Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Series

[Shaka Zulu]

WHY didn't we we get this DVD set when two members of the cast were still alive? And with commentary on certain episodes?

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Series

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I remember watching that show as a kid and wondering why these supposed delinquents were no where near as ratbaggy as half the regular jerks in my school.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

These guys were the remedial ones, and they were in trouble all of the time , else why were they there in Kotter's class? Either that, or some of them had learning disabilities and were there for that reason too.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

They were never smoking pot on the bus or smashing people's heads in the locker room or having sex behind the shelter sheds.

 

[Melakon]

WHY didn't we we get this DVD set when two members of the cast were still alive? And with commentary on certain episodes?

At least 3 by my count. Robert Hegyes (Epstein) and Ron Palillo (Horshack), both in 2012, and Debralee Scott ("Hotsie" Totsie) in 2005.

I'm not counting John Sylvester White (Mr. Woodman), since he died in the 80s.

 

[the G-man]

They were never smoking pot on the bus or smashing people's heads in the locker room or having sex behind the shelter sheds.

That's true, but it was a sitcom, not a documentary.

Though I have to admit: They never really established why, other than his being a weird kid, why Horshack was in there at all. As I recall, he never got in trouble (even by the standards of the show) and was reasonably smart.

 

[Harvey]

Shouldn't I be the one shamelessly advertising Shout Factory wares?

I'm still working my way through Hill Street Blues, but I'm glad Shout is putting this out there for fans of the show who were left out in the cold when the studio gave up after season one.

 

[Melakon]

We have Welcome Back Kotter and Carrie to thank for making John Travolta a star. Though it depends whether "thank" is the correct word.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Really not a big fan of Mr. Travolta.

Other people are though, right?

 

[Christopher]

We have Welcome Back Kotter and Carrie to thank for making John Travolta a star.

Well, for making him a star the first time. He's faded into obscurity and then found new stardom at least twice more since then, hasn't he?

 

[Melakon]

We have Welcome Back Kotter and Carrie to thank for making John Travolta a star.

Well, for making him a star the first time. He's faded into obscurity and then found new stardom at least twice more since then, hasn't he?

He still had that first big break, which he was able to rebuild on. He was established. Sort of like Shatner and Star Trek. Trek made him internationally famous, but he didn't get a major television award until decades later for Denny Crane.

*shudder* This means Travolta might yet still win an Oscar.

 

[Push The Button]

We have Welcome Back Kotter and Carrie to thank for making John Travolta a star. Though it depends whether "thank" is the correct word.

And Pulp Fiction was his big comeback. He's good at playing dopey guys like Vincent Vega.

 

[the G-man]

Why all the Travolta hate? Even in the 1970s he was generally recognized as being a talented actor. And other then some questionable decisions in his life regarding Scientology I've never heard of anyone say he was anything but an extremely nice person. If I recall correctly during Hurricane Katrina he spent a lot of his own money and time taking supplies down there and unlike some people didn't take a camera crew with him.

Now if we were talking about Travolta the singer I can understand...

 

[Melakon]

I don't hate the guy, he seems gracious and sincere when speaking. But I don't think he's greatly talented. He dances, he moves well, and he knows how to play the camera. But he's best at playing dumb guys.

ETA: In that respect, Tom Cruise was a better faceplate for Scientology. Cruise has a wider acting range.

 

[publiusr]

I think he has Madonna beat when it comes to re-invention

 

[Gary Mitchell]

You mean he didn't already get an Oscar for Battlefield Earth?

 

[Shaka Zulu]

They never really established why, other than his being a weird kid, why Horshack was in there at all. As I recall, he never got in trouble (even by the standards of the show) and was reasonably smart.

It's possible Horshack was misdiagnosed, or just had problems being in class, so for most of his life, he was in classes like these. It has happened in real life.

 

[Melakon]

Yeah, those guys either wind up like Horshack, or get voted Class Clown.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

This is why most schooling's a trial, and why getting it over and done as soon as possible (some would call it 'dropping out'-I call it 'getting out of an educational system that doesn't give a shit about you') is a great idea. But that's just me.

 

[the G-man]

They never really established why, other than his being a weird kid, why Horshack was in there at all. As I recall, he never got in trouble (even by the standards of the show) and was reasonably smart.

It's possible Horshack was misdiagnosed, or just had problems being in class, so for most of his life, he was in classes like these. It has happened in real life.

And, in fact, I suspect that is what happened with Horshach. However, IIRC, it was never established that was the case.