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Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher

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Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher
Also known asNick Freno
GenreSitcom
Created byMarc Warren
Dennis Rinsler
StarringMitch Mullany
Portia de Rossi
Clinton Jackson
Arjay Smith
Cara DeLizia
Christina Vidal
Malinda Williams
Charles Cyphers
Stuart Pankin
Jane Sibbett
Theme music composerAndrew Gross
Josh Kramon
ComposerJosh Kramon
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes43
Production
Executive producersRichard Gurman
Dennis Rinsler
Marc Warren
ProducersSuzy Friendly
Gene Laufenberg
Carolyn Omine
CinematographyJoseph W. Calloway
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companiesWarren and Rinsler Productions
Warner Bros. Television
Original release
NetworkThe WB
ReleaseAugust 28, 1996 (1996-08-28) –
May 3, 1998 (1998-05-03)

Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher (also known as Nick Freno) is an American sitcom television series starring comedian Mitch Mullany that aired on The WB from August 28, 1996, to May 3, 1998.

The series was created and executive produced by Dennis Rinsler and Marc Warren who drew on their own experiences as former teachers in New York City. They based the title character on their elementary school music teacher and friend, John Freno.

Synopsis

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Mitch Mullany starred as the title character, an aspiring actor who, while waiting for his "big break," met his expenses as a substitute teacher at Gerald R. Ford Middle School. The storylines involved his interaction with his students, which became more plausible when he became a regular teacher. For the series' second season, the middle school had become a high school, allowing for his interaction with slightly more mature students.

First season

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Originally, Freno substituted long-term for a single fifth-grade class, which suited him well as an actor, since he was often able to revisit the mind of a preteen through comedy routines and frenetic behavior he would often work into during lessons. Nick's free-form teaching style often relied on running mock game shows on subjects, along with sly reverse psychology when it came to advice and discipline. The kids embraced Freno and found him very approachable, even if his employers thought that his methods were not challenging enough to be taken seriously.

Nick's fellow faculty members included hip, black science teacher Mezz Crosby (Reggie Hayes in the pilot episode, Clinton Jackson thereafter), who had been Nick's best friend since childhood; tenured shop teacher Al Yaroker (Charles Cyphers), and blustery gym coach Kurt Fust (Stuart Pankin). Also wandering the halls was old-timer Phil (Sid Newman), the school security guard. Then there was sexy, young social studies teacher Elana Lewis (Portia de Rossi), whom Nick was interested in romantically; at first, it was strictly professional and nothing more between the two, but through the first season, figurative walls were gradually broken down, and Nick and Elana found themselves dating. Their relationship would be on-again, off-again for the rest of that year. At first, Ford Middle School's principal was referred to but not seen; midway through the first season, Mr. Fust was eventually promoted to assistant principal. The regularly featured pupils in Nick's class were class clown and chief operator Tyler Hale (Ross Malinger), shy, star student Orlando Diaz (Jonathan Hernandez), who was practically the antithesis of Tyler; Jared (Arjay Smith), Tyler's buddy and regular partner in crime; intellectual Sarah (Cara DeLizia); and saxophonist Davey Marcucci (Kyle Gibson).

Second season

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In the second season, with Nick now teaching on the high school level, more adult humor made its way into the stories and there were many changes in the cast, not only with the featured students but in the faculty as well. Off-screen, between the first and second seasons, Nick and Elana dissolved their romance, and the latter left her job and moved out of town. Besides Nick, the only returning characters were Mezz, Mr. Yaroker, and Phil the security guard (who had now made it to the opening credits). Mr. Fust disappeared, as did the now-former unseen principal; arriving as the new headmaster was Dr. Katherine Emerson (Jane Sibbett), a more serious-minded administrator who became a nemesis for Nick. Despite the friction that occurred between the two, Nick developed a romantic interest in Emerson.

Nick's job as a full-time teacher stuck him with instructing remedial classes, a situation heavily inspired by Welcome Back, Kotter. Nick's unruly high-schoolers included Sophia Del Bono (Christina Vidal), sexually promiscuous and not as worldly as she liked to let on; socially awkward Miles Novacek (Giuseppe Andrews); Marco Romero (Andrew Levitas), the hunk who had been held back a couple of grades; Tasha Morrison (Malinda Williams), whose upper-middle-class standing made her feel insecure around her blue-collar classmates; and Jordan Wells (Blake Heron), a similar personality to Nick's former fifth-grade troublemaker Tyler Hale.

Series changes

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By the spring of 1998, when Nick's numerous attempts to court Dr. Emerson had failed, his attention switched to that of a beautiful and voluptuous new manager in his apartment building, Samantha (Donna D'Errico). The two consummated their sexual tension quickly and became an item. The addition of D'Errico to Nick Freno was seen as a last-ditch attempt to save the show from cancellation, but it was not picked up for a third season.

Cast

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Tutorial staff

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  • Mitch Mullany as Nick Freno
  • Portia De Rossi as Elana Lewis (1996–1997)
  • Clinton Jackson as Mezz Crosby
  • Reggie Hayes as Mezz Crosby (pilot episode only)
  • Charles Cyphers as Al Yaroker
  • Stuart Pankin as Kurt Fust (1996–1997)
  • Jane Sibbett as Dr. Katherine Emerson (1997–1998)

Students

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  • Kyle Gibson as Davey Marcucci (1996–1997)
  • Cara DeLizia as Sarah (1996–1997)
  • Giuseppe Andrews as Miles Novacek (1997–1998)
  • Jonathan Hernandez as Orlando Diaz (1996–1997)
  • Arjay Smith as Jared (1996-1997)
  • Blake Heron as Jordan Wells (1997–1998)
  • Andrew Levitas as Marco Romero (1997–1998)
  • Ross Malinger as Tyler Hale (1996–1997)
  • Christina Vidal as Sophia Del Bono (1997–1998)
  • Malinda Williams as Tasha Morrison (1997–1998)

Recurring

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  • Mila Kunis as Anna-Maria Del Bono
  • Sid Newman as Phil Sussman

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
122August 28, 1996 (1996-08-28)May 11, 1997 (1997-05-11)
221September 7, 1997 (1997-09-07)May 3, 1998 (1998-05-03)

Season 1 (1996–97)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		 Viewers
(millions)
11"Cheap-O's"Gerren KeithMarc Warren & Dennis RinslerAugust 28, 1996 (1996-08-28)TBA5.4[1]
22"Me and Mrs. Hale"UnknownDavid Garrett & Carolyn OmineSeptember 4, 1996 (1996-09-04)TBA4.3[2]
33"Dance Fever"John TracyRichey Jones & Todd JonesSeptember 11, 1996 (1996-09-11)TBA5.1[3]
44"Educating Nick"UnknownUnknownSeptember 18, 1996 (1996-09-18)TBA4.9[4]
55"Some Assembly Required"UnknownTrish BakerSeptember 25, 1996 (1996-09-25)TBA4.1[5]
66"The Mystery of Fust's Bust"UnknownUnknownOctober 2, 1996 (1996-10-02)TBA4.4[6]
77"Judgement Day"UnknownCarolyn OmineOctober 9, 1996 (1996-10-09)TBA5.4[7]
88"Leader of the Pack"UnknownUnknownOctober 30, 1996 (1996-10-30)TBA4.0[8]
99"Freno the Deano"UnknownUnknownNovember 6, 1996 (1996-11-06)TBA4.9[9]
1010"Teacher's Pest"UnknownUnknownNovember 13, 1996 (1996-11-13)TBA4.5[10]
1111"Operation Scamtron"UnknownUnknownNovember 20, 1996 (1996-11-20)TBA4.8[11]
1212"Hot for Teacher"UnknownTrish BakerNovember 27, 1996 (1996-11-27)TBA4.5[12]
1313"Gargoyle Guys"UnknownUnknownJanuary 8, 1997 (1997-01-08)TBA4.49[13]
1414"Social Security Guard"UnknownCarolyn OmineJanuary 22, 1997 (1997-01-22)TBA4.48[14]
1515"Sumo Like It Hot"UnknownUnknownJanuary 29, 1997 (1997-01-29)TBA4.47[15]
1616"Party at Nick's Place"UnknownUnknownFebruary 5, 1997 (1997-02-05)TBA3.59[16]
1717"My Phoney Valentine"UnknownUnknownFebruary 12, 1997 (1997-02-12)TBA3.98[17]
1818"My Mother the Star"UnknownUnknownFebruary 19, 1997 (1997-02-19)TBA4.38[18]
1919"Pain in the Schneck"Scott BaioBill MarichFebruary 26, 1997 (1997-02-26)TBA3.14[19]
2020"Nick on Wheels"UnknownUnknownApril 27, 1997 (1997-04-27)TBA2.27[20]
2121"Jamapalooza (Part 1)"UnknownUnknownMay 4, 1997 (1997-05-04)TBA2.20[21]
2222"Jamapalooza (Part 2)"UnknownUnknownMay 11, 1997 (1997-05-11)TBA1.77[22]

Season 2 (1997–98)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		 Viewers
(millions)
231"Gerald R. Fraud"UnknownUnknownSeptember 7, 1997 (1997-09-07)TBA2.59[23]
242"He's Gotta Have It"Amanda BearseDavid GarrettSeptember 14, 1997 (1997-09-14)TBA2.39[24]
253"Nick at Night"Amanda BearseDavid GarrettSeptember 21, 1997 (1997-09-21)TBA2.27[25]
264"Tasha Tells All"UnknownCarolyn OmineSeptember 28, 1997 (1997-09-28)TBA2.69[26]
275"MC 2"Amanda BearseUnknownOctober 5, 1997 (1997-10-05)TBA2.79[27]
286"Sophia Del Bono (Licensed Cosmetologist)"UnknownUnknownOctober 12, 1997 (1997-10-12)TBA2.41[28]
297"Dr. Love"Scott BaioJill CargermanOctober 26, 1997 (1997-10-26)4667072.87[29]
308"Blast from the Past"UnknownUnknownNovember 2, 1997 (1997-11-02)TBA2.16[30]
319"On the Rocks"UnknownUnknownNovember 9, 1997 (1997-11-09)TBA3.35[31]
3210"Sophia's Choice"Amanda BearseUnknownNovember 16, 1997 (1997-11-16)TBA4.02[32]
3311"The Weighting Game"Amanda BearseDavid GarrettNovember 23, 1997 (1997-11-23)TBA2.77[33]
3412"The Full Marco"Scott BaioCarolyn OmineDecember 7, 1997 (1997-12-07)4667122.41[34]
3513"Against All Odds"UnknownUnknownJanuary 11, 1998 (1998-01-11)TBA2.78[35]
3614"Out of Her Class"UnknownUnknownJanuary 18, 1998 (1998-01-18)TBA3.06[36]
3715"Baby Blues"Art DielhennEd DriscollFebruary 1, 1998 (1998-02-01)4667152.93[37]
3816"Burned Out"UnknownUnknownFebruary 8, 1998 (1998-02-08)TBA2.90[38]
3917"Foul Play"UnknownUnknownFebruary 15, 1998 (1998-02-15)TBA3.15[39]
4018"Driving Mr. Jordan"UnknownUnknownFebruary 22, 1998 (1998-02-22)TBA3.40[40]
4119"Under the Gun"UnknownUnknownMarch 1, 1998 (1998-03-01)TBA3.38[41]
4220"Model Citizen"UnknownUnknownApril 26, 1998 (1998-04-26)TBA2.45[42]
4321"Dome Alone"UnknownUnknownMay 3, 1998 (1998-05-03)TBA2.71[43]

Ratings

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Season Network Season premiere Season finale Rank Viewers
(in millions)
1 The WB August 28, 1996 May 11, 1997 #142[citation needed] 3.0[citation needed]
2 September 7, 1997 May 3, 1998 #172[44] 1.9[44]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipient Result
1997 Young Artist Awards Best Family TV Comedy Series Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Won
Best Performance in a TV Series – Young Ensemble Cara DeLizia, Kyle Gibson, Jonathan Hernandez, Ross Malinger, and Arjay Smith Won
1998 ALMA Award Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Jonathan Hernandez Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. September 4, 1996. p. 3D.
  2. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. September 11, 1996. p. 3D.
  3. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. September 18, 1996. p. 3D.
  4. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. September 25, 1996. p. 3D.
  5. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. October 2, 1996. p. 3D.
  6. ^ Graham, Jefferson (October 9, 1996). "Baseball on NBC helps CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  7. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. October 16, 1996. p. 3D.
  8. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. November 6, 1996. p. 3D.
  9. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. November 13, 1996. p. 3D.
  10. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. November 20, 1996. p. 3D.
  11. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. November 27, 1996. p. 3D.
  12. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. December 4, 1996. p. 3D.
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  23. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 1-7)". The Los Angeles Times. September 10, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  24. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 8–12)". The Los Angeles Times. September 17, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  25. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 15–21)". The Los Angeles Times. September 24, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  26. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 22–28)". The Los Angeles Times. October 1, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  27. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 29-Oct. 5)". The Los Angeles Times. October 8, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  28. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 6–12)". The Los Angeles Times. October 15, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  29. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 20-26)". The Los Angeles Times. October 29, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  30. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 27-Nov. 2)". The Los Angeles Times. November 5, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  31. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 3-9)". The Los Angeles Times. November 12, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  32. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 10-16)". The Los Angeles Times. November 19, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  33. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 17-23)". The Los Angeles Times. November 26, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  34. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 1-7)". The Los Angeles Times. December 10, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  35. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 5–11)". The Los Angeles Times. January 14, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  36. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 12-18)". The Los Angeles Times. January 21, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  37. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 26–Feb. 1)". The Los Angeles Times. February 4, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  38. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 2–8)". The Los Angeles Times. February 11, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  39. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 9-15)". The Los Angeles Times. February 19, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  40. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 16-22)". The Los Angeles Times. February 25, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  41. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 23-March 1)". The Los Angeles Times. March 4, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  42. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 20–26)". The Los Angeles Times. April 29, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  43. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 27-May 3)". The Los Angeles Times. May 6, 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  44. ^ a b "Final Ratings for '97–'98 TV Season". San Francisco Chronicle. May 25, 1998. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
[edit]
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