Was This True??? 'Welcome Back Kotter' Almost Didn't Air on ABC!?!

[Brian Damage]

I read something today which kinda was news to me, but WBK almost didn't debut on ABC because network executives feared the show would encourage gang violence?!? True? False?

[Mr. Television]

I don't know if that's true but I do know that a Boston TV Station originally refused to air it because of that reason. It seems kind of silly now.

[TVFactFan]

I'm still trying to figure out what made the networks nervous because none of the Sweathoggs came off as tough guys

[DTF955]

Could there be an unaired pilot we don't know about that this came from? because I did read where the actor who played Epstein was worried about it - he was mentioned early as being voted "most likely to kill someone" - and he also was apparently the one who suggested they be sort of like the Marx Brothers in how they acted.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by DTF955

Could there be an unaired pilot we don't know about that this came from? because I did read where the actor who played Epstein was worried about it - he was mentioned early as being voted "most likely to kill someone" - and he also was apparently the one who suggested they be sort of like the Marx Brothers in how they acted.

No the ep you are talking about has been on TV Land

[DTF955]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

No the ep you are talking about has been on TV Land

Okay, thank, now that you say that it almost sounds familiar, but still out of place compared tot he way i generally remember the series when i was little. I see them as just being too playful more than anything, though i can see them having a very minor scrape witht he law or two but not arrested. Like in a barney Miller crossover I did here. http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6825896/...on_Transitions

(I had even forgotten which network this was on. It could have made a decent finale for them - though you'd be able to tell a couple of them couldn't keep their amendments straight; three times in fact Epstein: "Uh, I plead the third amdnement." Dietrich: Who's hoursing troops in your home without your consent?")

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by DTF955

Okay, thank, now that you say that it almost sounds familiar, but still out of place compared tot he way i generally remember the series when i was little. I see them as just being too playful more than anything, though i can see them having a very minor scrape witht he law or two but not arrested. Like in a barney Miller crossover I did here. http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6825896/...on_Transitions

(I had even forgotten which network this was on. It could have made a decent finale for them - though you'd be able to tell a couple of them couldn't keep their amendments straight; three times in fact Epstein: "Uh, I plead the third amdnement." Dietrich: Who's hoursing troops in your home without your consent?")

It was strange that a crossover never happened when both shows were in the same city and on the same network on the same night.


Oh I know, because the sweathoogs would have been viewed as THUGS if they were in the police station on Barney Miller-lol

[dlemond]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It was strange that a crossover never happened when both shows were in the same city and on the same network on the same night.


Oh I know, because the sweathoogs would have been viewed as THUGS if they were in the police station on Barney Miller-lol

Well there was this publicity shot taken of the sweathogs and Barney Miller.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by dlemond

Well there was this publicity shot taken of the sweathogs and Barney Miller.

I wonder was that because both shows were airing back to back on Thursdays