Head of the Class (1986–1990)

A laidback teacher provides needed guidance about life for a special class of exceptional students.

Creators:

Michael Elias, Rich Eustis

Stars:

William G. Schilling, Jeannetta Arnette, Dan Frischman

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 12 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
William G. Schilling	...	Dr. Harold Samuels (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Jeannetta Arnette	...	Bernadette Meara (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Dan Frischman	...	Arvid Engen (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Robin Givens	...	Darlene Merriman (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Khrystyne Haje	...	Simone Foster (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Tony O'Dell	...	Alan Pinkard (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Brian Robbins	...	Eric Mardian (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Kimberly Russell	...	Sarah Nevins (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Dan Schneider	...	Dennis Blunden (114 episodes, 1986-1991)
Howard Hesseman	...	Charles P. 'Charlie' Moore (92 episodes, 1986-1990)
Tannis Vallely	...	Janice Lazarotto (67 episodes, 1986-1991)
Leslie Bega	...	Maria Borges (66 episodes, 1986-1989)
Joher Coleman	...	Jawaharlal Choudhury (66 episodes, 1986-1989)
Rain Pryor	...	Theola June 'T.J.' Jones (51 episodes, 1988-1991)
Michael DeLorenzo	...	Alex Torres (48 episodes, 1989-1991)
Lara Piper	...	Viki Amory (48 episodes, 1989-1991)
De'voreaux White	...	Aristotle McKenzie (48 episodes, 1989-1991)

Storyline

A group of gifted high-school students are placed together into an "enrichment" class. Although brilliant, they have much to learn about each other and themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | high school | competition | genius | nerd | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los primeros de la clase

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eustis Elias Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (114 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jay Thomas was one of the comedians hired to "warm-up" the studio audience.

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Quotes

Eric Mardian: [in response to Viki trying to find her birth mother] We're here to help you babe. We're looking for a tall blonde, killer body, killer legs, killer smile, a little spacey, but hot.
[as Miss Meara Walks in the classroom]
Eric Mardian: Mom!

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Connections

Spin-off Billy (1992)

User Reviews

Charming for 3 seasons, mediocre for 2

"Head of the Class" is very dated to the late 1980s. From the big hair to the clunky IBM terminals in the classroom, there's no doubt you're watching a show produced nearly 20 years ago. However, that actually adds to the program's charm -- especially for those of us who were in high school ourselves during that time period.

For 3 seasons, Head of the Class had a lot going for it. While lighthearted and often requiring a suspension of disbelief, the show was funny, entertaining, and charming. There was an excellent chemistry among cast members, and Howard Hesseman was perfect for the part of wise teacher Charlie Moore. Even the New York setting of the sitcom was well done, from the fascinating city imagery in the opening song to many different exterior shots shown between scenes. I saw the show at a taping in Burbank, California in 1986. Despite having actually been on the California set, I had to constantly remind myself that it wasn't actually shot in New York. That's unusual for a sitcom.

Unfortunately, things started to unravel in season 4. Too many of the original student cast members were lost, and the new ones replacing them were uninteresting and flat. How much do you really remember about Viki, Aristotle, Alex, T.J., and Jasper? You probably remember their faces, but they were simply cardboard replacements for the vibrant and quirky Janice, Jawaharalal, and Maria. This was already a sign that the show was slipping.

In Hesseman's final year, there were also a surprising number of "musicals" performed on the show. The first one was an interesting change, but this repeated theme made it clear that the writers were running of out ideas.

Finally, Hesseman left (probably sensing the end being near), and Billy Connolly replaced him. That was the truly the beginning of the end. Like the replacement students of the previous year, Connolly's character lacked the substance and depth that made Hesseman's so great. Between the boring new teacher and the tired-looking, modified class of students, this show ceased to hold many people's interest. It was mercifully put down at the end of the '90-91 season.

I would like to see Head of the Class back somewhere on television. Nick at Nite ran it for awhile in a horrible time slot (something like 4:30am), but eventually it vanished. It can't be found anywhere, which I think is a shame. This fun show deserves better than to rot in some syndication company's archive room.