Sioux City welcomes back Kotter
Kaplan returns for Big Parade
By Dolly A. Butz Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, June 01, 2007
A bizarre e-mail correspondence between City Manager Paul Eckert and comedian Gabe Kaplan, has resulted in the release of a new book and the star of "Welcome Back Kotter" making an appearance in the 2007 Big Parade in Sioux City on June 29.
Kaplan's book, "Kotter's Back: Emails From a Faded Celebrity to a Bewildered World," features excerpts from correspondence that lasted more than four years with Eckert. The book includes Kaplan's attempt to talk Eckert into hosting a parade in his honor to celebrate his 60th birthday. Kaplan's reasoning for the request centers around the idea that Sioux City, out of all cities in the United States, gave the show "Welcome Back Kotter" its highest rating during the four years the program was televised. Kaplan's participation in the Big Parade will tie together his request for a parade.
Eckert received his first e-mail from Kaplan in Novemeber 2002. He said he thought it was someone impersonating Kaplan. Eckert didn't know at the time that Kaplan was sending e-mails to officials all over the country and planned to use the responses in a book.
"I was suspicious and intrigued," Eckert said Thursday at the Convention Center. "I was never certain I was dealing with the right guy. Every time we tried to corral him, he'd slip away."
When his son Reed was undergoing brain surgery this past December, Eckert said he received another e-mail from Kaplan which he ignored for over a month. In an unpublished e-mail, Eckert stated his suspicions to Kaplan. A short time later Eckert received a call from Kaplan and with the help of Dave Bernstein and Denny Gann, Kaplan's appearance in Sioux City was set into motion.
"We were actually the ones who got something to materialize," Eckert said. "There is some benefit from a community standpoint."
Kaplan will host a book signing at Barnes & Noble in the Southern Hills Mall at 4 p.m. June 29. It will be the first official book release. "Kotter's Back: Emails From a Faded Celebrity to a Bewildered World" goes on sale June 26.
Kaplan will serve as the parade marshal for the Big Parade along the Riverfront at 7 p.m. on June 29. The parade route begins on the east side of Veterans Bridge and extends to the walkway tunnel leading to Gordon Drive. There will be beads, floats, bands, concessions and giant parade balloons. Parking will be available at the Tyson Events Center parking lot, parking ramps and local businesses' parking lots.
Kaplan's book, "Kotter's Back: Emails From a Faded Celebrity to a Bewildered World," features excerpts from correspondence that lasted more than four years with Eckert. The book includes Kaplan's attempt to talk Eckert into hosting a parade in his honor to celebrate his 60th birthday. Kaplan's reasoning for the request centers around the idea that Sioux City, out of all cities in the United States, gave the show "Welcome Back Kotter" its highest rating during the four years the program was televised. Kaplan's participation in the Big Parade will tie together his request for a parade.
Eckert received his first e-mail from Kaplan in Novemeber 2002. He said he thought it was someone impersonating Kaplan. Eckert didn't know at the time that Kaplan was sending e-mails to officials all over the country and planned to use the responses in a book.
"I was suspicious and intrigued," Eckert said Thursday at the Convention Center. "I was never certain I was dealing with the right guy. Every time we tried to corral him, he'd slip away."
When his son Reed was undergoing brain surgery this past December, Eckert said he received another e-mail from Kaplan which he ignored for over a month. In an unpublished e-mail, Eckert stated his suspicions to Kaplan. A short time later Eckert received a call from Kaplan and with the help of Dave Bernstein and Denny Gann, Kaplan's appearance in Sioux City was set into motion.
"We were actually the ones who got something to materialize," Eckert said. "There is some benefit from a community standpoint."
Kaplan will host a book signing at Barnes & Noble in the Southern Hills Mall at 4 p.m. June 29. It will be the first official book release. "Kotter's Back: Emails From a Faded Celebrity to a Bewildered World" goes on sale June 26.
Kaplan will serve as the parade marshal for the Big Parade along the Riverfront at 7 p.m. on June 29. The parade route begins on the east side of Veterans Bridge and extends to the walkway tunnel leading to Gordon Drive. There will be beads, floats, bands, concessions and giant parade balloons. Parking will be available at the Tyson Events Center parking lot, parking ramps and local businesses' parking lots.
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