DVD Review: Welcome Back Kotter – The Complete First Season

By June L. Jun 12, 2007, 20:27 GMT

Gabe Kotter, formerly a Sweathog, returns to James Buchanan High as a teacher and is assigned the remedial class to which he once belonged. Mr. Kotter is an involved and caring teacher, which one would have to be in dealing with a certain four students in his class, who end up in trouble on a regular basis -- lady\'s man Vinnie Barbarino, the always cool Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington, the tough ...more

Welcome back to the 1970’s with this series that broke ground in both style and content, focusing on the problems of an inner city high school, and a teacher who was trying to make a difference. 

From the box: “Mr. Kotter meet the Sweathogs, the goofiest group of remedial students who ever set off the fire alarm two minutes before a test or spent algebra class constructing spit wads.  Sweathogs, meet Mr. Kotter, a former Sweathog who’s returned to his old high school as your new teacher.  Gabriel Kaplan stars as Kotter and John Travolta in his breakthrough role, plays Sweathog leader Vinnie Barbarino in this multicultural, multicomical 1970’s smash hit.”

Viewed by today’s standards, the Sweathogs seem somewhat harmless, almost sweet natured and really very funny.  What were tough teens in the 1970’s translate to stereotypes in the present day, but that does not harm the entertainment value of this series.  It is worth watching again.
 
Each episode is framed by an opening and ending scene with Mr and Mrs. Kotter (Marcia Strassman) at home.  These are tender moments laced with comedy routine material, never mind that there is only an audience of one. Best of all, it is still funny stuff.  There is also a lot of feeling in this series.  When it first aired, respect and pride were just becoming the guiding stars for society. 

Mr. Kotter believed that he could reach the dejected, misguided, underserved Sweathogs and teach them to respect themselves and others.  He had hope that they would rise above their situations. 

Welcome Back, Kotter, the complete first season is a four disc set, including all 22 season one episodes.  It is presented in standard version, and contains 553 minutes of play. 

There are special features “Only a Few Degrees from a Sweathog” that is a restrospective look, and a special feature that contains the actor’s original screen tests.  In this arrangement of the episodes, the pilot shows up as the third episode on disc one. 

Disc One: (episode info from the box)
1. The Great Debate – Like a rumble….with words (James Woods appears in this episode as the drama teacher) self. 
2. Basket Case – Freddie’s sure he will be an NBA star, so why study?
3. Welcome Back – (Pilot) Home, sweat home.
4. Whodunit? – Rosalie plans to get back at the guys, and save her reputation.
5. The Election – Vinnie runs for Student Body President.
6. No More Mister Nice Guy – When Mr. Woodman teaches the Sweathogs for a day, there are some surprises.

Disc Two:
7. Classroom Marriage – Is Freddie ready for marriage?
8. One of Our Sweathogs is Missing – Juan loses a fight, and turns up at the Kotter’s apartment.
9. Mr. Kotter, Teacher – Kotter’s inventive teaching gets the kids thinking, and himself suspended.
10. The Reunion – Kotter’s old classmate is tall, handsome, rich and nice….Kotter can’t stand him.
11. Barbarino’s Girl – Vinnie is attracted to his tutor, a sarcastic super smartie.
12. California Dreamin’ – A blonde named Barbi, from California?

Disc Three:
13. Arrivederci, Arnold – Horschak is promoted to regular school.
14. The Longest Weekend – Julie is on a ski trip, and Kotter is fine with it….but the Sweathogs assume their marital bliss is on the fritz.
15. The Sit In – The Sweathogs object to the weekly Wednesday menu of liver.
16. Follow the Leader, Part 1 – Vinnie is ousted as Sweathog leader, and moves to the Kotter apartment….Julie moves out.
17. Follow the Leader Part 2 – Kotter shares his apartment with political loser Vinnie.
18. Dr. Epstein, I Presume – Juan’s counselor dashes his career hopes.

Disc Four:
19. One Flu Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – A flu epidemic has Sweathogs sharing classroom space with the high achievers.
20. The Telethon – Arnold is convinced that a local tv station will jump at the chance to host a Sweathog telethon.
21. Kotter Makes Good – A mix-up sends Kotter to the exam room for his high school finals.
22. Father Vinnie – The Catholic Church has withstood centuries, but it may not be able to survive Vinnie as a priest.

Welcome Back Kotter is a nice addition to any collection.  It should remind us that teachers everywhere still care, and are still trying to help.  Mr. Kotter’s patience, humor, and his teaching style are timeless.

Welcome Back Kotter – The Complete First Season is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.