All These Years, I thought Travolta Leaving Hurt 'Welcome Back Kotter' I Was Wrong... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-26-2010, 09:40 PM

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...e+kaplan&hl=en

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...e+kaplan&hl=en

I thought John Travolta leaving hurt the show more than anything, it probably did in its own way, but the reality according to the above articles tells a different story. Legandary director & producer James Komack was the real reason behing "WBK" demise. He envisioned a slapstick comedy, while Gabe Kaplan (Co Creator) by the way, envisioned a dramedy. Komack went as far as firing an entire writing staff that sided with Kaplan to get the show he wanted. If that wasn't wrong enough, Komack also kept Kaplan (THE TITLE CHARACTER) from appearing on his own show.

Mr. Television · 08-26-2010, 10:25 PM

That's why we got that final awful season. According to Kaplan and Strassman, he was the reason that their relationship was strained.

catlover79 · 08-27-2010, 02:41 AM

The good thing is - Gabe and Marcia have since patched things up. They were even photographed together at some event recently:

Dr. Thong · 12-09-2010, 05:47 PM

I think Travolta's absence (and Kaplan's) from the final season hurt the show in a very big way. And the fact that a group of new writers who had no clue what made the show tick didn't help either.

It was just a recipe for disaster and the show went out with a whimper, not a bang. Too bad.

Marvo301 · 12-09-2010, 06:46 PM

Gabe Kaplan created the characters in the show for his stand up comedy act. So if any really knew these characters and how their stories should be told it's Gabe Kaplan. James Komack totally destroyed this show by trying to forcefully transform it into something it wasn't. Replacing the entire writing staff, freezing out Kaplan, and introducing new characters like Beau and Carvelli were all contributing factors in the demise of this show. And all were instigated by Komack.

08-26-2010, 09:40 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	All These Years, I thought Travolta Leaving Hurt 'Welcome Back Kotter' I Was Wrong... http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...e+kaplan&hl=en http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...e+kaplan&hl=en I thought John Travolta leaving hurt the show more than anything, it probably did in its own way, but the reality according to the above articles tells a different story. Legandary director & producer James Komack was the real reason behing "WBK" demise. He envisioned a slapstick comedy, while Gabe Kaplan (Co Creator) by the way, envisioned a dramedy. Komack went as far as firing an entire writing staff that sided with Kaplan to get the show he wanted. If that wasn't wrong enough, Komack also kept Kaplan (THE TITLE CHARACTER) from appearing on his own show. Attached Images
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08-26-2010, 10:25 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	That's why we got that final awful season. According to Kaplan and Strassman, he was the reason that their relationship was strained.
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08-27-2010, 02:41 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	The good thing is - Gabe and Marcia have since patched things up. They were even photographed together at some event recently: Attached Images
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12-09-2010, 05:47 PM	#4
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I think Travolta's absence (and Kaplan's) from the final season hurt the show in a very big way. And the fact that a group of new writers who had no clue what made the show tick didn't help either. It was just a recipe for disaster and the show went out with a whimper, not a bang. Too bad.
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12-09-2010, 06:46 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Gabe Kaplan created the characters in the show for his stand up comedy act. So if any really knew these characters and how their stories should be told it's Gabe Kaplan. James Komack totally destroyed this show by trying to forcefully transform it into something it wasn't. Replacing the entire writing staff, freezing out Kaplan, and introducing new characters like Beau and Carvelli were all contributing factors in the demise of this show. And all were instigated by Komack.
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