Depending on your generation, if you mention the name Tony Danza, 
a different character will come to mind. In the late 70s-early 80s, he was the sweet-natured, although dense Tony Banta from “Taxi”. In the late 80s-early 90s, he was the charming, witty Tony Micelli from “Who’s the Boss?”. In the late 90s, he was another actor trying to revive his career with a talk-show, which didn’t work, by the way. Now, in 2009, he is an actor trying to revive his career with a reality show. This process has become the grounds for many comebacks within the entertainment industry. Unfortunately for the viewer, we must endure the multiple failed attempts of those trying to regain their spot in the, well, spotlight.
So why would anyone care about another reality show with another D-list actor trying for a big return? Because this reality show has Danza as a high-school teacher in Philadelphia. Danza will begin filming his series “Teach” this year at Northeast High School. It has been approved by the School Reform Commission for him to co-teach a sophomore English class of students. He will also partake as a moderator in extracurricular activities, in particular, a sport’s team and the drama group. Students that have “auditioned” (they targeted a Northeast program for students who are aspiring to be in the entertainment industry) and are selected must also have approval from their parents to participate.
Danza does have a bachelor’s degree in history education, so being a teacher appears to have been his original plan. However, the show plans on highlighting the joys, rewards, and challenges of being a first-year teacher, according to Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman. If that were the case, then why not just tape an actual first-year teacher? You do not need a semi-celebrity to come in to make that happen. And if the kids that are selected to be on the show are looking to get involved in the entertainment industry, I’m pretty sure this won’t be an actual portrayal of today’s high school population. It will be a portrayal of students acting like they’re not acting.
The reality trend is here and in full effect, but one has to wonder, is putting high school students’ studies on display really beneficial for them? The district will receive a $3,500 fee per episode from A&E, so there will be a financial gain, but how will that directly affect the students? The cameras used in the classroom setting will be hidden, to avoid distraction, but I don’t think anyone at any time, especially Danza, will forget they are being taped. Besides 15 minutes of fame, what can these students gain from being put in this position? Did they directly target entertainment-minded students in the hopes of more cooperation? I understand the concept of the show, I just don’t understand why the school council voted 3-1, when their job is to keep the students’ best interest at mind.
A&E does have a good run of popular reality/documentary series: “Intervention” and “Obsessed” have the goal of helping those in need and “Dog the Bounty Hunter”, Philadelphia’s own “Parking Wars”, and “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” are shows that follow people in their daily lives, whatever the hitch may be. I just don’t understand why this network would want to go down this road. Maybe because it has never been done before, or maybe because it will make for controversial TV. Who knows, but true to most fads, you never know which ones the public will accept and which ones will get shot down. I guess we will have to wait and see how this one fares in the mix.
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