Homeroom (TV series)

Homeroom is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 16, 1989 to December 17, 1989. The series stars stand-up comedian Darryl Sivad as a fourth grade teacher at an inner-city school. ABC executives created the show as a vehicle for Sivad after seeing his routine on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.[1]

Homeroom
GenreSitcom
Created byAndrew Scheinman
Gary Gilbert
Directed byLinda Day
Arlando Smith
StarringDarryl Sivad
Penny Johnson
Bill Cobbs
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 (3 unaired) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerTopper Carew
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time25 mins.
Production companiesGiggling Goose Productions
Castle Rock Entertainment
DistributorWarner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkABC
Audio formatStereo
Original releaseSeptember 16 (1989-09-16) –
December 17, 1989 (1989-12-17)

Premise

The series follows Darryl Harper (Sivad), a highly paid advertising copywriter who decides to quit his job to teach underprivileged kids at P.S. 391, an inner city school in New York City. Darryl's wife Virginia (Penny Johnson) supports his choice but Virginia's father, Phil Drexler (Bill Cobbs) does not. Phil frequently voices his disapproval to Darryl which he feels is his right as Darryl and Virginia live rent-free in the brownstone Phil owns and also lives in.[2]

Cast

Reception and cancellation

Homeroom premiered on ABC on September 16, 1989 to mixed reviews.[3] The series was scheduled on Sunday nights opposite CBS's hit series Murder, She Wrote and NBC's My Two Dads. As a result, Homeroom struggled in the ratings and faced cancellation.[4] In an effort to save the series, the cast and producers asked viewers to start a letter writing campaign. Executive producer Topper Carew went on a cross-country promotional tour to schools where he showed the series to students and teachers and held a Q&A session afterwards.[5] Carew also mailed letters and contacted African-American organizations and activists asking them to watch the show and to talk about it.[4] Despite the cast and producers' efforts, ABC canceled the series in December 1989.[6] Three of the thirteen episodes produced were never aired.

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot"Art WolffGary Gilbert & Andrew ScheinmanSeptember 16, 1989 (1989-09-16)
The kids cheat at a big math test.
2"The Lookin' for West Coast Travelin' 'Long the Missouri River Blues"Linda DayDavid X. Cohen & Roger S. H. SchulmanSeptember 24, 1989 (1989-09-24)
Donald takes piano lessons. Anthony gets dumped by his girlfriend.
3"Food for Thought"Arlando SmithMarc Cherry & Jamie WootenOctober 1, 1989 (1989-10-01)
The manager for the cafeteria gets tired of Donald's misbehavior.
4"It's Not Easy Bein' Green"Linda DayMarc Cherry & Jamie WootenOctober 8, 1989 (1989-10-08)
A tree is left in Devon's care, but the tree dies because of lack of water. Virginia tries to help Phil with his high blood pressure.
5"Dirty Laundry"Linda DayTrish SoodikOctober 22, 1989 (1989-10-22)
Lisa and Devon run for class president.
6"Who Is Captain Fitness?"Linda DayMarc Cherry & Jamie WootenNovember 5, 1989 (1989-11-05)
Sam's hero, Captain Fitness, dies during a classroom workout.
7"Dinner at Fiveish"Linda DayTrish SoodikNovember 19, 1989 (1989-11-19)
Phil goes out with a colleague of Darryl.
8"The Commercial Break"TBADavid Cohen & Roger S.H. SchulmanDecember 3, 1989 (1989-12-03)
Anthony directs his first commercial. The kids find out that Darryl was once a practical joker.
9"Mr. Drexler's Neighborhood"Linda DayPaul B. Price & Stephen NathanDecember 10, 1989 (1989-12-10)
Phil tries to teach the kids in Darryl's class about the streets in the neighborhood.
10"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, Sister"Arlando SmithTrish SoodikDecember 17, 1989 (1989-12-17)
Darryl lets Lisa direct a school play based on her contest-winning script.
11"Who'll Be My Role Model Now That My Role Model Is Gone?"Tony SingletaryDavid Cohen & Roger S.H. SchulmanNovember 1989 (1989-23)
12"The Visitor"Linda DayDavid Cohen & Roger S.H. SchulmanDecember 25, 1989 (1989-12-25)
13"The Mom Who Came to Dinner"Linda DayMarc Cherry & Jamie WootenJanuary 2, 1990 (1990-01-02)

References
  1. Ensign, Tom (September 4, 1989). "Comedy goes to school in ABC's new 'Homeroom'". Toledo Blade. pp. P–2. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  2. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (October 17, 2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present (9 ed.). Ballantine Books. p. 630. ISBN 0-345-49773-2.
  3. DuBois, Stephanie (November 21, 1989). "'Homeroom' Star Sivad Trying to Be the Best He Can Be". The Spokane Review. p. 5. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  4. "Keeping 'Homeroom' alive via 'African-American grapevine'". The Modesto Bee. November 2, 1989. p. E5. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  5. Weaver, Maurice (November 20, 1989). "'Homeroom' actors try to save series". Sun Journal. p. 8. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  6. "'Homeroom', 'Living Dolls' canceled by ABC". Sun Journal. December 6, 1989. p. 29. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
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