Kelly goes 'Public' in new school series

By Ryan Blay

Daily Arts Writer

Funny, I don't remember my high school being so active and full of stereotypical characters. Then again, I'm not from Boston.

For those of you who thought high school was four years of boredom and torture, this show should wake you out of your slacker stupor. For those over-involved, hyperactive students or parents, Fox's newest hit show might teach them to chill out a little. Either way, it's fascinating for a student to watch the operation of a school from the viewpoints of the principal, vice-principal, and the teachers - the heart and soul of the public education system.

This show is clearly an ensemble piece. The most familiar face to most viewers of the pilot episode was Zachary Ty Bryan (the eldest son on "Home Improvement"). However, the supporting cast, top to bottom, is excellent.

Obviously, this is a TV show and not real life, so the characters are exaggerated a bit, but it is refreshing to see multi-dimensional characters. This is probably due to the influence wielded by uber-producer David E. Kelley ("Ally McBeal," "The Practice"). Quirky, flawed, human characters are prevalent in his shows and movies.

The hard but just Principal Harper (Chi McBride) leads by example, but antics in his school have him on the hot-burner with the superintendent. It's admirable how Harper deals with everything from irate parents to guns in school to first amendment rights in a single episode. Even more feared is the vice-principal, Guber (Anthony Heald). He routinely stares down taller students, and enforces the laws at the school. So naturally he falls for pretty teacher Lauren Davis (Jessalyn Gilsig). By the end of episode one, he has a soft side.

All the teachers have their obstacles to face. Davis is failing the star running back, so the football player's father threatens to sue. Harvey Lipshultz (Fyvush Finkel, "Picket Fences") has history students threatening the historical accuracy of the textbooks. Harry Senate (Nicky Katt) has to deal with The Dungeon, the top miscreants of the school. How bad is The Dungeon? The last teacher all but threatened suicide. Lawlessness reigns. So ambitious Senate decides to pack heat. By shooting a few blanks, he shuts them up all right, but oversteps political correctness and nearly loses his job.

Oh yes, he also had a brief affair with student Dana Poole. Yes, "Election" fans, this is going to cost him. Poole is an Alicia Silverstone look-a-like, one of the few students highlighted in the premiere. She not only slept with Harry Senate, she also refuses to wear a bra to school. In tonight's episode, she has another starring role, as she ignites an all-school female protest against brassieres and the secret of her affair spreads to the teachers.

The characters are all there. Only the plots remained to be determined. In true Kelley style, plots will not be solved in 30 minutes or less. Each teacher and student will have his or her chance to shine. Such melodramatic yet touching statements as "what good is a teacher that can't feel?" and "we made it through another week" will probably be standard. Lauren Davis will keep appearing at opportune times. Lipshultz will remain outrageous. And it will be worth it. Here's to some more episodes about Winslow High's best and brightest.

Courtesy of The Fox Network

Fyvush Finkel: Say it five times fast.