Why Did Howard Hesseman leave? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

icecream · 04-30-2018, 05:51 PM

I have seen 4 episodes now with getting Antenna TV back last week. The 3 with him have all been good, but the Billy Connelly episode from Saturday was not on the same level. He was a poor replacement for Howard, and I also couldn't stand the other teacher who was fawning over Billy's character.

Dr. Thong · 05-01-2018, 05:52 PM

It was never the same without Hesseman. I lost interest when the other guy took over. Don't know why Hesseman left.

opus · 05-01-2018, 05:57 PM

In this 1989 article he puts it down

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1...ath-or-science

icecream · 05-01-2018, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

In this 1989 article he puts it down

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1...ath-or-science

That's too bad. Head of the Class is no WKRP but it was still an excellent show with him. But he doesn't even seem to like any TV much.

Mr. Television · 05-01-2018, 10:48 PM

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

Dr. Thong · 05-02-2018, 05:22 PM

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.

I lost interest in it after he left.

JR1 · 05-22-2018, 09:39 PM

Some further insight into Hessman's exit, from Brian Robbins (Eric) and Dan Schneider (Dennis):

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/...EAD-WASNT.html

The best were the first three seasons; season 4 was still OK, as Charlie was still there, but the new students (maybe bar T.J.) didn't click with me.

Jennyluvver · 05-23-2018, 03:15 AM

Interesting article. I have wondered why we had never seen any opinions from the cast on why Hesseman left HOTC. As great as Howard Hesseman was, HOTC wouldn't have been as good if it was more about Charlie Moore. I've never known anyone who thought the episodes about Mr. Moore were the best ones. Many of them are good, but the best ones were always about the students.

Also, I'm glad that the producers ran things the way they did, because, in my opinion, HOTC could not have been improved. Schneider and Robbins state that "All That" would be more about what the kids like, but I certainly wouldn't have wanted HOTC to be anything like "All That", which was a show for small children, not adults and teenagers.

HOTC is my favorite sitcom, and I'm glad the producers resisted the attempts to change it from the actors. I love all the actors on the show, but I'm glad HOTC was exactly the way it was.

MrCleveland · 05-23-2018, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR1

Some further insight into Hessman's exit, from Brian Robbins (Eric) and Dan Schneider (Dennis):

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/...EAD-WASNT.html

The best were the first three seasons; season 4 was still OK, as Charlie was still there, but the new students (maybe bar T.J.) didn't click with me.

That's how I feel with Gimme a Break!...Seasons 1-2 were good, Season 3 when Joey and Addie were added brought some interest in the show. But when Season 4 came...it wasn't as good since Dolph Sweet wasn't around because he was going through cancer treatments. Season 5 is unwatchable because Sweet died.

Now back on topic...has there ever been a Head of the Class reunion? Would Hessman be part of it if there was another reunion?

Torgo · 05-23-2018, 08:35 AM

I'm a fan of Billy Connelly, but not on Head Of The Class, Howard Hesseman was the reason I watched Head Of The Class during its original run.

Svenfan1234 · 05-23-2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

That's how I feel with Gimme a Break!...Seasons 1-2 were good, Season 3 when Joey and Addie were added brought some interest in the show. But when Season 4 came...it wasn't as good since Dolph Sweet wasn't around because he was going through cancer treatments. Season 5 is unwatchable because Sweet died.

Now back on topic...has there ever been a Head of the Class reunion? Would Hessman be part of it if there was another reunion?

I feel like Gimme a Break went downhill after it started...too much drama and not enough comedy. But I feel the same way about Soap. Seasons 1 & 2 were classic, but by Season 3 it started slipping but still had its moments, same really with the last season, but less.

A Head of the Class reunion would be good. If Shout Factory or Time Life ever acquired the license to Head of the Class, I"m sure there'd be a reunion.

king of comedy · 05-23-2018, 05:03 PM

It was a great show and Hessman made it great.

RetroGuy2000 · 05-23-2018, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svenfan1234

A Head of the Class reunion would be good. If Shout Factory or Time Life ever acquired the license to Head of the Class, I"m sure there'd be a reunion.

But would Shout Factory or Time-Life really want Hesseman there, shouting, "Don't buy the DVDs! This show sucks!" ?

Dr. Thong · 05-24-2018, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

But would Shout Factory or Time-Life really want Hesseman there, shouting, "Don't buy the DVDs! This show sucks!" ?

I suppose a selling point wouldn't be "negative commentaries by star Howard Hesseman."

RetroGuy2000 · 05-30-2018, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I suppose a selling point wouldn't be "negative commentaries by star Howard Hesseman."

No. No it would not!

04-30-2018, 05:51 PM	#1
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,615	Why Did Howard Hesseman leave? I have seen 4 episodes now with getting Antenna TV back last week. The 3 with him have all been good, but the Billy Connelly episode from Saturday was not on the same level. He was a poor replacement for Howard, and I also couldn't stand the other teacher who was fawning over Billy's character.
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05-01-2018, 05:52 PM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	It was never the same without Hesseman. I lost interest when the other guy took over. Don't know why Hesseman left.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

05-01-2018, 10:48 PM	#5
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	Yea I seem to remember he didn't care for the show. He was great in it though. The show JTS after he left.
	__________________ Sonny

05-23-2018, 08:35 AM	#10
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,017	I'm a fan of Billy Connelly, but not on Head Of The Class, Howard Hesseman was the reason I watched Head Of The Class during its original run.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

05-01-2018, 05:57 PM	#3
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,092	In this 1989 article he puts it down http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1...ath-or-science

05-22-2018, 09:39 PM	#7
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	Some further insight into Hessman's exit, from Brian Robbins (Eric) and Dan Schneider (Dennis): https://www.deseretnews.com/article/...EAD-WASNT.html The best were the first three seasons; season 4 was still OK, as Charlie was still there, but the new students (maybe bar T.J.) didn't click with me.

05-23-2018, 03:15 AM	#8
Jennyluvver Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 78	Interesting article. I have wondered why we had never seen any opinions from the cast on why Hesseman left HOTC. As great as Howard Hesseman was, HOTC wouldn't have been as good if it was more about Charlie Moore. I've never known anyone who thought the episodes about Mr. Moore were the best ones. Many of them are good, but the best ones were always about the students. Also, I'm glad that the producers ran things the way they did, because, in my opinion, HOTC could not have been improved. Schneider and Robbins state that "All That" would be more about what the kids like, but I certainly wouldn't have wanted HOTC to be anything like "All That", which was a show for small children, not adults and teenagers. HOTC is my favorite sitcom, and I'm glad the producers resisted the attempts to change it from the actors. I love all the actors on the show, but I'm glad HOTC was exactly the way it was.

05-23-2018, 05:03 PM	#12
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	It was a great show and Hessman made it great.