Hi Deborah..the Mando character - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

scott cokeley · 11-03-2002, 01:39 PM

Hi Deborah.....Great to see you on here!! Sorry gang that I started a new thread, but I sometimes cannot read them all on this darn webtv thang...it will say "page too big to be shown completely"...arrgghh....Anyway, does anyone know why the Mando charactor was only on the first season? Or am I wrong here? It seems he was on then, then gone, then he was on an episode when the Raul charactor ran away. I only watched the first half cause it was too sad...but I`d like to see part two with Robert Heyges, since I also love "Kotter"...,ANYWAY...I think they should`ve used the Mando charactor more....he had great chemistry with Chico. I know it was a show with Jack & Freddie, which is great, but more Mando situations with the other cast would`ve added more to the show. Of course, I love the show regardless, I started watching it as a child, and was only ten when Freddie died. I never understood it. I thaught everyone in the world forgot the show for years...there was absolutely NOTHING online about it or Freddie until about 3 years ago. And this board has made a HUGE difference. ANYWAY, was it a Komack dicision to not use the Mando charactor more? I read in The Freeddie Prinze book that Isaac almost got the Chico role.........

Moonlight Lady · 11-03-2002, 05:20 PM

Hi Scott, How are you? I also would have liked it if Mando was on more. I keep missing the episode where Raul runs away, I'm a Kotter fan, especially of Robert Hegyes, and would have like to have seen him on it.

MaNdOSoNeFaN · 11-03-2002, 10:57 PM

Hello I talked to my dad on the phone as soon as I read about your questions. Mando was in all three seasons, but didn't. He wasn't on as much as before because some of the writers were making jokes about hispanics that were to racist at the time that they wanted Mando to say. And when he spoke up about it the producers didnt like that. So some of the writers wanted Mando out of the show because he wouldnt go along with the program. Some of the writers were fired because of this. Jimmy Komack, the executive producer, agreed with my dad Isaac. These are things that my dad wouldnt talk about 25 years ago because he didnt want to hurt the show or freddie, his best friend. Writers were constantly benig replaced, because he caused a frction. My dad was considered a rebel .............but a rebel for a good cause. My dad also read your comment...
I know it was a show with Jack & Freddie, which is great, but more Mando situations with the other cast would`ve added more to the show.
He said he agreed with you. It would have made the show better and that you were right.
After Freddie died, the wanted my dad to play as the main role and he didn't want to do that. because nothing could ever replace Freddie.
SO, I hope i answered your questions, but if you have more let me know in either email or in here

Love, Deborah

Cheryl Harrell · 11-04-2002, 04:44 AM

Thanks for the info! I had wondered why your dad wasn't in more episodes. That is so dirty how they did your dad. I don't blame him for standing up for what was right. I bet Freddie didn't agree with some of those jokes either. I noticed in one episode they made Mando play the role in a way I know your dad probably didn't like. In the RAUL RUNS AWAY episode they have Mando giving Raul a van like the old one Ed had that Chico used to live in. Louie is upset about it & Louie is telling Mando Ed's gonna be upset & he was. Mando is like well Chico died a yr ago & he should be over it by now. As close as Chico & Mando were I was suprised they would write Mando's role that way. I bet your dad was sooo upset. That was the last episode your dad was in. I bet he was upset about it. The RAUL RUNS AWAY episode is sooo sad. It's a real tearjerker. They flashback on Chico & it'll have you bawling your eyes out & going thru the hankies. I went thru plenty of hankies watching it. I just wish they had told how Chico dies instead of leaving us hanging...

tylersmistress2002 · 11-06-2002, 04:50 PM

Your dad is absolutely adorable! I wondered why they didnt feature him more. ..... Unfortunately I cannot watch the Raul episode with Raul running away. I saw it many years ago... and I would NOT watch it again...... I tear up just thinking about it. I can remember the look on Jacks face. You can SEE the pain in his eyes and YOU KNOW that is NO Act...... Its just TOO heart breaking.

Luckymama58 · 11-06-2002, 08:02 PM

Thank you, Deborah, for your dad's insights. What he says makes a lot of sense to me. Your dad did not appear in any of the third season shows and seemed to be replaced by a character that was not written well (Salvador) He may have still been under contract with the show, but due to the fact that the writers were writing the character of Salvador with the typical terrible stereotype that all Mexicans and Chicanos were stupid, I can understand why your dad didn't want to be a part of that. I always thought the part of Mando was much better written, and he was certainly a better friend to Chico than Salvador ever was. I would have loved to have seen the writers do more with the friendship of Chico and Mando. There was certainly an underdeveloped relationship. I bet they would have done alot together, especially double dating! I am sure that would have been something to see. And I can agree with his decision not to replace Freddie in the part of Chico or the lead Chicano at any rate. I think Isaac honored his hermano's memory by not taking his part. I know Isaac would have done the part justice, but I understand his wanting to honor his friend's memory by not doing it. Your dad was, and I feel still is, a great friend of Freddie's. Muchas Gracias, Isaac. We love you very much here!
Luckymama

hue_mee · 11-06-2002, 08:30 PM

Well said Luckymama! I agree with you 100% with the understanding of Isaac's decision to not take the part by honoring his beloved friend Freddie. From what we seen on camera how well they worked together, and showed a close bond. I would of loved to see the writers write more of there friendship as Chico and Mando.

Pitooey · 11-07-2002, 12:09 AM

Deborah........ Please ask your father would he consider acting again? I could see him on the George Lopez Show maybe as George's older brother. (Wouldn't that be great)?

I would Love to see him back on TV.

Cheryl Harrell · 11-07-2002, 06:33 AM

He would be excellent on the George Lopez show. Freddie would've been too!

Salvador was okay & was funny but he wasn't as cute as Mando. I got the impression Chico wasn't as close with him as he was with Mando. It looked like mostly what he did with Salvador was boxing or sports related stuff. I ahted how they used Salvador more than Mando after Freddie died. Your dad oughta get back into acting! We 40 somethings need a hot actor to drool over!

& He was a good actor too!

Moonlight Lady · 11-10-2002, 06:22 PM

I don't blame your dad either Deborah. I'm glad he rebelled.
I would have done the same thing if I was in his shoes.
I can't believe the writers were making those jokes. How tasteless.

Isaac Rocks!

MaNdOSoNeFaN · 11-11-2002, 12:11 AM

Okay, i will ask my dad to go back into acting. I'll give you all an update to see what he says

Love, Deborah

scott cokeley · 11-11-2002, 02:14 AM

Thanks Deborah, for the reply and letting us know what your Dad went thru on the Chico set with the writers. If they were smarter, they would have listened and respected his wishes. As others have stated, it WOULD be nice to see Isaac on TV again in new things. I suppose he left show biz because he got tired of all the "B.S." of it.....Anyway, thanks for your input and being here, and tell your Dad thanks for his input, and we appreciate him and you VERY VERY much!!

MaNdOSoNeFaN · 11-18-2002, 11:02 PM

No problem. anytime for you all

11-03-2002, 01:39 PM	#1
scott cokeley Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 29, 2001 Location: Hoquaim, WA Posts: 115	Hi Deborah..the Mando character Hi Deborah.....Great to see you on here!! Sorry gang that I started a new thread, but I sometimes cannot read them all on this darn webtv thang...it will say "page too big to be shown completely"...arrgghh....Anyway, does anyone know why the Mando charactor was only on the first season? Or am I wrong here? It seems he was on then, then gone, then he was on an episode when the Raul charactor ran away. I only watched the first half cause it was too sad...but I`d like to see part two with Robert Heyges, since I also love "Kotter"...,ANYWAY...I think they should`ve used the Mando charactor more....he had great chemistry with Chico. I know it was a show with Jack & Freddie, which is great, but more Mando situations with the other cast would`ve added more to the show. Of course, I love the show regardless, I started watching it as a child, and was only ten when Freddie died. I never understood it. I thaught everyone in the world forgot the show for years...there was absolutely NOTHING online about it or Freddie until about 3 years ago. And this board has made a HUGE difference. ANYWAY, was it a Komack dicision to not use the Mando charactor more? I read in The Freeddie Prinze book that Isaac almost got the Chico role.........

11-03-2002, 05:20 PM	#2
Moonlight Lady Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 16,052	Hi Scott, How are you? I also would have liked it if Mando was on more. I keep missing the episode where Raul runs away, I'm a Kotter fan, especially of Robert Hegyes, and would have like to have seen him on it.
	__________________ [

11-03-2002, 10:57 PM	#3
MaNdOSoNeFaN Deborah Ruiz Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 26, 2002 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 76	Reason why Hello I talked to my dad on the phone as soon as I read about your questions. Mando was in all three seasons, but didn't. He wasn't on as much as before because some of the writers were making jokes about hispanics that were to racist at the time that they wanted Mando to say. And when he spoke up about it the producers didnt like that. So some of the writers wanted Mando out of the show because he wouldnt go along with the program. Some of the writers were fired because of this. Jimmy Komack, the executive producer, agreed with my dad Isaac. These are things that my dad wouldnt talk about 25 years ago because he didnt want to hurt the show or freddie, his best friend. Writers were constantly benig replaced, because he caused a frction. My dad was considered a rebel .............but a rebel for a good cause. My dad also read your comment... I know it was a show with Jack & Freddie, which is great, but more Mando situations with the other cast would`ve added more to the show. He said he agreed with you. It would have made the show better and that you were right. After Freddie died, the wanted my dad to play as the main role and he didn't want to do that. because nothing could ever replace Freddie. SO, I hope i answered your questions, but if you have more let me know in either email or in here Love, Deborah
	__________________ curiositykillz, like if theres a crash on the highway and you know you dont want to look, but youre hoping to seem some blood. - trent reznor

11-04-2002, 04:44 AM	#4
Cheryl Harrell I Love You Mike 4-Ever Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Location: Pixley!!!! Actually VA--USA LOL! Posts: 6,192	Thanks for the info! I had wondered why your dad wasn't in more episodes. That is so dirty how they did your dad. I don't blame him for standing up for what was right. I bet Freddie didn't agree with some of those jokes either. I noticed in one episode they made Mando play the role in a way I know your dad probably didn't like. In the RAUL RUNS AWAY episode they have Mando giving Raul a van like the old one Ed had that Chico used to live in. Louie is upset about it & Louie is telling Mando Ed's gonna be upset & he was. Mando is like well Chico died a yr ago & he should be over it by now. As close as Chico & Mando were I was suprised they would write Mando's role that way. I bet your dad was sooo upset. That was the last episode your dad was in. I bet he was upset about it. The RAUL RUNS AWAY episode is sooo sad. It's a real tearjerker. They flashback on Chico & it'll have you bawling your eyes out & going thru the hankies. I went thru plenty of hankies watching it. I just wish they had told how Chico dies instead of leaving us hanging...
	__________________ RIP darling Mike. I love you forever... You are with Freddie Prinze & Jesus now. 1951-2009 "Make it your way, who can beat the Lord, the Son of God. Dear Lord, help me be strong where I am weak, if it be your will"-- The Late Freddie Prinze Sr Last edited by Cheryl Harrell; 11-04-2002 at 04:48 AM.

11-06-2002, 04:50 PM	#5
tylersmistress2002 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 21, 2001 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 493	Your dad is absolutely adorable! I wondered why they didnt feature him more. ..... Unfortunately I cannot watch the Raul episode with Raul running away. I saw it many years ago... and I would NOT watch it again...... I tear up just thinking about it. I can remember the look on Jacks face. You can SEE the pain in his eyes and YOU KNOW that is NO Act...... Its just TOO heart breaking.
	__________________ so....what are you trying to say?

11-06-2002, 08:02 PM	#6
Luckymama58 Math Geeks Unite! Senior Member Join Date: Mar 18, 2001 Location: In my rock and roll fantasy Posts: 2,553	I understand Thank you, Deborah, for your dad's insights. What he says makes a lot of sense to me. Your dad did not appear in any of the third season shows and seemed to be replaced by a character that was not written well (Salvador) He may have still been under contract with the show, but due to the fact that the writers were writing the character of Salvador with the typical terrible stereotype that all Mexicans and Chicanos were stupid, I can understand why your dad didn't want to be a part of that. I always thought the part of Mando was much better written, and he was certainly a better friend to Chico than Salvador ever was. I would have loved to have seen the writers do more with the friendship of Chico and Mando. There was certainly an underdeveloped relationship. I bet they would have done alot together, especially double dating! I am sure that would have been something to see. And I can agree with his decision not to replace Freddie in the part of Chico or the lead Chicano at any rate. I think Isaac honored his hermano's memory by not taking his part. I know Isaac would have done the part justice, but I understand his wanting to honor his friend's memory by not doing it. Your dad was, and I feel still is, a great friend of Freddie's. Muchas Gracias, Isaac. We love you very much here! Luckymama
	__________________ We All Use Math Every Day! Everything is Numb3rs! Capt. Jack: Drink up, me hardies, Yo Ho! I reject your reality and substitute my own!-Adam Savage, Mythbuster A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds... With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. -Ralph Waldo Emerson RIP Freddie Prinze 1954-1977 You have your star now.

11-06-2002, 08:30 PM	#7
hue_mee Remembering Freddie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 28, 2001 Location: Grateful for a voice from our angel's friend Posts: 2,266	I agree! Well said Luckymama! I agree with you 100% with the understanding of Isaac's decision to not take the part by honoring his beloved friend Freddie. From what we seen on camera how well they worked together, and showed a close bond. I would of loved to see the writers write more of there friendship as Chico and Mando. Attached Images
	__________________ Freddie Prinze Sr Thank you David Brenner! "...and when he shall die, take him and cut him into little stars, and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the earth will be in love with night..." Last edited by hue_mee; 11-06-2002 at 08:32 PM.

11-07-2002, 12:09 AM	#8
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	Deborah........ Please ask your father would he consider acting again? I could see him on the George Lopez Show maybe as George's older brother. (Wouldn't that be great)? I would Love to see him back on TV.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

11-07-2002, 06:33 AM	#9
Cheryl Harrell I Love You Mike 4-Ever Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Location: Pixley!!!! Actually VA--USA LOL! Posts: 6,192	He would be excellent on the George Lopez show. Freddie would've been too! Salvador was okay & was funny but he wasn't as cute as Mando. I got the impression Chico wasn't as close with him as he was with Mando. It looked like mostly what he did with Salvador was boxing or sports related stuff. I ahted how they used Salvador more than Mando after Freddie died. Your dad oughta get back into acting! We 40 somethings need a hot actor to drool over! & He was a good actor too!

11-10-2002, 06:22 PM	#10
Moonlight Lady Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 16,052	I don't blame your dad either Deborah. I'm glad he rebelled. I would have done the same thing if I was in his shoes. I can't believe the writers were making those jokes. How tasteless. Isaac Rocks!

11-11-2002, 12:11 AM	#11
MaNdOSoNeFaN Deborah Ruiz Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 26, 2002 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 76	ask Okay, i will ask my dad to go back into acting. I'll give you all an update to see what he says Love, Deborah

11-11-2002, 02:14 AM	#12
scott cokeley Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 29, 2001 Location: Hoquaim, WA Posts: 115	Thanks Deborah, for the reply and letting us know what your Dad went thru on the Chico set with the writers. If they were smarter, they would have listened and respected his wishes. As others have stated, it WOULD be nice to see Isaac on TV again in new things. I suppose he left show biz because he got tired of all the "B.S." of it.....Anyway, thanks for your input and being here, and tell your Dad thanks for his input, and we appreciate him and you VERY VERY much!!

11-18-2002, 11:02 PM	#13
MaNdOSoNeFaN Deborah Ruiz Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 26, 2002 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 76	n e time No problem. anytime for you all