"Room 222" (1969) TV series 1969-1974

Creator:

James L. Brooks

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

17 September 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Plot:

Black teacher Pete Dixon tries to teach the students at Walt Whitman High to be tolerant. He is assisted...

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | School | Popular Teacher | African American | Number In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Lloyd Haynes	...	Pete Dixon (113 episodes, 1969-1974)
Denise Nicholas	...	Liz McIntyre (113 episodes, 1969-1974)
Michael Constantine	...	Principal Seymour Kaufman (113 episodes, 1969-1974)
Karen Valentine	...	Alice Johnson (113 episodes, 1969-1974)
David Jolliffe	...	Bernie (61 episodes, 1969-1973)
Judy Strangis	...	Helen Loomis (52 episodes, 1969-1973)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

The shows from the first season included a laugh track. However, by the second season the laugh track was gone to help emphasize that the show was a drama, rather than a comedy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mary Tyler Moore: Room 223 (#2.4)" (1971)

Social Relevance from the Early '70s

"Room 222," so far as I know, has never played in re-runs. As in, nowhere. Ever. It is one of those mystery shows, like "Ironside," that apparently, at least to someone's way of thinking, wore out its welcome during its fairly healthy initial run. It's a real shame, because this show is a treasure that deserves to be seen. It dealt with what seemed like cutting-edge issues of the day during those years of student protests and anti-war demonstrations, and reveals just how much we have changed since then.

Now, of course, "222" would have to seem anything but cutting edge. It simply deals with black teacher Lloyd Haines struggling against bureaucratic pressures, exemplified by the fine Michael Constantine as the principal, to help his students stay in school and make something of themselves. Nothing dramatic about that. Absolutely routine - by today's standards. But not by those of 1969.

My memory is fuzzy, but I seem to recall that "222" was on early in the evening, before comedies like "Love, American Style" and "The Brady Bunch," which were on ABC. I vaguely recall switching the channel to those shows, hey, it was a long time ago. Anyway, the contrast was striking. This was the heyday of bubble gum shows like "The Brady Bunch" and "The Partridge Family" and rural comedies set in mythic small-town America. Seemingly half of the CBS schedule was set in Shady Junction or the Clampetts' mansion or Mayberry RFD. Socially relevant shows were very few and far between. Like "The Mod Squad," this show was a very adventurous step for its day. Unlike "Squad," nobody seems to recall "222."

Lloyd Haynes was perfect as the "Let's all just get along" teacher, and Karen Valentine was her usual perky self. But the performances were secondary. Just seeing an African-American in a position of authority and bringing people together made this show stand out.

I'm guessing that this was intended to be nothing more than a low-rent rip-off of the previous year's classic "To Sir, With Love" starring Sidney Poitier. If so, it accomplished that goal and then some. "222" was only one small step for TV away from the mindlessness of the past, but it was a giant leap toward "realistic" shows like "All In The Family" and "MASH." I just wish people today could see it and learn what a fine show it was.