Hi Deborah.....Great to see you on here!! Sorry gang that I started a new thread, but I sometimes cannot read them all on this darn webtv thang...it will say "page too big to be shown completely"...arrgghh....Anyway, does anyone know why the Mando charactor was only on the first season? Or am I wrong here? It seems he was on then, then gone, then he was on an episode when the Raul charactor ran away. I only watched the first half cause it was too sad...but I`d like to see part two with Robert Heyges, since I also love "Kotter"...,ANYWAY...I think they should`ve used the Mando charactor more....he had great chemistry with Chico. I know it was a show with Jack & Freddie, which is great, but more Mando situations with the other cast would`ve added more to the show. Of course, I love the show regardless, I started watching it as a child, and was only ten when Freddie died. I never understood it. I thaught everyone in the world forgot the show for years...there was absolutely NOTHING online about it or Freddie until about 3 years ago. And this board has made a HUGE difference. ANYWAY, was it a Komack dicision to not use the Mando charactor more? I read in The Freeddie Prinze book that Isaac almost got the Chico role.........

Hi Scott, How are you? I also would have liked it if Mando was on more. I keep missing the episode where Raul runs away, I'm a Kotter fan, especially of Robert Hegyes, and would have like to have seen him on it.

Hello I talked to my dad on the phone as soon as I read about your questions. Mando was in all three seasons, but didn't. He wasn't on as much as before because some of the writers were making jokes about hispanics that were to racist at the time that they wanted Mando to say. And when he spoke up about it the producers didnt like that. So some of the writers wanted Mando out of the show because he wouldnt go along with the program. Some of the writers were fired because of this. Jimmy Komack, the executive producer, agreed with my dad Isaac. These are things that my dad wouldnt talk about 25 years ago because he didnt want to hurt the show or freddie, his best friend. Writers were constantly benig replaced, because he caused a frction. My dad was considered a rebel .............but a rebel for a good cause. My dad also read your comment...
I know it was a show with Jack & Freddie, which is great, but more Mando situations with the other cast would`ve added more to the show.
He said he agreed with you. It would have made the show better and that you were right.
After Freddie died, the wanted my dad to play as the main role and he didn't want to do that. because nothing could ever replace Freddie.
SO, I hope i answered your questions, but if you have more let me know in either email or in here:happyface
Love, Deborah

Thanks for the info! I had wondered why your dad wasn't in more episodes. That is so dirty how they did your dad. I don't blame him for standing up for what was right. I bet Freddie didn't agree with some of those jokes either. I noticed in one episode they made Mando play the role in a way I know your dad probably didn't like. In the RAUL RUNS AWAY episode they have Mando giving Raul a van like the old one Ed had that Chico used to live in. Louie is upset about it & Louie is telling Mando Ed's gonna be upset & he was. Mando is like well Chico died a yr ago & he should be over it by now. As close as Chico & Mando were I was suprised they would write Mando's role that way. I bet your dad was sooo upset. That was the last episode your dad was in. I bet he was upset about it. The RAUL RUNS AWAY episode is sooo sad. It's a real tearjerker. They flashback on Chico & it'll have you bawling your eyes out & going thru the hankies. I went thru plenty of hankies watching it. I just wish they had told how Chico dies instead of leaving us hanging...

Your dad is absolutely adorable! I wondered why they didnt feature him more. ..... Unfortunately I cannot watch the Raul episode with Raul running away. I saw it many years ago... and I would NOT watch it again...... I tear up just thinking about it. I can remember the look on Jacks face. You can SEE the pain in his eyes and YOU KNOW that is NO Act...... Its just TOO heart breaking.

Thank you, Deborah, for your dad's insights. What he says makes a lot of sense to me. Your dad did not appear in any of the third season shows and seemed to be replaced by a character that was not written well (Salvador) He may have still been under contract with the show, but due to the fact that the writers were writing the character of Salvador with the typical terrible stereotype that all Mexicans and Chicanos were stupid, I can understand why your dad didn't want to be a part of that. I always thought the part of Mando was much better written, and he was certainly a better friend to Chico than Salvador ever was. I would have loved to have seen the writers do more with the friendship of Chico and Mando. There was certainly an underdeveloped relationship. I bet they would have done alot together, especially double dating! ;) I am sure that would have been something to see. :D And I can agree with his decision not to replace Freddie in the part of Chico or the lead Chicano at any rate. I think Isaac honored his hermano's memory by not taking his part. I know Isaac would have done the part justice, but I understand his wanting to honor his friend's memory by not doing it. Your dad was, and I feel still is, a great friend of Freddie's. Muchas Gracias, Isaac. We love you very much here!
Luckymama ;)

Well said Luckymama! I agree with you 100% with the understanding of Isaac's decision to not take the part by honoring his beloved friend Freddie. From what we seen on camera how well they worked together, and showed a close bond. I would of loved to see the writers write more of there friendship as Chico and Mando.

Deborah........ Please ask your father would he consider acting again? I could see him on the George Lopez Show maybe as George's older brother. (Wouldn't that be great)?

I would Love to see him back on TV. :wave:

He would be excellent on the George Lopez show. Freddie would've been too!

Salvador was okay & was funny but he wasn't as cute as Mando. I got the impression Chico wasn't as close with him as he was with Mando. It looked like mostly what he did with Salvador was boxing or sports related stuff. I ahted how they used Salvador more than Mando after Freddie died. Your dad oughta get back into acting! We 40 somethings need a hot actor to drool over! :) & He was a good actor too! :)

I don't blame your dad either Deborah. I'm glad he rebelled.
I would have done the same thing if I was in his shoes.
I can't believe the writers were making those jokes. How tasteless.

Isaac Rocks! :cool:

Okay, i will ask my dad to go back into acting. I'll give you all an update to see what he says :p
Love, Deborah :wave:

Thanks Deborah, for the reply and letting us know what your Dad went thru on the Chico set with the writers. If they were smarter, they would have listened and respected his wishes. As others have stated, it WOULD be nice to see Isaac on TV again in new things. I suppose he left show biz because he got tired of all the "B.S." of it.....Anyway, thanks for your input and being here, and tell your Dad thanks for his input, and we appreciate him and you VERY VERY much!!

No problem. anytime for you all :D