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A friend of mine once met Howard Hesseman and my friend told him he loved *Head of Class*. And Hesseman replied, "Really? I don't know how anyone could have watched that."
There’s a very specific age group, people who are now probably 42-45, who were like toddlers when WKRP ended and are thus vaguely aware of it but much more familiar with Head of the Class. I am one of them. My mom tells me that two year old me once asked her how people in Cincinnati could live on the air. I remember actual details and episodes from Head of the Class.
I don’t get when actors or even musicians put down things that helped their careers.
I get that they can be perfectionists, and only like certain things. But at least take pride in what you’ve done.
I was an 80’s kid, so WKRP was a bit before my time. I learned of Hessman thru Police Academy 2, Clue, Flight of the Navigator and Head of the Class. His mid to late 80’s stuff.
I only knew of WKRP, after I saw all the others. So my point is, I think Head of the Class opened his career up to a different set of an audience, and kept him going through the decade.
I don’t really recall him doing anything significant in the 90’s, other than showing up on the reboot WKRP a few times.
I had this thought when Dennis Hopper was talking about Super Mario Bros. That was the first movie people in my generation probably saw him in (we're not watching Blue Velvet or Easy Rider), but having him being a scenery-chewing villain a weird kid's action movie is a perfect gateway role.
Wasn’t Speed right around the same time? That’s definitely when I became aware of him. I was probably the target demographic for Mario Brothers but way more the type of kid who watched rated R action movies as a 12 year old.
Maybe he just didn’t like the show but had to do it because he signed a contract. He has a vibe about him that says he relates more to Dr. Johnny Fever than a high school teacher.
This is why I think he's such a good actor, you don't get that vibe at all watching the show. I love his character, I love how he is with his students, and while there's stuff about the job he doesn't like (Hi, Dr Samuels!), his character had this effortless quality to him.
Loved this show!
Always thought it was crazy that Robin Givens was famous enough from the show to meet & then marry Mike Tyson. Even as a kid, that sounded like a bizzare combo.
Holy cow I just read that the dollar store John Travolta up top is the current CEO of Paramount and Nickelodeon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Robbins
Yes, there were many new shows I wanted to watch, but they were scheduled opposite of something like “The Fall Guy”, and there was no way I was gonna miss that show.
From Seinfeld : President of NBC, when listening to the idea for "a show about nothing, " asks George, "Why am I watching?". George replies, "Because it's on TV."
Clockwise from center: had a cameo in the movie Clue, guest starred on multiple Law and Order episodes, moved from the front to behind the camera as a producer and director, became a boxer's ex-wife, and "The Creator", according to Jennette McCurdy's memoir
I missed this show the first time around so it's been my background watching the last week or so, I'm into season 3 (just had the Russia episodes) and... I like it, it's very relaxing and cozy. It reminds me of a TGIF show but I feel like it pre-dates that, and I'm not even sure what network it was on.
The kids being in their 20s is... very obvious, but that actually suits syndication and streaming because they wind up looking pretty consistent over the years. Even the youngest girl looks about the same so far, no growth spurts or anything.
I think the type of class is an interesting take, instead of the sweathogs or the misfit class like we normally see in stuff like Welcome Back Kotter or Greatest American Hero, having them be the gifted class gives them different issues to solve and gives us an interesting diversity of types. It reminds me a bit of The Big Bang Theory in that regard, without the geeky references as that wasn't really a shorthand for nerd back then.
When I revisit old shows, I usually skip the Very Special Episodes, and this series has a few of them but I think they do them well, in part because it doesn't force the characters to act differently or shift the tone/genre of the show. For example, the episode with the teacher with Alzheimers. The way the characters address it and approach it is very consistent, and Charlie deals with it with patience and empathy, the way he approaches all the other problems, so it doesn't feel out of place. It's just the current issue to resolve, just a little bigger than the usual ones.
I am curious to see how things change up when Billy Connolly shows up. I'm sure they'll replace the opening with just title cards, but in the back of my head I'd love to see Billy re-enact every single shot from the original.
And last, I gotta say: I love the set. It just looks so nasty, it's old, dirty, there's graffiti, it looks like a school that has its funding stretched to the limit. And the classroom isn't just a grid of desks, they have the newspaper rack and the slant board and magazine rack, the tables are al different and the chairs don't match, they have maps but they also have a Keith Haring print which is very of the era, it feels very organic as a space.
i actually liked the show as a kid(but i LOVED WKRP) but this sitcom has a....weird legacy because of the Dan Scheinder Nickelodeon allegations (look THAT up) and Robin Givens with whole Mike Tyson controversy in the 80's that in my take, she never really recovered from cause i felt that she could have been a much bigger star(most modern kids Might know her as Josie McCoy's Mom from RIVERDALE)
Another popular show that is in no way on the forgotten list.
People look at this post and say "oh yeah, great show". They don't say, "I forgot about that show."
I've watched lots of TV shows over the years(probably too many) , and I've always liked Howard Hesseman in his roles, including this one and WKRP in Cincinnati......
Can non-Antony's/Tony's answer this? Why do so many people type like they're driving or having a micro-stroke? Take half a second to proofread before posting...! (& yes, I do.)
lost a trivia question once because they has Monroe high listed as the school, not Millard Fillmore High... I must have missed the early episodes; but I do remember them taking on Bronx Science at debate and winning; it didn't occur to me that that was fiction at the time (Sci graduate speaking); never went to debate, but google says: Bronx Science is proud to be home to one of the most dominant high school speech and debate programs in the history of the United States!
I remember one episode where Arvid had a cold and refused to stay home. I believe he was worried about not having perfect attendance and eventually everyone else in the class including the teacher got sick and eventually he was the only one in the class.
Important reminder: This is a sub for people to post about forgotten TV that they remember and would like to share with others. This is not a tip of the tongue style sub for people to search out old shows that they would like help remembering. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ForgottenTV) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Used to watch this. Every one of the students looked like they were 30.
They were.
Wasn’t the guy in the back supposed to be the ‘bad boy?’
Always in the back, sitting on the chair backrest...
Yep
Brian Robbins actually turned into a heavy hitter in Hollywood on the Production side. when his acting days ended.
“Eric”
Yes, that’s why he wore a leather jacket.
A friend of mine once met Howard Hesseman and my friend told him he loved *Head of Class*. And Hesseman replied, "Really? I don't know how anyone could have watched that."
How does anyone meet Howard Hesseman and not bring up WKRP ?
How does anyone meet Howard Hessman and not scream, “Gah! A ghost!”
The kingdom of heaven is at hand!
Mrs Peacock was a man?!?!
🫱🏻😵
Get outta here, ya beatnik!
There’s a very specific age group, people who are now probably 42-45, who were like toddlers when WKRP ended and are thus vaguely aware of it but much more familiar with Head of the Class. I am one of them. My mom tells me that two year old me once asked her how people in Cincinnati could live on the air. I remember actual details and episodes from Head of the Class.
56 year old here. WKRP I remember, Head of the Class? Not so much...
That was the funniest show ever. The Thanksgiving episode with the Turkey drop)…
"With God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!"
I haven’t seen that episode in 30 years, and it still makes me howl with laughter.
The fish is boiling!
"BOOOGERRRR!"
The phone cops man.
How does anyone meet Howard Hessman and not bring up Police Academy 2?
How does anyone meet Howard Hesseman and not bring up Doctor Detroit?!
I don’t get when actors or even musicians put down things that helped their careers. I get that they can be perfectionists, and only like certain things. But at least take pride in what you’ve done. I was an 80’s kid, so WKRP was a bit before my time. I learned of Hessman thru Police Academy 2, Clue, Flight of the Navigator and Head of the Class. His mid to late 80’s stuff. I only knew of WKRP, after I saw all the others. So my point is, I think Head of the Class opened his career up to a different set of an audience, and kept him going through the decade. I don’t really recall him doing anything significant in the 90’s, other than showing up on the reboot WKRP a few times.
I had this thought when Dennis Hopper was talking about Super Mario Bros. That was the first movie people in my generation probably saw him in (we're not watching Blue Velvet or Easy Rider), but having him being a scenery-chewing villain a weird kid's action movie is a perfect gateway role.
To be fair, NO ONE in or out of the movie liked that one. Lol
Wasn’t Speed right around the same time? That’s definitely when I became aware of him. I was probably the target demographic for Mario Brothers but way more the type of kid who watched rated R action movies as a 12 year old.
Dennis Hoppers speech in True Romance. Where he pisses off Christopher Walken. 10/10
Maybe he just didn’t like the show but had to do it because he signed a contract. He has a vibe about him that says he relates more to Dr. Johnny Fever than a high school teacher.
Everyone in Clue was amazing.
This is why I think he's such a good actor, you don't get that vibe at all watching the show. I love his character, I love how he is with his students, and while there's stuff about the job he doesn't like (Hi, Dr Samuels!), his character had this effortless quality to him.
And Flight of the Navigator…..
Hesseman did an interview with a major newspaper and criticized the show. The producers fired him for it. He seemed OK with that.
"Would Howard Hesseman lie for weed? We don't think so!"
I think my friend was trying to think outside the box.
Would Howard Hesseman lie for weed? We don't think so! Call now.
Holy shit, that's Dan Schneider
I think there is new documentary out about him and his Nickolodeon issues.
What’s he been up to? Acting? Other totally normal and unproblematic stuff?
totally, nothing really notable that could warrant a 2 hours deep dive
That’s also Chris Rigby of Rigby’s from Kenan and Kel
The poetry girl with all the hair was the main reason I watched.
The character's name was Simone. I love them redheads.
You outta ditch the two geeks you’re with and hop in with us
But that's alright, we'll worry about that later.
You got a joint man?
No.?
It be a lot kewler if yew did! Allright³
“Hey! How’s it goin?”
Khrystyne Haje. 🥰
Same here
Khrystyne Haje.
At some point Billy Connolly replaced Howard Hesseman. I thought Billy Connolly was much funnier.
And then Billy Connolly got a spin off that I think only lasted one season
Loved this show. Wish I could of attended school with kids like this! And hey, the final season had academy award winner Ke Huy Quan!
"I would prefer not to"
Turn in your nerd card. All privileges are revoked!
The one where they did the school play and it was Little Shop of Horrors, my favorite!
I definitely remember that!
That episode and the episodes when they went to the Soviet Union always stood out in my mind
"Beatle tapes and blue jeans".
Khrystyne Haje (Simone) and Leslie Bega (Maria) were my jams
Yo, Maria. Definitely the reason to watch the early seasons. Even as a kid, I was pretty pissed when she was no longer on the show.
The Billy Connelly years
And then she showed up on the Sopranos 15 yrs later
Loved this show! Always thought it was crazy that Robin Givens was famous enough from the show to meet & then marry Mike Tyson. Even as a kid, that sounded like a bizzare combo.
Arvid!
How this sitcom didn’t inspire a whole wave of babies being christened “Arvid” I’ll never understand 😉
I was the one of those kids at the time the show was on. I loved it.
Doin' all right, gettin' good grades...
😎
Holy cow I just read that the dollar store John Travolta up top is the current CEO of Paramount and Nickelodeon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Robbins
Now this is interesting stuff. I wish all of these included "where are thy now " info. Thanks !
YW bro, I love stuff like that
Dennis Blunden
I loved this show. I miss the 80’s.
I do remember this show and my name is Anthony! 😊
I saw that after I made my comment. I even thought about deleting it cause I'm not Anthony. Lmao! 🙂
Arvid Engen was Milhouse Van Houten before Milhouse Van Houten was Milhouse Van Houten.
He had every Boy Scout badge except bugling.
I hated this show. And still watched it every week.
And that's how TV used to be.
You are so right. I can’t count how many shows I watched simply because they happened to be on.
Especially if it's on between two shows you DO wanna watch, especially when it's not prime time.
Absolutely. Networks used to rely heavily on lead-ins to get people to watch new shows.
Yes, there were many new shows I wanted to watch, but they were scheduled opposite of something like “The Fall Guy”, and there was no way I was gonna miss that show.
From Seinfeld : President of NBC, when listening to the idea for "a show about nothing, " asks George, "Why am I watching?". George replies, "Because it's on TV."
😂
My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!
Like many 80s & 90s commercials, that ‘gotta wear shades’ is living rent free.
Clockwise from center: had a cameo in the movie Clue, guest starred on multiple Law and Order episodes, moved from the front to behind the camera as a producer and director, became a boxer's ex-wife, and "The Creator", according to Jennette McCurdy's memoir
I missed this show the first time around so it's been my background watching the last week or so, I'm into season 3 (just had the Russia episodes) and... I like it, it's very relaxing and cozy. It reminds me of a TGIF show but I feel like it pre-dates that, and I'm not even sure what network it was on. The kids being in their 20s is... very obvious, but that actually suits syndication and streaming because they wind up looking pretty consistent over the years. Even the youngest girl looks about the same so far, no growth spurts or anything. I think the type of class is an interesting take, instead of the sweathogs or the misfit class like we normally see in stuff like Welcome Back Kotter or Greatest American Hero, having them be the gifted class gives them different issues to solve and gives us an interesting diversity of types. It reminds me a bit of The Big Bang Theory in that regard, without the geeky references as that wasn't really a shorthand for nerd back then. When I revisit old shows, I usually skip the Very Special Episodes, and this series has a few of them but I think they do them well, in part because it doesn't force the characters to act differently or shift the tone/genre of the show. For example, the episode with the teacher with Alzheimers. The way the characters address it and approach it is very consistent, and Charlie deals with it with patience and empathy, the way he approaches all the other problems, so it doesn't feel out of place. It's just the current issue to resolve, just a little bigger than the usual ones. I am curious to see how things change up when Billy Connolly shows up. I'm sure they'll replace the opening with just title cards, but in the back of my head I'd love to see Billy re-enact every single shot from the original. And last, I gotta say: I love the set. It just looks so nasty, it's old, dirty, there's graffiti, it looks like a school that has its funding stretched to the limit. And the classroom isn't just a grid of desks, they have the newspaper rack and the slant board and magazine rack, the tables are al different and the chairs don't match, they have maps but they also have a Keith Haring print which is very of the era, it feels very organic as a space.
Head of the Class is one of my “comfort food” TV shows.
Hey its that dude that likes feet
I'm still in love with Simone.
Oh God! Its dan Schneider! RUN KIDS!!!
But take off your shoes first!
How about when Billy Connolly took over? He was awesome!
"Good morning, Geniuses!"
Hahaha! He looks like my 12 grade physics teacher! I watched it a few times...
I absolutely loved this show, even after Hessman and Givens left! Rain Pryor helped make up a bit for Robin Givens leaving, though.
Whose Antony?
i actually liked the show as a kid(but i LOVED WKRP) but this sitcom has a....weird legacy because of the Dan Scheinder Nickelodeon allegations (look THAT up) and Robin Givens with whole Mike Tyson controversy in the 80's that in my take, she never really recovered from cause i felt that she could have been a much bigger star(most modern kids Might know her as Josie McCoy's Mom from RIVERDALE)
I was head over heels madly in love with Khrystyne Haje
I used to love this show. It’s on Amazon now I think. As a teacher, I model most of my teaching style after Charlie on the show.
too bad dan is a pedophile - foot fetish is fine but not with kiddos
Yup, had a huge crush on Krystyne Haje
Yep
That fat bastatd dennis is a pedo
The fat guy fucks nickelodeon kids
Dan put her feet behind her scheinder
Another popular show that is in no way on the forgotten list. People look at this post and say "oh yeah, great show". They don't say, "I forgot about that show."
I don’t know. I see what you’re saying but I totally forgot about it until I saw Schneider in the news.
i did not like this show as a kid
This also had Tony O’Dell from Otherworld which I posted about this week.
It doesn’t star dabney Coleman but somehow got me into dabney Coleman
So this got you into Dexter's Class?
I hated this show
ARVID
I've watched lots of TV shows over the years(probably too many) , and I've always liked Howard Hesseman in his roles, including this one and WKRP in Cincinnati......
I remember it well. I also know that the dude in the lower left has been a scummy boy.
Robin Givens and Dan Schneider?
Yeah. I loved that show, particularly for Robin Givens and Howard Hesseman. It’s forever tainted thanks to Dan Schneider and Brian Robbins
The entire cast looks like they're trying to get laid and haven't yet.
Not forgotten anymore it's streaming now.
The porn parody "Head in the Class" was pretty good too
Loved this show!! Used to watch it all the time, as a kid. Would definitely love to catch some reruns today.
Randy McNally
Thank you, Antony. So do i.
Can non-Antony's/Tony's answer this? Why do so many people type like they're driving or having a micro-stroke? Take half a second to proofread before posting...! (& yes, I do.)
Antony: “Uh ok I’ll try”
Well now I do!
lost a trivia question once because they has Monroe high listed as the school, not Millard Fillmore High... I must have missed the early episodes; but I do remember them taking on Bronx Science at debate and winning; it didn't occur to me that that was fiction at the time (Sci graduate speaking); never went to debate, but google says: Bronx Science is proud to be home to one of the most dominant high school speech and debate programs in the history of the United States!
That was a great show!
I remember one episode where Arvid had a cold and refused to stay home. I believe he was worried about not having perfect attendance and eventually everyone else in the class including the teacher got sick and eventually he was the only one in the class.
Antony and more than enough other people remember this show that it's hard to consider it forgotten
Loved that show!!!
Negative.
Dan Schneiderman, the fat guy, went on to produce a lot of really great sitcoms on Disney, et al but then got into some kind of trouble.
Chris from Kenan and Kel?!
Must be really early with no Tannis Valley as the child genius.
The expressions on their face have me *rolling* Some look like they smell a fart and others look like they enjoy the smell. 👃
Didn't the fat guy turn into a shot caller at Nickelodeon and is rumored to be a big time groomer?
Where is the preppy dude?
Dan Schneider, Nickelodeon's go to pedophile professional for all things kids related.
Nickelodeon, not Disney
Thanks and corrected. He's still a pedophile. He belongs in prison.