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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.
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Cast & crew
Episodes
4 seasons · 95 episodesSeason 122 ep. · 1975–1976
Episode 1: The Great Debate
Sep 9, 1975 · 30 min
The sweathogs out debate a smarter debate class.
Episode 2: Basket Case
Sep 16, 1975 · 30 min
Gabe insists that basketball ace Washington pass his social-studies test.
Episode 3: Welcome Back (Pilot)
Sep 9, 1975 · 30 min
A flashback recalls Gabe's first meeting with his class. The Sweathogs Out Debate A Superior Class.
Episode 4: Whodunit?
Sep 30, 1975 · 30 min
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.
Episode 5: The Election
Oct 7, 1975 · 30 min
Barbarino is running for Student Body President but his campain turns into disaster.
Episode 6: No More Mister Nice Guy
Oct 14, 1975 · 30 min
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.
Episode 7: Classroom Marriage
Oct 21, 1975 · 30 min
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.
Episode 8: One of Our Sweathogs Is Missing
Oct 28, 1975 · 30 min
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.
Episode 9: Mr. Kotter, Teacher
Nov 4, 1975 · 30 min
Gabe's teaching theories in question, he is temporarily suspended. The Sweathogs, liable to lose their teacher, come to his defense.
Episode 10: The Reunion
Nov 18, 1975 · 30 min
Gabe is less than thrilled when an old too-perfect classmate, and his too-perfect wife, decide to pay him a visit.
Episode 11: Barbarino's Girl
Nov 25, 1975 · 30 min
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.
Episode 12: California Dreamin'
Dec 2, 1975 · 30 min
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.
Episode 13: Arrividerci, Arnold
Dec 16, 1975 · 30 min
Arnold is promoted to a regular class, but is less than happy about the forced transition.
Episode 14: The Longest Weekend
Jan 6, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 15: The Sit-In
Jan 13, 1976 · 30 min
The Sweathogs, diverged from a food-fight, hold a sit-in to protest the school cafetieria's Wednesday liver.
Episode 16: Follow The Leader (1)
Jan 20, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 17: Follow The Leader (2)
Jan 22, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 18: Dr. Epstein, I Presume
Jan 29, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 19: One Flu Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Feb 5, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 20: The Telethon
Feb 12, 1976 · 30 min
Kotter and the ""Sweathogs"" raise a telethon to raise $700 for new supplies. If not the remiedial class will be cut.
Episode 21: Kotter Makes Good
Feb 19, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 22: Father Vinnie
Feb 26, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Season 223 ep. · 1976–1977
Episode 1: Career Day
Sep 23, 1976 · 30 min
On career day, an inventor who is treated poorly by the Sweathogs offers a well-paying job to Gabe.
Episode 2: Inherit The Halibut
Sep 30, 1976 · 30 min
Freddie, class treasurer, is accused of stealing funds, and an impromptue trial is held in the classroom.
Episode 3: Sweatside Story
Oct 7, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 4: The Fight
Oct 21, 1976 · 30 min
Sparked by the fact that Vinnie neglected to do Freddie's homework, the Sweathogs spend the better part of class fighting with one another.
Episode 5: The Museum
Oct 28, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 6: Gabe Under Pressure
Nov 4, 1976 · 30 min
Gabe is afraid to get a physical when the free clinic comes to Buchanan High.
Episode 7: Sweathog, Nebraska Style
Nov 11, 1976 · 30 min
Julie's visiting sister, recently at odds with her long-time boyfriend, falls for Juan.
Episode 8: Sadie Hawkins Day
Nov 18, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 9: Hello, Ms. Chips
Dec 2, 1976 · 30 min
The new student teacher discovers that all her training to work with remedial children hasn't prepared her for dealing with the Sweathogs.
Episode 10: Horshack vs. Carvelli
Dec 9, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 11: Sweathog Clinic for the Cure of Smoking
Dec 16, 1976 · 30 min
Epstein is caught smoking cigarettes. Gabe and the sweathogs try to get him to stop.
Episode 12: Hark, the Sweatkings
Dec 23, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 13: A Love Story
Dec 30, 1976 · 30 min
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.
Episode 14: Caruso's Way
Jan 6, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 15: Sweatgate Scandal
Jan 13, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 16: Kotter and Son
Jan 20, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 17: Chicken a la Kotter
Jan 27, 1977 · 30 min
Gabe, in need of money for a root canal, takes a second job as a restaurant mascot.
Episode 18: Has Anyone Seen Arnold? (1)
Feb 3, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 19: There Goes Number 5 (2)
Feb 3, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 20: The Littlest Sweathog
Feb 10, 1977 · 30 min
Gabe and Julie find out that they are going to have a baby.
Episode 21: Radio Free Freddie
Feb 17, 1977 · 30 min
It seems that Freddie has a future in radio, but he may also risk losing his friends for fame.
Episode 22: I'm Having Their Baby
Feb 24, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 23: I Wonder Who's Kissing Gabe Now?
Mar 3, 1977 · 30 min
The art teacher falls in love with Gabe.
Season 327 ep. · 1977–1978
Episode 1: Sweathogs Back-to-School Special
Sep 29, 1977 · 30 min
The Sweathogs and administrators at James Buchanan High reminisce about Gabe's past two years at the school. Past episodes are recalled through flashbacks.
Episode 2: And Baby Makes Four (1)
Sep 15, 1977 · 30 min
Julie goes into labor.
Episode 3: And Baby Makes Four (2)
Sep 15, 1977 · 30 min
Julie gives birth to twin girls.
Episode 4: And Baby Makes Four (3)
Sep 22, 1977 · 30 min
Julie's parents come to see the babies.
Episode 5: Brother, Can You Spare a Million?
Oct 6, 1977 · 30 min
Emotions mix when it seems that the Sweathogs may win the lottery.
Episode 6: Just Testing
Oct 13, 1977 · 30 min
Everybody helps Vinnie cram for a make-up test.
Episode 7: The Deprogramming of Arnold Horshack
Oct 20, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 8: What a Move
Oct 27, 1977 · 30 min
Juan, with the help of his uncle, hooks the Kotters up with a new apartment.
Episode 9: A Novel Idea
Nov 3, 1977 · 30 min
The characters in Mr. Woodman's new novel seem to have an awful lot in common with the Sweathogs...
Episode 10: Barbarino in Love (1)
Nov 10, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 11: Barbarino in Love (2)
Nov 17, 1977 · 30 min
Vinnie is torn between trying to win the talent competition, or letting his new girlfriend beat him.
Episode 12: Kotter for Vice Principal
Nov 24, 1977 · 30 min
Kotter has a dream about life when the Sweathogs are old.
Episode 13: Swine and Punishment
Dec 8, 1977 · 30 min
Freddie cheats on an English test.
Episode 14: Epstein's Madonna
Jan 12, 1978 · 30 min
Juan paints a great masterpiece on the walls of the school.
Episode 15: Sweathog Christmas Special
Jan 5, 1978 · 30 min
At Christmas time, the gang reminisces over past episodes.
Episode 16: Sweatwork
Jan 19, 1978 · 30 min
Arnold voices angst and pioneers for change on the school radio station, gathering fans in the process.
Episode 17: Meet Your New Teacher: Batteries Not Included
Jan 26, 1978 · 30 min
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.
Episode 18: Angie
Dec 22, 1977 · 30 min
A new girl joins the Sweathogs.
Episode 19: Epstein's Term Paper
Feb 2, 1978 · 30 min
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.
Episode 20: There's No Business Like Show Business (1)
Feb 9, 1978 · 30 min
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.
Episode 21: There's No Business Like Show Business (2)
Feb 16, 1978 · 30 min
Gabe must choose between the comedy life, or his life at Buchanan.
Episode 22: What Goes Up
Feb 23, 1978 · 30 min
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.""
Episode 23: Good-Bye, Mr. Kripps
Mar 9, 1978 · 30 min
Mr. Kripps, the shop teacher, has a heart attack and dies while yelling at Vinnie, who blames himself for the man's death.
Episode 24: Horshack and the Madame X
May 18, 1978 · 30 min
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.
Episode 25: The Kiss
May 11, 1978 · 30 min
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.
Episode 26: The Return of Hotsy Totsy
Sep 10, 1977 · 30 min
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.
Episode 27: Class Encounter of the Carvelli Kind
Dec 15, 1977 · 30 min
When Carvelli and Murray come on as exchange students, Carvelli seemingly goes crazy with stories of aliens.
Season 423 ep. · 1978–1979
Episode 1: The Drop-Ins (1)
Nov 25, 1978 · 30 min
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.
Episode 2: The Drop-Ins (2)
Sep 18, 1978 · 30 min
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.
Episode 3: Beau's Jest
Sep 25, 1978 · 30 min
Episode 4: Don't Come Up and See Me Sometime
Sep 11, 1978 · 30 min
Vinnie throws the Sweathogs out of his new apartment.
Episode 5: Once Upon a Ledge
Oct 2, 1978 · 30 min
Horshack saves a lonely, overlooked girl named Mary Johnson from commiting suicide by jumping off the ledge of the school.
Episode 6: The Sweatmobile
Sep 11, 1978 · 30 min
The Sweathogs remember how they tried to buy a used car from Vinnie's uncle.
Episode 7: Barbarino's Boo-Boo
Oct 21, 1978 · 30 min
When Mr. Woodman comes to Vinnie's hospital for an operation, Vinnie loses him and he and the other Sweathogs try to find him.
Episode 8: X-Rated Education
Oct 28, 1978 · 30 min
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.
Episode 9: The Barbarino Blues
Nov 4, 1978 · 30 min
Vinnie becomes depressed when it seems that he has lost his way with women.
Episode 10: Washington's Clone
Nov 11, 1978 · 30 min
A younger student begins to imitate Freddie, not much to Freddie's liking.
Episode 11: Frog Day Afternoon
Oct 9, 1978 · 30 min
After Horshack refuses to disect a frog in class, his grade is in jeopardy.
Episode 12: A Little Fright Music
Dec 2, 1978 · 30 min
The Sweathogs opt to change Mr. Woodman's tired old school song.
Episode 13: A Winter's Coat Tale
Dec 16, 1978 · 30 min
Vinnie is saddened when his new coat is stolen.
Episode 14: Bride and Gloom
Jan 13, 1979 · 30 min
Juan asks Vinnie to marry his immigrant cousin.
Episode 15: Barbarino's Baby
Feb 3, 1979 · 30 min
Vinnie is forced to deliver a baby in an elevator.
Episode 16: The Goodbye Guy
Feb 10, 1979 · 30 min
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.
Episode 17: Come Back, Little Arnold
Feb 24, 1979 · 30 min
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.
Episode 18: The Sweat Smell of Success
Mar 3, 1979 · 30 min
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.
Episode 19: The Gang Show
Mar 17, 1979 · 30 min
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.
Episode 20: Oo, Oo, I Do (1)
May 25, 1979 · 30 min
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.
Episode 21: Oo, Oo, I Do (2)
May 25, 1979 · 30 min
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.
Episode 22: I'm Okay, But You're Not
Jun 1, 1979 · 30 min
Beau plays a number or pranks on Mr. Woodman.
Episode 23: The Breadwinners
Jun 8, 1979 · 30 min
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.

















