Where is Mr. Kotter today?

From USATODAY, On Welcome Back, Kotter, Gabe Kaplan's character was often the butt of practical jokes by his group of delinquent students, the Sweathogs. In real life, though, Kaplan has always enjoyed playing pranks on others.

Kaplan's new book, Kotter's Back: E-mails From a Faded Celebrity to a Bewildered World (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, $15.95), features dozens of e-mail pranks the comedian and poker champ has pulled. In one, he tells a publisher he has slept with more women than Wilt Chamberlain and wants to write a book about it. In another, he tries to join Mensa. In another, he attempts to persuade the U.S. Postal Service to create a Gabe Kaplan stamp.

This week I chat with Kaplan about his book, Kotter memories and more. I also play new music from a up-and-coming Brooklyn band called The States and singer-songwriter Josh Rouse, who has a CD out July 31 called Country Mouse, City House.

Here's how to hear it:

- Download the podcast from iTunes

- Stream it as a Windows Media file

Thanks so much for listening! As always, check out the archive at candypodcast.usatoday.com, and visit my RSS feed for more options.
A
fter the jump, I've pasted a chapter from Kaplan's book and a photo of what he looks like now. Check it out.

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