Room 222

this show seemed better almost 40 years ago than it does now.the subject matter seems almost trite today,but was groundbreaking then.funny how things to my generation that seem quaint just seem old-fashioned to the younger crowd.oh well...this series ushered in a whole new generation of TV programming(sort of reality-like)with grownup plots(including one i recall-Bridget Loves Bernie-that dealt with a interdenominational marriage-wow).this time was ground zero for political and social activism,and much of this show dealt with these issues.Lloyd Haynes played the everyman History teacher who had a lot of wisdom to impart to his class,backed up by Denise Nicholas(who was his girlfriend on the show)and a mostly wacky Karen Valentine.the show was a bit on the unreal side(i didn't go to a school like that)but did what it intended to-bring TV into a new age.

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.

I agree with all of the positive comments posted for this show... But, I really do not understand why ---- with all of the fluff that is being released on DVD .... this is not...

Many very important shows, that served the purpose of giving guidance, dealing with life's problems and giving the viewer a conscious... have not been released on DVD and appear absolutely no where (cable or regular TV) in re-runs...

Why is there no demand for shows like this? Like Family, Eight is enough, LA Law, Lou Grant etc... Why is it, that you go to sites, that are taking votes, as to what you would like to see released on DVD... and most of the "values" programs are completely forgotten....

We can see fluff anywhere... why not vote for something important... that could help set humanity straight... Before we all go into the toilet...

Thank you for giving this your time....

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.

This show pretty much was a forerunner to shows like "The White Shadow", "Boston Public" and even the first two seasons of "Beverly Hills: 90210". When it first premiered it was viewed as a "dramedy". In fact, it even had a laugh track the very first season. But, the show progressed you could see that this was very much an issue oriented show that dealt with issues that many shows today deal with (sex, drugs and death). One show that was particularly controversial was when a young student contracts v.d. and an elderly teacher loses her job because she gave advice to the young man. This was in an era when anything dealing with s.t.d.'s were still kept in the closet. Too bad they don't show the reruns of this show anymore, rather than the fluff that proceeded it in that classic A.B.C. Friday night lineup, The Brady Bunch.