I was appalled that the list of television’s most popular teachers, compiled by Armchair Commentary in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week (hat tip: Glenn Reynolds), failed to include a mention of Connie Brooks. In 1952 the incomparable Eve Arden’s hit radio program, was successfully adapted for television and Our Miss Brooks became an important part of television history. Class was in session for 130 episodes, more than Welcome Back, Kotter, Room 222 or any of the other shows mentioned in AC’s list. Connie Brooks and her elusive beau, Phil Boynton (portrayed by Robert Rockwell), certainly should be listed among television’s most popular teachers.
Worth a mention, too, is America’s favorite science teacher, Mister Peepers. Robinson Peepers was portrayed by the wonderful character actor Wally Cox. Other members of Mister Peepers’s great cast were Tony Randall and Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara from Bewitched).
Imagine yourself as the teacher in a classrom with the likes of Dobie Gillis (Dwayne Hickman), the archetypal Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver), Zelda Gilroy (Sheila James), and Thalia Menninger (Tuesday Weld). Those were the circumstances which Leander Pomfritt, portrayed by character actor William Schallert, handled with style, grace, and wit. Like wow, man.
Let’s also not forget some of television’s non-fictional teachers. Miss Frances of Ding Dong School, also known as Dr. Frances Horwich, was the first real teacher that a lot of the kids who were the earliest to grow up with television ever encountered.
Don Herbert, TV’s Mr. Wizard, taught science to kids on television for a mind-boggling 547 episodes.
Bill Nye, the Science Guy was the science teacher to a later generation of television-watching kids.
While I’m thinking about teachers I want to remember my first two, best teachers: my dad (a law professor) and my mom (a remedial reading teacher). Those were my favorite teachers whether they were on television or not.
You’re right about Eve Arden and Our Miss Brooks. Richard Crenna played Walter Denton of the inimitable voice on the radio. I saw Crenna on TV once when he was in his 60s and he could still do the voice. BTW, the actor Jeff Chandler played Phil Boynton on the radio, and the peerless Gale Gordon played the ever-exasperating principal, Osgood Conklin, both on the radio and on TV. I miss radio.
BTW, did you know that Wally Cox’s best friend was Marlon Brando? Brando was in possession of Cox’s ashes until he himself died. Odd couple that, huh?
I think they missed out on the most archetypal TV teacher of all: the one from all the Charlie Brown specials. “Wah-wah-wah…”