With so many stellar comedy series on television right now, it is hard to stand out in the crowd. So CBS was smart to cast Ari Graynor and Ryan Hansen as its comedic leads for its new series BAD TEACHER.
Taken from the concept of the movie that starred Cameron Diaz, BAD TEACHER looks at the life of a rich socialite, Meredith Davis (Ari Graynor), as it disintegrates around her upon her divorce. Destitute and desperate for money, as well as the opportunity to meet eligible young, wealthy men, Meredith talks her way into a teaching job.
Confident that her luck must be changing, Meredith just knows that the right man with the right bank account will fall right into her lap if she just makes herself available and puts herself in his path. The “right place, right time” strategy is fairly fool-proof. Yet, interestingly, Meredith discovers that there is more to life than marrying a rich man.
Inspired by the kids around her, she finds herself a champion of the school under-dogs. Unable to just stand by and abide the bullying prevalent in the school, Meredith is soon mentoring in the art of “fake it ‘til you make it” and teaching how confidence is all you need to get exactly what you want out of life.
It is a plucky, poignant tale of a young woman inspired to be more than she ever dreamed she could be; and how that courage and can-do attitude inspires the kids to do the same.
Adding to the adorable premise is a heaping dose of mischievous comedy. Graynor’s character runs into an old high school heart-throb Joel Kotsky, portrayed by the ever hilarious Ryan Hansen, who now teaches gym at the same school Meredith just got a job. Hansen, recently known for his spot-on portrayal of Dick Calabasas in the movie and television series VERONICA MARS, brings all the swagger and wicked humor to the role — and he and Graynor’s scenes simply sparkle with teasing banter and innuendo.
Then rounding out the stellar cast are David Allen Grier, Sara Gilbert and Kristin Davis. Grier portrays the newly broken-hearted and divorced school principal who sees Meredith as a sympathetic ear and shoulder to cry upon. Gilbert portrays a fellow teacher desperate for a friend, who latches onto Meredith as her beacon of light in a school of darkness. Davis also portrays a fellow teacher, who is immediately ruffled by Meredith’s presence at the school and her ability to win over everyone with just a smile and crook of her finger. All offer their own unique humor and style to their roles and bring an enthusiasm that just adds to the sweetness of the series.
Not to be left out, there are the kids. A school comedy would be nothing if not for the winsome humor and soulfulness of the children that are seeking a little guidance as they try to navigate the social hell of middle school. Watching the kids react to the outrageous advice and examples of the adults they are suppose to emulate and learn from is hysterical. The one lesson they do learn is: life is just not that easy if you look at the adults they are surrounded by. Yet they also learn: life may not be easy, but it certainly can be more fun.
BAD TEACHER strives to be a show aiming for the stars and it offers a dash of comedy and laughter along the way. Get to know and love every one of the characters of BAD TEACHER, which premieres on Thursday, April 24th at 9:30 p.m. on CBS. You will laugh, you will cheer, and you will be glad you took the time to check out this fun new comedy series.
Tiffany Vogt is the Senior West Coast Editor, contributing as a columnist and entertainment reporter to TheTVaddict.com. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower).