Teachers Only

Teachers Only is an NBC television sitcom centered around the faculty of a high school; in the first season the school was Millard Fillmore High in Los Angeles, but in the second it is Woodrow Wilson High in New York with a changed cast. In both seasons Norman Fell played Principal Ben Cooper, but Lynn Redgrave's character, Diana Swanson, who had been an English teacher in the first season, became a guidance counselor in the second season. Redgrave and Fell were already established names when this show aired, but two of the supporting stars in the second season, Jean Smart would go on, three years later, to play her best known role, that of interior design studio receptionist Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the long running show, Designing Women. Also, Jean's co-star Teresa Ganzel became well known for her many game show appearances in the 1980s as well as her appearance in the comedic miniseries, Fresno. This show ran for only two seasons, in 1982 and 1983.

Creators and Cast

Creators

None.

Cast

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Lynn Redgrave

Diana Swanson

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Norman Fell

Principal Ben Cooper

85MovieNerd Score

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Jean Smart

Shari Kirkland

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Teresa Ganzel

Samantha Keating

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Tim Reid

Michael Horne

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Joel Brooks

Barney Betelman

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Steve Ryan

Spud Le Boone

Episodes

Season 1

9 episodes

In its first incarnation (April to June 1982), the setting was Millard Fillmore High School in Los Angeles. Diana Swanson is an English teacher, Ben Cooper is the school principal, Michael Dreyfuss and Gwen Edwards are fellow teachers, Mr. Brody is the assistant principal and Mr. Pafko is the janitor. Most of the scenes were in the faculty lunchroom and lounge from which students were excluded.

S1 E1 · Diana, Substitute Mother

1982-04-14

Diana comes to the realization that her star student is troubled, but the situation escalates when the girl becomes a runaway. Also, Diana gives into a flirtation with her neighbor and agrees to a date.

S1 E2 · The Dreyfuss Affair

1982-04-21

Two female students set Dreyfuss up, claiming he made a pass at one of them.

S1 E3 · Cooper's Grab for Gusto

1982-04-28

Cooper begins to delegate responsibilities to Brody after the untimely demise of a colleague.

S1 E4 · Quote, Unquote

1982-05-05

Diana is in hot water when she reveals her candid views on premarital sex in the school magazine.

S1 E5 · The Make-Up Test

1982-05-12

Diana's decision to fail a student is vetoed by Cooper, who made a deal with the youth's father.

S1 E6 · I've Got a Crush on You

1982-05-26

Diana tutors a handsome football star who's got a crush on her.

S1 E7 · The Once and Future Teacher

1982-06-02

Consumed by paper work and committee assignments, Diana considers leaving the teaching profession.

S1 E8 · Guns and Butter

1982-06-09

A survey by a district specialist may result in program and personnel cuts at the school.

S1 E9 · The Rose

1983-02-12

No summary.

Season 2

14 episodes

When the show returned in February to May 1983, the school was now Woodrow Wilson High School in New York with Mr. Cooper as Principal, Diana as a Guidance Counselor and a new supporting cast. Samantha Keating and Michael Horne are teachers, Spud Le Boone is the gym teacher and Shari is the principal's secretary.

S2 E1 · The Rose

1983-02-12

Diana enlists Cooper for moral support when the teacher she politely rebuffs makes the same romantic overtures to her best friend.

S2 E2 · Cooper's Arrangement

1983-02-19

Diana brings a lonely Cooper some cookies to boost his morale, but finds a different kind of cookie in his doorway.

S2 E3 · Take This Job and Shove It

1983-02-26

With each convinced the other's job is easier, Diana and Cooper agree to switch duties for a week.

S2 E4 · Praise the Lord, and Pasta Ammunition

1983-03-05

A student-council representative takes advantage of a cafeteria-workers strike after Cooper refuses to meet with him.

S2 E5 · Rex, the Wonder Husband

1983-03-12

Once a charming con man, Diana's ex-husband proves he's changed his shady ways.

S2 E6 · Teacher's Pet

1983-03-19

Michael finds himself attracted to a new student, but Diana learns that she's not in school for academics.

S2 E7 · Take the Money and Run

1983-04-02

Diana is left holding the ticket when a teacher has a fatal heart attack upon learning he's won $150,000 in the state lottery.

S2 E8 · Otherwise Engaged

1983-04-09

Shari starts sporting a big diamond ring following Cooper's refusal to buy her a simple bracelet.

S2 E9 · Beetlemania

1983-04-16

To protest the cancellation of their class, auto-shop students assemble Cooper's car in the teachers' lounge.

S2 E10 · Leather and Lace

1983-04-23

A whirlwind romance blows into a storm when Diana learns the truth about her new beau's occupation.

S2 E11 · It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To

1983-04-30

Diana's party to announce a surprise award to the faculty results in more surprises than she planned.

S2 E12 · Dead Mice Don't Wear Plaid

1983-05-07

Michael thinks he's made a major scientific discovery after Sam exchanges a live rat for the laboratory rat that died while in Diana's care.

S2 E13 · Loss of Innocence

1983-05-14

Acute paranoia replaces Sam's usual vivaciousness after she's mugged while working late at school.

S2 E14 · Episode 14

No summary.