Welcome Back, Kotter: The Deprogramming of Arnold Horshack

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Deprogramming of Arnold Horshack
ABC
October 13, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the only WBK episode Michael Barrie wrote this with his frequent partner Jim Mulholland and it's the first in the popular late '70s ABC motif of satires of the Moonies.  (For all you young 'uns out there, here is a quick history: http://nostalgiacentral.com/pop-culture/fads/moonies/.)  It differs from the presentations on What's Happening!!, Three's Company, and Soap in that we never actually see the cult leader or any other followers.  The focus is more on the cult's effect on Arnold, his friends, and his family.  (Ellen Travolta returns, still with no scenes with her brother.)  Things to look for to compare and contrast on the aforementioned, upcoming programs:

• The cult outfit is a brightly colored sheet-like robe, here yellow.
• The most vulnerable member of the group of regular characters is selected.
• The recruit quotes profound-sounding but meaningless sayings of the leader.
• The friends must remind the recruit how much they love him or her.

Note that Epstein makes another Beatles reference, "Nowhere Man," and I suspect Hegyes was a fan.  Also, Julie claims she joined a hippie commune for three days as a teenager in Nebraska, but they kicked her out for doing her nails.