Teachers Only

Overview

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.

Seasons

Season 1

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.

Episodes: 8

Season 2

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.

Episodes: 13