I'll rate the show (at least the pilot episode) on two different scales: humor, and "impact on schools" (since, after all, the show may actually change people's thoughts and assumptions about the teaching profession, schools, etc. like Boston Public did). On a humor level, I can't say that I laughed that much... and I'm not shy when it comes to laughter. The opening scene, for instance, started with two teachers playing a game of golf during a free period, and when one of their shots landed in a math classroom (where class was actually taking place, mind you), the two teachers waltzed in and continued their game with not-so-clever lines like "this is a geometry class right? how much force should I use to hit this sphere through that rectangle (door) to get it over that water fountain hazard?"

On an "impact on schools" level, I think the show may have some interesting effects - assuming it doesn't get canceled in the next few weeks. For starters, maybe it'll help build community among teachers who can relate to the stresses, peer-interactions, student-interactions, and quirks of the job. Or maybe it will be bad because students who watch it will see even more how teachers are just ordinary human beings with flaws also, further undermining the prestige of the profession in youth eyes. Bottom line is, I don't really know - but I do encourage any of you students or teachers out there who did watch the show to chime in with what you think. Post a comment or send me an email (aaron@oured.org) and we can post your thoughts up on Our Education blog.