Ep 21. Beauty Contest

In the season 3 episode 21 of Happy Days titled Beauty Contest, the residents of Milwaukee are gearing up for the annual Miss Milwaukee beauty pageant and everyone is excited about it. The contest is open to all young women between the ages of 18 and 25. Richie, Potsie, and Ralph are particularly thrilled about the event because they will serve as judges for the pageant.

The anticipation is high among the contestants, who are vying for the coveted crown, and the contestants soon start to arrive for the contest. Among them is Richie's girlfriend Lori Beth who enters the contest, much to Richie's surprise. Richie is excited about the idea of his girlfriend becoming Miss Milwaukee, but Lori Beth doesn't seem to be as enthusiastic about it.

As the pageant progresses, the audience is treated to an array of talents and beauty planned by the contestants, and after some tense moments, the new Miss Milwaukee is crowned. However, the moment of triumph is short-lived when a judge's tampering with the final scores exposes the pageant's inherent corruption.

The Miss Milwaukee officials are horrified and try to smooth things over, but the contestants and the judges decide to form their own beauty contest, with all the proceeds going to charity. The newly formed beauty contest provides an opportunity for the contestants to showcase their talents and personalities without the pressure of a traditional beauty pageant.

As the show ends, the audience sees the judges talking about each of the contestants, and it becomes clear that everyone has gained a new appreciation for the lives and goals of the women who participated. The newly-formed beauty pageant ends up demonstrating that beauty can come in many different forms, that the pressures that women face in traditional pageants are unnecessary, and that judging people simply for physical beauty can exclude some truly outstanding women.

Happy Days season 3 episode 21 is a tour de force of writing and acting that captures what made the show such a beloved classic. It introduces the viewers to likable characters, a heart-warming story, and a valuable message. It is pure entertainment and excellent family-viewing material.