Head of the Class

Synopsis

Head of the Class is an American sitcom that ran from 1986 to 1991 on the ABC television network. The series follows a group of gifted students in the Individualized Honors Program at the fictional Monroe High School in Manhattan, and their history teacher Charlie Moore. The program was ostensibly a vehicle for Hesseman, best known for his role as radio DJ Dr. Johnny Fever in the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Hesseman left Head of the Class in 1990 and was replaced by Billy Connolly as teacher Billy MacGregor for the final season. After the series ended, Connolly appeared in a short-lived spin-off titled Billy. The series was created and executive produced by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias. Rich Eustis had previously worked as a New York City substitute teacher while hoping to become an actor.

First Air Date: 1986-09-17

Last Air Date: 1991-06-25

Number of Seasons: 5

Number of Episodes: 114

Created By: Rich Eustis

Networks: ABC

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

William G. Schilling as Dr. Harold Samuels
Jeannetta Arnette as Bernadette Meara
Dan Frischman as Arvid Engen
Robin Givens as Darlene Merriman
Khrystyne Haje as Simone Foster
Tony O'Dell as Alan Pinkard
Brian Robbins as Eric Mardian
Kimberly Russell as Sarah Nevins
Dan Schneider as Dennis Blunden
Howard Hesseman as Charlie Moore

Seasons

Season 1 (1986) - (22 Episodes)

Season 2 (1987) - (22 Episodes)

Season 3 (1988) - (22 Episodes)

Season 4 (1989) - (26 Episodes)

Season 5 (1990) - (22 Episodes)

Season 1 (1986)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Pilot (1986-09-17)

A high school substitute teacher takes over a class of geniuses.
Ep. 2: Back to the Future (1986-09-24)

The class imagines life 20 years in the future
Ep. 3: Charliegate (1986-10-01)

Dennis misquotes Mr. Moore for the school newspaper
Ep. 4: Love at First Byte (1986-10-22)

Charlie receives a love note from a secret admirer he suspects is in the IHP.
Ep. 5: The Outsider (1986-10-29)

Janice feels left out in class and decides to throw a party to make friends. Charlie dates a model.
Ep. 6: Teacher's Teacher (1986-11-05)

Charlie is upset when the IHP's regular teacher announces his return from sick leave.
Ep. 7: Volleyball Anyone? (1986-11-12)

Arvid tries to impress a girl by challenging the school basketball players to a volleyball match against the IHP class.
Ep. 8: Critical Choices (1986-11-19)

Charlie tries his hand at ""Hamlet""
Ep. 9: Cold Turkey (1986-11-26)

Mr. Moore spends Thanksgiving with Dr. Samuels
Ep. 10: You've Got a Friend (1986-12-03)

After their team project wins them a trip to Washington, D.C., Sarah and Arvid develop slight feelings for each other. But things aren't necessarily a bed of roses between them.
Ep. 11: As Time Goes By (1986-12-10)

Charlie's ex-flame evaluates the class
Ep. 12: The Way We Weren't (1986-12-17)

When doing reports on their ancestry, both Alan and Darlene find things out that they don't want to.
Ep. 13: Rebel Without a Class (1987-01-07)

Eric makes trouble for another teacher
Ep. 14: Ode to Simone (1987-01-14)

Simone receives a discouraging letter from her favorite poet....after his death. Dennis tries to give up sarcasm and pranks.
Ep. 15: Past Imperfect (1987-01-21)

Charlie must pass a test in Macro Economics in order to keep his teaching license. The IHP attempt to help him.
Ep. 16: A Problem Like Maria (1987-01-28)

Maria dates the captain of the opposing team
Ep. 17: The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming! (1987-02-04)

The IHP faces their Russian counterparts in an academic tournament. Eric must join the team to replace an ailing Jawaharal.
Ep. 18: Valentine's Day (1987-02-11)

The class has problems on Valentine's day.
Ep. 19: Video Activity (1987-02-18)

The class makes a music video for a time capsule
Ep. 20: Privilege (1987-02-25)

Charlie sets Arvid up with a job at a hot nightclub, which causes Arvid to develop a cocky, image-conscious attitude.
Ep. 21: Crimes of the Heart (1987-04-01)

No overview for this episode.
Ep. 22: The Secret Life of Arvid Engen (1987-05-06)

Arvid starts to daydream about Lori and it affects his schoolwork