Welcome Back, Kotter: Basket Case

Welcome Back, Kotter: Basket Case
ABC
September 16, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the only WBK script by Jerry Ross, who also did one for That Girl and would do one for What's Happening!!  It's a step up from the previous episode, with better timing and more story.  The characters still aren't well defined, but I like the spins that Hilton-Jacobs puts on Freddie to keep him more than just a stereotype.  I must also note that I'd forgotten how affectionate Gabe and Julie are, necking at the beginning of the previous episode, while this time she rubs his back a little.

Jess Nadelman was recently Bud Brey on The Bob Newhart Show and here is the Coach (who calls Gabe "Chickie Baby," which is odd and dated, like the Mickey Rooney character in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini).  Scott Ben-Yashar again plays a nameless Sweathog.