Teacher's Pet 

Sam gets Coach's help to help him pass a geography class and get his high school diploma. But he eventually finds an easier way to pass the course.

Director:

James Burrows

Writers:

Glen Charles (created by), Les Charles (created by)

Stars:

Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Nicholas Colasanto

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Ted Danson	...	Sam Malone
Shelley Long	...	Diane Chambers
Nicholas Colasanto	...	Ernie 'Coach' Pantusso
Rhea Perlman	...	Carla Tortelli
John Ratzenberger	...	Cliff Clavin
George Wendt	...	Norm Peterson

Storyline

Sam is being very secretive. Diane finds out that his secret is that he's gone back to school. But later, initially to her horror, she finds out that he is not getting his college degree, but rather his high school diploma, which he will earn if he passes the one course he is taking. Coach shows some interest in going back to school as well, and although Coach needs a few more credits than Sam to graduate - actually a few more years - he decides to take the same Geography course as Sam. Nearing the end of the course, Coach and Sam are getting the highest marks in the class and are enjoying their experience. Coach is getting his good grades through hard work and studying. Sam on the other hand, as Diane eventually deduces, is getting his high marks because he and Miss Purdy, the teacher, have a special relationship, not quite typical of a teacher/student. In other words, they're sleeping together. Diane chastises him, although she doesn't need to as Sam knows what's happening is wrong....

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1985 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions,Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Diane's recreational reading: *The Psychology of Self-Esteem* by Nathaniel Branden.

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Goofs

Diane and Sam (but Diane first) both mispronounce "Pierre." When referring to the capital of South Dakota, the city is pronounced "peer," not "pee-err."

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Quotes

Diane Chambers: [Diane storms into Sam's office, angry] Sam Malone, this is absolutely...
Sam Malone: ...the worst thing I've ever done.
Diane Chambers: ...the worst thing you've... - wait a minute. You don't even know what I'm going to say. I just found out that you have been...
Sam Malone: ...sleeping with my teacher.
Diane Chambers: That's right. And that's not the worst part of it. She also has been giving you...
Sam Malone: ...good marks because of it.
Diane Chambers: Yes. Are you admitting that you're doing this and that you know it's wrong?
Sam Malone: Yeah, that's right.
Diane Chambers: Oh, yeah? Well... stop ...
[...]

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Connections

References The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959)

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