Why Has 'Welcome Back Kotter' Failed in Syndication & In DVD Sales? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-14-2011, 04:36 PM

This one makes me scratch my head a little, while shows like WKRP have struggled because of music rights and Maude because of too politically based, why is Kotter struggling? You have a breakout star in John Travolta and overall quality show with plenty of laughs. I just don't get it?

Retro4Life · 08-14-2011, 05:00 PM

I'm not sure, but personally, while I loved the show as a kid, I think it's very much "of it's time". It honestly doesn't translate well across the decades.

Plus the fourth (and final season) is pretty much empty of laughs.

Reverend Jim · 08-14-2011, 06:47 PM

TVFactFan · 08-14-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

This one makes me scratch my head a little, while shows like WKRP have struggled because of music rights and Maude because of too politically based, why is Kotter struggling? You have a breakout star in John Travolta and overall quality show with plenty of laughs. I just don't get it?

1. Because the last season is weak

2. The star, Vinny is barely seen in the last season

3. Adding a replacement sweathog was dumb-"Beau"

4. I think because the show had no real purpose but to just have the sweathoggs act foolish

That is just speculation-lol

Reverend Jim · 08-20-2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

1. Because the last season is weak

2. The star, Vinny is barely seen in the last season

3. Adding a replacement sweathog was dumb-"Beau"

4. I think because the show had no real purpose but to just have the sweathoggs act foolish

That is just speculation-lol

TVFactFan · 08-20-2011, 10:01 PM

Still can't believe i'm stuck with one season of WBK

gilligan fanatic · 08-21-2011, 05:15 AM

I like it personally, but it is dated, very very dated. Also many of the jokes were used so many times maybe it is hard for new fans to tell one episode from another.

howilu · 08-21-2011, 10:25 AM

I think there weren't a lot of episodes that could sustain a long and successful syndicated run because there were fewer than 100, including the disasterous last season. Usually, shows that have longer network runs haven a better chance to be a hit in reruns.

TVFactFan · 08-21-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howilu

I think there weren't a lot of episodes that could sustain a long and successful syndicated run because there were fewer than 100, including the disasterous last season. Usually, shows that have longer network runs haven a better chance to be a hit in reruns.

Good point, which means it's only less than 60 eps that are worth watching

1960'sTVfan · 08-23-2011, 02:54 AM

Welcome Back Kotter was pretty popular in syndication thru the 1980's, since then the show seems to have more or less lost it's audience. There could be several reasons for this. I have the 1st season DVD and would also like to have seasons 2 and 3, but not season 4.

A bit of trivia: Marcia Strassman had a 45 RPM record out in 1967. The A side title is "The Flower Children", B side is titled "Out Of The Picture". The songs are on you tube if anyone wants to give em a listen.

TVFactFan · 08-23-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Welcome Back Kotter was pretty popular in syndication thru the 1980's, since then the show seems to have more or less lost it's audience. There could be several reasons for this. I have the 1st season DVD and would also like to have seasons 2 and 3, but not season 4.

A bit of trivia: Marcia Strassman had a 45 RPM record out in 1967. The A side title is "The Flower Children", B side is titled "Out Of The Picture". The songs are on you tube if anyone wants to give em a listen.

what would some of those reasons be?

1960'sTVfan · 08-23-2011, 08:28 PM

Your guess is as good as mine. I personally think the show is still funny, some others might think it is dated, I don't know. I like those corny jokes Gabe tells at the start and end of the episodes. The 4th season I can do without, but I'd like seasons 2 and 3 DVD to be released.

TVFactFan · 08-23-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Your guess is as good as mine. I personally think the show is still funny, some others might think it is dated, I don't know. I like those corny jokes Gabe tells at the start and end of the episodes. The 4th season I can do without, but I'd like seasons 2 and 3 DVD to be released.

the way you posted your last comment it sounded like you had a list of reasons why the show is not successful in syndication but didn't feel like posting them-lol

ThomasE · 08-23-2011, 10:16 PM

I think the show has the capability to do well in reruns. If the people don't watch, then we automatically think it might be outdated. Maybe that's not the real reason. Perhaps, people just don't care. Malcolm is more up to date but it keeps being shelved around from one Nick channel to another.

I am glad that I taped a bunch of uncut episodes from NY1 back in 2000 when there was a marathon. Of course, they never aired last season episodes.

TVFactFan · 08-23-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

I think the show has the capability to do well in reruns. If the people don't watch, then we automatically think it might be outdated. Maybe that's not the real reason. Perhaps, people just don't care. Malcolm is more up to date but it keeps being shelved around from one Nick channel to another.

I am glad that I taped a bunch of uncut episodes from NY1 back in 2000 when there was a marathon. Of course, they never aired last season episodes.

you are so lucky to be living in NYC.

08-14-2011, 04:36 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Why Has 'Welcome Back Kotter' Failed in Syndication & In DVD Sales? This one makes me scratch my head a little, while shows like WKRP have struggled because of music rights and Maude because of too politically based, why is Kotter struggling? You have a breakout star in John Travolta and overall quality show with plenty of laughs. I just don't get it?
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08-14-2011, 05:00 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I'm not sure, but personally, while I loved the show as a kid, I think it's very much "of it's time". It honestly doesn't translate well across the decades. Plus the fourth (and final season) is pretty much empty of laughs.
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08-21-2011, 05:15 AM	#7
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	I like it personally, but it is dated, very very dated. Also many of the jokes were used so many times maybe it is hard for new fans to tell one episode from another.
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08-23-2011, 10:16 PM	#14
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	I think the show has the capability to do well in reruns. If the people don't watch, then we automatically think it might be outdated. Maybe that's not the real reason. Perhaps, people just don't care. Malcolm is more up to date but it keeps being shelved around from one Nick channel to another. I am glad that I taped a bunch of uncut episodes from NY1 back in 2000 when there was a marathon. Of course, they never aired last season episodes.
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08-14-2011, 06:47 PM	#3
Reverend Jim Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 08, 2009 Location: New York City Posts: 783

08-20-2011, 10:01 PM	#6
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,027	Still can't believe i'm stuck with one season of WBK

08-21-2011, 10:25 AM	#8
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,959	I think there weren't a lot of episodes that could sustain a long and successful syndicated run because there were fewer than 100, including the disasterous last season. Usually, shows that have longer network runs haven a better chance to be a hit in reruns.

08-23-2011, 02:54 AM	#10
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,078	Welcome Back Kotter was pretty popular in syndication thru the 1980's, since then the show seems to have more or less lost it's audience. There could be several reasons for this. I have the 1st season DVD and would also like to have seasons 2 and 3, but not season 4. A bit of trivia: Marcia Strassman had a 45 RPM record out in 1967. The A side title is "The Flower Children", B side is titled "Out Of The Picture". The songs are on you tube if anyone wants to give em a listen.

08-23-2011, 08:28 PM	#12
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,078	Your guess is as good as mine. I personally think the show is still funny, some others might think it is dated, I don't know. I like those corny jokes Gabe tells at the start and end of the episodes. The 4th season I can do without, but I'd like seasons 2 and 3 DVD to be released.