About This Quiz
"Ooh, ooh, Mister Kotter!" How much do you remember about the former Sweathog, Gabe Kotter, and his class of inner-city troublemakers? "Signed, Epstein's mother."It's based on the real New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn, but fictional James Buchanan High is home to the Sweathogs.
Marcia Strassman played the role of Julie Kotter.
Gabe Kaplan based the Gabe Kotter character on his stand-up comedy, which included stories about growing up in Brooklyn.
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Even if he's the only one who thinks it, it's Barbarino who's considered the ladies' man of the group.
In 1976, Mattel sold 9-inch action figures of Vinnie Barbarino, Arnold Horshack, Juan Epstein and Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington, as well as Gabe Kotter.
Vinnie Barbarino, that's who. He also liked to say, "I'm so confused!"
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Gabe Kotter's classroom -- the Sweathogs' homeroom -- is classroom No. 11.
Kotter teaches Social Studies. The Sweathogs really aren't interested!
While the world might not have known it, Julie Kotter will tell you she makes a "world famous tuna casserole."
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Gabe Kaplan and Alan Sacks were co-creators of the show. Sacks also has many TV movie producer credits.
Lovin' Spoonful frontman John Sebastian wrote and recorded the show's theme song, "Welcome Back." The band is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for songs including "Summer in the City" and "Do You Believe in Magic."
We know it as "Welcome Back, Kotter," rather than its original name, "Kotter." It was renamed after the theme song, "Welcome Back."
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While the other Sweathogs draw girls and burgers (and heartburn), Vinnie draws a picture of himself.
Horshack, according to Arnold, is "a very old and respected name. It means 'the cattle are dying.'"
Epstein's first name was Juan. But his full name was Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein.
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John's sister, Ellen Travolta, plays the role of Arnold Horshack's mother, Mrs. Horshack-O'Hara.
While all of these actors appeared on the show, James Woods played the character Alex Welles.
Marcia Strassman, who played Julie Kotter, was outspoken about her dissatisfaction working on the show, and her dislike for co-creator and actor Gabe Kaplan. She tried to break her five-year contract and missed out on some movie roles.
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Garry Shandling wrote the episode - it was called "Horshack vs. Carvelli." He also wrote four episodes of "Sanford and Son."
Boston residents missed the first four episodes. The city's ABC affiliate station decided not to air the series because of racial tension in the city at the time. After seeing the show, though, they lifted the ban.
As Beau will tell you, a real man never steps on a pregnant alligator.
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Gabe and Julie's twin girls were named Rachel and Robin.
Famously a fan of the comedian, Kaplan impersonated Groucho Marx every chance he got.
Melonie Haller played the first female Sweathog, "Angie Globagoski," introduced in season 3.
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Wally "The Wow" Wechsel, a former Sweathog, was played by George Carlin. Fred Grandy, known for his role as Gopher on "The Love Boat," also made a guest appearance, as Wally's engineer,
Julie Kotter was originally from Nebraska. When her sister visits Julie and Gabe, she develops a crush on Sweathog Epstein.
The 1976 spin-off, "Mr. T and Tina," starring Pat Morita, aired for just 6 episodes in 1976.
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During his time as Vinnie Barbarino, John Travolta appeared in "Carrie," "Grease" and "Saturday Night Fever." He also starred in a TV movie, "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble."
In 1977, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs appeared in the mini-series, "Roots," while also starring on "Welcome Back, Kotter."
During the final season of the show, Kotter becomes the school's vice principal. He spends much less time, if any, in classroom No. 11.
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The theme from "Welcome Back, Kotter" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week in 1976.
One of the Sweathogs - not Horshack - is listed in the Springfield Sperm Bank's 101 Frozen Pops catalog, on "The Simpsons."
Jaclyn Smith did not audition for the role of Kotter's wife, Julie. She is the only actress who remained with "Charlie's Angels" for its entire television run.
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Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, the actor who played Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington, sang background vocals on Rick James' album "Street Songs," which includes "Super Freak."
In 1974, Gabe Kaplan recorded an album called "Holes And Mello-Rolls," about a gang of high-school kids called the Sweathogs.