Who’s Your Potsie?

So I’m listening to the Jim Rome Show on ESPN radio, and he was recounting his encounter with Henry Winkler. It seems that a year or so ago there was some dispute about what the Fonz actually said — if anything— just before he famously jumped the shark. Don’t ask what could possibly have instigated such a question on a sports show. In any event, who calls into the show to give the definitive answer? Arthur Fonzarelli himself.

So for those of you who have been ripping your hair out, engaging in debates, getting into fights, refusing to speak to friends and relatives who disagree, allow the man himself to shed light where before there was only darkness and low moaning.

First watch the video:

This is what the Fonz replies when Richie asks, “Are you sure you want to do it?”

“I told Potsie I’d do this.”

He told Potsie he’d do that …

“Why are you telling us this, Anthony?” First of all, don’t interrupt me when I’m talking to myself. And second, don’t you know I always have a point, even when I don’t?

It’s become common for preachers to use popular movies, TV shows, songs, Hallmark cards, even fortune cookies as a jumping off point for a sermon. Usually it’s to inform us of what idolators we are. Now I can just imagine an imaginative homilist coming upon this quote and fashioning a message called “Who’s Your Potsie?”

Who is it, my friends, that you would jump the shark for? Who is it that means so much in your life that you would risk danger, humiliation, your career — even your life?

I ask you: Who’s your Potsie? Because if it isn’t the one true God of heaven and earth, you risk all in vain. Can Potsie call worlds into existence with his mere word? Can Potsie bring order out of chaos, part the Red Sea, smite the Amalekites? Can Potsie ruin a perfectly good rendition of “Pump Your Blood“? (All right, I’ll give you that one.)

Put away all your Potsies today, my friends. Look only to the good God. Do all in His name alone. And every shark in your path will be rendered harmless.

Amen.

Here’s a bit of trivia: Exactly how many times did Henry Winkler jump the shark in his career? Answer: Twice. Here’s the second time:

Who else does this stuff for you? Nobody, that’s who. Just don’t make me your Potsie.