Each week, we will be taking an in depth look at some of the best sitcoms and comedy shows from both the UK and the USA.

Today we will be looking at a comedy that starred a very young John Travolta, won three awards and was originally banned in Boston. Today we look at – Welcome Back, Kotter

Opening Sequence / Theme Tune

About the Show

Summary of Plot

A compassionate teacher returns to his inner city high school of his youth to teach a new generation of trouble making kids –IMDb

Number of Seasons / Episodes

4 seasons

Characters:

Gabe Kaplan – Gabe Kotter

Robert Hegyes – Juan Epstein

Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs – Freddie ‘boom boom’ Washington

Marcia Strassman – Julie Kotter

John Sylvester White – Mr Michael Woodman

Ron Palillo – Arnold Horshack

John Travolta – Vinnie Barbarino

Trivia

+The original title of the series was to be simply “Kotter,” but that was before composer John Sebastian had difficulty writing the theme song lyrics. He couldn’t find enough rhyming words for the title. Giving up on that tack, he decided to compose lyrics that illustrated the premise of the show in a song called, “Welcome Back.” The producers were so impressed with the song that they decided to change the series title to “Welcome Back, Kotter.” The song was also released on a single which went to #1 on the charts.

+ Gabe Kaplan and John Travolta both left the show after the third season. Kaplan left after two episodes in the final season, due to creative differences with producer James Komack. Kaplan’s name still in the credits but, he rarely appeared in the show. On the other hand, Travolta’s original five year contract was altered after the massive success of Saturday Night Fever. Finally, Travolta appeared in eight of the 22 episodes, for $2,000 an episode and, he was billed as “Special Guest Star”.

+ The show was originally banned in Boston. The Boston ABC affiliate did not want to air the show at first because they thought it was about busing, a very heated topic at the time. They eventually ran the show with no problems.

+ The school building shown in the opening and closing show credits is New Utrecht High School, located in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, NY.

+ This show was the inspiration for Facts of Life, which was called “Kotter Girls” when it was in development.

+ According to Arnold Horshack in the show… Horshack means “the cattle are dying”

Classic Clips

French Fry Phantom

3 Substitute Teachers

Vinny Is Just So Confused