Unrealistic show, but good for a few laughs - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lee G · 06-22-2007, 11:02 AM

Welcome Back Kotter went on the air at the same time I started high school, so the show paralelled my own high school days. One of the first things I said when the show went on the air was: "High School kids don't really act like this. They generally don't show up unannounced at their teachers apartment and climb in thru the window." And their behavior when in class was often over the top as well. They chose the high school angle for this show, but Gabe Kaplan may as well have been a New York City deli owner and the four "sweathogs" his regular customers. Some of the episodes, especially the earlier ones, actually dealt with learning and education. But this show was mainly a vehicle for Kaplan, Travolta, Palillo, Hegyes, and Jacobs to show off their comedic talents. I've often wondered how much the poor "extras" got paid, the kids who just sat in the room to fill out the class but were given nothing to say. By the 4th season, the show was falling apart and there were disputes on the set. The series didn't end properly, the sweathogs never graduated, at least not that I can remember. What they did with the Horshack character was ridiculous. Room 222 is a more serious and realistic show. If you prefer straight ahead comedy, then Welcome Back Kotter is more up your alley. I bought the DVD's, they're good for a few chuckles.

Chocolate Moose · 06-22-2007, 01:21 PM

These days, they'd do it up right.

Mikado · 06-22-2007, 01:43 PM

I remember thinking that all these "high schoolers" looked anywhere from 25 to 30 or so!

Lee G · 06-22-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

I remember thinking that all these "high schoolers" looked anywhere from 25 to 30 or so!

Yea, the "sweathogs" were all in their 20's when the series was being made. Travolta was born in 1954, Palillo in 1949, Hegyes in 1951, and Jacobs in 1953. Kaplan was born in 1945, so he's only 4 years older than Palillo.

Skywalker · 06-22-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee G

I've often wondered how much the poor "extras" got paid, the kids who just sat in the room to fill out the class but were given nothing to say.

It used to bother me a little that the extras never had any lines. Verna Jean and Hotsie Totise were really the only other Sweathogs besides the main 4, to have any lines on the show.

Mikado · 06-22-2007, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Lee G
I've often wondered how much the poor "extras" got paid, the kids who just sat in the room to fill out the class but were given nothing to say.

Id expect they were paid "scale"......about $350 a show at the time, if I recall ( Going by memory alone here )

treky · 06-23-2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

I remember thinking that all these "high schoolers" looked anywhere from 25 to 30 or so!

that's exactly why Gabe Kaplan sugested that, in the 4th season they have them gradate and move on to college, and Mr. Kotter ends up as their teacher again. Then it'd be realistic and they could go on for 4 more seasons. But, ABC, unfortunately, turned down the idea.

*ROGER* · 06-23-2007, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

I remember thinking that all these "high schoolers" looked anywhere from 25 to 30 or so!

Yeah, really, none of those "kids" were really teenagers! LOL!

Mikado · 06-23-2007, 02:42 AM

Then again, Archie , Betty and Veronica are all over 65 now

TVFactFan · 06-24-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee G

Welcome Back Kotter went on the air at the same time I started high school, so the show paralelled my own high school days. One of the first things I said when the show went on the air was: "High School kids don't really act like this. They generally don't show up unannounced at their teachers apartment and climb in thru the window." And their behavior when in class was often over the top as well. They chose the high school angle for this show, but Gabe Kaplan may as well have been a New York City deli owner and the four "sweathogs" his regular customers. Some of the episodes, especially the earlier ones, actually dealt with learning and education. But this show was mainly a vehicle for Kaplan, Travolta, Palillo, Hegyes, and Jacobs to show off their comedic talents. I've often wondered how much the poor "extras" got paid, the kids who just sat in the room to fill out the class but were given nothing to say. By the 4th season, the show was falling apart and there were disputes on the set. The series didn't end properly, the sweathogs never graduated, at least not that I can remember. What they did with the Horshack character was ridiculous. Room 222 is a more serious and realistic show. If you prefer straight ahead comedy, then Welcome Back Kotter is more up your alley. I bought the DVD's, they're good for a few chuckles.

Was WBK the Topic at your school after every new episode each Week?

TV_on_the_Porch · 06-24-2007, 03:06 PM

C'mon now...I think the only concurrent show that might get a general affirmative answer to that question is Saturday Night Live.

treky · 06-24-2007, 03:44 PM

the day after the first show aired (not the pilot-I remember; for some reason ABC showed a "regular" episode as the first show, and they showed the pilot later that season) everyone on my bus (I was also in high school then; but in my 2nd year) was quoting the phrases they said like "Up your nose with a rubber hose" etc.

TVFactFan · 06-24-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

the day after the first show aired (not the pilot-I remember; for some reason ABC showed a "regular" episode as the first show, and they showed the pilot later that season) everyone on my bus (I was also in high school then; but in my 2nd year) was quoting the phrases they said like "Up your nose with a rubber hose" etc.

No one quoted "OFF MY CASE TOILET FACE"-lol

Skywalker · 06-24-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDRyan

C'mon now...I think the only concurrent show that might get a general affirmative answer to that question is Saturday Night Live.

Why not Kotter? Heck me and my friends used to talk about that show in school and after school and that was back in 1995.

It was like a brand new show to us. So I'm sure they used to talk about it in 1975.

TV_on_the_Porch · 06-24-2007, 11:51 PM

I was still in gradeschool during the first season and wouldn't enter high-school until shortly after the final episode. But you are correct...now that I think of it...the Kotter catchphrases were all the rage for a while, with kids trying to one-up each other with gradually dirtier variations of "up your nose...."

06-22-2007, 11:02 AM	#1
Lee G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 24, 2004 Posts: 850	Unrealistic show, but good for a few laughs Welcome Back Kotter went on the air at the same time I started high school, so the show paralelled my own high school days. One of the first things I said when the show went on the air was: "High School kids don't really act like this. They generally don't show up unannounced at their teachers apartment and climb in thru the window." And their behavior when in class was often over the top as well. They chose the high school angle for this show, but Gabe Kaplan may as well have been a New York City deli owner and the four "sweathogs" his regular customers. Some of the episodes, especially the earlier ones, actually dealt with learning and education. But this show was mainly a vehicle for Kaplan, Travolta, Palillo, Hegyes, and Jacobs to show off their comedic talents. I've often wondered how much the poor "extras" got paid, the kids who just sat in the room to fill out the class but were given nothing to say. By the 4th season, the show was falling apart and there were disputes on the set. The series didn't end properly, the sweathogs never graduated, at least not that I can remember. What they did with the Horshack character was ridiculous. Room 222 is a more serious and realistic show. If you prefer straight ahead comedy, then Welcome Back Kotter is more up your alley. I bought the DVD's, they're good for a few chuckles.

06-22-2007, 01:21 PM	#2
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,898	These days, they'd do it up right.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

06-24-2007, 03:06 PM	#11
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	C'mon now...I think the only concurrent show that might get a general affirmative answer to that question is Saturday Night Live.
	__________________ Turn up the good times!

06-22-2007, 01:43 PM	#3
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	I remember thinking that all these "high schoolers" looked anywhere from 25 to 30 or so!

06-22-2007, 11:11 PM	#6
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	Originally Posted by Lee G I've often wondered how much the poor "extras" got paid, the kids who just sat in the room to fill out the class but were given nothing to say. Id expect they were paid "scale"......about $350 a show at the time, if I recall ( Going by memory alone here )

06-23-2007, 02:42 AM	#9
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	Then again, Archie , Betty and Veronica are all over 65 now

06-24-2007, 03:44 PM	#12
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	the day after the first show aired (not the pilot-I remember; for some reason ABC showed a "regular" episode as the first show, and they showed the pilot later that season) everyone on my bus (I was also in high school then; but in my 2nd year) was quoting the phrases they said like "Up your nose with a rubber hose" etc.

06-24-2007, 11:51 PM	#15
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	I was still in gradeschool during the first season and wouldn't enter high-school until shortly after the final episode. But you are correct...now that I think of it...the Kotter catchphrases were all the rage for a while, with kids trying to one-up each other with gradually dirtier variations of "up your nose...."