Teachers Only backdrop

Teachers Only poster

Comedy

Teachers Only

6.0(2)

First Aired:April 14, 1982

Seasons:2 seasons

Episodes:23

Status:Ended

Teachers Only is an NBC television sitcom centered around the faculty of a high school; in the first season the school was Millard Fillmore High in Los Angeles, but in the second it is Woodrow Wilson High in New York with a changed cast. In both seasons Norman Fell played Principal Ben Cooper, but Lynn Redgrave's character, Diana Swanson, who had been an English teacher in the first season, became a guidance counselor in the second season. Redgrave and Fell were already established names when this show aired, but two of the supporting stars in the second season, Jean Smart would go on, three years later, to play her best known role, that of interior design studio receptionist Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the long running show, Designing Women. Also, Jean's co-star Teresa Ganzel became well known for her many game show appearances in the 1980s as well as her appearance in the comedic miniseries, Fresno. This show ran for only two seasons, in 1982 and 1983.

Cast

Lynn Redgrave

Lynn Redgrave

Diana Swanson

Norman Fell

Norman Fell

Principal Ben Cooper

Jean Smart

Jean Smart

Shari Kirkland

Teresa Ganzel

Teresa Ganzel

Samantha Keating

Tim Reid

Tim Reid

Michael Horne

Joel Brooks

Joel Brooks

Barney Betelman

Steve Ryan

Steve Ryan

Spud Le Boone

Seasons & Episodes

In its first incarnation (April to June 1982), the setting was Millard Fillmore High School in Los Angeles. Diana Swanson is an English teacher, Ben Cooper is the school principal, Michael Dreyfuss and Gwen Edwards are fellow teachers, Mr. Brody is the assistant principal and Mr. Pafko is the janitor. Most of the scenes were in the faculty lunchroom and lounge from which students were excluded.

E1Diana, Substitute Mother

Apr 14, 1982

Diana comes to the realization that her star student is troubled, but the situation escalates when the girl becomes a runaway. Also, Diana gives into a flirtation with her neighbor and agrees to a date.

E2The Dreyfuss Affair

Apr 21, 1982

Two female students set Dreyfuss up, claiming he made a pass at one of them.

E3Cooper's Grab for Gusto

Apr 28, 1982

Cooper begins to delegate responsibilities to Brody after the untimely demise of a colleague.

E4Quote, Unquote

May 5, 1982

Diana is in hot water when she reveals her candid views on premarital sex in the school magazine.

E5The Make-Up Test

May 12, 1982

Diana's decision to fail a student is vetoed by Cooper, who made a deal with the youth's father.

E6I've Got a Crush on You

May 26, 1982

Diana tutors a handsome football star who's got a crush on her.

E7The Once and Future Teacher

Jun 2, 1982

Consumed by paper work and committee assignments, Diana considers leaving the teaching profession.

E8Guns and Butter

Jun 9, 1982

A survey by a district specialist may result in program and personnel cuts at the school.

When the show returned in February to May 1983, the school was now Woodrow Wilson High School in New York with Mr. Cooper as Principal, Diana as a Guidance Counselor and a new supporting cast. Samantha Keating and Michael Horne are teachers, Spud Le Boone is the gym teacher and Shari is the principal's secretary.

E1The Rose

Feb 12, 1983

Diana enlists Cooper for moral support when the teacher she politely rebuffs makes the same romantic overtures to her best friend.

E2Cooper's Arrangement

Feb 19, 1983

Diana brings a lonely Cooper some cookies to boost his morale, but finds a different kind of cookie in his doorway.

E3Take This Job and Shove It

Feb 26, 1983

With each convinced the other's job is easier, Diana and Cooper agree to switch duties for a week.

E4Praise the Lord, and Pasta Ammunition

Mar 5, 1983

A student-council representative takes advantage of a cafeteria-workers strike after Cooper refuses to meet with him.

E5Rex, the Wonder Husband

Mar 12, 1983

Once a charming con man, Diana's ex-husband proves he's changed his shady ways.

E6Teacher's Pet

Mar 19, 1983

Michael finds himself attracted to a new student, but Diana learns that she's not in school for academics.

E7Take the Money and Run

Apr 2, 1983

Diana is left holding the ticket when a teacher has a fatal heart attack upon learning he's won $150,000 in the state lottery.

E8Otherwise Engaged

Apr 9, 1983

Shari starts sporting a big diamond ring following Cooper's refusal to buy her a simple bracelet.

E9Beetlemania

Apr 16, 1983

To protest the cancellation of their class, auto-shop students assemble Cooper's car in the teachers' lounge.

E10Leather and Lace

Apr 23, 1983

A whirlwind romance blows into a storm when Diana learns the truth about her new beau's occupation.

E11It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To

Apr 30, 1983

Diana's party to announce a surprise award to the faculty results in more surprises than she planned.

E12Dead Mice Don't Wear Plaid

May 7, 1983

Michael thinks he's made a major scientific discovery after Sam exchanges a live rat for the laboratory rat that died while in Diana's care.

E13Loss of Innocence

May 14, 1983

Acute paranoia replaces Sam's usual vivaciousness after she's mugged while working late at school.

Storyline

Teachers Only is an NBC television sitcom centered around the faculty of a high school; in the first season the school was Millard Fillmore High in Los Angeles, but in the second it is Woodrow Wilson High in New York with a changed cast. In both seasons Norman Fell played Principal Ben Cooper, but Lynn Redgrave's character, Diana Swanson, who had been an English teacher in the first season, became a guidance counselor in the second season. Redgrave and Fell were already established names when this show aired, but two of the supporting stars in the second season, Jean Smart would go on, three years later, to play her best known role, that of interior design studio receptionist Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the long running show, Designing Women. Also, Jean's co-star Teresa Ganzel became well known for her many game show appearances in the 1980s as well as her appearance in the comedic miniseries, Fresno. This show ran for only two seasons, in 1982 and 1983.

Comments

Sign in to join the discussion.

Teachers Only - FlixWorld