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The mystery of the 'Welcome Back, Kotter' lunch box has been solved

August 6, 2015, 10:19AM By MeTV Staff

The universe is filled with unexplainable mysteries. What lies beyond? The Bermuda Triangle. Parallel dimensions. What exactly is going on in the image on the Welcome Back, Kotter lunch box?

Well, cross that last one off the list. Starlee Kine's delightful podcast Mystery Show solves arcane if minor mysteries. In the sixth and latest episode, "Kotter," Kine digs into a depiction of the Sweathogs on the side of a 1977 Kotter lunch pail, which was spotted in the Smithsonian. Sure, it's not exactly Perry Mason, but it's fun.

In the painting, Epstein and Barbarino appear to be fighting. Dangles his jean jacket accusingly in front of Barbarino. The sleeves of the jacket have been tied in knots. This is not a scenario from the sitcom. What gives?

The podcast watches all the episodes, tracks down the artist behind the lunch box, series co-creator Alan Sacks, and chats with Gabe Kaplan over the phone. Listen to it below.

Along the way, we hear anecdotes about Phil Spector, licensing rights, and wrestling. In the end, we learn the scene was based on a common cowboy prank. Probably.

Catch Welcome Back, Kotter Thursdays from 9PM | 8C to 11PM | 10C and Sundays 8AM | 7C & 8:30AM | 7:30C on MeTV.