Was There Ever A Planned 'Welcome Back Kotter' Spinoff in the 1990's??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-06-2011, 05:17 PM

I read somewhere that Robert(Juan Epstein) Hegyes revealed on a talk show that there was a planned WBK spinoff featuring the Sweathogs all grown up, but minus Vinnie Barbarino of course. Is this true? Anybody know?

Dr. Thong · 04-02-2011, 02:44 PM

Yes, I actually saw it. It was Robert Hegyes and Ron Palillo appearing on Danny Bonaduce's daytime TV talk show. Hegyes said a show was being developed that would concentrate on the Sweathogs as adults, with wives, kids, etc.

They also spoke kindly about the late John Sylvester White, saying he was a real sweetheart, a very nice guy and that all the guys on the show had a crush on Marcia Strassman.

But it obviously never came to pass. Pity.

catlover79 · 04-02-2011, 03:20 PM

That would've been interesting - to see the Sweathogs as husbands/fathers. Ron Palillo even introduced John Sylvester White on an edition of All-Star Family Feud as "the sweetest man in the world".

Alan the TV nut · 05-08-2011, 10:35 PM

There was actually a sitcom in the 90's called Mr. Rhoades in which 3 of the Sweathogs appeared. The title character was a teacher, and I think for some reason his class was being compared to Welcome Back Kotter. He fell asleep and had a weird dream that began with some geek doing a very poor impersonation of Gabe Kaplan. The 2nd part of the dream, however, featured Ron, Robert, and Lawrence, and while they weren't completely back into character, they were pretty funny. Of course, Mr. Rhoades asked where Barbarino was. Ron said, "Vinne got sick with Saturday Night Fever and died." Then one of the others (I think Lawrence) said, "And now he's an angel" (A reference to the Travolta movie "Michael".)
Mr. Rhoades died after only one season (the show, not the guy.)

Alan the TV nut · 05-08-2011, 10:49 PM

I was channel-surfing one day with my kids, and I think I came a cross a show that followed up on what happened to the character Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington in the years after high school. It seems he took a trip to Russia, and while there, he bought one of those tall furry hats. Then he tried to buy orange juice from a street vendor, whose cart had been sabotaged with explosives, probably by some militant revolutionary. The orange juice cart exploded all over Freddie. He survived, but is forever a changed man due to his inability to get out all the juice stains. Here is a recent picture:

Name: ygg.JPG
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I know, it's tacky. But am I the only one that sees a resemblance?

02-06-2011, 05:17 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	Was There Ever A Planned 'Welcome Back Kotter' Spinoff in the 1990's??? I read somewhere that Robert(Juan Epstein) Hegyes revealed on a talk show that there was a planned WBK spinoff featuring the Sweathogs all grown up, but minus Vinnie Barbarino of course. Is this true? Anybody know?
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

04-02-2011, 02:44 PM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Yes, I actually saw it. It was Robert Hegyes and Ron Palillo appearing on Danny Bonaduce's daytime TV talk show. Hegyes said a show was being developed that would concentrate on the Sweathogs as adults, with wives, kids, etc. They also spoke kindly about the late John Sylvester White, saying he was a real sweetheart, a very nice guy and that all the guys on the show had a crush on Marcia Strassman. But it obviously never came to pass. Pity.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

04-02-2011, 03:20 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	That would've been interesting - to see the Sweathogs as husbands/fathers. Ron Palillo even introduced John Sylvester White on an edition of All-Star Family Feud as "the sweetest man in the world".
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-08-2011, 10:35 PM	#4
Alan the TV nut Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 06, 2011 Location: United States Posts: 16	There was actually a sitcom in the 90's called Mr. Rhoades in which 3 of the Sweathogs appeared. The title character was a teacher, and I think for some reason his class was being compared to Welcome Back Kotter. He fell asleep and had a weird dream that began with some geek doing a very poor impersonation of Gabe Kaplan. The 2nd part of the dream, however, featured Ron, Robert, and Lawrence, and while they weren't completely back into character, they were pretty funny. Of course, Mr. Rhoades asked where Barbarino was. Ron said, "Vinne got sick with Saturday Night Fever and died." Then one of the others (I think Lawrence) said, "And now he's an angel" (A reference to the Travolta movie "Michael".) Mr. Rhoades died after only one season (the show, not the guy.)
	__________________ MARGE: "This isn't like the time you pretended to be Tom Bosley!" HOMER: "Sure, bring that up! But I didn't hear you complain when I got you THIS close to Chachi!" BART: "What's a Chachi?"

05-08-2011, 10:49 PM	#5
Alan the TV nut Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 06, 2011 Location: United States Posts: 16	I was channel-surfing one day with my kids, and I think I came a cross a show that followed up on what happened to the character Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington in the years after high school. It seems he took a trip to Russia, and while there, he bought one of those tall furry hats. Then he tried to buy orange juice from a street vendor, whose cart had been sabotaged with explosives, probably by some militant revolutionary. The orange juice cart exploded all over Freddie. He survived, but is forever a changed man due to his inability to get out all the juice stains. Here is a recent picture: I know, it's tacky. But am I the only one that sees a resemblance?