Before Saturday Night Fever, before Grease, and before John Travolta became one of the biggest movie stars of the 1970s, he was Vinnie Barbarino on Welcome Back, Kotter.
One of his great early TV moments came in the episode “The Telethon,” which aired on February 12, 1976. In the episode, the Sweathogs try to raise money for much-needed school supplies, and Travolta gets to show off the charm that was already making him the breakout star of the show.
His bit was a goofy little number sung to the tune of “Barbara Ann,” turning it into “Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbarino.” It was silly, self-centered, and completely Vinnie — exactly the kind of moment that made kids repeat his lines at school the next day.
Welcome Back, Kotter had only premiered in September 1975, but Travolta was already becoming the one everyone was watching. Vinnie Barbarino gave him his first big break on television, and by 1976 the fan mail and attention were building fast. Within just a couple of years, he would jump from Sweathog heartthrob to full-blown superstar with Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
Looking back, this clip is fun because you can already see it: the grin, the timing, the swagger, and that Travolta confidence before the rest of the world completely caught up.
Ba-ba-ba… Barbarino!
