List of Welcome Back, Kotter episodes

Welcome Back, Kotter is an American television sitcom that originally aired on the ABC network from September 9, 1975 to June 8, 1979.[1]

The show stars comedian Gabe Kaplan as the title character Gabe Kotter, a wise-cracking teacher who returns to his high school alma mater—the fictional James Buchanan High in Brooklyn, New York—to teach an often unruly group of remedial wiseguys known as the "Sweathogs" (the nickname reflecting the fact that the remedial classes were held on the very top floor of the high school). The school's principal was perpetually absent, while the uptight vice principal dismissed the Sweathogs as worthless hoodlums and only expected Kotter to attempt to control them until they inevitably dropped out.

Ninety-five episodes were produced during Welcome Back, Kotter's four-year run.[2] The show's producers did not know for certain that the show would be cancelled after the 1978–79 season due to declining ratings.[3] Kotter has no official finale with the long-awaited graduation for the Sweathogs. Instead, the last original episode dealt with a feud that ensues when Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) gets an after-school job Epstein (Robert Hegyes) felt was rightly his.

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
122September 9, 1975February 26, 1976
223September 23, 1976March 3, 1977
327September 10, 1977May 18, 1978
423September 11, 1978June 8, 1979

Episodes

Season 1 (1975–76)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"The Great Debate"Bob LaHendroRick MittlemanSeptember 9, 1975 (1975-09-09)

The Sweathogs debate Mr. Welles's (James Woods) class after continual putdowns, with the debate topic involving student aggression.

Note: First appearances of Judy Borden (Helaine Lembeck), Todd Ludlow (Dennis Bowen), and Rosalie "Hotsy" Totsy (Debralee Scott).
22"Basket Case"Bob LaHendroJerry RossSeptember 16, 1975 (1975-09-16)
Freddie is certain he's a basketball star in the making, so he thinks he doesn't have to pass his classes.
33"Welcome Back"James KomackPeter MeyersonSeptember 23, 1975 (1975-09-23)
Pilot episode: Gabe is introduced to the Sweathogs on his first day as a teacher. In frustration, he quits, but the Sweathogs visit him at home and convince him to return.
44"Whodunit?"Bob LaHendroJewel Jaffe & Jerry RannowSeptember 30, 1975 (1975-09-30)
Rosalie Totsy claims one of the Sweathogs got her pregnant as an effort to change her reputation.
55"The Election"Bob LaHendroEric Cohen & Tiffany YorkOctober 7, 1975 (1975-10-07)
Vinnie runs for student body president, but his campaign is a disaster, despite Gabe's efforts.
66"No More Mr. Nice Guy"Bob LaHendroGeorge YanokOctober 14, 1975 (1975-10-14)
Gabe convinces Mr. Woodman to teach war history for a day after being accused of stealing his favorite yellow chalk.
77"Classroom Marriage"Bob LaHendroWilliam Raynor & Myles WilderOctober 21, 1975 (1975-10-21)
Vernajean and Freddie decide to get married so they can stay together, but the Sweathogs convince them otherwise.
88"One of Our Sweathogs Is Missing"Bob LaHendroMarilyn MillerOctober 28, 1975 (1975-10-28)
Epstein gets in a fight with Todd Ludlow after insulting his date; Epstein loses and runs away for a couple of days.
99"Mr. Kotter, Teacher"Bob LaHendroJewel Jaffe & Jerry RannowNovember 4, 1975 (1975-11-04)
Mr. Woodman accuses Gabe of not following standard teaching procedures because he isn't teaching from the standard textbook. The Sweathogs come to his defense in front of the school board.
1010"The Reunion"Bob LaHendroGeorge YanokNovember 18, 1975 (1975-11-18)
Gabe isn't happy about an old "perfect" schoolmate and his "perfect" wife visiting him.
1111"Barbarino's Girl"Bob LaHendroEric CohenNovember 25, 1975 (1975-11-25)
Judy tutors Vinnie, and they start liking each other. The Sweathogs start cracking jokes, but Vinnie stands up for her.
1212"California Dreamin'"Bob LaHendroMichael WeinbergerDecember 2, 1975 (1975-12-02)
A new student (Bambi) pretends to be a surfer girl and distracts all the Sweathogs.
1313"Arrividerci, Arnold"Bob LaHendroJewel Jaffe & Jerry RannowDecember 16, 1975 (1975-12-16)
Woodman promotes Horshack out of the Sweathogs, but he gets let back in after Gabe and the class convince him otherwise.
1414"The Longest Weekend"Bob LaHendroCarl KleinschmittJanuary 6, 1976 (1976-01-06)
Julie goes away on a ski trip to Vermont with a recently divorced friend. Gabe is lonely and prepares to visit her, but is interrupted when she comes home early.
1515"The Sit-In"Bob LaHendroWilliam Bickley & Michael WarrenJanuary 13, 1976 (1976-01-13)
The Sweathogs protest the cafeteria's liver by planning a food fight, but Gabe convinces them to have a sit-in as an alternate method of protesting.
1616"Follow The Leader: Part 1"Bob LaHendroJewel Jaffe & Jerry RannowJanuary 20, 1976 (1976-01-20)
The class votes to make Freddie the new Sweathog leader, which causes Vinnie to quit school. Julie is jealous of Gabe's attention to the Sweathogs, and goes to stay at a hotel.
1717"Follow The Leader: Part 2"Bob LaHendroJewel Jaffe & Jerry RannowJanuary 22, 1976 (1976-01-22)
The Sweathogs tire of Freddie as their leader, and Gabe convinces Vinnie to return to school. Julie forgives Gabe and moves back home.
1818"Dr. Epstein, I Presume"Bob LaHendroGeorge YanokJanuary 29, 1976 (1976-01-29)
Epstein wants to become a veterinarian, but is discouraged by his guidance counselor since his grades don't show that he can.
1919"One Flu Over The Cuckoo's Nest"Bob LaHendroEric CohenFebruary 5, 1976 (1976-02-05)
After a flu epidemic hits, Gabe combines the few remaining healthy students into one class.
2020"The Telethon"Bob LaHendroPat Proft & Bo KaprallFebruary 12, 1976 (1976-02-12)
The Sweathogs put on a telethon to raise $700 for new supplies so they can continue to have a class.
2121"Kotter Makes Good"Bob LaHendroGeorge YanokFebruary 19, 1976 (1976-02-19)
Gabe volunteers to take tests with the Sweathogs after Mr. Woodman can't find his senior exams. The records are found, but Gabe takes the tests anyway.
2222"Father Vinnie"Bob LaHendroEric CohenFebruary 26, 1976 (1976-02-26)
Vinnie's dying grandmother wants him to become a priest. Vinnie tries, but gives it up when he has to stop dating.

Season 2 (1976–77)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
231"Career Day"Bill HobinEric CohenSeptember 23, 1976 (1976-09-23)
Gabe is offered a job by a wealthy Asian, but decides teaching is more important than wealth.
242"Inherit The Halibut"Bill HobinNeil Rosen & George TrickerSeptember 30, 1976 (1976-09-30)
The Sweathogs accuse Freddie (the class treasurer) of stealing some money to buy himself a new bike, and put him on trial.
253"Sweatside Story"Bill PerskyEric CohenOctober 7, 1976 (1976-10-07)
The Sweathogs try to form their own gang in response to a scare from another gang. Gabe, Arnold, and Mr. Woodman act tough enough to scare both gangs out of any violent activity. (The title is a takeoff on West Side Story.)
264"The Fight"Bob LaHendroJewel Jaffe & Jerry RannowOctober 21, 1976 (1976-10-21)
Vinnie forgets to do Freddie's "show and tell" homework as promised, causing the Sweathogs to have a fight.
275"The Museum"Bill DavisBob ShayneOctober 28, 1976 (1976-10-28)
The Sweathogs go on a field trip to a museum and meet its mysterious, superstitious curator (John Astin). In the process, they all get locked in a tomb of a mummy which supposedly holds a curse.
286"Gabe Under Pressure"Jay SandrichGeorge YanokNovember 4, 1976 (1976-11-04)
Gabe has a stomach pain, but is afraid to get a physical at the free clinic.
297"Sweathog, Nebraska Style"Bob LaHendroGeorge YanokNovember 11, 1976 (1976-11-11)
Julie's sister Jenny from Nebraska makes a surprise visit. Much to Julie's dismay, Jenny goes out with Epstein, but dumps him after getting a call from her ex-boyfriend.
308"Sadie Hawkins Day"Bob LaHendroSteven Clements & Joyce GittlinNovember 18, 1976 (1976-11-18)
All of the Sweathogs have dates for the Sadie Hawkins dance except Vinnie, due to his insensitivity, so he attends alone. (Note: A then unknown Dinah Manoff guest stars on this episode. She would meet up with John Travolta again for 1978's Grease.)
319"Hello, Ms. Chips"Bob LaHendroRoyce D. Applegate & Ira MillerDecember 2, 1976 (1976-12-02)
A new student teacher, Ms. Wright (Valerie Curtin) tries to teach the Sweathogs, with some difficulty.
3210"Horshack vs. Carvelli"Bob LaHendroGarry ShandlingDecember 9, 1976 (1976-12-09)
Horshack wants to fight Carvelli in the upcoming boxing match.
3311"Sweathog Clinic for the Cure of Smoking"Bob LaHendroEric Cohen & Steve HaydenDecember 16, 1976 (1976-12-16)
Gabe and Mr. Woodman catch Epstein smoking; Gabe and the Sweathogs help him to quit.
3412"Hark, the Sweatkings"Bob LaHendroNick Arnold & Peter MeyersonDecember 23, 1976 (1976-12-23)
The Sweathogs want to help a homeless man after hearing his life story.
3513"A Love Story"James Komack & Gary ShimokawaJewel Jaffe & Jerry RannowDecember 30, 1976 (1976-12-30)
Epstein's sister Carmen (Lisa Mordente) joins the Sweathogs, but he threatens to kill anyone who lays a hand on her.
3614"Caruso's Way"Bob LaHendroJim ParkerJanuary 6, 1977 (1977-01-06)
Mr. Caruso (Scott Brady) slaps Vinnie during gym class, and is late for his next class. Caruso refuses to apologize, despite Vinnie's apology, and challenges him to an arm-wrestling match.
3715"Sweatgate Scandal"Bob LaHendroEric CohenJanuary 13, 1977 (1977-01-13)
After a break-in at Principal Lazarus' office, the Sweathogs decide to investigate while working on the school newspaper.
3816"Kotter and Son"Bob LaHendroNick Arnold & Peter MeyersonJanuary 20, 1977 (1977-01-20)
Gabe's father (Harold J. Stone), convinced that Gabe is in the wrong career, comes for a visit and observes him with the Sweathogs.
3917"Chicken à la Kotter"Bob LaHendroRaymond SillerJanuary 27, 1977 (1977-01-27)
Gabe cannot afford a root canal, so he works a night job as Captain Chicken to pay for it; Julie thinks he's having an affair.
4018"Has Anyone Seen Arnold?"Bob LaHendroNick Arnold & Peter MeyersonFebruary 3, 1977 (1977-02-03)
Horshack goes missing, and Vinnie takes his place as the lead in the school play, Cyrano de Bergerac. Part 1 of 2.
4119"There Goes Number 5"James Komack & Bob LaHendroJewel Jaffe & Jerry RannowFebruary 3, 1977 (1977-02-03)
The reason for Horshack's absence turns out to be the death of his fifth father. Horshack takes on the responsibility of providing for his mother and siblings, and gets a part-time job with his uncle. Conclusion.
4220"The Littlest Sweathog"Bob LaHendroEric CohenFebruary 10, 1977 (1977-02-10)
Gabe and Julie find out that she's pregnant.
4321"Radio Free Freddie"Bob LaHendroPeter Meyerson, Neil Rosen & George YanokFebruary 17, 1977 (1977-02-17)
The Sweathogs are invited to go on the air at a local radio station. Freddie goes on after the other three decline, and becomes an instant success, but risks losing his friends. George Carlin and Fred Grandy guest star.
4422"I'm Having Their Baby"Bob LaHendroNeil Rosen & George TrickerFebruary 24, 1977 (1977-02-24)
While Gabe is away at a teacher's convention, the Sweathogs try to help Julie with her pregnancy, but make her even more uncomfortable in the process.
4523"I Wonder Who's Kissing Gabe Now"Bob LaHendroNick Arnold & Peter MeyersonMarch 3, 1977 (1977-03-03)
The art teacher tells Gabe she is in love with him and kisses him, despite his resistance. Gabe tells Julie but forgets to mention the kiss. Epstein backs up Gabe's story.

Season 3 (1977–78)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
461"Sweathog Back to School Special"Bob ClaverNick Arnold & Peter MeyersonSeptember 10, 1977 (1977-09-10)
The Sweathogs reminisce about the last two years as they start a new semester.
47
48
2
3
"And Baby Makes Four"Bob ClaverEric CohenSeptember 15, 1977 (1977-09-15)
The Sweathogs return to school as 11th graders, except for Vinnie. Julie goes into labor, and Woodman has to announce it over the school loudspeakers after Gabe threw him out of his classroom. Part 1 of 3.
While Julie is giving birth to twins, Vinnie tries to get Gabe to talk to Woodman about letting him back into the 11th grade. Part 2 of 3.
494"The Visit"Bob ClaverGabriel KaplanSeptember 22, 1977 (1977-09-22)
Julie's parents come for an unexpected visit to see the twins, and Gabe has to sleep on the fire escape. The Sweathogs help Gabe get up the courage to ask them to leave. Conclusion
505"Buddy, Can You Spare a Million?"Bob ClaverNick Arnold & Peter MeyersonSeptember 29, 1977 (1977-09-29)
Gabe and Vinnie fight over prize money from a lottery ticket.
516"Just Testing"Bob ClaverMike Barrie & Jim MulhollandOctober 6, 1977 (1977-10-06)
Gabe refuses to help Vinnie cram for the 12th grade entrance test, so he gets help from the Sweathogs.
527"The Deprogramming of Arnold Horshack"Bob ClaverMike Barrie & Jim MulhollandOctober 13, 1977 (1977-10-13)
Horshack drops out of school to join a religious cult, and the others try to get him out of it.
538"What a Move"Nick HavingaGeorge Bloom & Beverly BloombergOctober 20, 1977 (1977-10-20)
Epstein finds a new apartment for the Kotters, but their stay is short-lived. Herb Edelman guest stars as Moe Epstein.
549"A Novel Idea"Bob ClaverNick Arnold & Peter MeyersonOctober 27, 1977 (1977-10-27)
The characters in Mr. Woodman's new novel seem to be very similar to the Sweathogs.
5510"Barbarino in Love: Part 1"Bob ClaverNick Arnold & Peter MeyersonNovember 3, 1977 (1977-11-03)
Vinnie is supposed to be rehearsing for a talent show with the Sweathogs, but instead spends time with a girl who they are competing against.
5611"Barbarino in Love: Part 2"Bob ClaverSteve Clements & Joyce GittlinNovember 10, 1977 (1977-11-10)
Vinnie isn't sure if he wants to try to win the talent competition, or whether he should let his new girlfriend win.
5712"Kotter for Vice-Principal"Bob ClaverSteve Clements & Joyce GittlinNovember 17, 1977 (1977-11-17)
The Sweathogs try to get Gabe to become vice-principal. Gabe tells Woodman that he isn't interested, and later has a dream set in the year 2050.
5813"Swine and Punishment"Bob ClaverEric CohenNovember 24, 1977 (1977-11-24)
Mr. Woodman suspects Freddie of cheating on a test.
5914"Epstein's Madonna"Bob ClaverGeorge Bloom & Beverly BloombergDecember 8, 1977 (1977-12-08)
Epstein creates a nude painting on the school wall... of Mrs. Kotter!
6015"A Sweathog Christmas Special"Mel StuartEric Cohen & Mel StuartDecember 15, 1977 (1977-12-15)
The Sweathogs share Christmas memories as they help the Kotters trim their tree.
6116"Sweatwork"Bob ClaverEric CohenDecember 22, 1977 (1977-12-22)
Horshack pushes for change to the school radio station, and gets some support along the way. Parody of Network.
6217"Meet Your New Teacher"Bob ClaverGarry Ferrier & Aubrey TadmanJanuary 5, 1978 (1978-01-05)
The Sweathogs' grades rise when they get tutored by a computer, but Gabe is afraid it will replace him.
6318"Angie"Alan MyersonEric CohenJanuary 12, 1978 (1978-01-12)
A new student (Angie Grabowski) wants to join the Sweathogs, but is denied membership because she is a girl.
6419"Epstein's Term Paper"Bob ClaverEric CohenJanuary 19, 1978 (1978-01-19)
Epstein buys four term papers from Carvelli (Charles Fleischer) and the Sweathogs turn them in as their own, only to discover that Gabe wrote one of them 11 years earlier.
6520"There's No Business: Part 1"Bob ClaverGabriel KaplanJanuary 26, 1978 (1978-01-26)
The Sweathogs convince Gabe to pursue his dream as a stand-up comic. His imitations of them are a success, and he gives up teaching for a job at a nightclub.
6621"There's No Business: Part 2"Bob ClaverGeorge Bloom & Beverly BloombergFebruary 2, 1978 (1978-02-02)
The Sweathogs and Mr. Woodman want Gabe to come back to teaching.
6722"What Goes Up"Jeff BlecknerNick ArnoldFebruary 9, 1978 (1978-02-09)
Freddie becomes hooked on prescription painkillers, but the only thing that saves him is Epstein's "vitamin pills."
6823"Goodbye, Mr. Kripps"Bob ClaverGarry Ferrier & Aubrey TadmanFebruary 16, 1978 (1978-02-16)
Vinnie blames himself for his shop teacher's fatal heart attack, which came on while Mr. Kripps was yelling at him.
6924"Horshack and Madame X"Al SchwartzPeter MeyersonFebruary 23, 1978 (1978-02-23)
Horshack keeps getting rejected by girls, and falls in love with Julie after she gave him comfort and advice.
7025"The Kiss"Bob ClaverMax Wynne Goldenson & Peter MeyersonMarch 9, 1978 (1978-03-09)
Gabe's job is at risk after he is accused of kissing a girl who fainted, though he actually performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
7126"The Return of Hotsy Totsy"Bob ClaverGabriel KaplanMay 11, 1978 (1978-05-11)
The Sweathogs find former classmate Hotsy working at a strip club, and try to help her finish high school and get a better job.
7227"Class Encounters of the Carvelli Kind"Robert HegyesGeorge Bloom & Beverly BloombergMay 18, 1978 (1978-05-18)
Carvelli and Murray are exchange students; Carvelli tells stories about aliens.

Season 4 (1978–79)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
73
74
1
2
"The Drop-Ins"Norman AbbottGeorge BloomSeptember 11, 1978 (1978-09-11)
The Sweathogs are upset when Gabe becomes vice-principal (therefore not spending enough time with them), and decide to drop out.
The Sweathogs decide to come back to school, after trying to get jobs at a hospital.
753"Beau's Jest"Norman AbbottEarl Barret, Richard Hawkins & Liz SageSeptember 18, 1978 (1978-09-18)
A new student, Beau De Labarre (Stephen Shortridge), is trying to take attention away from the Sweathogs.
764"Don't Come Up and See Me Sometime"Norman AbbottGene Perret & Bill RichmondSeptember 25, 1978 (1978-09-25)
Vinnie throws the Sweathogs out of his new apartment in order to get some privacy.
775"Once Upon a Ledge"Norman AbbottRichard Hawkins & Liz SageOctober 2, 1978 (1978-10-02)
Horshack is able to stop a student from committing suicide.
786"The Sweatmobile"Norman AbbottGene Perret & Bill RichmondOctober 9, 1978 (1978-10-09)
The Sweathogs' new car is wrecked during delivery.
797"Barbarino's Boo-Boo"Norman AbbottLinda Morris & Vic RauseoOctober 21, 1978 (1978-10-21)
Mr. Woodman goes to the hospital for surgery, and Vinnie misplaces him.
808"X-Rated Education"Norman AbbottBill Greer & Kathy GreerOctober 28, 1978 (1978-10-28)
The Sweathogs try to watch an X-rated film after it is accidentally switched with a sex education film.
819"The Barbarino Blues"Norman AbbottLinda Morris & Vic RauseoNovember 4, 1978 (1978-11-04)
Vinnie is depressed when the girl he wanted to break up with dumped him first.
8210"Washington's Clone"Norman AbbottDinah Kirgo & Julie KirgoNovember 11, 1978 (1978-11-11)
A younger student tries to impress the Sweathogs by imitating Freddie.
8311"Frog Day Afternoon"Norman AbbottEarl Barret, Richard Hawkins & Liz SageNovember 25, 1978 (1978-11-25)
Horshack refuses to dissect a frog in biology class, which jeopardizes his grade.
8412"A Little Fright Music"Norman AbbottEarl Barret & George BloomDecember 2, 1978 (1978-12-02)
The Sweathogs try to change Mr. Woodman's school song to a disco version.
8513"A Winter's Coat Tale"Norman AbbottEarl Barret & George BloomDecember 16, 1978 (1978-12-16)
Vinnie's new coat is stolen by muggers.
8614"Bride and Gloom"Norman AbbottEarl Barret & George BloomJanuary 13, 1979 (1979-01-13)
Epstein asks Vinnie to marry his immigrant cousin so she can get citizenship.
8715"Barbarino's Baby"Norman AbbottLinda Morris & Vic RauseoFebruary 3, 1979 (1979-02-03)
Barbarino delivers a baby in an elevator. (This episode was the final appearance of John Travolta on the series.)
8816"The Goodbye Guy"Norman AbbottSuzanne Gayle Harris, Rick Hawkins & Liz SageFebruary 10, 1979 (1979-02-10)
Epstein almost moves in with Mr. Woodman's niece (Georganne LaPiere) after falling in love with her, but the relationship falls apart.
8917"Come Back, Little Arnold"Norman AbbottRick Hawkins & Liz SageFebruary 24, 1979 (1979-02-24)
Horshack develops a drinking problem, after drinking liquor to get up his nerve with Mary. However, his altered personality only drives her away. Della Reese guest stars.
9018"The Sweat Smell of Success"Norman AbbottEarl Barret & George BloomMarch 3, 1979 (1979-03-03)
Epstein turns the school newspaper into a tabloid, and endangers his friendships in the process.
9119"The Gang Show"Norman AbbottGene Perret & Bill RichmondMarch 17, 1979 (1979-03-17)
Epstein and Freddie enter a talent show. Carvelli has bribed some judges, but Horshack and Beau take over. (Episode title is a takeoff on The Gong Show.)
92
93
20
21
"Oo-Oo, I Do"Norman AbbottGene Perret & Bill RichmondMay 25, 1979 (1979-05-25)
Horshack proposes marriage to Mary after learning he has to move.
Horshack and Mary get married, despite the Sweathogs' teasing.
9422"I'm Okay, But You're Not"Norman AbbottRichard Hawkins & Liz SageJune 1, 1979 (1979-06-01)
Beau plays pranks on Mr. Woodman in order to redeem himself to the Sweathogs.
9523"The Breadwinners"Norman AbbottLinda Morris & Vic RauseoJune 8, 1979 (1979-06-08)
While Horshack adjusts to married life, Freddie gets the job that Epstein was going to interview for, resulting in a fight.

References

  1. "Welcome Back, Kotter". Television Academy Interviews. 2017-10-22. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
  2. "Welcome Back, Kotter". Television Academy Interviews. 2017-10-22. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
  3. "A Set Becomes a Set-to as Mrs. Kotter Takes on Gabe, and the Sweathogs Take Sides". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
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