I loved Welcome Back, Kotter as a kid. It aired before my time, admittedly, but I discovered it on Nick at Nite and devoured it. It's now finally available on DVD.
Disclosure: I was sent a review copy of this release (by my request), but the opinions expressed are my own.
The 1970s sitcom is a product of its time. It's a cheesy, schmaltzy look at a teacher working in an urban setting, returning to the place he grew up to help the other screw-ups like he was before he became an adult and found teaching.
The kids are supposedly the delinquents of the Brooklyn school, but they don't do drugs or cuss or commit any serious crimes. Their insults run along the lines of "Up your nose with a rubber hose." Not long after this, there would be gritty versions of such a premise. But this is pure family-friendly sitcom.
The cast is wonderful. Gabe Kaplan was a comedian, and it shows in the humorous stories he tells his wife (Marcia Strassman) at the beginnings and/or ends of episodes. John Sylvester White is perfect as the grumpy administrator who doesn't trust Kotter any more than White trusts his class.
The students are memorable. John Travolta shines in the role that put him on the map, Vinnie Barbarino. Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs as hip basketball player Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington, Robert Hegyes as tough guy Epstein, and of course Ron Palillo as Horshack with the distinctive laugh round out the main crew.
There are stereotypes to be found, to be sure. The story is short on realism. But the messages of the episodes are solid, with acceptance and bettering yourself the main point. Is it any wonder I wanted to follow in Mr. Kotter's footsteps and be a social studies teacher?
Surprisingly, the picture quality in this set is pretty good. I don't think it's been remastered, as it does look old. But on my large HD screen, it wasn't too grainy. The discs are no-frills with zero bonus features. You get all 95 episodes, complete and in order, which is all I really wanted.
I'll be binging the whole thing, finally seeing episodes I missed. If you share my nostalgia, consider picking up a copypicking up a copy and joining me.
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