WHITE SHADOW, THE: MAINSTREAM (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas about Ken Reeves, a former professional basketball player who begins a new life as the basketball coach of Carver High, an inner-city high school in Los Angeles. The team is on a losing streak and is starting to get disheartened. At a faculty meeting, Coach Reeves discusses ways to improve "school spirit" to heighten his team's morale, such as by creating a mascot for the team. The meeting's primary purpose is to discuss "mainstreaming;" the school is required by federal law to incorporate students with disabilities into regular classes. Mrs. Simpson, the guidance counselor in charge of the mainstreaming process, asks Coach Reeves to incorporate an autistic student named Tom Hendricks into his team as part of the mainstreaming. She explains that at his other school he is beginning to learn social interaction via basketball. Coach Reeves refuses, believing he has too many problems to deal with already. However, Mrs. Simpson is persistent and arranges a meeting between Coach Reeves and Tom. Reeves tries to introduce himself but Tom doesn't appear to acknowledge his presence. Mrs. Simpson reveals that she already promised Tom and his mother that Reeves would take him and Reeves is upset that Simpson overstepped her boundaries. Jim and Sybil agree but ask Reeves to take Tom onto the team anyway, citing his record of involvement with many of his team's personal problems. Reeves is concerned that he might inadvertently make Tom worse, but agrees to take him once Mrs. Simpson introduces him to Tom's mother, Mrs. Hendricks. Reeves tells the team about Tom's inclusion and they are apprehensive about having an autistic teammate. He instructs them not to change their behavior, but not to make fun of Tom. Tom arrives at practice accompanied by Marsha Donners, his full-time aide. Tom quickly proves to be difficult to manage, exhibiting strange behavior which Reeves cannot dispel. Marsha suggests being patient with him. Later, Reeves has dinner with his sister and brother-in-law and contemplates the situation with Tom. His sister advises him to act in his usual manner around Tom. The next day, Reeves attempts to engage Tom during practice, but Tom still seems unable to acknowledge him. He lets the rest of the team go early so he can work with Tom individually. He tries to practice passing with Tom, but he is totally unresponsive. Finally Reeves snaps at Tom and walks off; Marsha is incensed at Tom's behavior and says she will recommend that Tom be taken out of Carver. While the two of them argue, Tom finally begins dribbling the basketball, leaving Reeves to believe that he is making some progress with him. Nevertheless, Marsha does not change her opinion and Tom is sent back to his old school. Reeves talks to Sybil about Marsha's decision and is against it; he now genuinely wants to help Tom. Sybil says there is little she can do but suggests that he convince Mrs. Hendricks to put Tom back in Carver. Reeves begins to think that his "temper tantrum" might have been a step towards having Tom adjust to the real world. He visits Tom's school, specializing in the education of students with mental or learning disabilities. He discovers that Tom's teacher would very much like Tom to become mainstreamed, and that he has been talking endlessly about Carver and the basketball team since he returned. Next, Reeves visits the Hendricks residence to speak to Mrs. Hendricks. He asks her to give him another chance with Tom and she seems appreciative of the support Reeves offers. She allows them to practice at the empty gym together. Tom starts dribbling the ball and asks to be called "Thomas." The day of the big game comes around and the team gets a look at their new mascot costume, a giant peanut. They have a good laugh, but decide the thing looks ridiculous. Sybil, Mrs. Hendricks, and Marsha are in attendance as Thomas sits on the bench next to Reeves. The first half commences and the Carver team enjoys a large lead. The team returns to the locker room, feeling proud of themselves. They agree that if the opportunity presents itself, they would like to put Thomas in the game. They return to the court for the second half, leaving Thomas in the locker room next to the peanut costume. Just before the second half begins Thomas runs out of the locker room in the costume, running around the entire court. Reeves and the team manage to move him aside and with Mrs. Hendricks' help, remove the costume. Reeves is surprised when Mrs. Hendricks isn't mad at him for the incident. With less than a minute left to go in the game, Carver leads by almost thirty points. The team asks Reeves if they can put Thomas in the game, as they feel there is no possibility of them losing. Reeves asks Mrs. Hendricks, who feels it is out of the question. However, the team drags Thomas out onto the court anyway and hand him the ball, urging him to shoot the basket. A hush comes over the court. Slowly, Thomas sends the ball up. The episode ends before the results of the shot are shown. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: March 5, 1979 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:41
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:16816
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; African-American Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1978-1981
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Bruce Paltrow … Executive Producer, Created by
- Mark Tinker … Producer
- Scott Brazil … Associate Producer
- Victor Lobl … Director
- George Geiger … Writer
- Mike Post … Music by
- Peter Carpenter … Music by
- Ken Howard … Cast, Ken Reeves
- Joan Pringle … Cast, Sybil Buchanan
- Ed Bernard … Cast, Jim Willis
- Thomas Carter … Cast, James Hayward
- Kevin Hooks … Cast, Morris Thorpe
- Eric Kilpatrick … Cast, Curtis Jackson
- Byron Stewart … Cast, Warren Coolidge
- Nathan Cook … Cast, Milton Reese
- Timothy Van Patten … Cast, Mario "Salami" Pettrino
- Ken Michelman … Cast, Abner Goldstein
- Ira Angustain … Cast, Ricky Gomez
- Jerry Fogel … Cast, Bill Donahue
- Robin Rose … Cast, Katie Donahue
- Barbara Babcock … Cast, Mrs. Simpson
- James Cromwell … Cast, Mr. Hamilton
- Deborah White … Cast, Marsha Donners
- Ketty Lester … Cast, Mrs. Hendricks
- Jason Green … Cast, Tom Hendricks
- Nicholas Mele … Cast, Teacher
- Virginia Leith … Cast, Teacher
- Jeff Bannister … Cast, Referee
- Luisa Leschin … Cast, Student