MovieChat Forums > Welcome Back, Kotter (1975) Discussion > This series simply doesn't work

This series simply doesn't work

posted 10 years ago by tenderlovingtony
42 replies | jump to latest

I never regularly watched WBK, but I caught an episode tonight on Me, and I have to say the series simply doesn't work.

1) None of the sweathogs are plausible as high school students. They are all too old. This is true even in the first episode.

2) Gabe Kaplan/Kotter doesn't carry in a dramatic role. Kaplan's forte (pronounced fort) seems to be as a stand-up comedian.

3) The character of Kotter's wife is completely unsympathetic and shouldn't be interacting with the sweathogs. She seems to have a part only so Kotter doesn't have to spend all of his scenes with sweathogs.

4) The typical viewer is completely unable to identify with any of the characters.

I don't understand how the series lasted four seasons when it is really nothing but a disjointed string of one-liners. There is nothing touching or heartwarming about it at all.

[–] rainbowfever64 10 years ago

So you came here to tell us all you don't watch it
Don't like it. Thank you. Of course they.look to old because they were but the show is funny.
well first three seasons 4th not so good.

[–] rainbowfever64 10 years ago

So you came here to tell us all you don't watch it
Don't like it. Thank you. Of course they.look to old because they were but the show is funny.
well first three seasons 4th not so good.

[–] BeholdTheVision 10 years ago

Wow. A negative four point review after watching one episode. Makes sense.

[–] stones78 10 years ago

Forte is pronounced as Fort-ay, right? I'll agree about Strassman, who is mediocre at best.

[–] tenderlovingtony 10 years ago

Forte is pronounced as Fort-ay, right?

No, forte is pronounced FORT to mean a strong point. Fort-ay is a musical term meaning loud.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (1688273) 9 years ago

In the U.S. forte is usually pronounced for-tay. In France, fort is pronounced with a silent "t", e.g. "Je suis le plus fort" for "I am the strongest". You can use "fort" if you want to, but stateside it is uncommon and people will probably think you are saying "fore" or "fort" (as in Knox).

[–] G_man2 9 years ago

But in this context, "forte" as used by the OP means "I'm a know-it-all snob that can't think out of my own little box".

I did not watch this show as a child. I catch it currently (2015) on occasion, and...I do not like it.

But it was the RAGE with children in the 1970s. Sure, it's silly - what elementary school kid was going to insist that the actors were too old for high schoolers?

So that is all that counts - what it was in its prime. And it was a hit.

[–] keith81 8 years ago

"forte" is Italian for strong/strength. French has nothing to do with it.

[–] Moonglum9 (10702) 5 years ago

Makes sense. What would the French know about strength? Except maybe for the degree of BO they exude.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 2 years ago

Forte is pronounced “fort” in American English. Period. Is it usually mispronounced? Obviously, regrettably, and unforgivably.

[–] rycki1138 10 years ago

2) Gabe Kaplan/Kotter doesn't carry in a dramatic role.

Since the character of Kotter was a comedic role and not a dramatic one does it matter?

See if you'd watched more than one episode you'd know that Kotter wasn't a dramatic role. How many minutes/seconds of this episode did you actually watch?

(knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny

[–] tenderlovingtony 10 years ago

Since the character of Kotter was a comedic role and not a dramatic one does it matter?

Dramatic means playing a part, working from a script. Kaplan is not suited for that. His talent is as a stand-up comedian.

[–] kassandra227 9 years ago

you are confusing "comedic role" with improvisation. they are two entirely different things. i've been watching this on MeTV and it's hilarious. Gabe Kaplan is terrific in this comedic role.

"The earth isn't something we can keep taking from without ever thinking about giving back."

[–] Jack_1515 10 years ago

I've been watching the series on MeTV and I don't think you are being entirely objective. I watched WBK as a kid and could identify with the students, because I was a remedial student who failed a grade and had a teacher just like Kotter. Most sitcoms at the time were traditional family sitcoms, WBK was mainly about underperforming students. That was unique back then.

When it returned to MeTV, and not having seen it since the 1970s, I thought it would suck, and while it isn't Shakespeare, by a long stretch, rewatching the series I find that Kaplan and the four male Sweathogs had excellent on-screen chemistry - particularly the first two seasons.

I will grant, the first two seasons are the best. The last two seasons weren't very good and can be skipped. The writers gave very little work to Marcia Strassman and had gave short-shift to the female students. Producer James Komack was a putz who purposely created an antagonist relationship between Kaplan and Strassman, which also contributed to the quality of the show.

Komack refused to let the students graduate or grow up, that is what ultimately killed the series.

[–] blisteringlogic 10 years ago

Wow, I can't imagine why you can't see why the show was popular, Mr. Spock. You seem to have such a keen grasp of humanity.

[–] dbrockskk1 10 years ago

oh I get it! We're not supposed to post unless we agree with blisteringlogic!

suzycreamcheese RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008

[–] discostu004 10 years ago

You are dead wrong. This is the greatest show ever, period

[–] Seanpdineen 10 years ago

I liked it.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2388) 5 years ago

A lot of the series cannot casually be picked up.

Gabe Kaplan played a teacher to a remedial class coincidentally right after Congress had passed a law requiring students with disabilities were actually taught.

No congress did not require this show but I'm sure special ed classes being required gave hollywood material to approve much the same way television now has a 'gay character' bc same sex polices are public now.

I had been in special ed from 1985-1997 so I understood most of the jokes about remediation/remedial studies. Take away feathered hair, bell bottoms etc school admin etc also had low expectations for us and our success. It dealt w stuff ironically which is still really current issues today like job training for remedial students, transitioning/transition planning.

The constant laugh track was annoying though and I wish I could delete that. And yes think there should have been more female sweathogs.

It is strange how they hang out at the teacher's house?? I did not want to hang out with my teachers or their families. I only knew where a couple of them lived bc they lived on the street(s) immediately near me. And even then I did not want to be near them after school hours. I don't even think that it was legal when I was in school---maybe things were looser then??

But yes the show was overall fairly accurate.

[–] thbryn (226) 2 years ago

It was a cheap sitcom. Realism was not a priority. Outside of Kaplan, Travolta's popularity and the theme song the show had nothing. If you like a bunch of third-rate actors playing students and mugging for the camera this series was for you.