Head of the Class
Created by Rich Eustis
On ABC
A warm, energetic sitcom about gifted high school students and their teacher, built on ensemble charm and the comedy of adolescent intelligence colliding with social awkwardness.
Head of the Class is an American sitcom that ran from 1986 to 1991 on the ABC television network. The series follows a group of gifted students in the Individualized Honors Program at the fictional Monroe High School in Manhattan, and their history teacher Charlie Moore. The program was ostensibly a vehicle for Hesseman, best known for his role as radio DJ Dr. Johnny Fever in the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Hesseman left Head of the Class in 1990 and was replaced by Billy Connolly as teacher Billy MacGregor for the final season. After the series ended, Connolly appeared in a short-lived spin-off titled Billy. The series was created and executive produced by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias. Rich Eustis had previously worked as a New York City substitute teacher while hoping to become an actor.
Questions people ask
Is Head of the Class scary? No. Less frightening than 92% of series.
Is Head of the Class sad? No. Less sad than 92% of series.
Does Head of the Class leave you hopeful? Yes, very. More hopeful than 92% of series.
Is Head of the Class easy watching? Yes, very. More comforting than 91% of series.
Is Head of the Class violent? Barely. Less violent than 89% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Like Head of the Class
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Head of the Class
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Head of the Class, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Head of the Class, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Head of the Class, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
