WELCOME BACK, KOTTER: THE BREADWINNERS {SERIES FINALE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of programs about high school teacher Gabe Kotter, who returns to his alma mater, James Buchanan High in Brooklyn, to teach a group of incorrigible students known as "sweathogs."
Epstein gets dressed up for a job interview arranged for him by Kelly. Before that he and Washington stop at a local gym, and Washington befriends one of its patrons, Mrs. Gladstone Trevors-Smythe. She talks about how she asserted control over her life after the death of her husband, to whom she was married for many years, and now owns a local antiques store. She offers him an after-school job at the shop, and Washington eagerly accepts. Epstein returns, explaining that he and Kelly were unable to locate his interviewer, and celebrates with Washington over him getting his own job. Washington begins working at the antique store and is in the back room when Epstein arrives; it turns out he was set to be interviewed for the job that Washington now has. Washington emerges and discovers that he has accidentally taken Epstein’s job, leading to an argument between the two of them. Epstein feels betrayed by Washington and leaves, proclaiming that they are no longer friends.
Later, Gabe comes to visit Washington on the job, concerned about Epstein’s recent behavior. Washington explains that he was unaware that he “stole” the job, and says that he even tried to quit so that Epstein could have it, although Mrs. Trevors-Smythe refused. Gabe advises him to talk to Epstein again. Meanwhile, Epstein plots to physically fight Washington in order to get revenge on him. Horshack, Mary, and Beau invite Washington and Epstein over to dinner, hoping to mediate a discussion between the two of them. Washington arrives first, followed by Kelly and Epstein. Washington and Epstein have some initial animosity, but Washington gets Epstein to have a discussion with him over their situation. Washington offers to give him the job, but Epstein feels that Washington is traitorous and wants nothing more to do with him. Everyone else is forced to hold them back to prevent an altercation.
At Kelly’s suggestion they go down to the gym to resolve their differences in a boxing match. Before they can land any blows they briefly consider putting on boxing gloves before each of them tries to impress the other with feats of strength, each injuring themselves in the process. Eventually both of them end up on the floor, and they mutually realize how ridiculous their conflict has become and have a good laugh about it. Epstein apologizes for his immaturity and allows Washington to keep the job, believing that their friendship is more important. The owner of the gym comes across them and decides to offer Epstein a job himself, and Epstein accepts. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: June 8, 1979 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:13
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:48147
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; High school
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1975-1979
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ed Simmons … Supervising Executive Producer
- James Komack … Executive Producer
- Bill Richmond … Producer
- Gene Perret … Producer
- Claire Barrett Young … Associate Producer
- Norman Abbott … Director
- Peter Meyerson … Developed by
- Gabriel Kaplan … Created by, Based on characters conceived by
- Alan Sacks … Created by, Based on characters conceived by
- Linda Morris … Writer
- Vic Rauseo … Writer
- Eric Cohen … Based on characters conceived by
- John B. Sebastian … Music by
- Gabriel Kaplan … Cast, Gabe Kotter
- Marcia Strassman … Cast, Julie Kotter
- John Sylvester White … Cast, Principal Michael Woodman
- Robert Hegyes … Cast, Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein
- Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs … Cast, Freddie "Boom Boom" Percy Washington
- Ron Palillo … Cast, Arnold Horshack
- Stephen Shortridge … Cast, Beau
- Irene Arranga … Cast, Mary Horshack
- Henry Beckman … Cast, Samson Malone
- Georganne LaPiere … Cast, Kelly Woodman
- Priscilla Morrill … Cast, Mrs. Gladstone Trevors-Smythe