User Reviews

"Beau's Jest" introduced Steve Shortridge as New Orleans transfer Beau DeLabarre, intended as a heartthrob replacement for the frequently missing Barbarino. He and the other Sweathogs don't exactly see eye to eye, with his charming demeanor proving irresistible to all the girls and even Principal Woodman, following his initial displeasure at Beau's arriving a week later than usual, having been expelled from seven different schools. His low grade point average results in his assignment to become a 'Swinehog,' but with Epstein stapling his jockey shorts to the wall it's open warfare. In retaliation Beau gets Juan a date with a beautiful woman who turns out to be engaged, her jealous boyfriend (Richard Moll) actually showing up at the schoolyard for a case of assault. Kotter makes a rare fourth season appearance, at the beginning and the end, but Barbarino is absent.

Beau was actually worse than Cousin Oliver from The Brady Bunch. He was horrible. John Travolta, when you venture back to watch this series, is the funniest character; his humor and delivery and timing stands the test of time better than the others. Beau is just horrible. Had this show started with him as one of the Sweathogs he'd have probably been canned before the pilot went into the series production. He's that bad. And to add insult to injury, Kotter himself had split from the series and his wife somehow became the teacher, and Mr. Woodman turned from grouchy foil to a nice guy and... this show lasted one season too long. Had it ended on Season Three, it'd be perfect.