Beau's Jest Had 2 Versions

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by 1960'sTVfan

This is interesting, I didn't know that the episode Beau's Jest has an alternate opening.

I'm glad that the DVD from Shout Factory has the original version of the episode with Mr. Kotter in the opening scene.

Same here. I'm just curious as to when this first aired. I don't know if this was aired as a network rerun or if it was re-edited for syndication.

Strange that they cut out Kotter's cameo, but things were pretty strange backstage that season!

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Same here. I'm just curious as to when this first aired. I don't know if this was aired as a network rerun or if it was re-edited for syndication.

Strange that they cut out Kotter's cameo, but things were pretty strange backstage that season!

Yes there was turmoil going on behind the scenes during the 4th season.

I'm just guessing about this but I figure the opening of the episode was changed/re-edited for syndication.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by 1960'sTVfan

Yes there was turmoil going on behind the scenes during the 4th season.

I'm just guessing about this but I figure the opening of the episode was changed/re-edited for syndication.

Possibly, but I'm still curious as to why.

The alternate version was available on streaming. It was a little weird to see th alternate scene; didn't make it worse or better, really.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by boechsner

I think the reason for there being two versions was due to the fact that this episode was originally scheduled to air on September 18, 1978 and would have been the third episode of the season.

Jimmy Carter's speech to Congress led ABC to postpone the episode. I bet the original version had Kotter. When it was rescheduled to air on Oct 16, 1978, they shot those additional scenes with Washington, Horshack, and Epstein reminiscing with Beau to make the episode flow better since Beau had been in the episodes that had aired previously September 30 thru October 9th 1978.

Only a hunch.

I merged two threads. This theory makes sense to me.

There were different master copies. They used either version for syndication and streaming. Some sources received the alternate version. The DVD used the original intended version with Kotter.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by TJ

I merged two threads. This theory makes sense to me.

There were different master copies. They used either version for syndication and streaming. Some sources received the alternate version. The DVD used the original intended version with Kotter.

I'm pretty sure I watched the original airing, as I was a regular fan of the show, but don't really remember which version I saw.

I remember it as the intro with Gabe, but that was 47 years ago, so don't hold me to that!