It`s TV time again and it's all about high schools which I hated being in. I was bullied and have little happy thoughts going to a Catholic high school. I always said the teachers were typical, it was the students but now I wonder. You see, one teacher, I used to call him Father Feel-Up( real name Father Foley), went with the mayor of Welland, Mayor Stranges, to Buffalo and picked up 2 male hustlers. Feel-up and Stranges were found, naked, tied up and robbed. Oh and Father Feel-Up and the Mayor stole over $20,000 from the lottery that was run at my high school. I found out that my former principal was charged with child porn back in 2013. Ahh what wonderful memories... I wish I was making this up. Ok, on to tv shows and let's celebrate shows that one wishes would be reality. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have chosen.
1. WELCOME BACK KOTTER-1975-1979
I used to watch this religiously and got a kick out of Horschak. This show made John Travolta's career believe it or not because it helped him get his starring turn in Saturday Night Fever. It starred Gabe Kaplan as a nice teacher who tries to teach inner city kids, the worst being 5 delinquents. You laughed at their shenanigans and enjoyed the teacher and his wife. It was fun for its time.
2. READY OR NOT-1993-1997
Even though I was already in my 30's when this came on, the Canadian TV show appealed to me. It was about 2 friends, one who loves boys, pink and everything girly and her best friend who could care less about things like this and had a strong independent streak. It dealt with many issues girls go through but in an intelligent, sensitive and thought provoking way. I really enjoyed this show. Oh..and yes, that is Ryan Gosling with the freaky eye brow
3. FREAKS AND GEEKS-1999-2000
I really loved this show because this one I could relate to because I felt, and still feel, I am a freaky geek and proud of it. It takes place during the high school years centering on a young girl and her brother, with loving parents, who becomes friends with both sides-she, with the freaks and her brother, with the geeks. It once again touches on the trials and tribulations that kids face. This is one show that was cancelled way too early and it is now considered a true gem of the TV industry.
Which ones comes to your mind?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI came to know and appreciate the comedy of Gabe Kaplan through his numerous appearances on The Tonight Show, including stints as host, and stand-up routines on similar TV series. I never watched Kotter, though, because I find characters like The Sweathogs, John Travolta's Barbarino (and Henry Winkler's Fonzie on Happy Days) stereotypical, unpleasant and unfunny. However, in recent years, I took an interest in Marcia Strassman who played Kotter's wife Julie. That's because Marcia was also a recording artist. A couple of years ago I posted Marcia's groovy 1967 single "Out Of The Picture":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SQhNhW0CSE
There is said to be a curse upon the cast of Kotter because Marcia Strassman died of breast cancer in 2014 at age 66, Ron Palillo (Horshack) died of a heart attack in 2012, John Sylvester White (Mr. Woodman) died of cancer in 1988 and Robert Hegyes (Epstein) died of a heart attack in 2012. They were all in their sixties.
I never watched or even heard of the Canadian series Ready Or Not but it looks like one that I would enjoy. The characters remind me of a series with a high school age cast that Mrs. S and I are plowing through at the moment - Stranger Things. I had already watched season one in its entirety and was finally able to convince Mrs. S to give it a try. She enjoys the show's many references to E.T. and Poltergeist.
Freaks and Geeks was one of our favorite TV series and it made us angry when it was prematurely canceled. The series spawned several of today's biggest stars including James Franco and Seth Rogen who have worked together in millennial movies, Linda Cardellini, who turned up in the main cast of the medical drama ER, co-starred in the Scooby-Doo films and sizzled as Don Draper's sexy neighbor on Mad Men, and Jason Segel who had a long run on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
Thank you very much, dear friend BB!
It's a shame that so many passed away and I always liked Marcia Strassman and liked her in MASH who is also gone. The song was a hit back then...Welcome Back Kotter. I hope you can see Ready Or Not as it is sweet. I haven't seen Stranger Things but would like to.
DeleteSeen them all at one point of another. Win for me. Sounds like your high school was the stuff of some stupid reality show. Buffy pops in for me.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about my high school. Crazy! Buffy is a good one
DeleteI haven't seen any of these.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day....
DeleteWe matched on Freaks and Geeks! I've seen a few episodes of Welcome Back Kotter but I haven't heard of your 2nd pick at all.
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd one is a Canadian show that I liked.
DeleteHi Birgit - I fail on these three too ... and I never was into tv that much ... I see things later on in life (perhaps) ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYes, some never watch tv and might be the better for it
DeleteOMG, Birgit. That's horrible. I hate it when public officials/servants abuse their office but especially when it's a religious figure and children are involved.I hope today's memories make up for past memories. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteToday's and most yesterdays have been happy despite crappola.
DeleteI remember watching and enjoying Welcome back Kotter, but not the other two.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it back in the day but wonder how I would find it now
DeleteEeek. Your high school sounds... I don't know what to say.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite the aficionado of teen-type shows. I did watch some of Kotter back in the day. I was a kid, but my parents had it on from time to time.
I think I'd pick Buffy the Vampire Slayer (hey, the first few seasons are set in high school. Hmmm. What else? I guess most recently I was watching Pretty Little Liars, although I'm not a huge fan. Oh, and The Fosters. Yeah, that's current, The Fosters.
I don't know the Fosters but I know the others you mentioned and liked Buffy. Yup, my high school was a gem
DeleteThe only one I ever saw was Welcome Back, Kotter. I remember for a while in its early days, the local network affiliate refused to run it, and being "Banned in Boston" was probably some of the best advertising the show could have gotten. The late Marcia Strassman was wasted on that show, horribly underutilized. For some stupid reason, producer James Komack was lying to her and series star Gabe Kaplan, telling each of them that they were disliked by the other!
ReplyDeleteI always like Marcia from MASH but I did think she had no use for Kaplan and heard he was difficult to work with
DeleteI haven't seen any of these, so I'd better start watching!
ReplyDeletewww.ficklemillennial.com
Hope you see Freaks and Geeks
DeleteThe only one of these shows that I've seen is Freaks and Geeks. It was a real gem, and look at all the stars who have come out of that show. The high school where I taught, very briefly, had quite a shake-up a couple of years ago when a part-time football coach was fired for having sex with students, two teachers resigned for the same reason, and the principal was reprimanded by the board of education for not being forthcoming enough with information about what had happened. It bothers me that they went from being rated an "F" school to a "D" and now to a "C" because some of the students told me that teachers helped them cheat on a standardized test. I reported this information and was rewarded by getting kicked out the door. I also reported it to the head of the school board. Never heard a word about it.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I commend you for speaking up but not at all surprised by what you just told me. The school board and all that is behind really stick together.
DeleteFreaks and geeks did not meet the hype of how awesome people said it was
ReplyDeleteYou're are tough critic
DeleteOmg, your high school sounds awful! Poor you. As for the shows, I've never heard of any of them so I guess they weren't shown in the U.K. One I loved here was Please Sir! about a naive young teacher and a class of challenging teenagers - but it was gentle in its humour. I don't know what happened to any of the kids, but the teacher, John Alderton, went on to a stellar TV career, at least this side of the pond.
ReplyDeleteI think Yes, Sir was the basis for Welcome Back Kotter since the States takes from the Brits all the time. My high school. Was corrupt and mean
DeleteWelcome Back, Kotter!!! and that damn theme song that became a hit and played incessantly. I watched every week and unlike everyone else did not find John Travolta charming-he was too self enchanted but he fit into the show dynamic well. I was always more of a fan of Juan Epstein/Robert Hegyes. i tried watching a rerun a while back and it has not aged well.
ReplyDeleteI think I saw an episode or two of Freaks & Geeks but didn't watch on a regular basis but have never heard of the Ryan Gosling show, unsurprising I guess since it was Canadian.
I didn't love high school either but enjoy shows set there so it wasn't too hard to come up with three that I was a fan of. I was delighted when I discovered my third in reruns recently and rewatched the whole series which did hold up pretty well.
Skins (2007-2013)-British series about a group of teens in Bristol going through what is known there as sixth form which in the US would be high school. Controversial when it was showing for its graphic depictions of sexuality, drug abuse, bullying and many other issues with more than its share of nudity. Well-acted but grim. Another element of its notoriety was the casting in one of the leads of Nicolas Hoult who at the time was most well known as the youngster in About a Boy.
My So-Called Life (1994)-Regrettably short lived series that chronicled the angst filled high school life of teenager Angela Chase (Claire Danes) as she suffers the agonies of first love with the handsome but vague Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto), tests her boundaries with new friend, wild child Rayanne Graff (A.J. Langer), redefines her friendship with childhood bestie Sharon Cherski (Devon Odessa), seeks to help and protect the abused Rickie Vasquez (Wilson Cruz) while next door neighbor the brilliant but nerdy Brian Krakow (Devon Gummersall) yearns for her. At home she watches as her seemingly happily married parents Graham and Patty’s (Tom Irwin & Bess Armstrong) relationship begins to fray. Outstanding on every level.
Room 222 (1969-1974)-Pete Dixon (Lloyd Haines) is a popular young history teacher at Los Angeles’s Walt Whitman High School. Along with guidance counselor Liz McIntyre (Denise Nicholas), amiable Principal Seymour Kaufman (Michael Constantine) and eager if occasionally bumbling student teacher (over time English teacher) Alice Johnson (Karen Valentine) they deal with the issues of the students, parents and the establishment in the changing face of education in the 70’s. Excellent Emmy winning series, one of the first to honestly portray multiracial classrooms and teaching staffs, looks at a multitude of problems including early marriage, corporate irresponsibility, freedom of speech, senility, the effects of unexpected death and more with many future stars, among them Bruno Kirby, Cindy Williams, Teri Garr, Jamie Farr, Rob Reiner, Richard Dreyfuss, Kurt Russell, and Mark Hamill, passing through.
I was hoping you would pick Room 222 as it was a groundbreaking series but I didn't pick it because I don't remember much about it since I was so young and they rarely reshot this series. My so called lifeis also one I saw bits here and there but thought it was quite good. I never saw your first pick though. I never liked the Barbaino character either and my fav was Horschak and Marcia even though she was not utilized well. I hated the song and the series has not held up well. The Canadian show was not starring Ryan Gosling but the 2 girls...I just thought it was fun showing this part.
DeleteI saw Freaks and Geeks, but none of the others. I was so impressed with the cast, and one of my favorites was Sam, John Francis Daley, who I loved in Bones. Too bad it was canceled too soon.
ReplyDeleteI saw a retro show on a channel I get that featured a basketball coach and ball team. It starred Ken Howard as Ken Reeves in The White Shadow. Doing an internet search, I found it was on from 1978 to 1981. It dealt with subjects like cheating, rigging games, pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and homosexuality, which I thought was way ahead of its time. I was really surprised it lasted as long as it did, because from seeing only a handful of shows, it appeared most of the cast was African-American. Much ahead of its time, as I said before.
Sexual perversion in schools is a real problem. I know you didn't make your high school experience up, and that is what is so sad. It has happened at least SIX times in the past year here in KS. Coaches, teaches, and even a principal have been arrested in connection with sexual abuse charges. Even the background checks that are supposed to deal with that, don't seem to catch these offenders.
BTW, I LOVED your tale of the blonde idiot and the snake (grin). You could write fairy tales, you describe things so well.
Also, so I don't miss any more of your stories, Thursday movie picks, and cards you make, may I please add your link to my left sidebar? I will only do so with your approval.
Yes you can add me! That is so very nice:) thank you. Sorry for responding late...I am sick and had some sad news. The White Shadow was an excellent show and I wished I saw more of it. I was critically acclaimed and is consider d a great show. Freaks and Geeks is a great show gone too soon.
DeleteI finally saw this. I don't normally go back and see what someone has written, but I appreciate that you gave me permission. I've just added you to my sidebar and I am so sorry to read you have been sick.
DeleteSorry about your school years. Didn't like mine either but not for the same reasons thankfully. As you know, I don't watch a lot of TV and anyway those were probably before I came to Canada.
ReplyDeleteYup, my high school was corrupt and the bullying from students was horrible. These priests really tried to cover things up and were successful...for a while.
DeleteHigh school is brutal! Sorry you had a bad experience too :(
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I loved Freaks and Geeks. I wish it would have went for more than one season!
High school is over-rated. I agree that Freaks and Geeks went too soon
DeleteI was fairly ambivalent about high school: I wanted to like it, but there wasn't all that much to offer as I could see and I was so shy and reserved that it was difficult for me to get very deeply involved. You had some doozies at your school from the sound of things.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of those shows. High school stories are not typically my favorite viewing fare. I have enjoyed films like Pretty in Pink and Grease and others.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Well, I had no idea about the priests u til I was gone from that school. Father Feel up and the mayor happened in 1983 or so but finding out about the Principal...well I just found out bout that a-hole and he was convicted in 2013. I know one priest was sent away when I was still there because he had a drinking problem but I liked him. Students were truly bad and bullied me mercilessly. I was also shy and that didn't help.
DeleteSaw some, never heard of, and vaguely remember seeing a little bit.
ReplyDeleteHead of the Class - Howard Hessman
Fame - Debbie Allen
I totally forgot about Head of the Class which I watched but I equated Howard Hesseman with Dr. Johnny Fever too much plus I didn't find it funny.
DeleteI remember Welcome Back, Kotter, but not the others. I kind of missed out on those teen shows. By that time, I was deep into motherhood and Sesame Street.
ReplyDeleteHahahaa...motherhood can drive mom's crazy with certain shows especially when the kids want to rewatch show over and over.
DeleteWhen I was young I liked ROOM 222. Mostly because of Karen Valentine. Yum-Yum!! Not sure what I would think of the show if I saw it now as an adult, but I'm sure Karen Valentine would still be Yum-Yum!!
ReplyDeleteThe only high school show I can think of now that I know I really dig as an adult is JOAN OF ARCADIA. That was a terrific show that sadly got canceled after only two seasons.
~ D-FensDogG
Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
Joan of Arcadia is another show I forgot about and saw only bits of. Room 222 I knew you would choose because of Karen Valentine who was the Girl who came gift-wrapped:)
DeleteI had a hard time believing they were inner city kids probably because they seemed to old to be kids. Did you ever watch the series with Billy Connolly? I think it was the same concept as Welcome Back Kotter, but they actually used actors who were kids. I liked that one. Rain Pryor, Richard Pryor's daughter was in that one I think.
ReplyDeleteThe were way too old and must have been very, very stupid to still be in high school:) I don't know that story but I like Billy Connelly
DeleteWelcome Back Kotter is the only one I've seen. The good thing is I used to love it and watched it every week, myself.
ReplyDeleteYes, I watched it too but I don't think it hold up
DeleteFreaks and Geeks is just about the best selection ever. HOwever, REady or Not, man, I forgot that one existed! Thanks for hte reminder.
ReplyDeleteFreaks and Geeks is excellent and glad you recall this Canadian show
DeleteGee, I've got so much catching up with movies. It's all work, work, work for me lately.
ReplyDeleteDamm that work! 😀
DeleteI watched a lot of reruns of "Saved By The Bell" when I was traveling and my hotel carried TBS. I never actually watched "Boy Meets World," but that was another, as well as "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper" and "The Steve Harvey Show." There was also "The White Shadow" (I think that was high school) in the Seventies, "The Bill Cosby Show" in the Sixties, and "Our Miss Brooks" in the Fifties. "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" was college, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteLook at you go! I could never watch Saved By The Bell as 1 or 2 shows was enough for me. The White Shadow was an excellent show and still holds up in my opinion. I never watched our Miss. Brooks but always loved Eve Arden. I think Dobie was college with the beatnik played by Bob Denver, aka Gilligan
DeleteI went to a small high school here in Alabama. My experience was pretty good but there were some girls in my class that were not as fortunate.
ReplyDeleteI watched Cotter. It was a hoot.
R
You were lucky to have good memories of High school.
DeleteLotta love for Freaks and Geeks - loving that trailer!
ReplyDeleteNot heard of the other two shows...
Freaks and Geeks was popular this week and rightly show
DeleteI hope by now you are rested, refreshed and feeling perky:)
ReplyDeleteWelcome Back Kotter sure takes me back:)
Welcome Back has not aged well but at least John Travolta has kept his jet black hair...hahahaaaaa. I am still quite sick and weak and not able to see my mom.
DeleteHaven't seen any of these! Might be because I'm British. I don't recall any of them on TV over here!
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
Well, I am certain with Welcome Back Kotter plus other American shows, you saw the original British ones that the Americans rip off from
DeleteI see what you mean about Ryan G's eyebrows:)
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling much, much better.
Still not great but getting there. The worst is that I can't visit my mom
DeleteI'd totally forgotten Welcome Back Kotter. I had to watch the video and have a good laugh. Travolta was darned funny.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun show for its time. I don't think it aged well though
DeleteBut still its good crack watching these actors messing around while they're young, horny and naive. Ready or Not brings back so many memories. I remember the fun when girls used to crack on to me like this yeah those were the days.... but what happened to my good looks? Its game over man lol
ReplyDeleteHahahaaaa...yes we all wished we did not look geeky
DeleteBirgit,
ReplyDeleteI used to watch "Welcome Back Kotter", too. I loved that show!! Who would've ever thought John Travolta would go on to be such a blockbuster actor starting off in this show. lol What fun! I don't remember "Ready or Not". The first thing I think I saw Ryan Gosling in is "Fracture" which we just watched this weekend and it was fabulous! Thanks for sharing and have a great week, my friend. I can't believe it's September,can you?
I can't believe it's September...very weird and not liking the shorter days. Welcome Back was a fu show for its time. Ready Or Not was a Canadian show but one I liked
DeleteI never watched Freaks and Geeks, but it's sounds like a show that would appeal to me.
ReplyDeleteI hope tomorrow you are feeling much, much better.
Hugs,
I'm feeling weak but not as bad with my lungs so I'm glad about that.
DeleteOH! OH, OH! OH, OH, OH! I love Arnold Horschak! Also, I was addicted to that show. Thank you for this happy memory. Welcome back, welcome back...Yay, nostalgic song going through my head now too.
ReplyDeleteBe safe, and take good care.
He was my favourite as well. Such a shame her passed away so young along with Robert Hegyes
DeleteLove Freaks and Geeks too. Have not heard of your other two.
ReplyDeleteAre you doing better? How's your mom?
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it's September,can you?
ReplyDeleteเย็ดสาว