Boston Public

I would like to say this is a great show. I'm sorry I just started watching this TV series on TV1 (cable). It hits many real live situations that is now going on in the public school systems with our children and teachers. It really makes you think what the teacher actually go through with our children and vis versa in the low-class and middle class communities. It is really and truly an eye catcher. Its just sad that a show that has so much reality and truth in it has to end, but the re-runs are great. Hopefully they may continue a new season at a later time. I commend all the writers, producers and actors for a job very well done.

You'll hear a lot of people complain about Boston Public, calling it stupid or contrived or even sappy. But the sad fact is, it's main failing is that it addresses serious topics for an audience that would rather watch Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. People don't want socially relevant television ... they want South Park entertainment.

Well, it IS a great show. The character development is done with finely tuned precision, making one often forget that they are watching and not actually "there". The people on the show meld into their roles so well that it makes me shudder to think back to High School.

But one thing this show does NOT do is make me want to be a teacher.

This series takes a pro-teacher attitude, showing us as we are: diverse, flawed, passionate about learning, student-centered and student-stymied. Challenges to teachers, administrators and students are true-to-life. A strong ensemble cast demonstrates the joys and frustrations of a career in education. I know each one of these teachers and have worked with them. At times I have been each one: discouraged, uplifted, supported, disappointed, competent, unable to cope, in control, self-doubting, on top of it, ground under it all. I know these kids and their parents. The show where Michael Rappaport's character tries to deal with feelings aroused in students by use of the "N" word was the finest television drama I have ever seen. I miss Boston Public.

This drama (acutally it was comedy mixed with drama) was one of a group David E Kelly productions that have bee on. It lasted 4 seasons, over 80 episodes on FOX. I actually watched more than a dozen of them while they were on because they were better than the average show being made at that time.

What really caught my attention was Chi McBrides great acting. Since this show, he has done some other stuff, most notably a season with Dr. House. This role of his as the principle of the school in Boston was made for him.

The scripts were good but not realistic which is typical of Kelly produced shows. They were dramatic often, & would throw in humor on occasion. Shows often hit cutting edge topics like murder, rape while sometimes dealing with cutting edge topics such as blacks racism problems, and drugs. A lot of serious issues get thrown out for your reaction in new ways.

This was a solid show.

After watching the first episode of BOSTON PUBLIC, I am hooked. The cast is great, and the writers have really captured what it's like to be a student in high school- as well as a teacher. Now, the first episode had its problems (do you really believe Senate wouldn't have been fired for firing that gun, or that Harper won't be for slamming that kid into the locker), but it is still a very intelligent show. We have to look past these mistakes at the show as a whole. This show captures high school in a bad neighborhood perfectly. I hope this show stays around for a while (unlikely the even more brillant FREAKS AND GEEKS that got axed after only one stellar year) and with a debut episode like that, it'll only get better.