Room 222

There have been a number of series, both dramatic and comedic, in a school setting. One of the ones with the highest of aspirations was "Room 222."

The campus of Walt Whitman High School in Los Angeles was the location (just to hint at the level of reason and fairness), and the students, but mostly the faculty, is the focus as we watch these teachers and their charges both learn and instruct each other through the events and the lessons that take place.

The title location is the homeroom for Pete Dixon (Lloyd Haines), who teaches History. Two elements that made this show very unique for its time were the fact that Mr. Haines, being African American, was the de facto star of the show, and that he was having a subtle romance with another faculty member, Liz McIntyre (Denise Nicholas) which was something very rare on television in the late 1960s and early 70s.

Michael Constantine made a name for himself here as the principal, who, more often than not, really listened to his staff and didn't dictate. Karen Valentine as a teacher's aide, also became a favorite for her intelligence and care. Both of them won Emmys for their performances.

The fact that the student body of this school was so diverse was another unique element of the program, with no one making a big deal about that factor - surely something that was surprising for audiences of the day.

I think part of the reason this show hasn't been seen in reruns is that some episodes don't play very well anymore and certain episodes really don't make sense, generally - like one where the high school kids intended to do a performance night with a nude scene ending (a clear reference to Broadway's hit musical at the time, "Hair'), knowing their parents would be in attendance!

But, more often than not, "Room 222" examined issues that were important to kids at the time, and may still have some resonance for students today. And, when you look at the constant debates about learning, about what is appropriate to teach, about trying to give the next generation a good start and to help them become citizens that could uplift our society, there's no doubt that we could use a similar show with the same kinds of virtues and values as this one, now.

Of all the programs that have been considered or have received a reboot, we are overdue to get a brand new 222.

I loved this show when it came on TV at the end of the 60s. I looked forward to it every Friday night, when it debuted in the fall of '69. I was still in elementary school then. But I really enjoyed this program, about a cool group of high school kids. Walt Whitman High, was a huge HS in Los Angeles. It was a multicultural school, where students of all races attended.

The teachers at Walt Whitman High, were also of various races. Mr. Kauffman, was the dedicated, beleaguered Principal. Pete Dickson, a black man, was the school's American history teacher. He was a caring, patient teacher, who really succeeded in engaging his student's interest in history. Pete Dickson was also someone that the students could come to for advice and assistance, with their personal issues. Ms. McIntyre, the attractive assistant Principal, was also romantically involved with Pete Dickson.

Then there was Alice Johnson, who worked with Pete Dickson as a student teacher. Alice was the often annoying, but well-meaning foil for Pete's self-assured personality. Their classroom featured an interesting menagerie of students. There was Jason, the tough-but-sensitive black kid, with a big 'fro and shades. His friend Ritchie, was the class brain. Helen was the shy, vulnerable girl. Bernie, was the white hippie-type kid, with the red-headed afro hairdo. These students were like real teens, negotiating everyday life in the tumultuous late 60s/early 70s.

The best thing about Room 222, was that it had a fresh, contemporary take on American teens, in an urban high school setting. The values of the show centered on tolerance and diversity, amongst both the students, and the teaching staff. Because of this factor, the series was on the cutting-edge, regarding racial progress in society. The generation gap between the students and their teachers, was also easily bridged due to the open-minded teaching staff.

Yet another thing about this show that was unique, was that it was a drama, yet it also had a laugh-track. It was one of the first shows, that could be categorized as a dramedy. And there was plenty of gentle humor within the show, along with all of the teen angst. Room 222 is on DVD, and can be enjoyed by future generations to come.

This is just to correct some of the entries in the cast list. I wish I could remember more of this series but I was just too young, I do know however, that both Michael Constantine and Karen Valentine were on for more than one episode. They were series regulars. I was only age 6 when this series started and 12 when it went off the air but I remember that much.

Michael Constantine played the principal and Karen Valentine a fellow teacher. I used to watch this show regularly with my parents. I seem to remember Bruno Kirby being on several episodes as well. Denise Nichols and Lloydd Haynes were definitely the stars. It was a very good show I wish it would come back on TVland or something.

It may have been socially relevant for its time,but this was one of the shows that dealt with the cutting-edge issues of its day. This show came on the heels of several issues of its time including the Apollo 13 moon mission,the struggle of the civil rights movement and the overall fighting and the anti-war demonstrations of the Vietnam War.

However,it was the 'Boston Public' of its time.

Room 222 simply deals with the everyday happenings of a black English teacher(played by Lloyd Haynes)who is struggling against bureaucratic pressures which is exemplified by the school principal(played by Michael Constantine) who would always help his students make something of themselves by staying in school and not getting into trouble. However,it was absolutely routine even by today's standards--but it was frank and very controversial went it premiered in 1969 on ABC-TV.

The show dealt with a lot of racial issues here which goes to show that just seeing an African-American in a position of authority and helping out the students and bringing them together made this show stand out. There were other issues as well including pregnancy,drug abuse and school violence,and interracial dating(something that was explored but never dealt with and the first to do so). One episode in particular dealt with a student who wanted the faculty have a black festival and out of the blue---the queen of soul herself---Aretha Franklin lends her support and even sings here(that episode is a rarity if it is seen).

There were excellent secondary performances from not only Haynes,but from Karen Valentine and Denise Nicholas and from the students too including Glynn Turman and Eric Laneuville. The series lasted five seasons and produced 112 episodes from September 17, 1969 until the series finale on January 11, 1974. and it came out during the "bubble gum" era of shows like "The Brady Bunch", "The Partridge Family",and "Love,American Style". This was a fine show that was very "realistic" and to learn what it was like to just get along with each other but also tackled heavy and controversial subjects that were groundbreaking for prime-time television. During its five-year run, "Room 222" was nominated for an impressive 7 Golden Globes and 8 Emmys and won 3 Emmys in 1970 for Outstanding New Series, Outstanding New Actor in a Prime- Time Series,and Outstanding New Actress in a Prime-Time Series.

NOTE: The shows' creator was James L. Brooks who went on to produced "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and countless others. The producers were Larry Gelbert and Gene Reynolds who would also produced the M*A*S*H TV show the following year as well as writer D'Angelo Brooks.

OK, it wasn't perfect, and everything tended to get neatly sealed up at the end of each episode, but I remember episodes of "Room 222" now and it seems to capture what it is like to be a teacher(I am one myself, so I know whereof I speak.) The teachers were realistic, the kids didn't look like they hadn't seen the inside of a high school for years (some of the "teens" in "Boston Public" had receding hairlines) Teachers seemed to have a rotating schedule like in real life (unlike, for example, Kotter, who seemed to fill his day with the same 9 students. Even the aforementioned "Boston Public" seemed to have teachers in front of the same kids all day.

This and the first "Cosby" show were probably the best depictions of school life and the lives of teachers; maybe not because they are so accurate in themselves but because the rest are so far removed from reality.