TV Show Title: Boston Public

Network & Time: FOX - Mondays @ 8:00

Stars (Out of 10): 9

One Word Summary: Superb

Full Review:

      Boston Public provides an interesting look into the lives of teachers and students at Winslow High School. Where every day is a fight for respect, political correctness, and sanity.

    Boston Public stars Chi McBride as Steven Harper, a no nonsense Principal who has to deal with his daughter as a student. Anthony Heald as Scott Guber, a discipline and order loving Assistant Principal who loves classical music. Fyvush Finkel plays Harvey Lipshultz, a Jewish history teacher who finds himself in trouble because of his old school (no pun intended) teaching style. Jessalyn Gilsig as Lauren Davis, the head of the Social Studies department and one of the toughest teachers in the school. Nicky Katt plays Harry Senate, a teacher who's love for his students often leads him down controversial paths. Loretta Devine as Marla Henricks, a teacher with an undeniable talent for teaching but emotional problems that sometimes get her in trouble. And finally Jerrie Ryan as Ronnie Cooke a former lawyer with something to prove to prove to herself and anyone who doubted she'd leave her six digit lawyer salary to be a teacher. The cast also includes Rashida Jones (Louisa), Michael Rapaport (Danny Hanson), and Sharon Leal (Marilyn Sudor).

    Boston Public is the most under rated show on TV. To my knowledge, its never been nominated for an Emmy in any category. I know for a fact that the show nor Chi McBride have been nominated. I find this absolutely ridiculous! Its far better than either of David Kelly's other shows (Ally McBeal, and The Practice) which find themselves nominated almost every year. If I could vote for the Emmy's... Chi McBride would not only be nominated, but he'd win!

    What I like about Boston Public is that its so different from other shows. Every week its about something
different, all realistic things. More dramatic things happen at Winslow High than at most regular high schools, but that's TV for you! The show isn't just about school and its not just about the teachers. And the cast is big even for an ensemble cast! Every week instead of there just being one story to follow, there are six... or eight! There's always something happening and its always exciting.

    Unlike past shows about school, Boston Public focuses on the teachers and how dedicated they are. It centers on their relationships with each other and with their students. It really brings to focus how hard teachers work every day in real life!

    So in conclusion, if you have an extra hour on a Monday night, maybe you ought to give Boston Public a shot. Its a great show for adults and kids alike, especially high school students who think that their teachers are weird!

Conclusion:  

TV Guide Information:

Season Premiere: October 21, 2002

Airs: Monday 8pm/ET, FOX

Premiered: October 23, 2000, on FOX

Starring:

Fyvush Finkel (Harvey Lipshultz)

Sharon Leal (Marilyn Sudor)

Chi McBride (Steven Harper)

Jessalyn Gilsig (Lauren Davis)

Anthony Heald (Scott Guber)

Nicky Katt (Harry Senate)

Rashida Jones (Louisa)

Loretta Devine (Marla Hendricks)

Jeri Ryan (Ronnie Cook)

Michael Rapaport (Danny Hanson)

Kathy Baker (Mrs. Peters)

Premise: Down the down staircase. Moving on from Boston's lawyer population, the prolific David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, The Practice) turns to another contentious arena: the public high school, where students and parents constantly clash with the embattled, overworked, underpaid teachers. Bucking the youth trend, this ensemble drama focuses not on the kids but on the educators, led by principal Steven Harper (McBride).