Why Did Howard Hesseman leave? - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 10-26-2018, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

Yea I seem to remember he didn't care for the show. He was great in it though. The show JTS after he left.

Perhaps Howard Hessman thought the show would be more evenly focused between his character's personal life and the classroom, but the kids wound up being the primary focus. So in that regard, it's completely understandable why he left, especially after being so successful after WKRP.

TomH1138 · 03-21-2020, 05:26 PM

It's very interesting to hear in Hesseman's words why he left.

Interestingly, I thought there was always one reason that made sense to leave: The show had already run for 4 years, and it was time for the high-schoolers to graduate. In fact, being geniuses, they could have graduated early, and instead the show came back for a fifth year! That didn't make sense. (Keep in mind, this is still one of my favorite shows.)

If the show gradually replaced all of its cast with newcomers (which they sort of did, but they needed to have an influx of freshmen every year), then maybe it could have continued a bit longer. As it was, I originally read somewhere (probably in TV Guide) that the final season was intended to air in January as a mid-season replacement, which fit the conceit that Billy just came in to finish out the semester.

Ironically, the show premiered in September anyway. (Apparently, ABC had some last-minute shuffling of the schedule.) And then there was an episode with a Halloween party, which means that Billy had to come in very early in the year!

Anyway, I'm rambling at this point. I guess that had nothing to do with why Hesseman left. But I always thought the fifth season was kind of a weird idea.

TVFactFan · 04-11-2020, 07:58 PM

if anyone was going to leave the show it should have been that dumb ass principal

howierules86 · 04-11-2020, 08:23 PM

Season 5 was originally supposed to be mid-season only, but it was because of the problems that Baby Talk (remember that sitcom?) had that delayed its premiere to early 1991 that HOTC had to be rushed into production quicker than anticipated for the fall 1990 start.

TVFactFan · 04-11-2020, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howierules86

Season 5 was originally supposed to be mid-season only, but it was because of the problems that Baby Talk (remember that sitcom?) had that delayed its premiere to early 1991 that HOTC had to be rushed into production quicker than anticipated for the fall 1990 start.

what did baby talk have to do with head of the class

howierules86 · 04-12-2020, 08:35 AM

^The ABC network just had to pick one show to fill the void caused by the delays that Baby Talk had, and they chose to do Season 5 of Head of the Class at the last minute.

TV Guy · 04-12-2020, 08:57 AM

It’s interesting that Robbins and Schneider talk about Hesseman leaving and say that he was “replaced” as opposed to him quitting. When you read Hesseman’s critical comments about the show from 1989 (while he was still on it!), you just know that he wasn’t exactly a peach on the set. He essentially was criticizing his colleagues’ work publicly. Some other things in those two stories lead me to believe that he’s not the most pleasant person.

That said, I do agree that the show was better with him.

TVFactFan · 04-12-2020, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Guy

It’s interesting that Robbins and Schneider talk about Hesseman leaving and say that he was “replaced” as opposed to him quitting. When you read Hesseman’s critical comments about the show from 1989 (while he was still on it!), you just know that he wasn’t exactly a peach on the set. He essentially was criticizing his colleagues’ work publicly. Some other things in those two stories lead me to believe that he’s not the most pleasant person.

That said, I do agree that the show was better with him.

that billy was a complete weirdo

Avilos · 05-25-2020, 05:04 PM

Just watched the first season on Roku. I have not seen an episode in a very long. But I remember every episode. I was young when it was on, I was born in 1978. Which gives you a sense of my age when it first aired. Do not remember if I watched it from beginning but did watch the later seasons new and the reruns on local tv over and over again.

Being so long I forgot how much I loved this show. Mr Moore was a huge part of that. It’s unfortunate to read how unhappy Howard Hesseman was. I vague memories of hearing that over the years.

I liked Billy at the time, though the show felt so different. Be awhile to I get to that last season.

There seems to be inconsistencies in all the reports of Howard leaving and Billy taking over.

Hesseman was unhappy about the show focusing on the kids more than the teacher. Which from his perspective is understandable. Though to a young viewer the kids is what keep me interested as long as I was.

Yet in the final season Billy got more focus as teacher away from the kids?? Which seems to be what Howard Hesseman always wanted. Was there a plan to continue the show with new students in a 6th season? It’s a popular joke that the smart kids took 5 years to graduate. But clearly the show never could have lasted too much longer and held any credibility.

At that point it was way too late to have a fully rotating classes of new students. If that ever was to work it would have needed to happen in the first or second season before audiences got attached to the kids. I do not think that ever would have worked.

I am a comic book fan. So the idea of characters not aging in real time is easy to except. Maybe two seasons was a full school year. Nothing compared to MASH about the Korean War which lasted much longer than the actual war!

Anyways, if they had an end goal for number of seasons? Leading to graduation? Was the show popular enough that they did not care? It’s a strange move to introduce a new teacher in the last season.

Clearly ABC liked Billy Connolly a lot. To let him take over the show. Give a spin off. It’s strange that they had the school demolished in last episode. They could have had him be teacher of another subject in the same school.... that just occurred to me...

Even as a kid it was interesting that we rarely saw the IHP in other classes with other teachers. Maybe it would have been better received if Billy taught another subject in same school. Mr Moore is still,there but we never see him any more. Now it’s another part of their day.

TMC · 12-18-2021, 12:17 AM

Quote:

On Wednesday nights back in the mid-80s, one of the shows I watched on a regular basis was "Head Of The Class" starring Howard Hesseman. It was part of a Wednesday night lineup that included "Perfect Strangers", and at one point "Growing Pains". In this video, I discuss Howard Hesseman's career and his decision to walk away from the show that was still getting good ratings. #HeadoftheClass #HowardHesseman #80sTVshows

04-11-2020, 08:23 PM	#19
howierules86 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 05, 2007 Location: Opelika, AL Posts: 29,442	Season 5 was originally supposed to be mid-season only, but it was because of the problems that Baby Talk (remember that sitcom?) had that delayed its premiere to early 1991 that HOTC had to be rushed into production quicker than anticipated for the fall 1990 start.
	__________________ I love me some Susanna Hoffs - http://www.susannahoffs.com And many other very talented ladies too.

03-21-2020, 05:26 PM	#17
TomH1138 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2014 Location: Chicago Posts: 11	It's very interesting to hear in Hesseman's words why he left. Interestingly, I thought there was always one reason that made sense to leave: The show had already run for 4 years, and it was time for the high-schoolers to graduate. In fact, being geniuses, they could have graduated early, and instead the show came back for a fifth year! That didn't make sense. (Keep in mind, this is still one of my favorite shows.) If the show gradually replaced all of its cast with newcomers (which they sort of did, but they needed to have an influx of freshmen every year), then maybe it could have continued a bit longer. As it was, I originally read somewhere (probably in TV Guide) that the final season was intended to air in January as a mid-season replacement, which fit the conceit that Billy just came in to finish out the semester. Ironically, the show premiered in September anyway. (Apparently, ABC had some last-minute shuffling of the schedule.) And then there was an episode with a Halloween party, which means that Billy had to come in very early in the year! Anyway, I'm rambling at this point. I guess that had nothing to do with why Hesseman left. But I always thought the fifth season was kind of a weird idea.

04-11-2020, 07:58 PM	#18
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,971	if anyone was going to leave the show it should have been that dumb ass principal

04-12-2020, 08:35 AM	#21
howierules86 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 05, 2007 Location: Opelika, AL Posts: 29,442	^The ABC network just had to pick one show to fill the void caused by the delays that Baby Talk had, and they chose to do Season 5 of Head of the Class at the last minute.

04-12-2020, 08:57 AM	#22
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	It’s interesting that Robbins and Schneider talk about Hesseman leaving and say that he was “replaced” as opposed to him quitting. When you read Hesseman’s critical comments about the show from 1989 (while he was still on it!), you just know that he wasn’t exactly a peach on the set. He essentially was criticizing his colleagues’ work publicly. Some other things in those two stories lead me to believe that he’s not the most pleasant person. That said, I do agree that the show was better with him.

05-25-2020, 05:04 PM	#24
Avilos Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: Plymouth, WI Posts: 83	Just watched the first season on Roku. I have not seen an episode in a very long. But I remember every episode. I was young when it was on, I was born in 1978. Which gives you a sense of my age when it first aired. Do not remember if I watched it from beginning but did watch the later seasons new and the reruns on local tv over and over again. Being so long I forgot how much I loved this show. Mr Moore was a huge part of that. It’s unfortunate to read how unhappy Howard Hesseman was. I vague memories of hearing that over the years. I liked Billy at the time, though the show felt so different. Be awhile to I get to that last season. There seems to be inconsistencies in all the reports of Howard leaving and Billy taking over. Hesseman was unhappy about the show focusing on the kids more than the teacher. Which from his perspective is understandable. Though to a young viewer the kids is what keep me interested as long as I was. Yet in the final season Billy got more focus as teacher away from the kids?? Which seems to be what Howard Hesseman always wanted. Was there a plan to continue the show with new students in a 6th season? It’s a popular joke that the smart kids took 5 years to graduate. But clearly the show never could have lasted too much longer and held any credibility. At that point it was way too late to have a fully rotating classes of new students. If that ever was to work it would have needed to happen in the first or second season before audiences got attached to the kids. I do not think that ever would have worked. I am a comic book fan. So the idea of characters not aging in real time is easy to except. Maybe two seasons was a full school year. Nothing compared to MASH about the Korean War which lasted much longer than the actual war! Anyways, if they had an end goal for number of seasons? Leading to graduation? Was the show popular enough that they did not care? It’s a strange move to introduce a new teacher in the last season. Clearly ABC liked Billy Connolly a lot. To let him take over the show. Give a spin off. It’s strange that they had the school demolished in last episode. They could have had him be teacher of another subject in the same school.... that just occurred to me... Even as a kid it was interesting that we rarely saw the IHP in other classes with other teachers. Maybe it would have been better received if Billy taught another subject in same school. Mr Moore is still,there but we never see him any more. Now it’s another part of their day.