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- The show was based on Gabe Kaplan’s stand up act. Comedian Gabe Kaplan, who played Mr. Kotter, grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and went to New Utrecht High School (that’s the school shown in the opening credits as James Buchanan High).
- The opening credits show us what Brooklyn was like in the 70s. I bet you still feel nostalgic when you hear the theme song, especially if you’re from Brooklyn.
- Speaking of opening credits… Thank god nothing rhymed with the name Kotter. When trying to write the theme song for the show, singer/songwriter John Sebastian couldn’t find any words that rhymed with “Kotter”.
- Vinnie Barbarino is a real person! Did you know all the characters were based on real people? Vinnie Barbarino was a combination of Kaplan’s fellow Sweathog Eddie Lecarri and a tough kid named Joey Caluchi that Executive Producer Alan Sacks met in Jr.
So he gives his animals Kotter because he thinks he can't take care of them anymore. Epstein goes to the guidance counselor to talk about being a veterinarian. She says he is not smart enough and he should look for a career in manual labor.
- (72)
- Comedy
- Bob LaHendro
- 1976-01-29
Aug 27, 2014 · How much do you know about Mr. Kott-air, Barbarino, Horshack, Epstein, Washington, and how the Sweathogs made it to primetime? We've got 25 facts that might surprise even the most devoted "Kotter...
Robert Bruce Hegyes (pronounced Hedyes; May 7, 1951 – January 26, 2012) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of high school student Juan Epstein on the 1970s American sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter and as detective Manny Esposito on the 1980s American crime drama Cagney & Lacey.
- The show came from someone catching Gabe Kaplan’s stand-up act. Producer Alan Sacks (Chico and the Man) happened to have caught Gabe’s act when Freddie Prinze brought him to the Comedy Store.
- The Sweathogs were inspired by real people. This isn’t entirely a surprise, given the fact that the whole show sort of sprung up from Gabe’s experiences.
- The name of the show was changed because of the theme song. John Sebastian, former lead singer of the Lovin’ Spoonful, was hired to compose what would be the theme show for a show that, at the time, was called Kotter.
- Marcia Strassman desperately wanted out of the show. In a 1978 interview with People, actress Marcia made no effort to hide her displeasure about working on the show, and particularly with Gabe.
Epstein goes to the guidance counselor to talk about being a veterinarian. She says he is not smart enough and he should look for a career in manual labor. So he gives his animals Kotter because he thinks he can't take care of them anymore.
People also ask
Why does Epstein give his animals Kotter?
Who played Epstein in Welcome Back Kotter?
Was Juan Epstein based on Chico Marx?
Do Juan Epstein run from nobody?
Aug 2, 2023 · Kotter: All right, Epstein, come on. Let's have it so we can get to work. Epstein: What? Kotter: One of your famous notes that'll read something like, 'Please excuse Juan for being late. He was kidnapped by the jet set and left tied up on a lawn in Hyannis Port.'
