Richie gets an in for an interview with famous children's entertainers Bob Smith and Howdy Doody when little sister Joanie appears on the television show to present the popular puppet with the Chipmunk of the Year Award. But Richie is later confronted with an ethical dilemma after Life magazine offers to buy his one-of-a-kind photo of clown Clarabelle caught without his makeup.

Fonzie promises to provide the tuxedos Richie and the guys need for their formal gig at the stuffy local Leopard Lodge dance, but only if they let him join the band and play a bongo solo.