Kotter's Back: E-mails from a Faded Celebrity to a Bewildered World

by Gabe Kaplan

When fifty-eight-year-old Gabe Kaplan, perhaps best known for his performance in the title role of the popular seventies sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter , got an e-mail asking him to participate in a show called Celebrity Boxing , he couldn't resist the urge to have a little fun with the request. After exchanging a series of ludicrous e-mails with the show's talent coordinator in a mock-serious attempt at negotiation, Gabe was inspired to start a prank e-mail campaign. The result is this hilarious collection of correspondence. See how people react to Gabe Kaplan's absurd claims that

* has slept with more women than Wilt Chamberlain
* is an expert at Cossack dancing
* thinks he's smart enough to become a member of MENSA
* wants his image on a U.S. postage stamp
* would like NASA to send him into orbit with Jimmy Carter and Dr. J
* and many more!

Witty, irreverent, and ridiculously comical, Gabe's e-mails and the responses he receives are sure to entertain anyone with a taste for the surreal.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[ALLEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

KOTTER'S BACK: E-MAILS FROM A FADED CELEBRITY TO A BEWILDERED WORLD (2007) is a book full of humorous if not downright smart-assed e-mails by actor Gabe Kaplan of "Welcome Back, Kotter" fame. Kaplan tries to get himself off the D-list by attempting to promote himself into a variety of publicity stunts, each more lunatic than the one before it (examples: proposing a book called "Chicken Soup for the Deliberately Unemployed"; deliberately confusing AA with AAA).

This book may remind constant readers of a similar but probably more successful faux-naïf book from 1981: Randy Cohen's Modest Proposals, published back when typewriters and stationery were still the norm. But fear not for Kaplan: in the meantime he has become a professional poker player. Welcome back!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe Kaplan, of "Welcome Back, Kotter" is still just as crazy as ever. This is a book in the same manner of "Letters from a Nut" and "The Lazlo Letters" but they're all emails. If you want a light, quick read that will make you laugh out loud then this is one for you to read.

[John Nondorf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did. Several of Kaplan's initial emails are quite funny, but many of the responses kill the jokes. I guess it is heartening that people are professional and polite in their correspondence, but it doesn't always make for a funny read.

[Debbie Carnahan-Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riot throughout!

Gabe Kaplan, of "Welcome Back Kotter" and "Battle of the Network Stars" fame, created this book of hilarious e-mails that he has sent to various contacts/experts in their fields. Most of these propose new innovative ways to get Gabe back in the spotlight after years of being off of the prime time airwaves. Are you looking to laugh? Here is a great way to get yourself there!

[Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so funny. it's like watching-a-gag-reel funny. Something about trying to be really serious and life getting in the way is really funny. I love that Gabe Kaplan just let it all hang out. it was refreshing. Seriously, read it.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe Kaplan has still got it! And he's got it bad! Email correspondences between Kaplan and the innocent butts of his inside joke with the reader. Great for reading out loud in your Horshack or Barbarino impersonation voice. Not just for "Welcome Back Kotter" fans, but it helps.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

not impressed. though he is a famous name, this type of prank HAS been done before...and funnier