Ep 1. Pilot

Head of the Class, Season 1, Episode 1: "Pilot"

"Head of the Class" is a beloved high school sitcom that aired in the late 1980s. It follows the lives of a group of inspiring and academically talented high school students as they navigate the challenges of school and life together. The first episode, "Pilot," introduces us to the main character, Mr. Moore, and his class of gifted students.

The episode opens with Mr. Moore (played by Howard Hesseman), a substitute teacher, arriving at Manhattan's elite Monroe High School. He's nervous and overwhelmed by the gifted and talented nature of the students in his class, who are all part of an accelerated Individualized Honors Program (IHP).

As soon as Mr. Moore walks into the classroom, he is greeted by the students, who are ambitious, smart, and eager to learn. The students include:

- Darlene Merriman (played by Robin Givens), a beautiful and confident young woman who wants to go to Harvard Law School. - Arvid Engen (played by Dan Frischman), a shy but brilliant teenage boy with a gift for math and science. - Jawaharlal Choudhury (played by Jory Husain), a young man of Indian descent who is a computer whiz. - Eric Mardian (played by Brian Robbins), a cool teenager who is into skateboarding and heavy metal music. - Simone Foster (played by Khrystyne Haje), a smart and stylish young woman with a passion for fashion design. - Dennis Blunden (played by Dan Schneider), a chubby and loveable teenager who dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian.

Despite feeling overwhelmed, Mr. Moore is determined to get through the day and make an impression on his students. He tries to teach them the subject of "Moby Dick" by quoting a passage from the book to a reluctant Eric. Eric then astounds Mr. Moore by offering a blistering rendition of classic rock song "The Joker" to demonstrate his mastery of poetry.

As the day goes on, Mr. Moore comes to appreciate the students' intelligence and quick wit, and overcomes his initial fear of the class. He quickly realizes that while he's teaching them, the students are also teaching him to be a better teacher.

The show's ensemble cast is fantastic, with each character bringing their own unique skills, personalities, and quirks to the table. They all have great chemistry with each other and help to make the show feel authentic and realistic.

Overall, "Head of the Class" is a timeless sitcom that still resonates with audiences today. The show was groundbreaking for its time, showcasing a diverse cast of characters and tackling issues such as racism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Each episode was filled with humor, heart, and intelligence, making it a must-watch for anyone who loves a good high school sitcom.