User reviews

"My Favorite Orkan," its title in reference to Ray Walston's 60s series MY FAVORITE MARTIAN, might have disappeared into the ether of forgotten episodes were it not for the casting of newcomer Robin Williams in the role of Mork from Ork, a name brilliant in its simplicity. Garry Marshall hired him on the spot after Williams sat on his face, and no doubt incorporated his own touches into the character, a visitor from the distant planet Ork, whose mission on earth is to bring back living specimens. Richie insists he saw a flying saucer but the gang are certain that his 'humdrum' life has led him to exaggerate something out of thin air, but later encounters a stranger in a one piece red spacesuit who removes his helmet and calls himself Mork. Introduced to the Cunningham TV set with a zap from his lethal finger, Robin Williams proved to be an instant hit, creating a language of gibberish that audiences responded to, especially the swear word 'shozbot.' At first Richie is delighted to meet a genuine alien, until learning that Mork has come for him, someone average, humdrum, to take back to Ork for a 'bleam,' which lasts for 2000 years. Fleeing to Arnold's for a showdown with the Fonz, Mork's finger cannot conquer the almighty thumb, but finally wins because Fonzie doesn't want his friends hurt. The original ending had the whole thing turn out to be a dream, but in preparation for the series MORK & MINDY a new one was shot, depicting Mork's latest assignment, from the late 50s to the late 70s, opposite the charming and lovely Pam Dawber. The conclusion of the next season ("Mork Returns") would be a compilation episode, the only other one to feature Williams, now a star in his own right.

After seeing a UFO, Ritchie Cunningham receives a visit from perhaps the strangest space alien in the galaxy, Mork from Ork.

If "Happy Days" hadn't jumped the shark when Fonzie jumped the shark, it might well have with "My Favorite Orkan."

The "flying saucer" setting is perfect for its time. It's just the sort of thing that would have happened circa 1960. But an actual visitation by outer space beings seems a far cry from the show's first couple of seasons. And the challenge match of Mork with Fonzie (Henry Winkler) is embarrassingly bad.

What saves this episode from being a total disaster is a bravura performance by rising talent Robin Williams. And the writers give him some good lines, such as when he's watching television.

In retrospect, however, this episode is only worthy as a kick-start to Williams' career. In 1978 no one had seen anything quite like him (not even Andy Kaufman was this nuts). If it hadn't been for the casting of Williams this episode would have been just another milestone marking the decline of the once-great "Happy Days." It's almost always true that a performer is only as good as his material. Williams rises above the material and deservedly earned his own show.