The White Shadow (1978–1981)A white former NBA professional retires from the pro game and gets a job as a basketball coach in a predominantly black inner-city high school. Creator:Bruce Paltrow |
|
| 0Share... |
The White Shadow (1978–1981)A white former NBA professional retires from the pro game and gets a job as a basketball coach in a predominantly black inner-city high school. Creator:Bruce Paltrow |
|
| 0Share... |
| Complete series cast summary: | |||
| Ken Howard | ... |
Ken Reeves
(54 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
|
| Kevin Hooks | ... |
Morris Thorpe
(50 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
|
|
|
Byron Stewart | ... |
Warren Coolidge
(50 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
| Timothy Van Patten | ... |
Mario 'Salami' Pettrino
(50 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
|
|
|
Joan Pringle | ... |
Sybil Buchanan
(47 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
| Thomas Carter | ... |
James Hayward
(37 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
|
|
|
Ken Michelman | ... |
Abner Goldstein
(36 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
|
|
Ira Angustain | ... |
Ricky Gomez
(36 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
|
|
Nathan Cook | ... |
Milton Reese
(35 episodes, 1978-1981)
|
|
|
Erik Kilpatrick | ... |
Curtis Jackson
(34 episodes, 1978-1980)
|
| John Mengatti | ... |
Nick Vitaglia
(32 episodes, 1979-1981)
|
|
|
|
Ed Bernard | ... |
Jim Willis
(29 episodes, 1978-1980)
|
Ken Reeves was a professional basketball player who had to retire because of injuries. Against his sister Katie's advice, Ken takes a job as the basketball coach at Carver High School in Los Angeles, a tough, mixed-race school. Jim Willis, Ken's friend, was the principal for the first two seasons and was replaced by Sybil Buchanan, the former vice-principal, in the third year. Written by J.E. McKillop <jack-mckillop@worldnet.att.net>
The White Shadow was not just one of the best sports shows ever, but it was one of the best shows overall. When you tuned in to The White Shadow, you didn't just see some high school kids on a basketball team with an ex-pro as their coach, you saw them deal with real-life problems and situations. Addictions (Jackson). Gangs (Gomez). STDs (Coolidge, Thorpe). Death (Jackson). I will admit, it wasn't the same when the players "graduated", but the new cast wasn't as bad as some think they were. They were just never given the same opportunities. When Goldstein, Hayward, Jackson, Reese, and Gomez were replaced, the storylines then mainly revolved around the returning players, namely, Coolidge, Thorpe, Salami, and Vitaglia. Stone wasn't too bad. Neither was Mitchell. I would love to see this series on DVD some day. Also, does anyone remember Phil ever saying anything?