I wonder why he left Head of the Class before the 5th season.

I wonder if his leaving had to do with the fact the students spending a fifth year in high school. Maybe Hessman (Like Gabe Kaplan)thought it was time for the students to graduate after the 4th year of the show. If anyone else knows, be sure to let me know.

I heard there was a lot of tention, but no specifics.

I have only watched episodes of HOTC when Mr. Moore was there. Who took his place in the 1990-91 season?

Billy MacGregor took over as Billy the nwe teacher. He also became Ms. Meara's romantic interest.

Billy's real name is Billy Connolly. And I read that Howard left because his role was getting smaller and smaller while the show started to focus alot more on the students.

In retrospect, would you watch a show that focused on Mr. Moore...or the students? In my opinion...the students! Even the older I get per day...I still would watch it for the students.

It's kind of like Drexel's Class. But then again with that show, who cared either way?

I agree. I watch HotC mainly for the students. Howard Hesseman knew when he signed on to do the show that he wasn't the only cast member!

I would rather have watched the students, in fact the show was mainly about them, so I can see why Howard Hesseman signed off and left.

I hope I don't get in trouble for posting this, but I just came across another message board that suggests (http://www.lipstickalley.com/showpost.php?p=19711115&postcount=322) that Howard Hessman was in effect, pushed out the door after complaining about Dan Schneider's (Dan Frischman allegedly also had a hand in pushing Hesseman out) "extracurricular activities"! ;)

Forget Mr. Moore! Forget the students!! The show should have focused more on Miss Meara!!! ;)

I watched it until Howard Hessman left.

Howard Hesseman's candid thoughts about Head of the Class from 1989:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-08-16/features/8901050097_1_hesseman-fresh-approach-math-or-science

Hesseman Gives `Head Of The Class` A Low Grade

Quite an article; so interesting to see an actor currently on a show giving his show bad publicity. I mean, I know where he's coming from, it's just like "whoa" to see someone air those grievances.

Quite an article; so interesting to see an actor currently on a show giving his show bad publicity. I mean, I know where he's coming from, it's just like "whoa" to see someone air those grievances.

It's weird because when asked what was wrong with the show, he said he wanted the show to explore the differences between his generation and the kids' generation, using humor. I felt like that's what Head of the Class was doing.

He even mentions knowing the pompous, idiot principal that the producers seemingly worked into the script. It's like the producers were giving him exactly what he requested, and he still wasn't happy.

It's weird because when asked what was wrong with the show, he said he wanted the show to explore the differences between his generation and the kids' generation, using humor. I felt like that's what Head of the Class was doing.

He even mentions knowing the pompous, idiot principal that the producers seemingly worked into the script. It's like the producers were giving him exactly what he requested, and he still wasn't happy.

It may be that what he's not saying in black and white is he wanted to show those generational differences to be explored using humor, and using him as the main element. That's my own theory from having heard that his real downer with the show was that it was becoming more about the students than the teacher.

It may be that what he's not saying in black and white is he wanted to show those generational differences to be explored using humor, and using him as the main element. That's my own theory from having heard that his real downer with the show was that it was becoming more about the students than the teacher.

That makes way more sense than anything he actually stated.