Watch Head of the Class

Head of the Class was a popular ABC sitcom that ran from 1986 to 1991. The show followed a group of highly gifted high school students as they navigated their way through academia, relationships, and the ups and downs of adolescence. The series was primarily set in a specialized honors program at the fictional Manhattan High School, where a small group of the smartest students in the school were given the opportunity to learn from the very best teachers in the field. The driving force behind the program was the charming and charismatic Mr. Charles Moore (Howard Hesseman), a brilliant and unorthodox instructor who was not afraid to break the rules and push his students to their limits.

The core cast of students varied over the course of the series, but consisted of a diverse group of teenagers from different backgrounds and cultures. They all shared a passion for learning and excelling academically, but each had their own unique quirks and traits that made them stand out.

Michael DeLorenzo played Alex Torres, a street-smart Hispanic kid from Brooklyn who was the star of the school's basketball team. Rain Pryor portrayed T.J. Jones, a brassy and confident African American girl who had a natural talent for music and performing arts. Billy Connolly played Billy MacGregor, a Scottish expat with a dry wit and a passion for history. Jeanetta Arnette played Bernadette Meara, a shy and bookish Irish Catholic girl who struggled to assert herself among her more outgoing peers. Khrystyne Haje played Simone Foster, a wealthy and glamorous socialite who initially struggled to fit in with the rest of the group.

Kimberly Russell played Sarah Nevins, a quirky and artistic girl who was in love with her best friend, Arvid Engen (played by Dan Frischman), a nerdy and socially awkward science whiz. Tannis Vallely played Janice Lazarus, a spunky and tomboyish girl who was constantly clashing with T.J. Leslie Bega portrayed Maria Borges, a fiery and outspoken Latina who often found herself at odds with Mr. Moore. Jonathan Ke Quan played Jasper Kwong, a quiet and studious student who had a deep passion for science and technology.

Brian Robbins and Dan Schneider played Eric Mardian and Dennis Blunden, respectively, a pair of somewhat dimwitted jocks who were constantly trying to find ways to cheat their way through Mr. Moore's classes. Other recurring characters included Tony O'Dell as Alan Pinkard, a rival of Alex's on the basketball court, Robin Givens as Darlene Merriman, a spoiled and entitled rich girl who briefly joined the program, Leah Remini as a tough-talking tomboy named Stacey Carosi, and De'voraeux White as Aristotle McKenzie, a proud African American student who clashed with T.J. over their differing views on race and culture.

The show tackled a wide range of topics over its five-season run, including serious issues like drug addiction, teen pregnancy, and racism, as well as more lighthearted fare like dating and social issues. It was praised for its smart writing, strong ensemble cast, and realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by gifted, high-achieving students.

Despite its popularity and critical acclaim, Head of the Class was ultimately cancelled in 1991 due to declining ratings. However, it remains a beloved classic of 80s and 90s television, and is still remembered today as a groundbreaking and important show that paved the way for many other high school sitcoms to come.

Head of the Class is a series that ran for 5 seasons (114 episodes) between September 17, 1986 and on ABC