Welcome Back, Kotter

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.

Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-1979) is an American multi-camera sitcom created by Alan Sacks and Gabe Kaplan for ABC. Gabe Kaplan plays Gabe Kotter, a former student who returns to teach the remedial class of wisecracking misfits he once belonged to, nicknamed the Sweathogs. John Travolta plays the swaggering Vinnie Barbarino, while Ron Palillo's Arnold Horshack and Robert Hegyes' Juan Epstein fill out the mischievous group. John Sylvester White plays the stern principal Michael Woodman, who keeps the classroom uneasy. Each episode is built from classroom schemes, neighborhood hustles and rapid-fire banter, with Kotter's patience tested by his students' schemes and his own wish to see them succeed. Videotaped before a live studio audience, the series has the brisk rhythm and broad physical comedy of its era, mixing cheeky street humor with warmth toward its underdog class. Set in a 1970s Brooklyn high school, it is a light, nostalgic ensemble comedy across four seasons and ninety-five episodes. Fans of Happy Days, Sanford and Son and The Bowery Boys will find the same working class camaraderie and affectionate ensemble mischief.

Critics and audiences generally view the sitcom as a lighthearted, crowd-pleasing classroom comedy whose ensemble and star power carried it, with a mixed overall reception.

• Happy Daysshared multi-camera sitcom format, teacher and misfit students comedy, working class ensemble humor
• The Bowery Boysshared workplace-like ensemble of street-smart characters with a patient authority figure and broad physical comedy
• Sanford and Sonshared live studio audience sitcom with a mentor figure guiding a group of young men

Created by

Alan Sacks, Gabe Kaplan

Release Date

1975-09-09

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.1 / 10 (59)

What is Welcome Back, Kotter about?

A former student returns to teach a remedial high school class of street-smart misfits in Brooklyn, and the wisecracks never stop.

What is Welcome Back, Kotter like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Welcome Back, Kotter as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Welcome Back, Kotter violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Welcome Back, Kotter.

What did critics think of Welcome Back, Kotter?

Critics and audiences generally view the sitcom as a lighthearted, crowd-pleasing classroom comedy whose ensemble and star power carried it, with a mixed overall reception.

Which shows are like Welcome Back, Kotter?

Shows with a similar feel include Happy Days, The Bowery Boys, and Sanford and Son.

How long is Welcome Back, Kotter?

Welcome Back, Kotter: 4 seasons, 95 episodes.

Is Welcome Back, Kotter still running?

No, Welcome Back, Kotter has ended.

Where can I watch Welcome Back, Kotter?

In United States, Welcome Back, Kotter is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home.