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Welcome Back, Kotter
1975 - 1979 7.2 (51 votes) 4 Seasons
Genres
Comedy Family
Networks
ABC
Created By
Alan Sacks
Gabe Kaplan

Welcome Back, Kotter

Up your nose with a rubber hose!

Overview

Welcome Back, Kotter is an American television sitcom starring Gabe Kaplan and featuring a young John Travolta. Videotaped in front of a live studio audience, it originally aired on the ABC network from September 9, 1975, to June 8, 1979.

Key Crew

Producer: Eric Cohen, Alan Sacks, George Yanok

Top Cast

Gabe Kaplan
Gabe Kaplan

Gabe Kotter

John Travolta
John Travolta

Vinnie Barbarino

John Sylvester White
John Sylvester White

Michael Woodman

Ron Palillo
Ron Palillo

Arnold Horshack

Robert Hegyes
Robert Hegyes

Juan Epstein

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs

Freddie Washington

Marcia Strassman
Marcia Strassman

Julie Kotter

Stephen Shortridge
Stephen Shortridge

Beau Shortridge

Seasons

Season 1 poster
Season 1 (1975)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: The Great Debate
1975-09-09

The sweathogs out debate a smarter debate class.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: Basket Case
1975-09-16

Gabe insists that basketball ace Washington pass his social-studies test.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: Welcome Back (Pilot)
1975-09-09

A flashback recalls Gabe's first meeting with his class. The Sweathogs Out Debate A Superior Class.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: Whodunit?
1975-09-30

Tired of her reputation as easy, Rosalie Totsy tells the Sweathogs that she's pregnant -- and that one of them is the father -- in an effort to make the boys admit that the tales they tell about their ""fun dates"" with her aren't true.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: The Election
1975-10-07

Barbarino is running for Student Body President but his campain turns into disaster.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: No More Mister Nice Guy
1975-10-14

After returning to his roots by taking over the Sweathogs' history class for a day, Mr. Woodman turns into a nice guy; and Kotter turns into the new Mr. Woodman.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: Classroom Marriage
1975-10-21

With Vernajean's family moving, she and Freddie decide that they must get married in order to stay together. Their classmates act out married life to discourage the young couple.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: One of Our Sweathogs Is Missing
1975-10-28

After losing a fight with Todd Ludlow, Juan is made fun of by his fellow Sweathogs. His feelings and his pride hurt, he runs away -- to the Kotters' bathroom.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: Mr. Kotter, Teacher
1975-11-04

Gabe's teaching theories in question, he is temporarily suspended. The Sweathogs, liable to lose their teacher, come to his defense.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: The Reunion
1975-11-18

Gabe is less than thrilled when an old too-perfect classmate, and his too-perfect wife, decide to pay him a visit.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: Barbarino's Girl
1975-11-25

In order to bring up Vinnie's grades, Judy Borden, highly unpopular with the Sweathogs, is called in to tutor him. But when the two start liking one another, problems arise.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: California Dreamin'
1975-12-02

The sweathogs go bananas over Bambi, a pretty blonde girl from California. We get some very funny scenes of the guys in various costumes: Epstein as a guru, Freddy in a colorful shirt, Horshack as a movie producer, and Vinnie as a surfer. When Mr. Kotter gets fed-up with them disrupting the class, it's revealed that Bambi was just pretending to be from California in order to get attention.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: Arrividerci, Arnold
1975-12-16

Arnold is promoted to a regular class, but is less than happy about the forced transition.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: The Longest Weekend
1976-01-06

When Julie goes away on a ski trip with a friend, stories from the Sweathogs and Mr. Woodman lead Gabe to be worried about the possibility of Julie cheating on him while she is away.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: The Sit-In
1976-01-13

The Sweathogs, diverged from a food-fight, hold a sit-in to protest the school cafetieria's Wednesday liver.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: Follow The Leader (1)
1976-01-20

The class votes to make Freddie the new leader of the Sweathogs, taking Vinnie down a notch. Vinnie becomes so upset with the loss of his title that he quits school. When his parents become aware of this, they kick him out, and he ends up staying with the Kotters; much to the dismay of Julie, who is growing tired of the Sweathogs constantly occupying Gabe's attention and life, never leaving them any time alone together. Angry, she leaves to go to a hotel.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: Follow The Leader (2)
1976-01-22

The sweathogs soon tire of Freddy as leader. Mr. Woodman even admits that he misses Barbarino. Julie and Vinnie turn up at the apartment, and Mr. Kotter has a heartfelt talk with them about the situation. Fortunately, all is forgiven, with Julie moving back home and Vinnie returning to class.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: Dr. Epstein, I Presume
1976-01-29

Juan, because of his love for animals, decides that he would like to be a veterinarian. A guidance couselor quickly thwarts his dream, until he performs an emergency operation on his pet hamster.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: One Flu Over The Cuckoo's Nest
1976-02-05

A flu epidemic hits Buchannan and everybody gets sick except for Kotter, Horshack and a few students in the other classes. In the end, the few healthy students team up with the remaining Sweathogs in the classroom.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: The Telethon
1976-02-12

Kotter and the ""Sweathogs"" raise a telethon to raise $700 for new supplies. If not the remiedial class will be cut.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: Kotter Makes Good
1976-02-19

Gabe is forced to take final exams when it's revealed by Mr. Woodman that he wasn't really qualified to graduate when he did.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 22: Father Vinnie
1976-02-26

Vinnie's grandmother's dying wish is for him to become a priest, and he takes the request seriously, until the strain of being holy becomes too much for him.

Runtime: 30 min
Season 2 poster
Season 2 (1976)

No overview available.

23 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Career Day
1976-09-23

On career day, an inventor who is treated poorly by the Sweathogs offers a well-paying job to Gabe.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: Inherit The Halibut
1976-09-30

Freddie, class treasurer, is accused of stealing funds, and an impromptue trial is held in the classroom.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: Sweatside Story
1976-10-07

The Sweathogs form a gang, but won't let Arnold in until the night of their first rumble, and Arnold, against the idea of being killed, brings along Gabe and Mr. Woodman in order to prevent the fight.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: The Fight
1976-10-21

Sparked by the fact that Vinnie neglected to do Freddie's homework, the Sweathogs spend the better part of class fighting with one another.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: The Museum
1976-10-28

Mr. Kotter takes the sweathogs on a field trip to a museum. Mrs. Kotter and Mr. Woodman are along as chaperones. They meet the unusual museum curator Mr.Gore (John Astin) who seems odd and superstitious. In the Egyptian display, he warns them of the mummy coming back to life if they joke and kid around. Naturally, the door shuts itself and everyone is trapped. They humorously begin to panic and make attempts to get out. Epstein manages to get the door open.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: Gabe Under Pressure
1976-11-04

Gabe is afraid to get a physical when the free clinic comes to Buchanan High.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: Sweathog, Nebraska Style
1976-11-11

Julie's visiting sister, recently at odds with her long-time boyfriend, falls for Juan.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: Sadie Hawkins Day
1976-11-18

A girl wants to ask Vinnie to the Sadie Hawkins Day dance, but his insensitivity leads her to ask Arnold in retaliation, leaving Vinnie with no date at all.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: Hello, Ms. Chips
1976-12-02

The new student teacher discovers that all her training to work with remedial children hasn't prepared her for dealing with the Sweathogs.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Horshack vs. Carvelli
1976-12-09

When the opportunity to fight Carvelli in a boxing match arises, Arnold wants to be the one to do it; and when the other Sweathogs put down his manhood, he is even more determined to prove himself by getting in the ring.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: Sweathog Clinic for the Cure of Smoking
1976-12-16

Epstein is caught smoking cigarettes. Gabe and the sweathogs try to get him to stop.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: Hark, the Sweatkings
1976-12-23

At Christmas time, the Sweathogs are all too eager to tease resident bum Angie. But after Angie tells his life story to the class, they have a change of heart, and decide to help him get back up on his feet.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: A Love Story
1976-12-30

When Juan's sister Carmen joines the Sweathogs, she catches the eye of Arnold, but Carmen is only interested in Vinnie. Juan, meanwhile, is displeased with the entire situation, and is ready to kill anybody who dares to lay a hand on his baby sister.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: Caruso's Way
1977-01-06

Vinnie's goofing off in gym gets him in trouble with the teacher, Mr. Caruso, who's reprimending after class gets out of hand when he hits Vinnie in front of the girls' locker room.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: Sweatgate Scandal
1977-01-13

Tired of the way the school newspaper is always putting them down, the Sweathogs join the staff in order to redeem themselves; and the crack investigative team of ""Vinstein"" (Vinnie and Juan) are hot on the trail of the culprit behind the recent break-in of Principal Lazarus's office.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: Kotter and Son
1977-01-20

Gabe's overly-critical father comes for a visit and, unconvinced that his son has chosen a worthwhile career, goes with Gabe to school in order to watch him in action with his Sweathogs.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: Chicken a la Kotter
1977-01-27

Gabe, in need of money for a root canal, takes a second job as a restaurant mascot.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: Has Anyone Seen Arnold? (1)
1977-02-03

For the school drama festival, Gabe is going to direct a scene from Cyrano de Bergerac. Arnold is set to play the lead, but recieves only heckling and ridicule from his fellow Sweathogs; and when Arnold turns up missing, Vinnie is forced to take his place on stage.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: There Goes Number 5 (2)
1977-02-03

When Arnold finally shows back up at school, it's discovered that his absence was due to the recent death of his fifth father. A feeling of responsibility within him, Arnold sets out to find a job to help support his siblings and his mother, who's only priority lies in finding a replacement father for her kids.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: The Littlest Sweathog
1977-02-10

Gabe and Julie find out that they are going to have a baby.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: Radio Free Freddie
1977-02-17

It seems that Freddie has a future in radio, but he may also risk losing his friends for fame.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 22: I'm Having Their Baby
1977-02-24

With Gabe away at a teacher's convention, the Sweathogs take it upon themselves to watch over the pregnant Julie...but the harder they try to make Julie comfortable, the more trouble they seem to cause.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 23: I Wonder Who's Kissing Gabe Now?
1977-03-03

The art teacher falls in love with Gabe.

Runtime: 30 min
Season 3 poster
Season 3 (1977)

No overview available.

27 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Sweathogs Back-to-School Special
1977-09-29

The Sweathogs and administrators at James Buchanan High reminisce about Gabe's past two years at the school. Past episodes are recalled through flashbacks.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: And Baby Makes Four (1)
1977-09-15

Julie goes into labor.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: And Baby Makes Four (2)
1977-09-15

Julie gives birth to twin girls.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: And Baby Makes Four (3)
1977-09-22

Julie's parents come to see the babies.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: Brother, Can You Spare a Million?
1977-10-06

Emotions mix when it seems that the Sweathogs may win the lottery.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: Just Testing
1977-10-13

Everybody helps Vinnie cram for a make-up test.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: The Deprogramming of Arnold Horshack
1977-10-20

Arnold is accepted into a religious cult. Mr. Kotter and the three other sweathogs try to get Arnold to snap out of it. Eventually, he does and goes back to his former self, complete with his trademark laugh.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: What a Move
1977-10-27

Juan, with the help of his uncle, hooks the Kotters up with a new apartment.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: A Novel Idea
1977-11-03

The characters in Mr. Woodman's new novel seem to have an awful lot in common with the Sweathogs...

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Barbarino in Love (1)
1977-11-10

During a talent competition, Vinnie falls for a girl who the Sweathogs are competing against, and starts spending more time with her then rehearsing with the Sweathogs.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: Barbarino in Love (2)
1977-11-17

Vinnie is torn between trying to win the talent competition, or letting his new girlfriend beat him.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: Kotter for Vice Principal
1977-11-24

Kotter has a dream about life when the Sweathogs are old.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: Swine and Punishment
1977-12-08

Freddie cheats on an English test.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: Epstein's Madonna
1978-01-12

Juan paints a great masterpiece on the walls of the school.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: Sweathog Christmas Special
1978-01-05

At Christmas time, the gang reminisces over past episodes.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: Sweatwork
1978-01-19

Arnold voices angst and pioneers for change on the school radio station, gathering fans in the process.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: Meet Your New Teacher: Batteries Not Included
1978-01-26

The Sweathogs' new tutor is a computer. Despite initial raises in grades, Gabe becomes displeased with the machine, as it is turning him obsolete to the class.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: Angie
1977-12-22

A new girl joins the Sweathogs.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: Epstein's Term Paper
1978-02-02

Juan buys four term papers - one for each Sweathog - from Carvelli, only to end up with an essay that Gabe had turned in eleven years earlier.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: There's No Business Like Show Business (1)
1978-02-09

Gabe finds success as a stand-up comic, using material regarding the Sweathogs. But when the oppportunity for a full-time comedy gig arises, it could mean the end of his teaching career.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: There's No Business Like Show Business (2)
1978-02-16

Gabe must choose between the comedy life, or his life at Buchanan.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 22: What Goes Up
1978-02-23

Freddie becomes addicted to drugs after taking prescribed pain killers. Despite the other Sweathogs' best efforts, the only thing that can bring Freddie around is Arnold's faith in him...and in his ""vitamin pills.""

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 23: Good-Bye, Mr. Kripps
1978-03-09

Mr. Kripps, the shop teacher, has a heart attack and dies while yelling at Vinnie, who blames himself for the man's death.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 24: Horshack and the Madame X
1978-05-18

Arnold, saddened by the rejection he keeps recieving from the opposite sex, gets advice and comfort from Julie before quickly falling in love with her.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 25: The Kiss
1978-05-11

After performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on a female student who has passed out in the classroom, Gabe is accused of molestation, and is in danger of losing his job.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 26: The Return of Hotsy Totsy
1977-09-10

Rosalie ""Hotsy"" Totsy has grown up ... a little too fast. The Sweathogs go to a local strip club on a dare, and learn that Hotsy has gotten a job performing there (yup, she bares all, unknowingly in front of her former classmates). Vinnie, Freddie and Epstein all ride Hotsy's case, but Arnold is sensitive to her plight. Seems that, during a coversation with her former teacher Gabe, Rosalie really lived up to her nickname one night and got pregnant. And getting a job at a strip joint is the only way for this single mother (the baby's father had left Hotsy) to support her child. Gabe and Arnold convince the others to give Hotsy Totsy moral support, and they also refer her to a social agency which can help her finish school and find a more meaningful job.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 27: Class Encounter of the Carvelli Kind
1977-12-15

When Carvelli and Murray come on as exchange students, Carvelli seemingly goes crazy with stories of aliens.

Runtime: 30 min
Season 4 poster
Season 4 (1978)

No overview available.

23 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: The Drop-Ins (1)
1978-11-25

Gabe announces that he is now the vice-principal and Mr. Woodman is the principal. The Sweathogs are pleased, until Gabe gets strict. After Vinnie visits the school to tell the gang he's dropped out, the other Sweathogs decide to follow in his footsteps.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: The Drop-Ins (2)
1978-09-18

With Barbarino now an ordlery at a hospital, the Sweathogs try to get jobs there, too. Meanwhile, Kotter tries to get the gang to return to school.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: Beau's Jest
1978-09-25

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: Don't Come Up and See Me Sometime
1978-09-11

Vinnie throws the Sweathogs out of his new apartment.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: Once Upon a Ledge
1978-10-02

Horshack saves a lonely, overlooked girl named Mary Johnson from commiting suicide by jumping off the ledge of the school.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: The Sweatmobile
1978-09-11

The Sweathogs remember how they tried to buy a used car from Vinnie's uncle.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: Barbarino's Boo-Boo
1978-10-21

When Mr. Woodman comes to Vinnie's hospital for an operation, Vinnie loses him and he and the other Sweathogs try to find him.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: X-Rated Education
1978-10-28

The gang is liable to get in trouble when the x-rated film Carvelli brought into school is accidentally mixed up with a film on sexual education.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: The Barbarino Blues
1978-11-04

Vinnie becomes depressed when it seems that he has lost his way with women.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Washington's Clone
1978-11-11

A younger student begins to imitate Freddie, not much to Freddie's liking.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: Frog Day Afternoon
1978-10-09

After Horshack refuses to disect a frog in class, his grade is in jeopardy.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: A Little Fright Music
1978-12-02

The Sweathogs opt to change Mr. Woodman's tired old school song.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: A Winter's Coat Tail
1978-12-16

Vinnie is saddened when his new coat is stolen.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: Bride and Gloom
1979-01-13

Juan asks Vinnie to marry his immigrant cousin.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: Barbarino's Baby
1979-02-03

Vinnie is forced to deliver a baby in an elevator.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: The Goodbye Guy
1979-02-10

Mr. Woodman's niece Kelly is babysitting for the Kotters when Juan drops by the apartment. The two abruptly fall in love and decide to move in together, but the romance begins to crumble when it seems that they can't respect one another's interests.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: Come Back, Little Arnold
1979-02-24

To get up his nerve with Mary, Carvelli offers Arnold liquor. He doesn't like the idea at first, but as time goes on, he becomes addicted to drinking; developing a scary and unlikable new personality that only turns Mary away.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: The Sweat Smell of Success
1979-03-03

Convinced that the school newspaper is too dull, Juan sets out to turn it into a tabloid, bringing down his friends' names in the process.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: The Gang Show
1979-03-17

Freddie and Juan plan to do an act together for the upcoming talent contest, while Carvelli has some bribed judges up his sleeves. Arnold and Beau take over as judges, leaving Murray in the third spot.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: Oo, Oo, I Do (1)
1979-05-25

Arnold's relationship with Mary gets serious. Then he finds out he has to move and leave the school. Upset, Arnold decides to propose marriage to Mary. She accepts.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: Oo, Oo, I Do (2)
1979-05-25

Arnold gets upset when the other Sweathogs tease him about not being able to provide for Mary, and he vanishes. Mary finds him and convinces him not to worry, and the two get married.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 22: I'm Okay, But You're Not
1979-06-01

Beau plays a number or pranks on Mr. Woodman.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 23: The Breadwinners
1979-06-08

While Horshack adjusts the married life, Epstein sets up an interview for a job. Washington gets the job before Epstein, unaware that it's the same job. The two get into a fight and end up in a gym ready to box.

Runtime: 30 min

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