City Guys

Neither the best nor the worst sitcom aimed at teens, this was one of several shows programmed after the success of "Saved by the Bell." The acting, as always in these shows, was execrable when compared to good prime-time programming, but a lot of that is deliberate. The actors are too busy mugging for the camera and encouraging whoops and catcalls from the hyperactive audience to worry about realistic performances. This one was set in an inner-city high school and featured a now cliched multicultural cast. The lame attempts at street cred and hipness were about 5 years behind the times, which means this was seriously cutting edge for network TV.

Created in the mold of Saved By The Bell in an urban setting, City Guys really did a great job firming up their style and the characters were well defined from the pilot.

Chris, Jamal, Alberto, Dawn, Cassidy and L Train (recurring, then built up to a starring role) go to Manny High. Chris was just thrown out of his expensive private school and gets sent to Manny High. The first few episodes center on Jamal and Chris, and branches out to their interactions with the other students.

Karen Coretta Noble is a no nonsense Principal who has no time for foolishness and has a way with teaching all our cast how to navigate life through not only the sunshine, but the rain as well.

Hijinks reign supreme, and lots of lessons and tough love to go around. It's a great throwback to the 90's-00's (show ran from '97- '01) and a pretty nice feel good series as well

So, if you're in for a bit of nostalgia, or wanting to introduce your kiddos to a great show in the Saturday morning fashion, this is definitely one you should look at!

PERSONAL NOTE: I used to watch this while I was working as a traffic reporter in Tampa Florida. This and the other shows that followed it, like "Just Deal" were better than watching infomercials....but not by much.....

Even though I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaaay past main demographic for this show, it's still something I look forward to on Saturday mornings. I have the NBC affiliate on in my office when this show airs, and happened to take notice of it a few years back, and got interested. I was actually a little sad when the last original episode where the cast graduated from "Manny High" aired!

'City Guys' is the story of a group of students attending high school in NYC.Fairly typical "T"NBC programming, and best described as a more mature "Saved By The Bell", or "California Dreams". The story lines are pretty much typical teenager fare, with the usual assortment of dating, family, love, and school issues included. Plus toss in a caring school principal, played by Marcella Lowery, for some added fun.

The best aspect of the show are the young actors, themselves, I think. They all seem to have a great chemistry, and are all likable, in general. Wesley Johnathan, and Scott Whyte, as does the rest of the cast, have plenty of potential. The interplay of 'Jamal', 'Chris', and 'El-Train' has it's moments. I hope that some smart casting director gives them the nod for some ensemble work in the future.

Here's a show that could go on to become a made for TV movie, easily.

Personally, I think that "Saved by the bell" sucked. Especially "The college years" and "the new class". But "City Guys" is way better and isn't as fake. The only problem with it is it never got as much play as "saved by the bell". In fact, I couldn't even watch it until AFTER it went off the air. That Sucks!

I feel that this show should be on DVD, because for one each episode deals with realistic issues, such as racism, hiv, drugs, etc. If Peter Engel can have the original saved by the bell released along with the college years and the new class,this show along with "Hang Time" and "California Dreams" should be on DVD as well for having similar themed shows. I have went to tvshowsondvd.com and voted tried to get other people to vote for these shows by posting good comments about in the other start new topic section after the add another comment section. Maybe only in great numbers and certain liscening rights can this show and others like can be released on DVD by the seasons. Also, show like Beverly Hills 90210 and Melorse Place may never be released on DVD, because despite high demand, they lack the music liscening rights to help make that happen. So I hope that one day "City Guys" will be released on DVD.