OK, Welcome Back, Kotter wasn’t Yes, Minister. It wasn’t even The Odd Couple. But damn the cast looked like they were having fun — and they each carved out a goofy persona that, when thrown into the volatile mix of high school hijinx, unrequited love, and a frustrated comic of a homeroom teacher, delivered some explosive laughs.
Robert Hegyes, who played the Puerto Rican Jew Juan Epstein (and who was himself of Hungarian-Italian extract), was both Chico and Harpo to Gabe Kaplan’s Groucho. Overshadowed by John Travolta, who would go on to stupid-super-stardom, and even Ron Palillo, who looked like he was game for a small career as the perennial whiny next-door neighbor, a poorer man’s Rob Schneider, Hegyes never quite gained the career traction his talent warranted.
I was sorry to hear that he died today at age 60.
My high school friends and I used to repeat their routines in class, including turning our desks around 180 degrees when our math teacher came into the room. That may not sound like much to brag about in the way of rebellion, but this was a small, strict Lutheran parochial school, and so it was tantamount to Italianate chaos destroying the machine-like efficiency of a Teutonic institution of lower learning.
Vinnie (“What?”) Barbarino, Juan, Freddie “Boom Boom” (“Hi, there”) Washington, and Arnold (“Ooh! Ooh!”) Horshack would be labeled “special needs” today, with a touch of Asperger’s and a side of Prozac, but they were just adolescent mentalities trapped in post-adolescent bodies.
So, in honor of the late great Juan Epstein, here are a few moments from the show that taught us all to say: “Up your nose with a rubber hose.” (And oh yeah: Remind me to tell you the story of how I got roped into keeping a somewhat “tipsy” Ron Palillo from feeling up the guests at a “Where Are They Now?” party thrown by Biography Magazine back in 1998. I also got my picture taken with Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island — our arms around each other. Yeah, you heard me. This was before I met my wife, so it was OK. So take that you Ginger lovers…)
Lars Walker
January 27, 2012 at 12:04 PM
If I had had to choose which member of the “Welcome Back” cast would go on to superstardom, it would never have been John Travolta. I always thought he overacted terribly. Which tells you all you need to know about my skills as a critic.
You had your arm around Mary Ann? Pictures. We (and I think I speak for all of us) demand pictures.
Anthony Sacramone
January 27, 2012 at 2:13 PM
I was tempted to scan it last night, along with one of me looking very uncomfortable next to Horshack, but I thought it might hurt my political career. I will be throwing my hat into the race soon. (The North Wilmington Derby 1K is an annual event in these parts, and my derby, which I just had blocked, is considered a favorite…).
kerner
January 28, 2012 at 12:51 AM
I had forgotten the nerdy side of James Woods…
But Like my colleague, I want to see the photographic proof! And that’s a big concession from a Ginger fan like me.
Anthony Sacramone
January 28, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Youz ain’t the boss ah me!