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.

Fox is known for its awful nightly line ups. And with their new show, 'Temptation Island', I have learned to tune into different networks. Few shows come around that I like such as 'Malcolm in the Middle' and of course, 'Boston Public.'

I've caught this show maybe four times but every time I've found that it has good topics and some funny writing. Also, some good, un-known actors. (Well, I haven't seen any of them before.) The show deals with some exciting and interesting story lines that deals with the different teachers and students of a typical high school. The writing is very funny. And when its meant to be serious, it accomplishes that too. The actors can handle comedy and drama which is exactly what I like to see. Of course, I can't remember who is who since all of the guys seem to look alike. Anyway, the cast as a whole works well together. The principal seems to have some good lines come out of him.

Finally, Fox has come out with a decent show. Now watch, they'll go and cancel it in hopes of something better coming along. My predictions could be wrong but that seems to be the trend with excellent programs.

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.

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.