Making the Grade (TV series)

Making the Grade is an American sitcom which aired on CBS from April 5 until May 10, 1982. It starred James Naughton, Graham Jarvis, Alley Mills, Steven Peterman, and boasted the first TV series roles for Philip Charles MacKenzie and George Wendt. It was set at Franklin High School in St. Louis, and aired as a part of CBS' Monday night comedy lineup.[1] The theme song was a modified version of Tom Scott's "Heading Home", which appeared on his Street Beat album three years earlier.

Making the Grade
GenreSitcom
Created byGary David Goldberg
StarringGeorge Wendt
Zane Lasky
James Naughton
Alley Mills
Philip Charles MacKenzie
Steven Peterman
Graham Jarvis
ComposerTom Scott
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerGary David Goldberg
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesUbu Productions
Paramount Television
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseApril 5 (1982-04-05) –
May 10, 1982 (1982-05-10)

The quick cancellation of Making The Grade allowed series co-star George Wendt the opportunity to star in the series Cheers, which began airing just four months after the final episode of Making The Grade was broadcast. As well, series creator Gary David Goldberg's next series was the substantial hit Family Ties; it too began airing four months after the cancellation of Making The Grade.

Cast edit

  • James Naughton as Harry Barnes (Dean of Boys)
  • Graham Jarvis as Assistant Principal Jack Felspar
  • Alley Mills as Sara Conover (drama teacher)
  • Steven Peterman as Jeff Keitan
  • Zane Lasky as Anton Zemeckis
  • George Wendt as Gus Bertoia (physical education teacher)
  • Philip Charles MacKenzie as David Wasserman
  • Veronica Redd as Janice Reeves

US television ratings edit

Season Episodes Start Date End Date Nielsen Rank Nielsen Rating Tied With
1981-82 6 April 5, 1982 May 10, 1982 38[2] N/A N/A


Episodes edit

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Pilot"Mel DamskiGary David GoldbergApril 5, 1982 (1982-04-05)
2"Marriage, Dave Style"Jeff MelmanLloyd GarverApril 12, 1982 (1982-04-12)
3"Teach Me Tonight"Gary David GoldbergMichael J. WeithornApril 19, 1982 (1982-04-19)
4"Shepherd's Pie Syndrome"Mark TinkerRichard OrloffApril 26, 1982 (1982-04-26)
5"Guess Who's Coming to Class"Mel DamskiMerrill MarkoeMay 3, 1982 (1982-05-03)
6"Enter Miss Right"Mel DamskiSteve KlineMay 10, 1982 (1982-05-10)

References edit

  1. ^ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 726. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
  2. ^ "The TV Ratings Guide: 1981-82 Ratings History -- Primetime is Awash in a Bubble Bath as Nighttime Soaps Become the Rage". Retrieved 9 April 2018.

External links edit