384&ad_id=onmilwaukee
They are sweeeeet!