Welcome Back, Kotter Boned the Fish When... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 10-05-2013, 02:41 AM

http://www.bonethefish.com/viewtopics.php?1535

Quote:

Welcome Back, Kotter is an American television sitcom that originally aired on the ABC network from September 9, 1975 to June 8, 1979. The show starred comedian Gabe Kaplan as the title character Gabe Kotter, a wise-cracking teacher who returns to his high school alma mater - the fictional James Buchanan High in Brooklyn, New York - to teach an often unruly group of remedial wiseguys known as the "Sweathogs." The school's principal was an absentee; the uptight vice principal dismissed them as worthless hoodlums and only expected Kotter to attempt to control them until they inevitably dropped out.

Dr. Thong · 10-05-2013, 11:11 AM

It's the most obvious conclusion, but the fourth season, which saw the show make some very dubious changes and wasn't the same show that had aired the first three seasons.

TVFactFan · 10-05-2013, 11:17 AM

sometime during the beginning of season 3

Mr. Television · 10-05-2013, 01:30 PM

When Vinnie and Kotter left, it became a shadow of it's old self.

Retro4Life · 10-05-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

When Vinnie and Kotter left, it became a shadow of it's old self.

Yep, this is the easiest "bone the fish" call ever made. Wasn't even worth having on the air after that point.

Marvo301 · 10-05-2013, 03:06 PM

What ruined this show was the backstage bickering between Gabe Kaplan and the producers which ended up with Gabe's departure from the cast.

Skywalker · 10-05-2013, 03:21 PM

I voted for It's a girl(s). By season 3 the show just wasn't the same and it was getting stale. Suddenly Mr. Kotter wasn't a sweathogg anymore and he almost became a standup comedian during that season. Also the sweathoggs all looked like they were in their late 20's and probably were. You can only suspend disbelief for so long.

Dr. Thong · 10-06-2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

When Vinnie and Kotter left, it became a shadow of it's old self.

In addition to that, they made a wholesale change of the writing and producing staff, moved the show from it's familiar timeslot (where it was getting solid ratings) to Monday night and changed focus somewhat to "relevant" storylines about teen issues.

howilu · 10-06-2013, 02:57 PM

To me, Welcome Back, Kotter boned in the fourth season when Gabe Kaplan and John Travolta were rarely seen. The episodes weren't as funny as the first three seasons.

AMackII · 03-13-2019, 03:49 AM

Vinnie's Departure

Dr. Thong · 03-16-2019, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMackII

Vinnie's Departure

That hurt them really bad.

The irony is that the movie Travolta released during the 4th season, Moment To Moment, was a colossal bomb.

View Poll Results: Boned When...
Exit...stage left - Vinnie Babarino	3	37.50%
A very special...Horschack gets serious	1	12.50%
Never Boned	0	0%
Day 1	0	0%
New Kid In Town - The Southern Guy. Gimmie a break!	2	25.00%
It's a girl(s) - Twins and new appt added nothing	2	25.00%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

10-05-2013, 11:11 AM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	It's the most obvious conclusion, but the fourth season, which saw the show make some very dubious changes and wasn't the same show that had aired the first three seasons.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

10-05-2013, 01:30 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	When Vinnie and Kotter left, it became a shadow of it's old self.
	__________________ Sonny

10-05-2013, 03:06 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	What ruined this show was the backstage bickering between Gabe Kaplan and the producers which ended up with Gabe's departure from the cast.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-05-2013, 11:17 AM	#3
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,065	sometime during the beginning of season 3

10-05-2013, 03:21 PM	#7
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	I voted for It's a girl(s). By season 3 the show just wasn't the same and it was getting stale. Suddenly Mr. Kotter wasn't a sweathogg anymore and he almost became a standup comedian during that season. Also the sweathoggs all looked like they were in their late 20's and probably were. You can only suspend disbelief for so long.

10-06-2013, 02:57 PM	#9
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,962	To me, Welcome Back, Kotter boned in the fourth season when Gabe Kaplan and John Travolta were rarely seen. The episodes weren't as funny as the first three seasons.

03-13-2019, 03:49 AM	#10
AMackII Member Forum Star Join Date: Oct 23, 2015 Location: St. Louis Posts: 17,222	Vinnie's Departure