VOL. XVII, NO. 9
MARCH 8, 1976
'Banned in Boston'
Is Kotter's Class Like West?
Is Kotter's Class Like West?
BY ALICE BARTZ
Although it was banned in Boston, "Welcome Back, Kotter" is a huge success with many Maine West students. The reason for the show's popularity is that people can relate to it. Teens notice similarities between Kotter's students and themselves.
Basically the story revolves around comedian Gabriel Kaplan, who stars as Gabe Kotter. Kotter is a young social science teacher who is teaching at the same high school he graduated from. His main purpose is to help the kids learn, not only about history, but about life.
The students in Kotter's class are all stereotyped. Robert Hegyes has the part of Epstein, a spirited teen who cuts class and tries to get away with it by forging notes from his mother. Sound familiar? There's not much difference between notes and passes. Many classes at West have at least one "star" athlete. Kotter's class is not an exception; having Larry Jacobs as Washington, the super cager!
Although it was banned in Boston, "Welcome Back, Kotter" is a huge success with many Maine West students. The reason for the show's popularity is that people can relate to it. Teens notice similarities between Kotter's students and themselves.
Basically the story revolves around comedian Gabriel Kaplan, who stars as Gabe Kotter. Kotter is a young social science teacher who is teaching at the same high school he graduated from. His main purpose is to help the kids learn, not only about history, but about life.
The students in Kotter's class are all stereotyped. Robert Hegyes has the part of Epstein, a spirited teen who cuts class and tries to get away with it by forging notes from his mother. Sound familiar? There's not much difference between notes and passes. Many classes at West have at least one "star" athlete. Kotter's class is not an exception; having Larry Jacobs as Washington, the super cager!
The sex symbol of the class is Vinnie Barbarino played by John Travolta. Vinnie is the type of guy who would go out with three different girls on the same night and have everything under his control.
Off hand, I can think of 10 boys from one certain team who would fall into Vinnie's catagory. Last, but not least, Ron Palillo portrays Horshack, the dummy of the class. Everyone likes him, even though he is a bit different.
"Welcome Back, Kotter" is a comedy, but every episode has a moral. Even though the show is highly rated, it won't be shown in Boston "because its cast of nonscholastic high schoolers might have an unhealthy influence on local students." At least that is what the authorities think. I tend to disagree.
If you want to see for yourself what it's all about, tune in some Thursday night.
Off hand, I can think of 10 boys from one certain team who would fall into Vinnie's catagory. Last, but not least, Ron Palillo portrays Horshack, the dummy of the class. Everyone likes him, even though he is a bit different.
"Welcome Back, Kotter" is a comedy, but every episode has a moral. Even though the show is highly rated, it won't be shown in Boston "because its cast of nonscholastic high schoolers might have an unhealthy influence on local students." At least that is what the authorities think. I tend to disagree.
If you want to see for yourself what it's all about, tune in some Thursday night.