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Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete First Season DVD Review

by Kam Williams

Seventies TV Series Featuring Lovable Sweathogs Arrives on DVD

In the fall of 1975, America was introduced to a motley crew of underachievers referred to by their teacher, Mr. Kotter (Gabe Kaplan), as The Sweathogs. No offense was taken by the students, because Kotter had himself sat in the same remedial class when he had attended the Buchanan High School the generation before, so they actually appreciated the fact that he cared enough to come back to serve as inspiration for kids from his old Brooklyn neighborhood.

The sitcom's basic premise revolved around these delinquents cutting-up while a flabbergasted Kotter attempted to impart his pearls of wisdom. Besides that rowdy brand of humor, the program is probably best remembered for launching the careers of John Travolta, who played heartthrob Vinnie Barbarino, and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who was the suave Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington. Another indelible character was the terminally-nerdy Arnold Horshack, played by the hopelessly-typecast Ron Palillo who was unable to parlay his sudden fame into much more of an acting career.

The principal cast was rounded out by Robert Hegyes, Marcia Strassman and John Sylvester White, and this 4-disc DVD also features a guest appearance by two-time Oscar-nominee James Woods in the series' very first episode, entitled "The Great Debate." Welcome Back, Kotter itself was nominated for Emmys in a couple of categories for this debut season, including Outstanding Comedy Series.

Because of its embracing of multiculturalism (Puerto Rican, black, white, Italian, Jew, etcetera) and its willingness to tackle some serious social issues, the show seems a lot less dated than most other comedies from the same era. Likely to resonate best with folks who still remember the memorable catchphrases of Vinnie ("Up your nose with a rubber hose!"), Boom-Boom ("Hey, Mr. Kot-tair!") and the annoying nasal Horshack ("Oooooooh! Ooooooh! Oooooooooh!") as he tried to get his teacher's attention in order to answer a question.

Very Good (3 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 9 hours, 13 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
4-Disc DVD Extras: Original screen tests of stars John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Ron Palillo and others, plus a featurette in which the original Sweathogs reflect o their most memorable moments on the show.

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