Oddly, I've had the first episode of season four on tape since it first aired. It's at the end of some other tape. I had taped the lineup that night because I was going to be out. The tape also has "Growing Pains," "Doogie Howser MD" and, I think, "Anything But Love." I re-watched the season four opener last night and was amazed by a few things:

First, unlike other shows, the entire episode is about the cast changeover and meeting the new kids. I was a little uncomfortable with how they glossed over the old cast members leaving and focused solely on the new kids, until--I think--Darlene said near the end of our show "these were our friends!" But I was still impressed how they dedicated an entire episode to the changeover. Kind of reinforces my belief that "Head Of The Class" was like "Saved By The Bell" with a brain.

I can't help but think that the cast changeover was an attempt by the producers to come up with a younger, hipper, more diversified cast. It almost felt forced. I'm unhappy that had to come at the expense of three cast members. I also think they wanted to increase the sexual tension of the show. I distinctly remember being less interested in the show after the cast changeover, especially after Billy Connolly came in later.

I think I'm going to ask Joher what was behind that cast changeover. If he doesn't mind, I'll share what he has to say with you guys.

You have Season 4's first ep? If it's still in good quality, then I'd love to have a copy of it.

Originally posted by Crapple
Oddly, I've had the first episode of season four on tape since it first aired. It's at the end of some other tape. I had taped the lineup that night because I was going to be out. The tape also has "Growing Pains," "Doogie Howser MD" and, I think, "Anything But Love." I re-watched the season four opener last night and was amazed by a few things:

First, unlike other shows, the entire episode is about the cast changeover and meeting the new kids. I was a little uncomfortable with how they glossed over the old cast members leaving and focused solely on the new kids, until--I think--Darlene said near the end of our show "these were our friends!" But I was still impressed how they dedicated an entire episode to the changeover. Kind of reinforces my belief that "Head Of The Class" was like "Saved By The Bell" with a brain.

I can't help but think that the cast changeover was an attempt by the producers to come up with a younger, hipper, more diversified cast. It almost felt forced. I'm unhappy that had to come at the expense of three cast members. I also think they wanted to increase the sexual tension of the show. I distinctly remember being less interested in the show after the cast changeover, especially after Billy Connolly came in later.

I think I'm going to ask Joher what was behind that cast changeover. If he doesn't mind, I'll share what he has to say with you guys. I agree. The first 3 seasons were the best.

I was only 8 when that episode first aired, and only remember this (if this is correct):

At the beginning, the remaining original students enter the class, and see the new kids. They're all like, "Where's Maria?" "Where's Janice?" "Where's Jawaharlal?" and Charlie answers them. If that memory was correct, then how come Charlie was the one who knew their whereabouts? Wouldn't the kids know what happened to their own friends?

I'm sure at least Maria would be calling her friends from the class to tell them the news. Oh, well. I'll skim over this little plot hole!

Originally posted by realchic1999
I was only 8 when that episode first aired, and only remember this (if this is correct):

At the beginning, the remaining original students enter the class, and see the new kids. They're all like, "Where's Maria?" "Where's Janice?" "Where's Jawaharlal?" and Charlie answers them. If that memory was correct, then how come Charlie was the one who knew their whereabouts? Wouldn't the kids know what happened to their own friends?

I never saw that episode, but thats a good question. Its like there gone, and oh well :(

Another thing. I think the departing cast should've gotten a special sendoff (I have a feeling they didn't). It sucks that they were brushed off like yesterday's news. At least Tannis got to come back to "graduate."

I have that episode too. I like it,but what gets me is that Eric suddenly likes Viki and then it is like after this episode Simone and Eric never get back together until the last episode when they decide to get married.

Originally posted by Headoftheclassfan
I have that episode too. I like it,but what gets me is that Eric suddenly likes Viki and then it is like after this episode Simone and Eric never get back together until the last episode when they decide to get married.

Hey Headoftheclassfan - hope your still here lol, and welcome to the board. Sorry I didnt respond to your posts earlier but I havent had much internet access lately lol. Anyway I was just curious if you have all the Head of the class episodes on tape or something? Cuz you mentioned you have that one from the 4th season and you were talking about the last episode where Simone and Erik get married, so I was wondering if you have that episode too? I have most of the HOTC episodes, But I'm missing 16 episodes of the whole series and I've been looking all over for those last 2 episodes and some other more rare ones, so I was just curious if you have them? or how many other HOTC episodes do you have and maybe we could trade or soemthing? Anyway let me know thru here or email or PM me or something lol.

I have been trying to get eps for a while. I would also like that season four premiere and the last episode. I am a four and a half year veteran on the board. I have hundreds of shows, so if possible please help me.

ThomasE
Moderator

Another thing that always bugged me was the way they handled Mr. Moore leaving in the first episode of the 5th season. He left notes for all the students. Mr. Moore strikes me as being a guy who would come in and talk to his class if he was leaving, not leave little notes behind!

Originally posted by realchic1999
I was only 8 when that episode first aired, and only remember this (if this is correct):

At the beginning, the remaining original students enter the class, and see the new kids. They're all like, "Where's Maria?" "Where's Janice?" "Where's Jawaharlal?" and Charlie answers them. If that memory was correct, then how come Charlie was the one who knew their whereabouts? Wouldn't the kids know what happened to their own friends?

I remember that, Charlie said Maria got accepted to some school for the performing arts, Jannice went to Harvard, I think it was. And I cant remember what happened to Jawaharlal?

He had moved to California with his parents.

if i remember correctly, jasper came in and wonder what was going on. the classmates told him that mr. moore accepted the lead in " death of a salesman" play on friday but jasper was absent. then simone gave him his note. so mr. moore did tell the class, sort of speak.

Supposedly, Mr. Moore gave a little note to each of his students. I would have expected more from a great teacher like that.

Whoa! In2TV AOL has now added "Back to School" (the 4th season premiere) to its online HOTC episode list. I'm watching it now. Sarah did know about Maria's going to a performing arts school ("Didn't you know, Alan?") but I'm still surprised that no one else knew about the others.

Continuing to watch now...

Can anyone imagine my suffering?! I live in Toronto and In2TV is not available here!!! :mad:

Thanks for posting this. You know, I could have sworn that season 4 had a full set of opening credits like seasons 1-3 did. But, with the exception of today, the last time that I saw any episode from season 4 was either back in 1991 or 1992. (Somehow I seem to recall a NASA episode regarding something between Arvid and Dennis. That is the only S4 episode that I recall.)

BTW: While HOTC is not featured on the main site anymore, if you do a quoted search for “Head of the Class” on In2TV, the episodes do come up. Thanks, flashgordon for the tip.

You know, I could have sworn that season 4 had a full set of opening credits like seasons 1-3 did.

The beginning of the theme song plays with "Head of the Class" superimposed over a group shot of the cast in the classroom. Then it jumps right to the first segment and the opening credits scroll over that. Similar to season 5's (except some weird graphics are used in the "Head of the Class" intro instead of a cast photo).

Yeah. I guess with 1990 rolling around, and with new computer technologies emerging, I guess they decided to update the opening credits for the final season. Also the font used for the intro changed from the usual font used in seasons 1-4 to the modula font for the title and cast.

Anyway, it was great seeing that episode again. I love that in2tv. Hopefully the show will come back and hopefully with some new episodes. That cast photo used at the end of the show with the credits rolling atop of it that Dr. Samuels took was cool. It was also nice to see the entire episode without interruption and with the "Head of the Class will continue in a moment" voice over preserved. They omitted that during the N@N run, but it was present in the syndie run that I watched after school back in 1991-2. It was also nice to hear the closing theme w/o some announcer screwing it up.

In2TV rules for having this show on.

Thanks for posting this. You know, I could have sworn that season 4 had a full set of opening credits like seasons 1-3 did. But, with the exception of today, the last time that I saw any episode from season 4 was either back in 1991 or 1992.

There was a full credit sequence made for season 4, but it was rarely used, even in the original ABC airing. It was almost the same as the previous seasons, only with the new cast members added, and the departed ones deleted. The one major change was at the end when Charlie opens the door to the classroom and sees everyone standing/sitting on desks. They edited out the old cast shot and inserted a new shot with the revamped cast. And it looked really weird, because the new cast shot was done on videotape, while the rest of the credits (as well as the old cast shot that was replaced) was done on film.

This is too funny because I was just thinking about how the show could have revamped the opening just to accomodate the new cast. They could have edited in a shot of the cast with the old video. I though about this like 15 minutes ago and then I read this post. Now I want any epps with the new cast in the seq opening. LOL. BTW, I did not find the "Back to School" ep on IN2TV?

It was there, don't know what happened to it.

I noticed my message was from 7/06. I'm wondering if In2TV gets rid of the "older" episodes in their lineup to make room for the new downloadable ones. That's the only explanation I can think of.

It definitely used to be there...that was the only way I could've seen it since the show's not on TV and finding a copy on Ebay is hard.

Sorry you missed out. This should be the catalyst to get the show on DVD, does anyone agree?

ETA: Other season 4 episodes are on there...so while it doesn't make up for missing the season four premiere you can watch the other ones to get a glimpse of what that season was like.