Kaplan basks in parade glory
By Dolly A. Butz Journal staff writer | Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007
Parade watchers wave for beads during the Big Parade at Chris Larsen Park Friday. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
Seated on a black velvet throne perched high atop a brightly painted flatbed trailer, former "Welcome Back Kotter" star Gabe Kaplan clutched a yellow rubber chicken as he tossed shiny Mardi Gras beads into the air Friday night during the Big Parade.
Before the semi pulled onto the parade route, Kaplan told the Journal from his float that nothing could keep him from marshaling his first parade, not even a Las Vegas poker tournament with a $2 million purse.
"If I would've come in eighth or better, it would've been a little bit more difficult to get here, but I would've gotten here." Kaplan, who finished ninth in the poker tournament, said. "Even if I won, I would've been tired, but I would've been here."
A bizarre e-mail correspondence between City Manager Paul Eckert and Kaplan resulted in the comedian making his appearance in the 2007 Big Parade.
Kaplan's new 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 ties together his request for a parade.
"When I was a big television star, I had a lot of offers to do stuff like this, but I never did," he said. "This is the first time I've actually been a grand marshal, or actually probably the first time I've ever been in a parade."
Mark Kochen, Dolf Ivener, Dave Bernstein, Kevin McCormick and Paul Chelstad painted and constructed the floats that carried Kaplan and the Krew de Charlie Sioux.
"It was like extreme float makeover where Mark did this one and Paul did that one," Bernstein said. "It was a competition."
Kaplan was impressed with the finished product.
"I think it's great," he said. "I think people really took a lot of time and a lot of hard work to make it look special. It's really interesting."
After four years of e-mail correspondence, Eckert said he was anticipating Kaplan's arrival, but admitted he was a little nervous about how it would all turn out.
"I'm glad it's finally here," he said. "I'm excited. It's been a long four years. I think it really adds a uniqueness to this year's Mardi Gras celebration."
When Kaplan's float pulled out of the staging area, Eckert energized the crowd with successive chants of "Gabe."
Along the parade route the theme song to "Welcome Back Kotter " blared. A teenager wearing a navy blue shirt and khaki shorts danced to the music.
"That's what I'm talking about," he yelled.
Kaplan rose from this throne and stood at the right side of the float during most of the parade, throwing handfuls of beads over the sides.
"Who wants one?" he asked.
"Hi Gabe," a man sitting in a lawn chair yelled back.
At the end of the parade route the flatbed trailer came to a halt. Not a single strand of beads remained. Kaplan lingered on board for a several minutes before departing.
"I wanna play a hand of black jack," he said.
Before the semi pulled onto the parade route, Kaplan told the Journal from his float that nothing could keep him from marshaling his first parade, not even a Las Vegas poker tournament with a $2 million purse.
"If I would've come in eighth or better, it would've been a little bit more difficult to get here, but I would've gotten here." Kaplan, who finished ninth in the poker tournament, said. "Even if I won, I would've been tired, but I would've been here."
A bizarre e-mail correspondence between City Manager Paul Eckert and Kaplan resulted in the comedian making his appearance in the 2007 Big Parade.
Kaplan's new 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 ties together his request for a parade.
"When I was a big television star, I had a lot of offers to do stuff like this, but I never did," he said. "This is the first time I've actually been a grand marshal, or actually probably the first time I've ever been in a parade."
Mark Kochen, Dolf Ivener, Dave Bernstein, Kevin McCormick and Paul Chelstad painted and constructed the floats that carried Kaplan and the Krew de Charlie Sioux.
"It was like extreme float makeover where Mark did this one and Paul did that one," Bernstein said. "It was a competition."
Kaplan was impressed with the finished product.
"I think it's great," he said. "I think people really took a lot of time and a lot of hard work to make it look special. It's really interesting."
After four years of e-mail correspondence, Eckert said he was anticipating Kaplan's arrival, but admitted he was a little nervous about how it would all turn out.
"I'm glad it's finally here," he said. "I'm excited. It's been a long four years. I think it really adds a uniqueness to this year's Mardi Gras celebration."
When Kaplan's float pulled out of the staging area, Eckert energized the crowd with successive chants of "Gabe."
Along the parade route the theme song to "Welcome Back Kotter " blared. A teenager wearing a navy blue shirt and khaki shorts danced to the music.
"That's what I'm talking about," he yelled.
Kaplan rose from this throne and stood at the right side of the float during most of the parade, throwing handfuls of beads over the sides.
"Who wants one?" he asked.
"Hi Gabe," a man sitting in a lawn chair yelled back.
At the end of the parade route the flatbed trailer came to a halt. Not a single strand of beads remained. Kaplan lingered on board for a several minutes before departing.
"I wanna play a hand of black jack," he said.
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Benjamin: What A Joke!! wrote on Jun 30, 2007 8:02 PM: