Teachers Only
Comedy
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.
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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.
- 1Diana, Substitute Mother14 Apr 1982 · 30mDiana 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.
- 2The Dreyfuss Affair21 Apr 1982 · 30mTwo female students set Dreyfuss up, claiming he made a pass at one of them.
- 3Cooper's Grab for Gusto28 Apr 1982 · 30mCooper begins to delegate responsibilities to Brody after the untimely demise of a colleague.
- 4Quote, Unquote5 May 1982 · 30mDiana is in hot water when she reveals her candid views on premarital sex in the school magazine.
- 5The Make-Up Test12 May 1982 · 30mDiana's decision to fail a student is vetoed by Cooper, who made a deal with the youth's father.
- 6I've Got a Crush on You26 May 1982 · 30mDiana tutors a handsome football star who's got a crush on her.
- 7The Once and Future Teacher2 Jun 1982 · 30mConsumed by paper work and committee assignments, Diana considers leaving the teaching profession.
- 8Guns and Butter9 Jun 1982 · 30mA survey by a district specialist may result in program and personnel cuts at the school.
Details
- First aired
- 14 Apr 1982
- Last aired
- 14 May 1983
- Status
- Ended
- Language
- English
- Network
- NBC
- Episodes
- 21
- Votes
- 2 on TMDB
Cast
Lynn RedgraveDiana Swanson
Norman FellPrincipal Ben Cooper
Jean SmartShari Kirkland
Teresa GanzelSamantha Keating
Tim ReidMichael Horne
Joel BrooksBarney Betelman
Steve RyanSpud Le Boone
