First Impressions - Teachers

New sitcoms this season have been either extremely good (see My Name Is Earl, Everybody Hates Chris, How I Met Your Mother) or extremely bad (see Emily’s Reasons Why Not, Courting Alex, Four Kings). Now NBC is rolling out its latest effort, Teachers, a comedy about, well, the title pretty much sums it up.

The show starts off with two teachers already burned out they have resorted to playing golf in the halls. And being that this isn’t reality, no one even cares except the goody-goody teacher whose room they slice in to. And that’s not even the most farfetched gag of the first episode. That goes to the substitute teacher who asks one of the golfers if they want a beer only to pull one out of her bag. Oh and the teacher just happens to have a bottle opener that “came with the desk.” Then the very next day the sub is given a full time job. Um, yeah, right.

The teacher in question, Jeff, is played by Justin Bartha who actually has Gigli on his résumé (straight from the NBC.com “Bartha also garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of the mentally challenged younger brother of a powerful federal prosecutor in Martin Brest's “Gigli,” opposite Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and Christopher Walken.”). His golfing buddy Calvin, is portrayed by Deon Richmond who is best know for play token back dudes teen movies including the Token Black Dude in Not Another Teen Movie. Rounding out the trio of slacking teachers is the elder of the group, Dick, with Phil Hendrie who has done a bunch of work for cartoons, and one look at him and it’s easy to see why. Needless to say, no one will be wearing an “I (Heart) Dick” t-shirt at this high school.

Of course the female teachers on the staff are inexplicitly hot especially Sarah Shahi (see at left), who suddenly disappeared from Alias to never be mentioned again for no reason, as the previously mention alcoholic substitute teacher turned full time staff member. Expect a Van Halen sountrack as she walks down the hall in upcoming episodes. Then there’s the token stuck up British import Alice, played by the equally British Sarah Alexander in her first major role on this side of the pond. Also look out for Kali Rocha, best known as Halfrek, Anya’s demon fiend from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as the straight-laced principal at the high school.

Verdict: What’s sad is that Boston Public was funnier than this show yet still better than the recently canceled Four Kings. But then again, even if it was funny, it wouldn't matter as Veronica Mars will be moving into the timeslot in two weeks.