Common Sense Media Review
By Polly Conway
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
OK classroom reboot has diverse cast, flat jokes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Head of the Class (2021)
What's the Story?
Alicia Gomez (Isabella Gomez, One Day at a Time) is looking forward to an easy new job where she only has to work until 3 PM -- teaching an advanced elective debate class. But she quickly learns that keeping up with her six talented students is more than a full-time job. Christa Miller (Scrubs) plays the dry-as-a-bone principal who isn't convinced Alicia has the chops to succeed, and each student has their own issues to manage beyond debate class. They not only have to deal with school pressures, but social drama as well -- for example, an invite to a party turns into a livestreaming disaster. This series is a reboot of the 80s sitcom starring Howard Hesseman and Robin Givens, who returns as one of the students' moms.
Is It Any Good?
While similar sitcom reboot One Day at a Time rose above its laugh track, this series doesn't quite get there. The "students are smarter than the teacher" concept simply played a lot better 30 years ago, and the writing isn't nearly sharp enough to give this show the edge it needs to truly appeal to its target audience: teens.
Another quibble: This sitcom school isn't meant to be realistic, of course, but it also burns to see a well-appointed library and a class size of six students while many modern-day American classrooms are overflowing and schools understaffed. That said, the cast's diversity is notable, and the debate classmates accept each other as they are.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about reboots. Why are they so popular? Why do you think some stories are rebooted and others aren't? Do you think this series should have been rebooted? Why or why not?
How do the students work together to succeed in school and life? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 4, 2021
- Cast : Isabella Gomez
- Network : Max
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : School ( High School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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