"The Election" presents Vinnie Barbarino running for Student Body President, one of his predecessors disqualified for stuffing the ballot box 'with his opponent!' Sweathog tough Epstein serves as campaign manager, beating up the vote, his slogan: "Vote for Vinnie, and nobody gets hurt!" Barbarino's opponents are two of Buchanan's brightest students, Judy Borden (Helaine Lembeck) and debating team captain Scott Phillips (Jeff Martin). Washington proves himself to be the perfect choice for press secretary: "no comment!" There's a priceless exchange between Kotter and Barbarino in the faculty lounge, via their grandmothers, Vinnie in Italian, Gabe in Yiddish. Similar to Chico Marx, Epstein talks about living with 9 other Puerto Rican Jews, half his brothers out stealing pants while the other half were altering them, having to threaten people just to get into the bathroom. Kotter has a rejoinder, having to use the Texaco station across the street: "it wasn't bad if you made the light!" While Jeff Martin never appeared again, Helaine Lembeck's Judy Borden returned for 12 more episodes over three seasons. Back from the pilot is Catarina Cellino as Maria, Vinnie's girlfriend, who disappeared after this second appearance.
2 Reviews
Is This Any Way To Run A Campaign?
ccthemovieman-17 February 2010
Vinnie is running for student President at Buchanan High. No Sweathog has ever won; can he be the first?
Once again, "Epstein" is hilarious, this time as Barbarino's campaign manager. He's more like the enforcer in the mob. "Vote for Vinnie, or get a new set of teeth!" Kotter tries to help. He wants to see Vinnie win, too, but after awhile the kid has to tell the teacher to chill.....just let him be who he is and stop trying to change him into someone he isn't just so he can win the election. That was a good lesson, and Kotter listens.....but is it enough for Barbarino to beat incumbent "Scott" and nerd "Judy?" Is Eptein's intimidation enough?
This is another funny episode. The stories are simple; the humor is a bit simple, too, but it always seems to work and you finish watching an episode with a smile on your face no matter what happens. I think that's one of the big reasons this TV show was so successful; it made you feel good, not only with the laughs but you wound up caring about the characters.
Why only the first season is out on DVD is a mystery. I guess it didn't sell enough, but I sure hope the rest becomes available.
Once again, "Epstein" is hilarious, this time as Barbarino's campaign manager. He's more like the enforcer in the mob. "Vote for Vinnie, or get a new set of teeth!" Kotter tries to help. He wants to see Vinnie win, too, but after awhile the kid has to tell the teacher to chill.....just let him be who he is and stop trying to change him into someone he isn't just so he can win the election. That was a good lesson, and Kotter listens.....but is it enough for Barbarino to beat incumbent "Scott" and nerd "Judy?" Is Eptein's intimidation enough?
This is another funny episode. The stories are simple; the humor is a bit simple, too, but it always seems to work and you finish watching an episode with a smile on your face no matter what happens. I think that's one of the big reasons this TV show was so successful; it made you feel good, not only with the laughs but you wound up caring about the characters.
Why only the first season is out on DVD is a mystery. I guess it didn't sell enough, but I sure hope the rest becomes available.
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