NICK FRENO: Licensed Teacher (30 min)
Thurs 18:30

Drawing on their own experiences as former New York teachers, executive producers Marc Warren and Dennis Rinsler created this comedy about the crazy world of teaching in the '90s. Nick Freno is an out-of-work actor who tries substitute teaching to help pay the bills while he waits for his "big break."An animated performer and natural comedian, Nick seems like the perfect candidate to corral a spirited class of sixth-graders. At least that's what his friend Mezz, the school's unconventional science teacher, thinks.
Nick's wacky, outrageous sense of humor makes him a big hit with his students. There's Tyler, the pretentious ringleader; Jared, his wisecracking buddy; Orlando, a new kid from an immigrant family who challenges Tyler's leadership; and Sarah, the class "brain" who just wants to fit in.
The job of teacher turns out to be much more than Nick bargained for, and he quickly learns that the sixth graders at Gerald R. Ford Middle School need more than a half committed, wanna-be actor. Always nearby to remind him of the need for dedicated teachers is Elana, a beautiful co-worker who Nick would love to see outside of class if she didn't have a boyfriend, but regardless, she's happy to have Nick on board. He gets a much cooler reception from Kurt Fust, the school's tyrannical dean of discipline. He delights in taking every opportunity to expose and ridicule Nick's inexperience as a teacher. Rounding out the group is Al Yaroker, the jaded senior staffer who has seen it all.
The enthusiastic reception from his students convinces Nick he has a real flair for teaching. Now he'll have to decide whether to put his acting career on hold to focus on a much bigger role-that of a full-time teacher.

Show Information

First Aired August 1996
Running Time 30 min

Show Stars
Giuseppe Andrews - Miles Novacech (1997-98)
Charles Cyphers - Mr. Al Yaroker
Cara DeLizia - Sarah
Kyle Gibson - Davey (1996-97)
Estelle Harris - Mrs. Fox (1997-1998)
Jonathan Hernandez - Orlando Diaz (1996-97)
Blake Heron - Jordan (1996-97)
Clint Jackson - Mr. Mezz Crosby
Mila Kunis - Anna Marie Del-Buno (1997-98)
Andrew Levitas - Marco (1997-1998)
Ross Malinger - Tyler (1996-97)
Mitch Mullany - Nick Freno
Stuart Pankin - Vice Principal Kurt Fust
Portia de Rossi - Miss Elana Lewis (1996-97)
Jane Sibbett - Sr. Katherine Emerson (1997-98)
Arjay Smith - Jared
Christina Vidal - Sophia Del Bruno (1997-98)
Malinda Williams - Tasha (1997-98)
Show Crew
Dennis Ringler - Executive Producer