Original title
Teachers Only
Released
4/14/1982
Origin country
US
Genre
Comedy
Production companies
Carson Productions
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
2
Number of episodes
23
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.
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.
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.
Two female students set Dreyfuss up, claiming he made a pass at one of them.
Cooper begins to delegate responsibilities to Brody after the untimely demise of a colleague.
Diana is in hot water when she reveals her candid views on premarital sex in the school magazine.
Diana's decision to fail a student is vetoed by Cooper, who made a deal with the youth's father.
Diana tutors a handsome football star who's got a crush on her.
Consumed by paper work and committee assignments, Diana considers leaving the teaching profession.
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.
Diana enlists Cooper for moral support when the teacher she politely rebuffs makes the same romantic overtures to her best friend.
Diana brings a lonely Cooper some cookies to boost his morale, but finds a different kind of cookie in his doorway.
With each convinced the other's job is easier, Diana and Cooper agree to switch duties for a week.
A student-council representative takes advantage of a cafeteria-workers strike after Cooper refuses to meet with him.
Once a charming con man, Diana's ex-husband proves he's changed his shady ways.
Michael finds himself attracted to a new student, but Diana learns that she's not in school for academics.
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.
Shari starts sporting a big diamond ring following Cooper's refusal to buy her a simple bracelet.
To protest the cancellation of their class, auto-shop students assemble Cooper's car in the teachers' lounge.
A whirlwind romance blows into a storm when Diana learns the truth about her new beau's occupation.
Diana's party to announce a surprise award to the faculty results in more surprises than she planned.
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.
Acute paranoia replaces Sam's usual vivaciousness after she's mugged while working late at school.
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