Teachers (UK TV series)

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Teachers was a British television comedy-drama produced by Channel 4. The series had many subtle as well as obvious jokes and followed a group of secondary school teachers as they showed themselves to be just as immature as their students.

While the first series centred around Simon Casey, played by Andrew Lincoln, later series had a more balanced ensemble cast. The cast changed dramatically over time, with few original characters remaining in the fourth series. While some of these disappearances were explained, others happened between series without explanation.

The first three series were set in the fictional Summerdown Comprehensive, which merged with another school in the fourth series to form Wattkins School.

The series was filmed at the former Lockleaze school, and other locations around Bristol, England.

Teachers was nominated for six BAFTA awards between 2002 and 2004, and was nominated for Best British Comedy Show at the British Comedy Awards in 2003.

In January 2005, after a muted reception to the fourth series, Channel 4 announced that Teachers would not continue for a fifth series. A short lived U.S. version was aired in 2006.

In the last decade or so, it has been one of a few programmes revolving around schools - others including Waterloo Road and Hope and Glory.

Contents

[edit] Original airdates

[edit] Series 1

[edit] Series 2

[edit] Series 3

[edit] Series 4

[edit] Cast

[edit] Main cast

Actor Series Character Name Subject Character Description
Andrew Lincoln 1-3 Simon Casey English The focus of the 1st series. Regularly clashed with department head Bob over his laid back approach to teaching, and also with fellow English teacher Jenny, who he ended up having sex with, and eventually became friends with in the 2nd series. He left before the end of that series to go travelling, and returned briefly in series 3 where he acted as a supply teacher for 3 episodes. He did not return in the fourth series.
Adrian Bower 1-3 Brian Steadman Physical education, Geography A PE teacher originally; later became a geography teacher also. Chided for his Northerner accent and generally perceived to be a little dim-witted. Mysteriously killed off between the 3rd and 4th series. (Two characters looking like Kurt and Brian can be seen in the background of the staff room in series 4, episode 3)
Navin Chowdhry 1-3 Kurt McKenna Information technology Dated the secretary Carol briefly. Generally more intelligent than Brian. Sometimes taunted for being a midget. Quit smoking when he was trying to woo a parent, very desperate to have sex with anyone. Also killed off between the 3rd and 4th series. (Two characters looking like Kurt and Brian can be seen in the background of the staff room in series 4, episode 3)
Raquel Cassidy 1-2 Susan Gately Psychology Separated from and later divorced husband Peter. Acts as the group's shrink, as she is the one they go to for advice. Has a nervous breakdown in the 1st series after taking on too much administrative work. Disappears without explanation between seasons 2 and 3.
Nina Sosanya 1-2 Jenny Paige English The object of much discussion and desire amongst the male characters; Jenny had one night stands with both Brian and Simon (although Jenny was quick to suggest Susan seduce Brian, citing her experience with him as pleasant enough). Originally not involved with the main group but was integrated into the group during the first season. Promoted to Head of Year 11 at the end of that series, and had a notable relationship with educational psychologist Alec in series 2. Disappeared without explanation between seasons 2 and 3.
Tamzin Malleson 2-4 Penny Neville English Arrived as an NQT in series 2. With a reputation for making disastrous choices in men, she had a 10-month affair with Matt, and later a relationship with pupil Anthony Millington. Has false breasts, and regularly tries to manipulate her colleagues by crying in order to get herself out of trouble. She was initially very unpopular with her colleagues (especially Liz) although by the fourth series, Penny had become a much more integrated member of the group.
James Lance 2-3 Matt Harvey English Replaced Simon. Married with children, however had several extramarital affairs, including a 10 month relationship with Penny, and later a short lived affair with Lindsay. Also killed off between the 3rd and 4th series.
Shaun Evans 2 John Paul (J.P.) Keating Modern Foreign Languages Specialises in French, and originally mistaken for a sixth former. The show's only main homosexual character. Extremely sociable with everyone. Disappears without explanation between seasons 2 and 3. Simon is also extremely jealous of him as he replaced Simon as the person who gets the most attention.
Vicky Hall 3-4 Lindsay Pearce Biology Extremely popular amongst the male members of the group, Lindsay in a sense replaced the void left by Susan. Lindsay also embarked on a brief affair with Matt after much sexual tension between the two, but as of series 4 it was revealed their relationship had ended, when Matt returned to his wife.
Lee Williams 4 Ewan Doherty English Head of English at Wattkins School. Mild-mannered, skirt chaser in the series. Feels sorry for Bob, who made him the subject of a hate campaign after losing his position to him when the two schools merged. Shares a flat with Damien and Ben, and may have saved Wattkins from closure by seducing the inspector when Clare's attempts at the same failed.
Daon Broni 4 Damien Waller Food Technology Normally sarcastic and un-impressed with the antics in the group. Likes to get Ben into slightly awkard situations from time to time. Had a crush on an inter teacher but did not really get pursued. Found out about Bobs' mail-order bride and exposed the secret which led to his disgust against him. Named Bob as "fat bastard" in his mobile.
Mathew Horne 4 Ben Birkett Religious Education A hypochondriac. At one point thought that he would be dead after being foretold by a Ouija board as a child. Changed religion nearly twice a day at one point in an attempt to please all the gods of different religions.

[edit] Supporting Cast

  • Lloyd McGuire – Bob Porter, the previous head of English. Though initially a relatively minor character (his role in series 1 was as a scary authority figure who would get on Simon's back about incomplete work), by Series 3 he had developed into a main character, almost one of the gang (though he was repeatedly made fun of and generally disliked) and most of his scenes revolved around his buffoonery or foul mouth. Lost his position to Ewan, whom he hates a lot. He ordered a bride from Thailand (Ping) who had an affair with Ewan later on. Ping dumped Bob at their wedding reception. His first wife - Yvonne - left him for 'the Sky installation man' in series 3. This was because she was not satisfied with their sex life, after a brief revival, due to the series 2 Christmas party.
  • Ellen Thomas – Liz Webbe, one of the school secretaries, known for her witty and acerbic put-downs. Her daughter, Kayla, was in Brian's class in series 2 and 3. Despite being married, she had a one night stand with Kurt, and an intense affair with Bob for a few days after the Bonfire Night Disco.
  • Gillian Bevan – Clare Hunter, the headmistress. Usually provides the staff with their topic of discussion for the episode (disabilities, age awareness etc.). Had a brief fling with Bob. Was renowned for her iron-like nature, as exemplified with her no-nonsense approach towards Carol and the "Come In" buzzer which sounded on the opening of her office door.
  • Ursula Holden Gill – Carol Schicklgruber, one of the school secretaries. Had a brief relationship with Kurt, and it is suggested they got back together after the second series, though they are not together in the third.
  • Zoe Telford – played the police officer girlfriend of Simon, Maggie. Dumped by Simon in the final episode of series 1, after he slept with Jenny, and is not seen again.
  • The Canteen Dwarfs – Many of the school's canteen staff are dwarfs, for no apparent reason. They appear as background characters in various scenes, seldom speaking or interacting with the teaching and administrative staff. Dramatically, the Canteen Dwarfs are used to perpetrate many visual jokes, running parallel to the (spoken) dialogue of the main characters, usually at the bin-yard behind the school kitchen. For example, whilst some teachers have a sly smoke between lessons, a dwarf is seen climbing out of a large industrial rubbish bin. A few moments later, another dwarf follows. The teachers seem oblivious.

[edit] Themes

Like many sitcoms Teachers had certain themes that it maintained through every episode. These included:

  • Appearances of animals, particularly donkeys, in unusual places
  • Every day beginning with some form of journey, usually to school, with the name of the day written in the scenery or a prop.
  • A staffroom scene early in the episode, usually with an announcement by Clare to set up one of the plots or premises of the episode.
  • The end credits involved a comedic situation being repeated and slowly exaggerated.

Every episode featured contemporary music, usually with clips of at least five songs, and the soundtrack to all four series has been released on CD by the Channel 4 shop. The theme tune is the solo section of The Boy With The Arab Strap by Belle and Sebastian.

[edit] Quotes

  • Clare Hunter: "I never want to see 'For Being A Mong' in the detention book again."
  • Clare Hunter: "A spastic is someone with cerebral palsy, Mr. Steadman, not someone who misses an open goal on the football field."
  • Kurt McKenna: "I don't think copying and collating is in my remit."
    Liz Webbe: "Neither is being an idle, incompetent moron, but you seem to manage that pretty well."
  • Susan Gately: "I'm going to have a baby."
    Brian Steadman: "Can't you get the drinks in first?"
  • Simon Casey:"If anybody gets to look at your arse its should be me. It's my birthday."

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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